Jai Blue is a multi-talented artist who has made a name for herself in various creative fields. With a Bachelor's degree in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music, she excels as a singer, songwriter, rapper, producer, arranger, actress, and dancer. Jai's captivating and vibrant pop music, infused with cosmic elements, enthralls audiences in both English and Korean.
Hello Jai! Can you give a brief introduction of yourself and describe the kind of music you create?
Jai: Hi, I’m Jai Blue. I’m a singer-songwriter with many other talents. I’m 24 and I’m from Maryland. And I’m a BerkleeCollege of Music graduate. I make cosmic, tantalizing, and fun Pop music in English and Korean. While I consider my music Pop, I do mix in other genres like R&B, Disco, Funk, Hip-Hop, Dance and more!
What was the defining moment that you knew you wanted to be a professional musician?
Jai: It’s hard to pick an exact moment. Honestly I knew I wanted to be a musician since I was 4. So, that dream has been with me almost my whole life. But a moment that really solidified it for me was when I did my first musical theater show. I was 7 and I played Mother Abbess in the Sound of Music. As the show ended and I was bowing for the audience; the applause and the feeling I got from being on stage let me know I just had to be a singer.
What KPOP artists are you inspired by and or enjoy listening to?
Jai: My biggest inspirations in KPOP have always been G-Dragon and CL. I love everything about them as artists. From the music, to the fashion, and the unwavering confidence they both have. Also, G-Dragon is the reason I decided to be a KPOP artist. The songwriting on his “Heartbreaker” album moved me so much I realized I had to make KPOP, not just listen to it. But right now, I enjoy listening to Stray Kids, Aespa, Sunmi, Kai and many more!
You have a strong social media presence. Which social networking site do you feel gives you the most creative freedom and allows you to effectively connect to listeners?
Jai: Definitely TikTok! On TikTok I feel free to post a variety of things. From Kpop covers, to makeup videos or even funny lipsync trends. My fans on there are very receptive to me doing different things. I’ve been connecting really well with them lately through doing lives on TikTok too. We have Kpoplistening parties where they suggest songs and I react to them. I also play my music for them and it’s been going very well.
What is your ultimate dream in the music industry?
Jai: My ultimate dream is to be an artist that thrives in both the Kpop and Western Pop industries. To combine the elements of them in a unique way, so I can bring something new to both spaces. These are the two genres that shaped me as a musician. So, it’s only natural that I create in both those spaces, and join the other artists who are fusing them too.
Have you been to South Korea? If yes, how did you enjoy your time there? If not, what’s the first thing you’d want to do there?
Jai: I have not been to South Korea yet, but I’m hoping I can go this year! There are so many great things to do, it’s hard to choose. So I’ll pick visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace. I love learning about cultures and history. So seeing the palace would be really amazing. The architecture is truly beautiful.
You’ve worked with many notable artists such as Grandmaster Flash, Nona Hendryx, Hank Shocklee. Who else would you love to collaborate with in the future?
Jai: My dream collaborations are G-Dragon and Victoria Monet. I really hope I can work with either of them when I become a bigger artist. I believe we could make incredible music together. As for right now, I’m happy to collaborate with any artist, big or small, that I connect with musically. So I’ve been reaching out to some smaller artists and we’ll see what happens.
What if any challenges have you faced as an African American in your pursuit of a KPop career?
Jai: So far there haven’t been many. I’ve been doing a lot of networking with writers, producers and others in the Kpopindustry and everyone has been positive and welcoming. The only negativity I’ve received has been from the audience. The majority of comments I get are positive, and people seem to really like what I’m doing. But occasionally I do get hate comments from people who have an issue with a Black woman doing Kpop. But I’m not the kind of person to let that stop me, so I ignore it the best I can.
Your recent song “I can’t sleep tonight (2424)” has a distinct pop style but with a soulful edge. Can you tell me more about that song and what was the process like in creating it?
Jai: Yes, “I Can’t Sleep Tonight (2424)” is definitely a Pop song with R&B flavor mixed in. The best way I can describe it, is as a dreamy and sensual love song. That talks about the exciting nature of new love or a crush. I actually had not planned on this song being my first single. A producer friend of mine sent me the beat and said If I had any ideas he’d like me to write something on it. So I originally wrote this as a demo I would pitch to other artists. But as I was writing it I realized the song was perfect for me and fit feelings I had at that time. After that it was an easy process recording it and working with the producer to get everything finished and released.
