Jay-Way - Sound In The Signals Interview

I recently had the opportunity to interview Jay-Way ahead of the release of new song, “Coolie”, which is out today. We discussed what he hopes listeners take away from his latest EP, ‘No, I’m Not Ok’, recording new songs, “Coolie” and “Legend”, lyrical inspiration, filming the video for “Coolie”, and more. Check it out below.

First, thanks for the interview.

Nah, Thank you!

You released your latest EP, ‘No, I’m Not Ok’ last year. What are your thoughts looking back on it now? What do you hope listeners take away from it?

Almost a year already and we’re still in a pandemic (laughs). I think the timing of the release was perfect when I think about the overall message.

I hope the project encourages listeners, especially those that are going through it mentally. The overall message of the project is hope and I hope they find it through the EP.

How did the pandemic impact you with the release and with creating new music?

I mostly enjoyed the release from home which was weird. I was hoping to interact with my audience through liveshows. I’ve been able to have more time experimenting though.

You’re releasing two new songs, “Coolie” and “Legend”. What can you tell me about the recording process for those songs?

My friend Rainier Smith who created my video for “Diaries” used to always say the word “coolie”. He’s the real trendsetter for that. I loved how it sounded and I made a song out of it. “Coolie” is the first song I recorded from home. We were in a strict lockdown during that time so we couldn’t visit studios. I built a little set up at the crib and made it happen.

“Legend” was created in the fall of 2020 if I’m not mistaken. They opened the studios again and I got in touch with the guitar player Yeezo through instagram. He reached out to me after I dropped ‘No I’m Not Ok’. He has done some awesome work behind the scenes. I think he’s next up for sure. He has worked with Trippie Redd, Lil Keed, Polo G, and more.

He sent me this guitar loop and it gave me pop-rock vibes that I grew up listening to. I put my main producer Dayme on it and I freestyled the first verse and we were in love with it and finished it months later.

What was your lyrical inspiration for the new songs?

“Coolie” is me taking a little break from the melodic stuff my new fan base grew accustomed to. I went back into the archive. Brought back Jaynalysis (first EP) for this. Just wanted to rap again. I missed it and I wanted my new audience to know that I’m not just a singing artist. The song is a summary of where my mind was at last year. Kobe passing, police brutality etc.

You shot a video for “Coolie”. What was the video shoot like and who came up with the concept for it?

Big Shout out to the team Joachim Spruijt and Trip to the moon and everyone involved. I explained the concept for the song to my director Joachim, and he went to the hyperbolic time chamber with a killer treatment. The glitter was NO JOKE!

The world should’ve warned me about using glitter. Big shout out to the stylist my best friend Edward Boyé who customized the glitter outfits and went back to the location the next day to clean the location of all glitter for nearly 3 hours…on his birthday.

The glitter outfits really looked fire so I’m not mad. Also a shoutout to Jeremy Wielzen for creating the wig which I think really plays a huge role in this video.