Jay Sean Hits the Lights – for sure!

Jay Sean was born on March 26, 1981. According to Chinese Astrology and in honor of The Lunar New Year his sign is the Year of the Rooster. More specifically, he is an Aries Rooster! The Aries Rooster is Blunt, yet witty, and these Roosters speak in plain terms. That is undoubtedly Jay Sean! They do not hold qualms about their feelings and don’t mind sharing their points of view. They are honest and trustworthy and expect the same of others, especially friends and family. Roosters make excellent dentists, actors, dancers, and musicians which is very ironic because Jay Sean enrolled in Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary, University of London to study Medicine before dropping out in 2003 to pursue his singing career. He is a songwriter, singer, dancer, record producer and a musician. He plays both the guitar and the piano. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to ask him about whether or not he believes in Chinese Astrology but it would have clearly made for a very interesting topic!

Roosters need a love partner who will be a stable companion, one who can take everything he dishes out. He needs someone who will stand up to him and his mincing words and put him in place when need be. According to Chinese Astrology, the best love matches for the Rooster are the Ox and the Snake. Both matches for the Rooster are sexual and passionate and love each other intensely.

Approaching his 31st birthday this March, Jay is very confident, humble, witty and incredibly sexy all at the same time. Jay Sean exudes a very positive energy, and an infectious enthusiasm! “Freeze Time”, his fourth album, is being released this Spring. “Hit the Lights,” is the first single from the album. The club-ready record features a party starting verse from his YMCMB boss Lil Wayne, who he collaborated with on 2009’s No. 1 hit “Down“. Jay Sean talks to us about his new hit single, opening for Enrique Iglesias at MSG and his future projects.

Asiance: How did you get together with Enrique originally?

Jay Sean: You better be careful with that! People may take that the wrong way. (Laughs)

Asiance: I‘d better rephrase that. How did you start to collaborate with Enrique Iglesias?

Jay Sean: For a period of time, I had 3 or 4 radio shows here in America and Enrique heard my music on one of them. Enrique and I met at a radio show and we just started talking. He had done his research. He said he saw my videos and knew I was Indian and he knows about the Indian fan base. He’s a really nice guy! Enrique is of Filipino descent on his mother’s side. For someone that successful and that global and that big, very cool dude and down to earth. After that we began to hang out together. He’s a great guy and very down to earth. He later approached me about working with him in the future.

On Saturday, February 5, before Enrique took the stage at Madison Square Garden, Jay Sean warmed up the crowd. Jay stepped onto stage and his excitement and energy were perfect as he engaged his audience. Jay Sean treated the stadium to songs including “Ride It” and “Down,” he also took a moment to shout out his grandfather which was quite a tender moment. Jay Sean carried his performance with style.

Asiance: Why did you choose the name Freeze Time for your new album?

Jay Sean: I had experienced so many wonderful moments that I just wish for a second that I could stop time and take them all in. I thought about how blessed I was to be doing this for a living and how blessed I was that every day is so wonderful and different. With that mind set, I made this album. I made this album with appreciation in mind and write about positive things, things about life and the things that mean a lot to me. This album is different from my past albums in that it is a lot sexier. My past albums deal with a wide array of emotions like pain, heartbreak, loss, etc. People like to forget their worries, especially in the current environment. This album focuses on all positive things in life; a celebration of life and remembering the good times. This album is more grown up and sexy. You grow and mature, not only as a person but as a singer, as a song writer. Some of the topics that I wanted to talk about are just a little spicier and sexier.

Asiance: The last time we interviewed you was back in August of 2010. Do you have a girlfriend at the present time?

Jay Sean: Yeah, I am actually seeing someone. I do have a girlfriend.

Asiance: That is going to be bad news for all of the ladies out there! Tell me, what is it in particular that drew you to your girlfriend?

Jay Sean: Her great, big boobs! (Lots of Laughing) No really though. It’s not about that. It is about being able to be myself around her. It’s much more about being able to relax and act like a fool. So really it’s about the company and how well you get along.

Asiance: You work with Lil’ Wayne a lot. But you’ve worked with some amazing artists in the past including Sean Paul and Lil’ John. Is it fair to say that you have a “magical connection” with Lil’ Wayne in particular?

Jay Sean: It is so funny that you said that! You know, you are the 2nd person today who said that to me. I think that you might be right. I guess we do have that special connection going on. We worked together on “Down” and that was a great experience. There are certain people that you work with who you experience a special work connection with and we definitely have that.

Asiance: The artists that you work with often mention your name in the songs. For instance, “I’m hangin with Jay Sean” or “Sing for the ladies Jay”. Is that your trademark?

Jay Sean: Oh, that is just a “one up” from the artist who is invited to collaborate with you on your work.

Asiance: Can we expect any more Indian influences incorporated into your music in the future?

Jay Sean: Definitely!

Asiance: I absolutely love your Indian inspired music especially as a fan of Bollywood. I would love to see you in a Bollywood film! You have the look, the shades, the voice and the dance moves down to a science! Would you ever consider venturing into the Bollywood Industry for a change?

Jay Sean: Funny that you should say that! I would love to. It would be fun.

(Jay actually made a brief appearance in the 2005 Bollywood film Kyaa Kool Hai Hum, providing the song “Dil Mera (My Heart)” to the soundtrack, based on “One Night” from his own debut album. Beyond India, the album sold over 300,000 copies across other parts of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong. This in part, helped establish Sean as a major recognized artist across Asia and among the worldwide Desi diaspora. With his debut album, Sean was influential in popularizing Indian-R&B fusion sounds in Asian underground and Indian pop music.)

Asiance: You were nominated for 3 UK Asian Music awards. “The most prestigious Asian music awards ceremony in the UK”. You are very popular with the British Asian Music Fraternity. Just in 2010 alone, you won Best Album for “All or Nothing”, Best Male Act, Best Urban Act and Best Video for “Down”.

Jay Sean: It feels great. The British Asian Music Community have been so good to me. It is always so exciting to be nominated for awards.

Look out for Jay Sean as he will be attending the Grammy’s with fellow Cash Money Young Money label mates next weekend! Jay will be opening for Enrique Iglesias again in LA at Gibson Amphitheatre on Saturday, Feb 19 and performing in Durban, South Africa and in Dubai at the end of February to sold out audiences!