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You're tuned in to The 411 with SOS, the business of the music business for those who don't know but need to know. Welcome to The 411 with SOS. I'm your host Sandra Smith. I continue my conversation on the business of music today Our guest is Jay Brown. His name is John Brown, but he goes by Jay Brown and he is a very very talented young man who has been Putting in the work for the past 10 years I'm sure, because my opinion is that everybody who's an overnight sensation is 10 years in the making. John, let me full disclosure, I helped to work his last single because I thought it was just amazing. John is signed to an independent label that is owned by some very good friends of mine and that is The Connection. So he has agreed to come and talk to us today and tell us a little bit about what his journey as an artist has been. Because all of my conversations thus far has been with professionals who help independent artists, but I haven't had an actual independent artist on the air to tell us about that journey. So John, thank you so much for your time. Welcome to the show. This is the 411 with SOS. We are talking about the business of music. And I wanted you, if you would, please just tell us a little bit about how you got started, how long ago was that, what has the journey been like, and was it worth it to you?

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So welcome, John.

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Yeah, thanks for having me on. It was definitely fun, you know, to work for something all your life. And, you know, I've had previous major record deals.

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I mean, I kind of not have a major record deal. Who were you signed to before? Tell us

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what labels were you on before? So I was with Jay Records before. I was also with Virgin. I was with Virgin before as well. Okay. So then after that, oh and Universal

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Republic. Okay so you have you have had the good fortune of being signed to three major labels prior?

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Yeah, three.

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That's tremendous.

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Yeah, but the two were through other people's companies, so it was like a distribution deal, but it was signed directly to the Universal Republic. That was in 2009, so I think 2012. So after that, I just kind of took a break and, you know, got back involved in it a year and a half ago. And since then I've had four Billboard charting hits, but it's been a process. You know, nothing happens overnight, you know, good things come to those who work hard. Right.

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And I've worked hard for a while,

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especially considering, like you mentioned, in the independent world, it's a challenge. You know, a lot of people want to get involved in it, but it's not just, you know, talent, it's more than that. It's just like truly a marathon. You have to really connect the right dots and have really good people behind you. That's what's ultimately the main thing.

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So tell us what happened with the other deals that you had because some people never get an affiliation with one major label. So for you to have had three, that obviously speaks to the fact that everybody believes that you are talented.

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Yeah, I hope they do.

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Well, I mean, no, no, seriously, because while artists are emotional, they're not your friends, they're none of that. It's all about whether or not they're going to get a return on their investment. And so when they sign you, they believe that you've got something that is going to help them grow their company. So again, kudos to you because I do agree with them. You are extremely talented, you're very gifted, and like I said before you have we're jumping ahead a little bit you're releasing two singles in the next couple of weeks one is going to go to mainstream radio and one is going to go to R&B radio and both of those records are hit and I'm super excited for you. Thank you so much. One you're a nice person and two you're very talented and I'm going to be proud to have helped have a hand in the success of these two new singles.

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Yeah, I was going to say thank you.

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You know, for your help contributing to it.

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No, no, no, it's true. I mean, you're family though, right? So let me say that again. You are signed to a label that's owned by two of my best friends. And so naturally I'm going to put my efforts behind you. You know, and I love your attitude because all the conversations we've had, you've always been grateful, you've always been positive, which is something that I talked about and some of my other shows Nobody really because because the process can be so long When we encounter artists that are not cooperative artists that are not wanting to work artists that are lazy You know artists that just don't want to really roll up their sleeves and and sort of kind of co-create with us You know, we kind of back away from you and I know personally I have some.

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You have to.

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Right?

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Because otherwise you're wasting your time. I've had not one person that I've worked with that helped you on the last project. I had at least three people say to me, no, I'm going to keep helping out because he's a really nice guy. I really like him. Which is people, people can, you cannot, like I cannot say how important it is in this game for you to have grace like that Because everybody's time is money, right? So when people are saying No, I'll stay with him because you know, I'll keep pushing with him because he's just nice. That's a part of it as well Mm-hmm

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Especially when it comes to people investing their time, energy, effort, everything into your dreams. Yes. You know, so you not only have to be appreciative, but you have to show them that you are actually appreciative. It's one thing to think it, but show it. Don't always be so dependent on people who are investing in you. If you can do something, make it happen. At the end of the day, it shows that person that he not only believes in himself by investing in himself, but he also cares enough to say, you know what, I don't wanna always try to put everything on them. So it shows that you care about them versus using them, so to speak.

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A lot of people.

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Well, yeah, because in this business,

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it's a lot of that. A lot of people get used, used up, put outside, washed up, all that. Well, it's a business with lots of big egos everywhere on everybody's part. So when you find people that work for the label that are just invested in the success, then you've had the artists who match that energy, you know, amazing things happen. So John, tell me a little bit about how you came to the new situation that you're in with Maurice.

