Early in his career, but established in his genre, Jedz is an artist with impressive numbers to his name and a sought-after sound to match. By disrupting what we might expect from an up-and-coming star hungry for their next big break, Jedz wisely put his artistic development before the deals on offer to him, proving a profound and measured understanding of what success and longevity really looks like in the music industry.
The rapid acceleration of exposure and visibility that we’re seeing with TikTok and viral streaming is something that the industry is still trying to reckon with. Jedz has taken his success from these channels in his stride with remarkable foresight, choosing to prioritise his musical development with UD over a quick-win deal that all too often ends in a fast fail. His artistic identity remains steadfast, alongside his integrity as an artist connected with the re-emerging genre of Afro-swing, a sound that put Jedz firmly on the map ever since his first solo single release ‘No Trust‘ in 2022.
“I’ve started branching out to different things”, shares Jedz, a credit to his life-long exposure to different sounds and generational roots in music. “I’m hopping on rap, hip-hop, different types of beats now. I’d say I’m multi-genre”. This self-assured genre-hopping is reminiscent of an artist many more years into their career than Jedz currently is, a nod towards his inevitable success as an artist confident, equipped, and established in his sound and practice.
For someone who doesn’t know your music, how would you describe your sound?
I’d say my sound gives nostalgia but something new at the same time. It’s like a breath of fresh air that has nostalgia with it. Afro-swing really put me on the map, but as I matured over the years, I’ve started branching out to different things – I’m hopping on rap, hip-hop, different types of beats now. I’d say I’m multi-genre.
What was your relationship with music like growing up?
Back in the day, my mum and dad used to do music. My dad is very talented, he was a musician, producer and engineer – the things you didn’t think he worked on, he worked on, you know. He took me to the studio when I was young, and I’ve been going to the studio since I was a baby, but the first song I ever made was when I was 13. From there I’ve been making music more and more.
Are there any secrets of the industry that you didn’t know before UD?
There’s so much I’ve been taught from UD so I’m just trying to think of a good example (laughs). There was a time when we learned about sync deals, and at the time I didn’t realise how much money you can make for creating a track for TV, more than making a hit. I was like, wow, sync deals for artists and producers, that’s a good thing.
What are your best memories from studying the L4?
I’d definitely say studio. I learned how to be more independent which was a really good thing, the teachers would bring in special guests that would teach us about the industry, like the whole process of creating a body of work and releasing music.
Do you interact with TikTok as a way of building your profile and identity as an artist? Do you use it to connect with your audience?
I definitely connect with my audience and network with other artists that I’ve met who are from across the globe. It’s definitely good for putting yourself out there, as much as people say “TikTok music ruined the game” – at the end of the day, music is always going to evolve.
Can you tell me about the experience of your track going viral?
Me and my two friends created a song together and it went off on TikTok – the genre of Afro-swing wasn’t popular, it’s coming back as we keep pushing, but it wasn’t popular then. So having that reaction was a very big thing.
Is Afro-swing a genre that you feel has re-emerged recently?
In recent times yeah, there are other artists that are bringing it back right now, like Samzo. Back then the only songs that were getting played were released years ago, so for that song to get that reaction last year, I was like wow, there’s definitely something there.
How do you feel about social media as a platform for accelerating careers? Do you feel like you needed time to develop?
100%, I’m grateful that none of those deals were signed. If I had signed a deal while I was still developing as an artist, I feel like I wouldn’t last, if that makes sense. For what I want to do, there’s so far to go, I’m not even on 1% yet.
“If I signed anything when I was young and naive and didn’t know how the industry worked, I definitely would have been just another sad story.”
That’s so interesting, and really shows your character and wisdom. Lots of people would have jumped at the opportunity and been burnt by it later. Do you feel like UD has helped to build your knowledge and confirm that holding off and putting development first was the right decision?
100%. It reassured me.
Follow Jedz on Spotify, YouTube, Instagram & TikTok.
Words: Elsa Monteith. A Brighton based writer and broadcaster working in and around the arts and on the radio waves. Subscribe to Elsa’s Discontented newsletter here.
Photography: Joey Hoang
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