After following up his much-loved 2022 EP 'Hoodsomnia' with his stunning comeback efforts 'Noidd' and 'How Many Chances' earlier this year, East London's Jay Bizzy is back on the grind once again as he delivers his passionate new single 'No Hook 2'.
Capturing more of that warm and heartfelt R&B-inspired energy he has dabbled with before, 'No Hook 2' makes for an incredibly impactful listen. With his rich and emotive voice layered across a progressive production throughout, he is continuing to cement himself as one of the more exciting names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
This is a tough one, you see I get torn between Piano or Bass as Piano is the first instrument I learnt properly, and it holds a special place in my heart but learning Bass was one of the most fun and playful instruments to learn. I think it’s because of how it’s played, the grooves, melody’s, riff’s and how it holds a song together makes it a very fun instrument to play.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Growing up in the early to late noughties, I loved all types of music. R&B, Rock, Motown & Disney. I listened to a lot of Chris Brown, Akon, Chuck Berry, Jackson 5 and the list goes on.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I owned was Chris Brown's 'Exclusive’ album. My favourite song from the album is ‘With You’.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
It would have to be ‘Nobody Get’s Me’ by SZA, I’ve been banging that song daily for months now, I just think the song is musical genius. It’s got a musical Country foundation with a perfect blend of R&B/Pop which works perfectly with her voice.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Yeah definitely, kind of a bad one but I just really smoke a zoot and just relax for 20-30 minutes to clear and open my mind. If I’m writing to beat and just play a load of beat while I’m relaxing until I resonate with one sonically and if I’m composing the music from scratch, I’ll just pick up either an Acoustic Guitar or sit by the Piano and just start playing chords kind of influenced by how I’m feeling. For me music is very important, I need to be able to connect and feel the chords, the rhythm, melodies and everything to start writing.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
In recent times I’ve been big on Polo G, Lil Durk, Lil Baby, Rod Wave, Nino Uptown, Flo and SZA.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Ok I’ll give you 2, super crazy big artist would have to be Ed Sheeran, I say him because I think that would be a very good show for me to show off my musicianship side. You already have a stadium full of supporters who have paid money to watch Ed serenade them mostly with just a guitar, maybe some accompaniment but for the most part an acoustic show. So, 1 more multi-instrumentalist performer couldn’t hurt.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
For me I’d have to say it’s hearing something that just started off as an idea or a sound in your head turn into completion and then even sound musical is so satisfying.
And what is the most frustrating part?
What I find most frustrating is how the industry over the past decades has gone from a more talent-oriented field to a more numbers oriented one with the rise of technology, but I guess it’s just how you apply your mind because while technology has made it a lot easier to push yourself by yourself without the major labels support. So, if you can figure out what they do and do it yourself, you’ve got a lot more leverage.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
You’ve heard it a thousand times but honestly, it’s just yourself. If you put out a persona that requires you to always switch it on, that will be so draining to the point you wouldn’t even want to do music no more. Being yourself you probably wouldn’t mind doing what you’re doing for 10, 20, 30 years because it’s all you and you love it.
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Jay Bizzy's new single 'No Hook 2' is available to stream now. Watch the new video for it in the player below.