Meet Big Jay | Hip-Hop & R&B Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Big Jay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Big, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I’ve risked a lot to be able to be fully invested in my music career. From being an unsure 17 year old artist starting to make music, I took the risk of trying different sounds and styles to find the melodic style I have now. At the time I was focused on my schooling and football and put music on the back burner. During college my football teammates encouraged me to keep trying music while pursuing my degree and athletic career. Once I took the risk in investing myself with my last of my college money I took everything head on and grew musically, grew in knowledge, and reached some of my personal goals. The growth I’ve seen in my music has been all due to risk taking. Not only in my sound but with the opportunities I’ve generated so far with shoutouts from major artists like Bobby Shmurda, DC Young Fly hosting my EP, or opening for Money Man at a show, and being aired on an Atlanta radio station. God has shown me the dream so why not risk everything for his vision for me?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Hailing from both the West and East Side of Akron, OH
Ive been able to shape a unique sound and vibe that blends r&b, hip hop, and pop together. I think I have continued to prove my versatility by making high quality music in various genres and pushing my style. Drawing all my experiences from growing up, love loss, and pain, I have made a name for myself in the Ohio music scene and will continue to grow. My love for music started from playing saxophone in my middle school band, to rapping at the age of 17 at a talent show, to now being 24 putting my personal stamp in the music industry. I can say I’m proud of some of the opportunities I’ve been blessed to have so far like opening for major artists like Money Man, Lil Cray, and having a collaboration on my EP album “Alone at 2 am” with comedian D.C. Young Fly. I want to continue to give the Ohio scene a diverse catalog of music with my latest album “Big Sexy Music”. My brand is everything I do is “Big” and most definitely will be doing it Sexy! I want people to be confident with themselves and enjoy good vibes and be comfortable with not only those confident feelings, but uncomfortable and sad feelings within because they all make you YOU.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If someone is coming to Akron and they’re going to come out with me, they better be ready for a good time and a DRINK!
We would start off smoking a nice cigar at Cousin’s Cigar then make our way to Social 8 for wings! I’m getting my bottle of champagne from Navi the bartender and you’d get whatever you want from Big Meg.
Do some karaoke and some line dancing there then bounce around to Floods and see if there’s some legs there. See where the legs are going, if they’re staying out we’re going to The Office. After that I’m getting Waffle House and keeping it pushing.
During the day there’s nice spots like Lock 3 to check out and the downtown area in general and some trails by the valley.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shoutout my entire FTG camp for being with me through the years and helping me grow. In particular I have to shoutout my DJ, DJ Flavaz, who spins me in clubs even when I’m not around and believes in me as an artist. Also my photographer Kousin Klay who constantly makes sure the special moments we are having get captured so we know it’s real and not just a dream.

Website: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/bigjay3/big-sexy-music

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/life_sized_teddy/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bigjayofficial1897?si=-bRlpT0CB_s5pFgd

Other: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/big-jay/1511096483

Image Credits
Kousinklay7
Mattbraydenphotography