By Essiba Sma,Her Magazine
Meet Joby Jay. A passionate and soulful singer out of the tourist town of Ocho Rios, Jamaica who recently released her EP.
Judging from her photos, one would instantly box Joby in and label her quirky, fun and even playful
But that’s as far as those labels should go. Musically, the singer, who is influenced by reggae, jazz and afrobeat, wants listeners to expect “deep messages and bodyful (sic) music from me, as I believe that as a musician I was gifted to be a vessel, and I don’t ever want to take that lightly,” she told Her magazine.
“My music is me and it is intentional.”
Joby started her musical career on purpose, even though she comes from a family of singers who sang at church. Her father also played the keyboard, bass guitar and drums.
“It all began by me just deciding to put myself out there as a singer. I was already in the Jamaican creative space as a photographer, but I wanted people to know I could sing and that I really wanted to take music seriously.”
She approached a few friends, who have already been putting live shows together, to include her on their list of performers.
Joby’s career really blew up in 2019, following her performance at Unplgd, where she performed a Vybz Kartel medley, arranged by her now manager Daniellia A White. The singer/songwriter was also awarded the VM Wealth Breakthrough Artiste of the Year 2022 at the JaRIA Awards.
Describing her music as “a fusion of my favourite genres – reggae, jazz, afrobeat – sprinkled with a little bit of pop,” Joby says she writes and sings songs that mean something to her or resonate with her “whether from personal experiences or things I’ve witnessed”.
“My music is also very much going to give black empowerment – love of our blackness, appreciation of what makes us black and everything surrounding that.
“I will speak on the Queens and the melanated beauties (as she did on her debut song “Big Girl Thing”), just as I will speak to the Kings and the way we are taught to think of them as less than deserving of softness.”
On March 17 Joby released her single “Bare”, from her Love Levels EP, which is due out on April 4.
‘I hope that my EP will give my fans (my Jays) a better idea of who I am as an artiste, the direction I want to take my music and what I have to offer. I hope they will see that I haven’t put myself in a box, but that I’ve allowed myself to have fun and also be very vulnerable. I also want the music to be able to resonate with them, in whatever space on the journey they are of love.”
For now, music is part time for the singer, as she is a wedding and portrait photographer.
“When I’m not doing music, I either have a camera in hand, or on my laptop editing.
“I like the variety of people I get to meet, from all over the world, but with one main love for music.”
T&T is on Joby’s radar for a visit in the near future.
“I definitely want to visit Trinidad for the vibes and food. I would also love to perform and connect with some artistes there as well. Truth is, I’d love to travel all over, not just to perform but to also explore other cultures and meet new people.
Grateful, is how Joby feels for the gains she has made in the music industry.
“I always want to just be grateful for the space I’m in and the people to take time out to make it all possible for me – from my team to even you giving me an opportunity to share my story.
“Thank you! I do not ever take it lightly.”
