Jay Sean

Seans touring, as well as the success of his singles in clubs, led Tareck Ghoneim of Contactmusic.com to call Sean an "Asian sensation". Still, he had his eyes on breaking into the U.S. while also keeping his stride with the U.K. charts, and he wanted as well to incorporate more of a slick pop sound to his coming work. His sophomore release, My Own Way, featured him on the cover looking as dapper in his light brown suit as a master of business. Released 12 May 2008 on Jayded Records and 2Point9 Records, the work suffered from various leaks and also received some mixed reviews from critics.

Nonetheless, the album became commercially successful in the U.K., reaching #6 on the U.K. Albums Chart and #1 on the UK R and B Chart. It eventually became certified platinum. Lead single "Ride It" also garnered major airplay throughout Europe, featuring Sean remarking about "all about the games people play across the dance-floor on a night out". Momentum building, his third studio album, All or Nothing, came out 23 November 2009 with strong promotion in the U.S.

International top 40 singles "Down" and "Do You Remember" cemented Seans status as a global superstar. With massive tours leading him from TV show to stadium across countries, "Down" (also known as "Down (Feat. Lil Wayne)" and other titles due to Lil Waynes presence) in particular hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming later known as one of the iconic singles of 2009 in American memory. Other nations listeners also gave his singles strong airplay.

The first official single from Jay Seans fourth studio album, titled Worth It All, was "Im All Yours", which he sent for airplay on April 18, 2012. The song featured rapper and entertainer Pitbull. Although not quite achiving as much success as he had hoped in the U.S., it became a major international hit, reaching the top 40 in both Germany and New Zealand, and it ended up being mutli-platinum certified in Australia.

When it comes to the business of being a singer there are artists, there are stars and there are phenomenons. Jay Sean is all of the above. The proof is in the press, the sales, the fans and above all, the music.

ALL OR NOTHING is both Jay Seans first American release and first for Cash Money/Universal Republic Records. But while its his debut over here, the 29-year-old Pop/R and B singer/songwriter/producer has been a major sensation and multi-platinum artist over there since 2004; releasing two smash albums, scoring two top ten singles, nominated for Britains heralded MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Award twice and building a worldwide, fervid fan-base that stretches from Russia to Australia to NYC.

In some ways ALL OR NOTHING is the best of both worlds. Featuring sizzling, brand new tracks like the lead off single "Down" (featuring label mate Lil Wayne), ALL OR NOTHING also includes some of the songs that helped Jay Sean blow up around the rest of the world.

One of those songs is "Ride It" written "strictly on a vibe," built on a hypnotic, sinewy track, and delivered with Jay Seans slick vocals. The video for "Ride It" clocked an astonishing 12 million hits on You Tube (20+ million hits across all online video channels) and captivated fans everywhere; including Cash/Money Records CEO and co-founder, Ronald "Slim" Williams who was turned on to Jay Seans music by one of the singers producers. Slim liked what he heard and proved it by making Jay Sean the first UK artist to join the Cash/Money family.

The match up of Nawlins swagger and UK Pop/R and B drives ALL OR NOTHINGs first single "Down" ft/ Cash/Money soldier Lil Wayne. Already taking radio by storm, "Down" resulted from a conversation that began about whats wrong in the world, and blossomed into a celebration of everything thats right - namely love.

Offers Jay Sean, "Im a very positive, optimistic person and thought let me write a song about the idea that if youve got someone special in your life then nothing else really matters how you need to appreciate the little things. The title is a play on the word down. Thats why Lil Wayne says, Are you down like the economy. Its a fun, very easy track something to pump in your car."

Another mid tempo breeze born out of real life is "War." The message? "To battle with anybody, whether its your girl, family or another country never solved anything," explains Jay Sean.

It is that mix of introspection and keenly crafted Pop/R and B songs that has brought Jay Sean from where he was to where he is.

Born and raised in London, England and of Indian/Punjabi heritage, Jay Sean started rapping at 12 and credits rap with helping him structure, produce and write songs. Inspired by R and B stars Jodeci, Brian McKnight, Joe, and Musiq Soulchild, Jay Sean started singing hooks and then stepped it up.

Amazingly, at the same time he was exploring his artistic side, Jay Sean was at med school; surely a steadier profession than "pop-star." Luckily Jay Seans parents had his back.

"It wasnt as though they suddenly went you sing? Jay Sean laughs. "They knew there might be a strong possibility Id do music. They told me, The same way you apply yourself to your studies you have to work hard doing music. Thats always stayed with me."

Jay Seans songs caught the attention of a producer putting together a groundbreaking project fusing traditional Punjabi music and contemporary Pop/R and B. As soon as the single dropped, Jay Sean became the face and voice of a new generation.

"It was so interesting that the kids who love listening to Pop/R and B and traditional Indian music said, What the hell is this, its brand new."

Along with galvanizing a heretofore, untapped demographic, Jay Sean caught the ears of the industry, because as he explains, "The English labels knew I had this huge following.

His solo debut ME AGAINST MYSELF dropped in 2004 and exploded on the Internet. Jay Sean toured through Europe, South East Asia, as well as spot dates in the US. He even performed, with Akon, at the Ruler of Dubais daughters sweet sixteen. In India, this album outsold Jay-Z, Britney Spears and Madonna.

"I have a heavy fan-base in many countries including India. Im in a minority culture but in many countries, theres still Indians there and they all knew me," says Jay Sean.

After dealing with creative issues and the desire to change his musical direction to straight-forward Pop/R and B, Jay Sean made the decision in 2008 to go for self.

"I realized I had a global fan base so why not make the music myself?"

Those instincts paid off and then some when MY OWN WAY, his first release on his own label, Jayded Records, out sold and then some Jay Seans prior effort. The album peaked at #6 on the UK album chart.

All of which brings Jay Sean to ALL OR NOTHING and a future that is just beginning.

Speaking with a refreshing mix of humility and confidence, Jay Sean says, "Ive got a different up-bringing and take on a music that you guys make so well and would like to think that Im a fresh new face and voice. Hopefully American audiences will like it. People always like a change. Thats what I have to offer."

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