Dr Jaymz describes himself as "the first missionary to become an EDM Artist". Having just released the first of three singles this year, this intriguing new artist sat down with Louder Than The Music to explain how a meeting with legendary recording artist George Michael made him realise he was good enough to become an artist himself.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I was born and raised in London, although my parents are of Greek decent. In my late teens I started writing... Read MoreDr Jaymz describes himself as "the first missionary to become an EDM Artist". Having just released the first of three singles this year, this intriguing new artist sat down with Louder Than The Music to explain how a meeting with legendary recording artist George Michael made him realise he was good enough to become an artist himself.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I was born and raised in London, although my parents are of Greek decent. In my late teens I started writing music and performing to friends and family. By my late twenties, I was performing in London clubs. The pop legend, George Michael got to hear my music. A meeting was arranged between him and I. He offered to buy my music but I turned him down. I thought, ‘If my music is good enough for George Michael, it’s good enough for me." I later got signed, but the allure of sex and drugs was too strong and distracted me before I released anything. Whilst at my lowest point, someone told me about Jesus. It was then I decided to abandon everything and give my life to Christ. Soon after, I started leading worship in various churches around London, but had no desire to launch myself as an artist. It wasn't until recently that I decided to release my own music. I chose to produce EDM songs because it’s a genre that excites me, and there are very few Christian artists in that space.
Tell us about your new single 'Mind' and what the inspiration behind it was?
My sole vision is to bring people to Jesus through Music. My first single - ‘Mind' was inspired out of a motivation to proclaim the message of the cross in a highly creative way. It’s a unique song, as it combines a smooth house groove with a clear gospel message that challenges the listener to ‘Make up your Mind’ about Jesus. In that sense, it’s evangelistic.
You also have some more songs being released this year - what can you tell us about those?
I have some killer songs in the pipeline. Whilst all are EDM, some have a stylistic bent toward funk and soul. Two more singles will be released before the end of the year, with an EP to follow next year. All have smash hooks and uplifting drops that will inspire hope and raise people to their feet.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
I consider myself a music missionary, bent on saving souls. Music is just a way of connecting with people to communicate and convict them with the gospel.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
There are some great Christian artists out there, but my main musical influences have been from main stream artists, like David Guetta, Tiesto, Armin van Burren and Zedd. These guys are killing it, and if we want to kill it too, we must learn from them.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
I think Pastor Steven Furtick is a great song writer. Whilst he’s written many worship songs, his audience has been mainly Christian. Writing with him would be an interesting collab because it would merge his Christian prose with a mainstream EDM/POP sound that could impact a secular audience.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
I would measure success not so much in streams and views, but in how many lives are transformed. You could have a billion souls listen to your music, but their lives remain untouched. Success to me, is the impact a song has on a person’s life after the music has stopped. If we’ve left them with a lasting impression of Jesus in their hearts, we have been successful, for only He can set a person free from sin and death.
What is your favorite album of all time?
Difficult to answer, but I would say Sting’s ‘The Dream of the Blue Turtles.' I definitely have Jazz influences.
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
It would be ‘Breathe’ a song from my forthcoming EP. That song definitely has a special anointing on it.
What does the next year hold for you?
Making more music and lots of it. I’m a man on a mission - to see lives transformed with a message of hope in Jesus Christ through music.
Originally from London, Dr Jaymz is pioneering an individualistic sound in the dance scenes of Boston, USA. On a mission to deliver a message of hope and love to the younger generation, Dr Jaymz has a likeness of pioneering…
