Singer Jay Aquarious Drops Sophomore EP: "Naked"! (Interview)
Written By: Philip Johnson
As an artist, you gradually unfold and reveal different parts of yourself through your creative projects. Singer Jay Aquarious stripped all the layers off for his fans with his Sophomore EP: “Naked”! He recently released this empowering project on all streaming platforms. I got the opportunity to interview Jay during a commercial break on Philaye Speaks! Podcast earlier this week. Below, I got to interview Jay about “Naked” and his music career as a whole. Enjoy and buy/stream “Naked”!
Where are you from?
Buffalo, New York!
When did you start singing/making music?
I started singing at 5 years old in a church choir while playing other instruments, but I wasn't into it. I didn't did give it a try until I was 13 years old, entering one of my nephew's studio, as a rapper. I didn't start taking it seriously until I was 18 years old, and ended up switching more to singing.
You recently dropped your Sophomore EP: “Naked”! What is the artistic meaning/message behind “Naked”?
The message behind 'Naked' is about being your raw, organic self, knowing your self worth, admitting you're flawed, and being transparent about it. Insecurity is the main topic at hand when it comes to these things. Through the music, I channel different desires to get through it: The need of stability ("Rogue"), strength ("Unstoppable"), self-love ("Try And Figure Me Out"), guidance ("Lips"), love ("Burns"), clarity ("Naked"), and the need of me ("Figure Me Out (Óver's TAFMO Remix)").
What genres does “Naked” cover?
Overall Pop/R&B Soul fused with Hip-Hop, Trap, and Reggae.
“Naked” includes your singles "Try And Figure Me Out", "Lips", and "Unstoppable". Which single is your favorite?
That's kinda hard, but I'll say "Try And Figure Me Out". That was my debut single, and it makes me feel so good just to listen to the track sometimes.
Your dope “Try and Figure Me Out” music video is out! Will you be releasing any other music videos from the project?
The music video to "Lips" will be coming soon! This time, with a feature! My friend C-Saint stepped in to lend his vocals. There's a remix video to "Lips" featuring Wave Williams and Ethan, the Clever. Both videos are co-directed by Ace the Outsider who did "Try And Figure Me Out" with me. "Unstoppable" featuring Skoob. will be out soon too, co-directed by Filmed by Britt. No dates yet!
What were the biggest lessons you learned from creating this sophomore project?
It's still hitting me honestly. Like I LITERALLY made a project based on my own everyday thought process and some of the things I've witnessed. I learned how much more creative and honest I can be in my music, and it’s being well received.
Who are your biggest musical influences/inspirations?
My biggest influences and inspirations, besides my environment, are TLC (mainly Left Eye), Toni Braxton, and Janet Jackson.
Who are your dream collabs?
A few of them would be songwriters and producers: Babyface, Diane Warren, Daryl Simmons. I would love to sing with Toni Braxton someday. She's my favorite singer of all time!
What are some things you envision for your next era to come after “Naked”?
I'm actually almost done with the next EP. It's called 'Dream Reality'. I glide more into what I call a bit more Astro R&B. I'll be back to discuss more on it when it's time. It will be a free EP though. Another one of the projects I'm working on is a joint EP with Wave Williams called 'Vibrancy'. I'm supposed to be finishing an album with my group, Hooked on Casiophonics, but that's not working out. Fortunately, I'm almost done with my follow up 3rd solo EP.