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with Maurice? Yeah so my manager and I, Maurice, we now have a record deal with SRG, our new record label is SRG slash ILS under Universal Music Group and so I'm back with Universal under that umbrella again. Family. Yes family, so we, you know, the good thing is they believe in me. There's not much of a dictatorship, which a lot of these labels have a tendency of doing, like, you know, like you put this out, you dress this way. Kind of like, you know, I'm gonna let you do your thing. I believe in you. Don't screw it up because I believe in you. It's more of a collaborative respect relationship as opposed to an autocratic

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dictatorship relationship. And you've had both obviously right? I've had both. I'm

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experienced enough to know that hey you're given opportunities especially on multiple occasions that you have to take full advantage. You know this this stuff like this it doesn't happen overnight. Of course it doesn't happen all the time and especially on a consistent basis. Right. So I think that a lot of people, for those who are listening, you just take your notes. Notate everything we're saying because it isn't an easy road. And it's one thing to have talent, not to be redundant, but you have talent plus great people behind you.

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You wanna be able to show it.

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Well, talent is not enough because a lot of people have talent. It is not enough.

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Hell no. Not enough. Like I don't care what anyone says anymore. Like anyone can see me. So all you have to do is throw some autotune on you, look good, okay, okay, put that person on stage, you can mark them. It's not even about that. It's about connections, it's about...

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Relationships?

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Yeah, connections, relationships.

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Relationships.

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Which equates to connections. Hopefully.

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It does.

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But, yeah, and that's mainly what it's about. And you, as an artist, you have to show people that you're worth it. Like you said, you're a good person. I think I've displayed that throughout the years.

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You have. Talk to us about your creative process. Well let me, I'm sorry, before you do that, let me ask you. So the previous deals that you had, the good fortune that you had to have these other deals that didn't quite happen or didn't quite take your career to whatever next level you thought perhaps it would go to. How did you maintain your focus? How did you not become angry and bitter? How did you stay in the zone to keep going every time you basically got dropped is you know what happened? Yeah you know that's a really good

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question I kind of just went with the flow you know mm-hmm I let God lead me as cliche as that may sound. No. You know you can't really ask I mean when it comes to God whatever like yeah that's the truth God is the main reason like whenever I felt like you know my my thoughts would kind of just kind of take a detour in the sense of me not believing in my abilities, I would prey on it. So I think that these situations, the previous situations, they were lessons, but they also helped strengthen what I thought might drift away, considering that these situations had ended. You know, some people, they get discouraged. Yeah. Kind of going through the shell, so to speak. But for me, it just, it was motivation.

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How did you motivate yourself, though? Like, did you continue to write music? Did

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you continue... Nope. Nope? Nope. No. You know, honestly, I'm not gonna lie to you. I didn't continue writing. Well, you know, writing music in the sense of, like, you know, trying to get placements, no. But, like, I would always write and record but it wasn't for me to get back out here in the industry it was just something I love to do uh-huh and it just so happens that I always told myself I know I'm gonna get back in the industry I know that I'm gonna make it to this level I know there's gonna happen I've spoken into existence like my manager and I we started working back together like super randomly like it was just random like we we hadn't worked with each other in like over 13 years.

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So you've known him for that length of time? You've known Maurice for that length of time?

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Oh yeah.

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Wow. About 14, 15 years.

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Wow.

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Roughly.

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That's crazy.

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Because when I spoke to him, and he's going to be on the next episode, you know, it's the same kind of thing. He was just like, you know, I believe in this kid, I believe in him, I believe in him, and I believe in him. of yourself. It's easier, I think, when you have a community of people that are there and they're uplifting you and they're, you know, they're feeding your soul and they're feeding your spirit and they're feeding you what you need to hear to keep going. A lot of people don't have that, right? So for the times that you did not have that, I was trying to get you to tell us, you know, obviously you just said that, you know, God inspires you. How did you keep yourself from dropping music completely and going and driving a truck or becoming a doctor or you know any other thing that was away

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I was actually going on that way I was trying to become a doctor that was that was my whole plan if all else failed but I think that just me knowing that it could happen and that it would happen again. You know, believing in myself, just being self-motivated, like,

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prayer,

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medication, surrounding yourself with the right people. You know, you surround yourself with the wrong people, as we all should know, that's a really immediate potential whatever, it's your dreams. Whatever it is you want to accomplish out of life, surrounding yourself with the wrong people will block those blessings. And so I always made sure that I always stayed around the right people.

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You stayed in touch with Maurice. I stayed in touch with myself.

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Yeah, yeah, yeah.

