Jay Ariean shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Jay, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I feel like I am ultimately chasing innate freedom and expression. Music is the only thing that makes me feel truly understood and heard in this world. Societal pressures and expectations can feel so suffocating, especially with the political climate our country is in at the moment. Making music has always been a way for me to create my own little world where I can escape from the harsh truths of reality and just be free. If I were to stop pursuing music, I honestly don’t know what I would do. It would mean having to settle for a job I don’t want and a lifestyle I just wasn’t meant for. I don’t think I was made to do anything but music.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a black, queer singer/songwriter/rapper with a focus on blurring the lines between electronic and hip-hop music. I’m heavily inspired by artists like Tkay Maidza, Isaiah Rashad, Azealia Banks, and other genre-bending pioneers. Being in the studio is so fun, but the real magic happens for me when I get to share the music live, so definitely come check out a show if you see me on a flyer anywhere! I love to dance and perform; it brings the songs to life in a new way. I have been working on my debut EP titled 𝘙𝘖𝘎𝘜𝘌 which will be dropping very soon. The project explores different subgenres of electronic music with a general message of reckless abandon and embracing your rawest form. It’s dark, moody, and danceable. I released the first single from the project titled 𝘐𝘕𝘋𝘐𝘊𝘈 back in July. The song has since passed 5K streams on Spotify alone as of today, and it has passed over 10K when including the sped-up and slowed-down versions, so I’m very proud of the success this song has achieved so far, and I’m excited for everyone to hear the full body of work. I’ll be dropping another single from the EP in the next couple weeks, so stay tuned for that. I have begun working on the next project already where my sound seems like it’s taking a bit of a shift into the southern hip-hop/club territory, but real ones know to never expect anything specific when it comes to me, haha. The songs I’ve written for that so far are so fun and conceptualizing the next era has been really inspiring. I’m starting to find a sound and a look that feels unique and authentic to me. Oh, and I just won two Outsmart Magazine Gayest and Greatest 2025 Readers Choice Awards (Favorite Local Musician/Band and Favorite Local LGBTQ+ Musician) so that’s really cool! A lot has happened for me in the last couple of months, so I’m just very happy, grateful, and excited.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
LOL this story is so funny when I think back on it; it was in 4th or 5th grade I think? I can’t remember the specifics, but our music class was doing a Christmas play with this “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” concept or something like that. I wish I could remember what it was called! The lead role was the announcer and he had so many lines. As a kid that loved attention, I wanted that role so bad, haha. I didn’t end up getting it, and I was really upset about it. To make things worse, my BEST FRIEND got the role LMAO. He rubbed it in my face for the entirety of the show’s run, and it made music class miserable. It was all worth it in the end, because the night we did the show, I only had one line, which was to sing, “I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus underneath the mistletoe last night.” I remember being so nervous while singing onstage, but the crowd erupted into applause right as I finished. It was the first time I was ever in front of an audience and had a reaction like that. It was just one line, but it was the only thing all the parents and kids were talking about after the show. It made me forget all about that lead role that I wanted so badly. That moment definitely made me feel powerful and reassured me that maybe I have a future in music. Funny enough, it taught me one of the most important lessons you can learn in show business: there are no such things as small roles if you can make them big.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Girl, I almost gave up yesterday, haha. I feel like I’m constantly battling the idea of giving up because it isn’t easy to be an artist right now. People no longer consume art in a way that is profitable for the artist, so it can be extremely financially draining. There’s a lot that I have sacrificed in order to continue doing what I’m doing, so that can make me feel like I have nothing left to give at times. The only reason I haven’t given up is that the art I make is essential to my survival. Music is all I have, and it is the only thing that makes sense to me. I truly believe that my purpose is aligned with music, which is why I would never give it up for anything. I wouldn’t be here without it.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I really like Tinashe. Her journey navigating the music industry is so inspiring, and it resonates with me so much. She never compromised herself or her vision and is now seeing the fruits of her labor. I really want to mirror her tenacity and perseverance when it comes to my journey. I got to see her when she came to Houston last year, and she was DOPE. Her stamina is crazy; one of the best performers ever, seriously.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Oh, for sure! I’ve been doing that already, haha. If I had a dollar for the amount of times that I’ve put in tons of work, passion, and dedication into an achievement just for no one to even say, “Nice!”, I would own several yachts. It can be discouraging when it feels like you aren’t getting recognition for all the hard work you’re putting in, especially when there are friends and family that you thought would support you, but there are people you haven’t met yet who are going to love what you do. It’s just about finding your audience and knowing that if you love what you do, other people will too. It just might not be the people you thought they were going to be, and that’s okay!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3tJ3pP2fGt8LJdVg0vlxD6?si=h3Hoilu7ThGYFItD5ydHgw
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jayariean
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jayariean
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/@jayariean
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jayariean
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jayariean
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@jayariean
