Jay Sean On AI Music, Sean Paul, And The Wedding Performance That Left Everyone In Tears
by Becca Monaghan · BuzzFeedJay Sean has candidly shared his thoughts on AI’s growing role in music – and he’s got a pretty interesting question about where all of this leaves human artists.
Speaking to BuzzFeed about the rise of AI in music, Jay referenced an "interesting" comment from Ne-Yo, who acknowledged the emergence of AI and its uses, but questioned whether it was fair for "anyone to make music and put it in the same world that we do as artists. This is our life, this is our whole job."
He also pointed to an analogy Ne-Yo made, asking, "What if there were a pair of shoes that made you play as good as LeBron, and all you had to do was put them on and play in the NBA. Is that fair?"
And, yeah, it’s a pretty good way of putting it.
Jay said the comment stuck with him because of the way it reframed the conversation around AI and creativity.
"It’s a nice way of understanding the true value of music. Is it really that valuable if anyone can just do it from their bedroom and just upload it. What happens to the art?"
It’s a question that’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore as AI-generated music continues to make its way into the same spaces as music created by human artists.
Jay would also very much like another Sean Paul collab
Elsewhere in the interview, Jay revealed the past collaborator he’d be more than happy to work with again: Sean Paul.
And considering their track record, we can see why.
"Me and Sean have a good run man, when it comes to hits," he said.
The pair have already worked together on a string of hits, from "Do You Remember" to "Make My Love Go", and Jay said they’ve previously talked about potentially making it a hat trick.
"We were always talking about doing, well, at least thinking about, can we make it a hat trick," he shared. "I always think Sean is just a sick artist. Lending his voice to anything just gives it that little extra swag, and he’s always a pleasure to work with."
We're listening.
...Attention soon turned to a very wholesome fan story
Having achieved Diamond status for his hit "Down", Jay has had plenty of memorable fan interactions over the years — but there’s one in particular that stands out for all the right reasons.
He recalled being booked to perform as a surprise at a wedding in an exotic location, after discovering that the bride and groom had fallen in love to one of his songs.
"When I tell you, tears all around. It was just gorgeous, and it was one of those moments where you sort of think you got the chance to make someone’s most important day, and you get to be a part of their journey in their lifetime. It was just so special, for me and for them."
And, frankly, that’s a pretty lovely reminder of just how much a song can mean to someone.
Additional thumbnail photo credits: BuzzFeedUK / Jamie McCarthy (Getty Images)