Jaynysongz's Journey: From Church Choir to Afrofusion Stardom
By Mawuena Ofeibea Asante
13th November, 2024
15 mins read
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“It’s not easy coming up, that’s why I said if you don’t understand your journey, you will be battling self-doubt.”
These words come straight from Jaynysongz, an emerging artist with deep roots in the vibrant music scene of Takoradi, Ghana. Raised in a musically inclined family, Jay’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and relentless ambition. His love for music began at a young age, first blooming in the church choir where he found his voice. But it wasn’t long before he felt the pull of a wider musical world, one that would shape his identity as an artist.
Born and raised in Takoradi, Jay's early musical exposure was within the confines of gospel and church music. However, after completing Senior High School, he found himself surrounded by a new circle of friends whose interests were deeply rooted in the rhythmic beats of dancehall, hip-hop, and Afrobeats. These influences, combined with his gospel background, allowed Jay to evolve his sound into something truly unique. He didn’t just adopt one genre; he blended elements of highlife, Afrobeat, dancehall, and hip-hop into a genre he now calls afrofusion —a distinctive fusion of African rhythms and global sounds that tells his story in a way no one else does.
Jaynysongz’s journey has not been without its struggles. In a candid interview with Smoove, he opened up about the challenges he’s faced as an up-and-coming artist. “There are a lot of challenges,” he admits. “For one, working on a song and making sure it sounds exactly how I envision it is tough. It’s not just about having the right idea; you need to find the right producer who can execute your ideas on the right beat.” He also spoke about the emotional hurdles artists face: “Sometimes, it’s the self-doubt, especially when support is not as much as you expect or when things aren’t moving as fast as you’d like.”
As an emerging artist, Jaynysongz has also had to deal with rejection—something that’s all too familiar for many artists starting out. “A lot of emerging artists face rejection from event promoters who might not believe in your talent enough to showcase it at their events,” he explained. “Then, there’s also the issue of funds. Without financial backing, it’s hard to promote your work and push your music out there to the right audience. It’s a huge challenge because music is a business, and you need to invest in it.”
Beyond the financial and logistical challenges, Jay is keenly aware of the importance of marketing. “You need a solid marketing strategy to ensure your music reaches the right people,” he said. “It’s not just about creating the music, but about making sure people know it exists. That’s a huge part of the journey.” For Jay, the key to building a strong fan base lies in engaging with listeners and using social media as a tool to connect. “I’m considering the use of social media to connect with my audience, creating engaging content that showcases my music,” he said. “Collaborating with other artists is also key to reaching new fans, and engaging with my listeners and music lovers is important to build a loyal fan base.”
When asked about his short-term and long-term plans, Jaynysongz was clear about his vision: “I know getting a certain milestone with my music will bring me so much joy, but right now, I’m focused on building my catalogue and fan base. Everything else will follow.” His approach reveals a patient and strategic mindset—understanding that success isn’t just about instant gratification but about creating a solid foundation for long-term growth.
Jay acknowledges the power of support from media and influencers, too. “Like what you’re doing now—reaching out to us and supporting us with the influence you have in the media space—it’s not easy coming up,” he says. “That’s why I said, if you don’t understand your journey, you will be fighting yourself with self-doubt. So, continue to show us love and support, it’s one of the biggest motivations we need.”
In terms of his social media presence, Jay is actively working on expanding his reach. “I use Instagram the most, and I’m trying to get active on TikTok and other platforms to actually engage well. I’ve been trying to make the most of these platforms to connect with my audience,” he shares. Social media has become an essential tool for emerging artists like Jaynysongz to not only showcase their music but also to build personal connections with their fans. By being consistent and authentic, Jay hopes to grow his fan base and take his music to even greater heights.
Jaynysongz is also grateful for the support he’s received from friends and producers who’ve helped bring his vision to life. “I have good friends who do my production, and I really appreciate every bit of support they give to my craft,” he says. “Currently, I’m working with Willisbeatz, but I’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with other talented producers like Dkeezy, Don Tee, DJ Nute from Kingston, Jamaica, Chasing from Amsterdam, and Nytwulf.” The collaboration with these diverse producers has played an important role in shaping Jay's sound and expanding his musical horizons. He recognizes that these partnerships are essential in turning his ideas into fully realized tracks.
What stands out most in Jaynysongz’s music and story is his unwavering commitment to his craft and his audience. He’s not just after fame or success; he’s aiming for a lasting impact—one that connects with people on a deeper, more emotional level. “I want to represent the kind of music I do and show people that it’s more than just entertainment. It’s a movement, a lifestyle,” Jay explained.
When asked about his artistic style and unique look, Jaynysongz spoke about how his appearance complements his musical identity. “Branding-wise, I like to appear and represent the kind of music that I do, like my own pattern,” he said. “I have my hair in twists with little piercings and chains to represent the music and the artistic nature I embody. My style is about looking good in what fits me. Day in and day out, I’m still working on developing a more creative, artistic side of me, even though I know I’m doing better now. I want to improve, to really find myself and show up in a way that truly represents the style of music I do.”
The inspiration behind his latest track, I Don’t Mind, came from a personal place. Jay shared how a close friend’s romantic experiences sparked the idea for the song. “I have a friend who will mostly call me to talk about his relationship, and he says, ‘I tell you so you can add inspirations to your music.’ Actually, this new song was inspired by his newfound love. Even when people feel he’s doing too much for the lady—like he’s under a spell—I needed a creative beat to be able to pour out the emotions on it. So, I contacted Willisbeatz, and that’s how this song was made. It’s showcasing my unique voice and perspective on love, creating an anthem to enhance love’s vibe.”
One lyric from the song I Don’t Mind holds a special place for Jay. “Fatia fata Nkrumah,” he says, explaining that it’s a phrase his grandmother used to describe her beauty when Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, introduced her to the public as his wife. “My grandma made me hear that word for the first time when she was telling me how beautiful she looked when Nkrumah showed her to Ghanaians as his wife. I love that line because it connects me to my family, my heritage, and the deeper cultural roots that influence my music.”
Looking ahead, Jaynysongz is preparing for a busy year filled with exciting collaborations and new releases. “I have a few collaborations coming out soon, and next year, I’m going to be more open for features,” he reveals. “Yes, arrangements are in line for the official video soon too!” These upcoming collaborations and visual projects are all part of his plan to keep building momentum and continue connecting with new audiences.
When asked about his decision to release new music now, Jaynysongz shared his excitement about the timing. “It’s been months since I dropped a new project, and my fans and music lovers have been sending messages, asking when the next melody is dropping. Honestly, aside from the emotional moods this song carries, it also has that groovy energy to make you want to move your feet. With the festive moments coming up, as we all know what December brings, I wanted to give my fans a track that would fit the vibe and get everyone ready for the celebrations.”
Finally, when asked about how he manages to balance his music career with his personal life, Jaynysongz admits it’s not an easy task. “It’s not easy, but like I said, the love and the passion for it is unstoppable. You just have to keep pushing and remember why you started in the first place. At the end of the day, everything is worth it for the music and the people who believe in you.”
Jaynysongz is undoubtedly positioning himself for greater success, with an eye on both the immediate and long-term future. As he gears up for the release of new music, collaborations, and a music video, there’s no doubt that the energy he’s creating will continue to resonate with his growing fanbase. The best is yet to come.
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