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Even when we didn't stay in touch on a regular basis, I still stayed in touch with him. Right. Not really bad blood, anything like that. It was just, it was what it was. He had his own group, he found a new group and everything. And I said, I know we're going to work again one day. And I told myself that yeah that time expired with his

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group and boom then it was your turn again yeah you got that phone call yeah

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like you know yeah Maurice's family you know he's good people

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he get a little crazy sometimes that's still my guy. Well you get no disagreement here, but we do love him, don't we?

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Right.

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Yeah, yeah, that's my man.

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Because the one thing he is serious about this game of the business of music that we're all in. You know, not only is he serious about it, he loves it. And that's a big part of it, right? We got to love what we do to keep ourselves engaged, even when, you know, there's not one positive thing being said because I'm sure you heard a lot of are you done with that music thing yet? Are you ready to move on to a serious job?

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Yeah man, it's a blessing. It's a blessing. Like I said, surround yourself with the right people and

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Maurice is exactly that. Fantastic. So tell us a little bit about the music that's coming up. How how that came because I know you've got a super awesome collaboration. You did a collaboration with Tank. Yep, Tank and I, we have a dope record single coming after my current single which is Simpin is at the DSP's. Download now. Download right now. So Simpin is the one that's for mainstream and then the tank track is going to go to R&B radio. What's the name of that track? That track is called Don't Rush. It is a phenomenal track. I mean really dope. So yeah, that's the true blessing.

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have two singles at two different formats and I say both singles are hits

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and I do that's what I do for a living I hear hit records when I hear them and so we know that is a foregone conclusion 13 years later right? Right. Right. But you had a really dope single last year that went into the top ten it was called Vibe and it was just a great track you got a lot of airplay on it, you got a lot of exposure on it. It really, even though you had some other success, but that one really put you on the map because it was a great single and we had a chance to really work it at radio. And now you're coming back this year with not one, but two. And, you know, I think there's more stuff on your album as well, or your EP or whatever you guys end up.

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Oh yeah, yeah, I have them. Chapter and verse dropping May 6th. You guys be on the lookout for that as well.

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That's fantastic. So if you had to leave the audience with three pieces of advice that you would give anybody that is working towards where you are now at, what would you tell them?

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Wait, I'm sorry. Repeat that one last time.

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I wanted you to give three pieces of advice, three pieces of solid advice that you can now share with the audience based on the journey that you've taken from when you started 13, 15, 20 years ago to now. Can you give us three pieces of advice, three things that you believe has really made the difference in you staying the course or Making a left turn and going someplace else Because you because what I'm saying is you staying with music even in your darkest days even during the time when nothing was happening You stayed with it to now this place where you know I'm being a little bit prophetic and what I'm saying because people haven't heard the music But trust me when I tell you these records are hits and you will agree when you hear them. So you are on the verge of breaking wide open, right? People will know who Jay Brown is. What would you tell a person or your younger self if you had to give your younger self advice about being in the business of music? So just make sure you're

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aware of everything at all times. That includes yourself.

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That's why I said everything.

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Make sure you're aware that you're around the right people. In other words, surround yourself with the right people and make sure that you are taking the time out to put people's brains, you know? People may appear one way and they may be another way. So you know, just pay close attention. Secondly, stay true to your art, you know? You're going to get a thousand no's before you receive a few yeses. So just stay self-motivated and ultimately keep Which pertains to being self-motivated keep just working at your craft like, you know, I don't care What it is you love to do just always always keep working to improve Especially we all can improve in certain areas. I mean all of us, right, but I think as it relates to music, I think that you just constantly have to keep doing it. Keep doing it, keep making things better, keep writing, keep singing. Because at the end of the day, vocals have a tendency of, you can kind of scratch your hearing there, so you gotta fine tune that instrument. Your vocal chords are an instrument. Make sure you're going to those classes. Don't think you're too good to go to certain classes, because the best of the best, they all have vocal cords. Right. So just stay self-motivated. Just make sure you surround yourself with the right people and just keep fighting the good fight because at the end of the day, as I stated, you'll receive a thousand no's before you receive a few yeses. Just keep pushing. Don't give up. I would

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always tell people that I was starting to work with or counsel or give advice to is patience is your friend. In this business, it is really essential to not buy into the idea that something is going to pass you by and you would have missed your turn, right? Like you're going to rush to make a bad decision because you're anxious about the fact that you're 26 and oh my god it hasn't happened yet. Because it's possibly still coming right? Yeah, yeah, oh yeah for sure

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it can happen you know you just gotta just stay at it. Yeah. Keep digging, keep digging. You'll find that treasure. Good for you.

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Just keep going. Well I want to say congratulations again because you are about to be out of here like in a big way, but again, that...

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You've heard the records, obviously, right?

