When he first emerged with his breakthrough debut single ‘Heaven And Home’ last year, Jamaica-based artist J-Summa instantly established himself as one of the more enthralling names on the rise. And after yet more praise and acclaim recently, he now returns with his stellar sophomore offering ‘You’re Not Alone’.
So we thought now would be a good time to pin him down to find out more about his background and where he plans to take his sound next.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
I started singing in the church when I was around 7. I always loved singing, I guess you can say it was my calling.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
Wow, there are many like the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Al Green, Donny Hathaway, Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and of course our Jamaican legends Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Dennis Brown. There are a lot more but they have definitely shaped the way I ingest, interpret and listen to music in a very positive way. Music is a safe space for me.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
Yeah man, I remember singing at a church concert when I was around 15, I think the song was Jesus on the Main Line and that feeling of performing really resonated with me and at that moment I knew music is the path I had to pursue.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
Well, there is no set or particular way we write music, sometimes the lyrics comes first then I’ll compose the chords and melody around it or I’ll have a riff or some chords then we’ll work on a melody and the lyrics but mainly the first stages are always done acoustically.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
Well there’s always inspiration around us, you just have to take the time to listen, feel and absorb the energy of life and translate that into melodies, chords and lyrics, but most importantly I listen to my soul and try to be as honest as I can in my delivery of the song.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I want my listeners to walk away with the feeling of true love, hope, unity, happiness, peace of mind and soul.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
The journey is definitely not for the faint of heart, you have to truly dedicate yourself to your craft. Even though there are more ways to distribute your music than there were 30 years ago, now there are 10s of thousands of songs being uploaded daily so it’s a more competitive market in getting your music heard and distributed, especially as an emerging artist.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
Even though this isn’t exactly music but music did open the door for me to be casted in the Bob Marley One Love Movie. It was a great honour to play Antonio ‘Gillie’ Gilbert (the chef) and work alongside Ziggy Marley, Rei (the director), Kingsley, Lashauna and the rest of the cast and crew. I have some really incredible memories that I’ll never forget.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
Prayer, being grateful for each day, staying close to my family, believing in myself and having a strong supportive team, that’s how I stay grounded.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
Fans can expect loads more content, more songs, videos and live performances.
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
At the top.
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Listen to J-Summa’s new single ‘You’re Not Alone’ below.
