P-Jay! His very name conjures up an image of a tall, baby-faced figure sporting dark sunglasses. His voice is smooth, like the surface of a well-peeled orange or a newly-polished coffee table. He exudes confidence without coming across as especially self-absorbed.
In P-Jay’s world, emotions are like wild beasts. They run in every forest, and in every wilderness. The song “Adikte”, for instance, recounts the story of an overly dependent young man, who likens his obsession with a beauty to a toxic addiction. In the video, the artist is accompanied by a singer Phat G, and the Blonde Venus that is the subject of their mutual obsession appears, her heartlessness apparent from her nonchalant facial expression.
“Facebook Love”, an uptempo track featuring rapper-singer Princess Eud and guest-starring Flav, touches upon the subject of social media lust—love that begins with a click, and often ends with an abrupt click.
P-Jay had a convo with Kreyolicious.com, as he wanted Kreyolicious.com to know him up close.
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: Tell us about yourself.
P-JAY: First off, I wanna thank you, and congratulate you on the good work. The stage name is P-Jay, but my real name is James Lamothe. Very simple guy, down-to-earth. Don’t go out much; very passionate about music.
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: Thank you…now…How did you get started in music?
P-JAY: I started music at a very young age. Growing up without my parents, music was like a replacement for me and that’s when I fell in love with it.
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: Pjay…Just how did you get that moniker?
P-JAY: My sister came up with the P-Jay name, and it sounded good, so we kept it. [Laughter]
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: Hah! When did you have your first performance?
P-JAY: First performance was at my school York College in New York.
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: What was it like?
P-JAY: Honestly, it was terrible. Worst performance ever…But I learned so much from it.
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: The singer Michael Jackson once said in an interview, “The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.” There must be some singers and performers who you truly admire—who you try to emulate, perhaps? Who are they? What do you like about them?
P-JAY: Jay-z always been a role model to me, I always thought his way of thinking was amazing. That business mind allowed him to be who he is right now. He’s a legend to me.
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: What’s it like being in the studio? Are you involved with the songwriting and production part of your musical career?
P-JAY: Unfortunately, I don’t make beats—that’s the only thing I don’t do. Other than that, I do everything else. But I haven’t found words powerful enough to describe how it feels when I’m in the studio. But I can tell you, that’s the only place I truly feel free. Just an amazing feeling.
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: Do you think it’s important for an artist to be an active participant in those aspects of their art?
P-JAY: Yes, I think so, but if you don’t have such a talent, I don’t think that stops you from being a great entertainer. But [if] you’re able to do so, it becomes you, because you get to truly express yourself.
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: What makes a great love song?
P-JAY: To me, honesty makes a great love song—when you’re not afraid to express your feelings, especially if you’re telling your own story. Most rappers are afraid to be honest when it comes to love. I enjoy every second of it, and [have] never been afraid to let my feelings out.
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: There is this notion that the minute a guy plops his lips open and sings, his appeal grows three-folds. A guy-singer is the ultimate prize for some, so to speak. The romantic aura and everything.
P-JAY: Female admirers are the best fans. They show you more love—not that the males don’t, but when you show up at a place, the females will be the first ones to scream or to yell out your name [saying] “Can I take a picture? Can I get a hug? Oh my God, its P-Jay”. [Laughter] But when it’s a male fan, he won’t show that much love just because he’s a man I guess. [Laughter]
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: It’s been said that there’s a degree of artificiality in the music business—that there aren’t any true friends, and that there is a degree of falseness. What are your thoughts on this?
P-JAY: I honestly think it’s true. I remember growing up, 50 Cent had a line like this: “These industry n___ are not friends, they just know how to pretend”. I totally agree. Music itself is a competitive art, so if you’re passionate you’re always wanna be better than the next one. And that’s cool, but most artists take it to the heart. That’s the sad part of it. I have experienced that so many times…
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: A lot of a performers tend to take up a cause. The singer Marvin Gaye was once quoted as having said, “Great artists suffer for the people.” Do you have a social cause that you’re championing at the moment?
P-JAY: I always did and always will. Maybe not a specific cause, but [have] always helped my own. Right now I’m focusing on my hometown—which is Jacmel. We’re helping with the hospitals, and making sure they have enough materials to work with. I also have my own foundation called PLIMPAM—[through which] we’re helping a lot of kids..
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: What have your parents said about your being in the music business?
P-JAY: My parents always supported me from the get-go. They always told me as long as that report card has an A in it…[Laughter] Yeah school was serious, and that’s all they asked for.
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: If you could give some advice to a newbie who’s entering the music business right now, what would you say to that individual?
P-JAY- If it’s not for the love of it, don’t even bother. It’s not an easy business and if you’re not mentally ready, it will destroy you…So, just put your heart in it.
KREYOLICIOUS.COM: What are some of the things that you hope to accomplish over the course of your career?
P-JAY: Be a role model for these young kids. Help as much as i can, put out a couple more albums—like three more, and put music on the side to focus on my kid and on being the best father I can be.
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