A Sit Down with Dilan Jay

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Born in Los Angeles, Dilan Jay sings and raps happy, party-ready music with over 2 million Spotify streams and 3 million Youtube views on his 2022 releases alone. His recent collabs include rapper Money Man (4.8 million Spotify followers), rapper Capella Grey (2 million Spotify followers), and production collaborations with Grammy award-winner Black-Eyed Peas Keith Harris, and 2022 Grammy award-winner Chris Brown’s ‘Breezy’ songwriter Darious Coleman. With a #1 on MTV’s Most Popular Music Videos, a #1 on the Billboard Charts, and 6 of his releases recently charting on YESFM radio (more than any other artist EVER), he’s primed for performing dope beats designed to make people move.

Your latest music is OUT NOW! What a vibe!! And you debut Top 5!! What does that feel like for you?

It feels amazing! And it is the point of making art— having it heard and enjoyed.

Give us a sneak peek of what is to come for you NOW?

I’m performing live, and those shows can be seen on my Spotify channel here. I’m releasing new music every month.

How do you go about creating your vibe for your music?

My vibe has always been about music that makes people feel good. I started my career as a DJ (when I was 12) so music has always been about getting people to have a good time. Lately, new music gets created by stumbling upon a guitar riff I like, or a beat I discover on Tik Tok (like with my new release “Fly.”) I’ve always loved R&B and pop music, so where I am is pretty much where I always wanted to be.

How much time did you spend on this latest set?

I honestly don’t remember… making new music is a process that, when I talk to others, I move through faster than others. I never sit on music anymore, or mull over music for months or years. I make it, and get it out. Generally, when I’m inspired by something, I sit down pretty immediately and hammer out the process until it’s done. I don’t go back and forth on pretty much anything; I get stuff done and keep it moving.

Do you ever spend time just circling around the music and worrying about letting it go?

No! In the past, I sat on some music waiting for the “right time” to release it, and I wish I didn’t do that. So now I release music monthly, sometimes twice a month if there’s a remix involved. I don’t worry about letting it go; the point of music is to emote as an artist, and also have others enjoy it.

What do you grip onto most when it comes to the creative process?

Lyrics and the vibe. I consider myself a serious lyricist. I don’t write silly or trite lyrics, nor do I write trash. Vibe’s gotta be catchy, not melancholy.

What was your writing process like and how did it affect you?

My writing process didn’t affect me per se, and it comes pretty easy because I’ve written over 1,000 songs. I’ve been studying music since adolescence, zoning in on some of my favorite rapper’s lyrics that otherwise go unnoticed amidst dope beats (think, Nas, Jay-Z for example).

Who do you trust to give advice if something is ready or not?

I trust myself here. I really don’t elicit feedback from others about my art, which would generally just invite unnecessary criticism. I listen to a song over and over, and at this point in my career because I’ve written and performed so much, I know what to look for to know something’s done.

Where is all your music so we can continue to listen!

Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube. I’m also on Instagram and Tik Tok @dilanjay_

End of Interview