Jay Kell
Pearland, Texas, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF
Music
Press
So hipSOUL | The Williams Project parks itself as a lounge act, as Henry allows acts from plenty of walks of life: the vastly underrated Rel the Chosen, Wade, Fiend (New Orleans' chimney smoke-piper of fine cloud raps) and Houston's own Trae Tha Truth. Originally intended as a showcase for Wade, hipSOUL eventually yields the spotlight to so many others worth paying attention to, like JayKell on "Spaceship Lova" and Jelayne D on "Can't Get Enough." - Houston Press
When choosing our path in life, there is often an internal battle fought within us between the heart and the mind. The heart yearns to pursue big, and perhaps risky, dreams, while the mind encourages us to choose a more stable direction. Fueling the mind’s argument, society implies that our happiness is dependent upon going to college and securing a “safe” job with a steady income. But is “playing it safe” really enough to make us happy? Jay Kell faced this struggle as he worked to complete his degree at Louisiana State University, while holding on to his passion for making music. An artist since he was in middle school, he refused to let go of these musical aspirations, even after graduating from LSU and attaining a 9-5 job. Today, he is a talented and enlightened hip-hop artist, who released his first EP southernFUTURISTIC May of 2013. With roots in Louisiana and Texas, Jay’s music contains some of mainstream’s southern style, while still delivering a powerful message and clever wordplay for those “Golden Era” junkies. So, put on your headphones, get ready to groove, and listen for the inspiration to follow your dreams! - Indie-Loop
In a live setting, Houston’s Jay Kell could pretty much double as a animated ball of fury. He leaps around, bounces, yells shouts and does whatever to get not only himself motivated but the crowd at large. In an open setting with able minded bodies willing to join, “Work Sum” is an anthem, plain and simple. Taken smooth from Pimp C’s sirened out calls on “Take It Off”, Jay Kell’s version talks strippers in high fashion before curling down in the third verse thanks to airy synths and a female’s voice scatting off in the background. southernFUTURISTIC, Kell’s upcoming mixtape is on the way. - www.dayandadream.com
Prepare to take an intergalactic excursion into lyrically charged outer space experience that is southernFUTURISTIC.
JayKell drops his first EP and makes an impression that establishes him as an undeniable talent. southernFUTURISTIC, breaks the mold and makes a stamp in Houston where southern hip hop dreams are made of. JayKell’s signature sound is a culmination of the influence of his Louisiana and Texas roots. He represents Houston by way of Monroe, Louisiana putting his oratory dexterity to work and laying his lyrics over the contemporary sounds provided by The Others Beats. The composition of southernFUTURISTIC is part classic southern music, and new age story telling, poured over an avant-garde influence of the mid-90's Atlanta hip-hop.
JayKell is a neophyte to the rap game, but his lyrics are not that of a novice. The poet has cleverly found the medium between enlightening messages while delivering to the ears of his listeners his integrity as an artist. southernFUTURISTIC features the lead single “Work Sum,” which has gained momentum and placed the spotlight on JayKell and piqued the interests of the musically parched. The southernFUTURISTIC EP is not full of tunes whose sole commission is to engage the desired “turn up.” JayKell’s thought provoking tales orbit a diverse galaxy of beats with intonations of electric guitar, heavy bass, and modern accents present throughout as heard in “Better Without You.”
An artist’s first mixtape can be a sink or swim. As an emerging artist, JayKell comprehends the importance of what he portrays within this project. His selections are evidence that he understands, he will be the catalyst to propel his spaceship far beyond the stationary seats of many. southernFUTURISTIC has no hosts, no features, and all the tracks are produced by The Others. JayKell strategically took this approach to ensure the development of a consistent sound and allow fans an opportunity to experience who he is a poet, lyricist, and an artist.
southernFUTURISTIC is the display of a true artist on the rise showing JayKell is on the right track to establishing himself as a legitimate force in the “up next,” class of emerging hip hop artists. Strap up and enjoy the ride.
Read more at http://drankepidemic.com/jay-kell-southern-futuristic-drankepidemic-exclusive/#0bs3H3A15iFLGCHu.99 - www.drankepidemic.com
Discography
Work Sum (Single)
Spaceship Lova (Single)
southernFUTURISTIC (EP)
Muddy Melodies (Album)
Photos
Bio
A southern kid from Houston, TX by way of Monroe, LA, Jay Kell has always had a way with words. After winning a poetry contest in the 7th grade, he knew he had a special talent. He explains "Putting words together was always easy, so I never thought of it as something special. I thought anyone can do this. It wasn’t until college that I started rapping. I would do these freestyles in different talent shows and events at school and always got a positive reaction." Jay Kell's biggest moment came when he was selected to freestyle with his high school idol, Chamillionaire, at a concert festival on LSU's campus. "After being on a stage that large and rocking a crowd that huge, I knew this is what I wanted to do."
While in college, Jay Kell met producer, Ronnie Harper. The two realized they shared similar ideas about music and quickly began working together. Ronnie added two more members to the production team, Gary Carmouche and Louis Brown III, to form The Others. After only a few short months of working together, they would eventually create the songs that would form Jay Kell's first EP, southernFUTURISTIC. The southernFUTURISTIC EP released in May of 2013. It was made available for an exclusive download on drankepidemic.com. The lead single, Work Sum, was streamed over 1,000 times.
Jay Kell spent the rest of 2013 promoting southernFUTURISTIC and performing at various venues in Texas including Warehouse Live, House of Blues, Fitzgerald's and during the South by Southwest festival in Austin. He also traveled to New Orleans to perform in the NOLA Unity Fest benefit concert. During that time He served as an opening act to CyHi da Prynce, Wax, Dawn Richard (Danity Kane/Dirty Money), Doughbeezy, Dustin Prestige, and more.
2014 was great as well as Jay Kell will be releasing new material and performing at new venues and cities. His 2nd project, Muddy Melodies, is scheduled to released in December of 2014. The project has had thousands of streams/plays/downloads since it's release via soundcloud and his site, jaykell.bandcamp.com In preperation for the release Jay Kell returned to Austin once again to take part in SXSW performing at the Lemonade Stand presented by Cloud Vijon and The Dope Game. He also opened up for national acts such as Dee-1, Odd Future's The internet and Slaughterhouse's Joell Ortiz.
Now in 2015, Jay Kell has continued to ride the momentum of Muddy Melodies success. He once again has hit the stage to continue to promote his project. Opening for acts such as BeatKing and PHryme. Jay Kell also was a performing at the Indie Spring Jam in Houston, TX. Jay Kell is currently working on a new solo project, Bayous and Basslines, as well as a collaborative project with King Henry, 1Hunnidt, Boi Dru and O.N.E. known as the "N Crowd".
Band Members
Links
