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Jay Sean a success after leaving London for US
By Amar Singh, Evening Standard Last updated at 09:31am on 23.09.09
Talented black and Asian singers are being stifled by “pop-obsessed” British music industry executives, according to a London-born star who is topping American charts.
Number One: Jay Sean struggled for recognition in Britain
Jay Sean — real name Kamaljit Jhooti — is number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with his single Down and is tipped to claim the top spot tomorrow after shooting to number one in radio and TV airplay charts.
US critics hailed the R&B hit, featuring Grammy award-winning rapper Lil' Wayne, as one of the “anthems of the summer” and Jay Sean has become a household name.
But the 28-year-old from Hounslow said his success was only possible after moving to New York and he criticised British music bosses for treating urban artists as niche products.
He said: “In England the industry is set up more for straight-up pop — manufactured pretty girl bands and things like that — anything else is a niche.
“They [Americans] are not obsessed with your background like in England. They place less emphasis on those things — If people ask, I explain my background proudly, but ultimately I want to be about the music.”
He also believes the British music industry cares too much about promoting artists in “specialised slots”.
“There's too much over-thinking by the marketing people in the UK music industry which is sad as it should be your music that is the most important thing. Even on the radio it is all specialist shows, whereas here they just put everything together more.”
Jay Sean signed to US hip hop label Cash Money records last year — three years after a split with Virgin Records. He follows several other British urban artists who have found fame in America after moderate success in Britain.
Following the success of Down in the US and another single with Cash Money artist Birdman called Written On Her, Jay Sean has been signed by Island Records in London.
He said: “It's been an amazing couple of months. When you have a hit song out here it's like a hurricane. It will be weird to come back — I've been in New York for nearly a year but I feel that I am in control of my career now.”
Brits who have found fame in the states:
The 28-year-old R&B singer from Hammersmith became a star last year after moving to New York. Her album Shine included her Grammy-winning single, American Boy, featuring Kanye West.
Lady Sovereign
Louise Amanda Harman, 23, is a grime MC who grew up in Wembley. In 2005 rapper Jay-Z signed her to his Def Jam label and she has made two albums.
M.I.A
Mathangi Arulpragasam, 34, left Mitcham for Brooklyn. Her single Paper Planes was on the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack.
Marsha “Poni” Bryant
The hip hop artist from east London has worked with Eminem's producer Kon Artis.
Amar Dhanjan
The singer, 26, who fuses Bollywood with R&B, works in Los Angeles with hip hop producer Timbaland.
Alex Plough