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Of course. Wait, wait, not only did I hear the records, but I didn't respond fast enough to Simpin, and I got a couple phone calls with some choice words behind it, and it's like, dude, you sent me six records.

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Wait, give it time, bro, hold on.

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And it was like, wait, is this the last one?

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I'm a man in petty right now.

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So, yes, I have heard everything. I've seen the video again. I'm not trying to hype you up. You are the real deal. I wish to congratulate you in advance. Sure, you'll get invited to the Grammy party real soon. Not this year, but possibly next year. Real soon. Because your work is worthy. It's that quality. I want to thank you very much for taking time to call in today and to give some really good insight because you are the perfect artist The perfect independent artist that I've been talking about for the past umpteen weeks on this podcast And you just personify everything that is real about how the process actually works as opposed to all that other stuff that we see on television that's not true.

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Exactly.

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I want to say thank you for saying that. I mean I'm talking about wow. I'm literally, listen, for you to say all that stuff, it's truly a blessing. That's the best way to say it. And I definitely appreciate it. I'm telling you I do. I really do. You've always been a sweetheart.

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My pleasure.

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And I want to say to you, thank you for having me on this platform. I like it. I would love to come back. Hopefully you'll let me come back.

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Absolutely.

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Especially when it comes to exposure, like, it's a great exposure for artists, you know, so, yeah. And guys, follow me on social media, at jbrownmusiconly, that's all my social media handles, jbrownmusiconly. Follow me, check out my new single, Femping, be on the lookout for my album, which is Chapter and Verse, drops May 6th, and also my second single with my big bro, my idol, Tank, which is entitled Don't Rush. Stay on the lookout for that.

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That is so dope. You know what, before you go, cause I did remember Maurice telling me that the tank was one of your favorites and what, like I saw all the pictures and you know, you were at his house and, you know, I was sitting in my living room drooling. Um, what was that like? Cause my favorite is the queen, Tina Turner, and I've never had a chance to meet her. I missed my opportunity. What was that like to be working with one of your idols? Oh he's the only idol. The only idol? Wow.

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The only. Wow. Been that way since I was like seven, no like ten. Wow. Yeah. Dream come true. Yeah it's crazy. Like my last record label they knew how much like, like I'm talking about I'm a huge Tank fanatic. Not in a weird way but like. Not in a stalky creepy kind of way.

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He's a queer, you say. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

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As in, I didn't...

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I really admire him.

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You admire him, right.

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Yeah, he's admired him for a long time, so... They always say, don't meet your idols, right? Because they'll disappoint you.

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Obviously, that wasn't the case with you. Nah, nah. Tank is like, super humble. I worked with him 14 years ago. My previous record label, they knew how much I liked them and they paired me with them. They didn't tell me they were pairing me with them, but I just like discovered it like at the last minute. I'm like, oh, they hooked me up with Payne because they knew I obviously was a fan. So, working with him now, fast forward, it's the same thing. Like, he's the same guy. Uncle, like, will give you a shirt off his back. Like, yeah, he's super personable, just a good soul. I mean, which is a rarity in this industry. Truly is. Very few people, I've met a lot of people.

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That's successful, yes.

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Yeah, like that's like successful, like Tank is, I'm telling you, he's like, he's a going guy, super funny. I mean, yeah, and super talented as we all know.

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So happy for you John, so happy. It is awesome when you can do what you love, be happy to be doing what you love, and at the same time bring a lot of joy and get an opportunity to hang out with your idols and the people that have literally paved the way for you to have a shot. That's tremendous. Congratulations again, I'm really happy for you. Congratulations to you Sandra and I thank you for having me

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on. Stay safe, stay away from these weirdos because you know COVID is flying around. We

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have to protect you Sandra. We good, we good. Oh child I've been hiding for two years. I only come out of the cave to do things and I run right back. I'm not gonna lie though. I'm happy that we're getting back to some semblance of what used to be normal. Yes. Yes. I miss people. I yeah, I'm a people person. I miss seeing people. I miss hanging out with people. I miss I don't want to be scared. You know, I don't want to be worried to be next to somebody. So I'm literally going to

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the market right now. And I threw my mask on even though they released the mandate.

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I'm not taking I do the same. I do the same. All right, man. Well, you have a great day. We will definitely be seeing each other and talking soon because you're going to be in Las Vegas for the Grammys. And I am here. So I'll see you when you get here and we'll talk. Thank you so much for joining us today.

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Thank you.

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Have a great one.

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Have a good one.

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You too.

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Bye bye.

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Bye.

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This is Sondra Smith. You have been listening to the 411 with SOS. You can hear our show here on 91.5 Jazz and More, the second Sunday at 8.30 a.m. of every month. You can hear our show here on 91.5 Jazz and More, the second Sunday at 8.30 a.m. of every month. Thank you so much for joining us. I hope you have a great week.