Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Davis.
Hi Jay, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
So, I actually started writing poetry when I was younger like 8 or 9, I won a couple contests for it. Then as I got older poems turned into song lyrics. I’ve literally been singing and writing for as long as I can remember. From family functions to school talent shows you name it I always wanted to be in the spotlight. My parents were really big into music growing up, so you could always expect to hear some Michael Jackson or Mary J Blige around the house. I think that’s where my love of music comes from. Just being immersed in it since a kid. So that’s how it started, and over time just always sticking to that artistic side of myself. Never losing it. Always finding a way to express myself. I didn’t really start taking it serious until about 3 years ago when I dropped my first EP Soulfood on platforms. It was only 5 songs I had been working on for a couple years and I just decided to put them out. I didn’t promote or even tell people I was doing it. I just did it. And the feedback was CRAZY! I was blown away that people loved it. Especially locally. Never thought of myself as an artist or singer until Soulfood went viral and then I kind of thought to myself like Wow I can really do this. Ever since I’ve just been working on my craft. Writing more music, working on my image, and trying to see what happens. 3 years later I’m performing all over the state, being streamed all over the world, and seems like every week opening a new door for myself. It’s almost unreal to me sometimes how far I’ve come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think smooth is relative. Haha. Honestly, sometimes it’s like a real job, then other times it’s as easy as breathing. I mean, the art part is the part I love. Creating and showing the world what I made. But in this day and age, there’s so much leg work you have to put in after you make the art just to get it to be seen or in the right hands or to even be recognized on a bigger scale. There’s just so much that goes into making art. Promoting art. Protecting art. So, I guess as I get more recognition and successful in this career, there’s so much more I want to do and learn, my passion and love for the art makes me want to be the best I can be at it, and do it at the highest level so I’m constantly losing sleep over it. But that’s anything your passionate about. If you’re not losing sleep over it, are you really passionate? Haha. I think most “starving artists” would agree and say some days are tougher than others when you’re really chasing it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an R&B singer/songwriter. I think that’s what people know me for. I pride myself in being a lyricist and making good music. Which is different than just knowing how to sing. The title “Songwriter” holds a lot of weight to me. I’m also a content creator. Not only do I write all my own music but lately I’ve been even making my own cover art and shooting directing and editing my own music videos. I like to be very hands-on about all my art. I want to control every detail, every color, every angle. So, I just started doing it all myself. I’m also very interested in acting. I’ve been secretly auditioning and working on monologues for possible roles for about a year now. Haven’t landed one yet, but be on the lookout for Jay Davis on a movie screen near you! I think people will be surprised to see that side of me. I’m also a clothing brand owner, I have an urban clothing brand called Calm Before the Storm Apparel I started back in 2020. Always felt like music and fashion go hand and hand. Very big on the look and the aesthetic of things. Most recently I acquired my real estate license in Ohio, so I’m also a licensed realtor. I wear many hats haha.
How do you define success?
Very relative. I feel like right now today I’m successful in a lot of ways. I’ve done and experienced things in music I never thought I would be able to. That to me is success. However, I think there are levels of success. Once you reach one doesn’t mean you can’t reach another, or be even MORE successful. At the end of the day, I want to feel like I’ve left a timeless mark on the world through my art. That is success to me. Whatever that looks like, whatever that pays, I’ll be satisfied.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/whoisjaydavis
- Instagram: @whoisjaydavis
- Twitter: @whoisjaydavis
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNGxF28k64TZOum8vrs2MTg
Image Credits
Lexie Reese Photography
L3gendary Arts Photography
