J’Calm the ‘quiet country boy’ who’s up to something big

Singer J’Calm began crossing media radars last year with Tempted, a breezy blend of reggae and R&B that felt like it was tailor-made for warm summer nights. It wasn’t just any track either – it landed him a spot on Barack Obama’s Summer Playlist, and that’s when persons knew this “quiet country boy” from Chapelton, Clarendon was onto something big.

Born Jovane Nathaniel Gayle, the singer-songwriter started getting attention for his voice from music industry stalwarts, including Tony Kelly and Sean Paul. In fact, J’Calm got the Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum recording artiste to join him on the remix of his October 2023 release, Call my Name. In January, he released his début compilation titled Niche. The 13-track album included Call My Name, Excited, Guilty, Mrs Danger, and Living Young. Since then, he has been the headlining performing act of Saint International Rock The Block in Jamaica. This readied him to rock Gatineau and Trois Rivieres fans on the third leg of Sean Paul’s Greatest Tour in Canada in September.

He also gained a spot on Dutty Rock music label’s riddim release Brimstone in February. Eight days ago, J’Calm and Sean Paul dropped the official video for Call My Name Remix and it already has close to 200,000 views. The #CalmNation, his set of dedicated fans, represent from Kenya, Zambia, New Zealand, Uganda, Zimbabwe, United Kingdom, Sierra Leone, US, Somalia, Jamaica and most of the Caribbean islands.

On the surface, he might seem like another emerging artiste riding the wave of Jamaica’s rich musical lineage, but there’s something unmistakably fresh about his sound. His latest release, an EP titled Hidden Phenomenon, is a testament to that. This six-track exploration dives deeper into a fusion of genres, with every song revealing a different layer of his talent and his perspective on love and relationships.

The Sunday Gleaner recently had the opportunity to pick the brain of the 19 year-old rising star.

1. How are you feeling now that you have launched Hidden Phenomenon, and what are your expectations for the EP?

I’m feeling really excited about this release. I’ve put a lot of heart and soul into Hidden Phenomenon and I’m hoping the project inspires people and connects with them on a deeper level. My expectation is that listeners will relate to the stories I’m sharing, and, in turn, share their stories with me. I’m also really looking forward to growing #CalmNation and seeing how my fan base vibes to the tracks.

2. Tell us more about how your real-life and love experiences influenced your lyrics, and what does a 19-year-old know about love?

(Laughs) Yeah, well love is definitely a big theme in my music. I feel like love is something everyone can relate to, whether it’s the highs or the lows. One track, Distance, was inspired by my own experience being in a long-distance relationship and learning how to make it work. For me, love inspires my lyrics because it’s real. When you have open communication, transparency, and that strong emotional connection, it just naturally flows into the music. It is something you feel and express, not something you learn.

3. We’ve heard some incredible influences in your music, from reggae to R&B and even Afrobeats. Did you work with any special collaborators or producers on this project, and how did they help to shape the sound of Hidden Phenomenon?

I worked with some amazing producers on this project. Troy Taylor helped me hone my R&B sound, and I also got to work with Emudio, who I think is one of the best dancehall producers in Jamaica. They really helped me balance the different genres and find the right sound for each track. I’ve also been inspired by more amazing award-winning talents like Chris Brown and Sean Paul. Sean, who has actually worked with me on this journey, has an amazing ability of blending genres and creating something fresh. I’m looking forward to doing more work with him and also artistes from the Afrobeats community in the future – Burna Boy, Rema, and Tyla are some of the names on my wishlist.

4.You’re dominating on TikTok with your dance videos and you even include choreography in your performances. Do you consider yourself a dancer, and can fans expect more dancing dancehall tracks in the future?

I wouldn’t say I’m a professional dancer, but I definitely enjoy dancing and bringing that energy into my performances. It’s all about the vibe and connecting with the audience in a way that gets everyone moving. Call My Name and its remix is a track I think inspires dance. Platforms like TikTok make it even more fun because people can join in and share their own versions of the moves and make choreographies to the music. As for dancehall tracks, absolutely, but with my unique twist, so fans can definitely expect more tracks that are made to move to.

5.You released a version of your track Lost In Time inspired by Michael Jackson’s Rock My World. What made you decide to do that?

It was just a way to show everyone where my musical inspiration comes from. Michael Jackson has also been a huge influence for me, so putting that spin on the track was my way of paying homage to his genius.

6. If someone wanted to experience the vibe of Chapelton, Clarendon, where would you recommend they go?

Chapelton is a very easy-going community. There’s this park that’s right in the heart of the community. It’s a great spot to just chill, especially in the evening when the cool breeze hits. You will always see kids, families and friends hanging out, and it’s a really relaxed atmosphere. For me, it’s just the perfect place to unwind and reflect.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com