Jay Prince releases debut album “Shine” and new single “us” ft Yussef Dayes and Chief Adjuah
Shine - The Process
Stream / Download “Shine” Here
May 16th, London-born producer, singer-songwriter, and multidisciplinary creative Jay Prince unveils his highly anticipated debut album, ‘Shine’, along with the release of a powerful new single, ‘US’, featuring award-winning drummer and composer Yussef Dayes and the legendary Chief Adjuah. ‘Shine’ is a 14-track opus that marks a significant milestone in Jay’s artistic evolution, capturing the essence of his journey since his debut in 2016, tracing the emotional highs and lows that have shaped his path. Through this personal body of work, fans are invited to see beyond the music and into the mind and heart of the artist himself. The album explores a wide emotional and thematic spectrum—family, friendship, love, heartbreak, faith, heritage, self-discovery, and optimism—anchoring each song in raw honesty and intentionality. At its core, ‘Shine’ is an uplifting reflection on finding the light within, embracing it fully, and sharing it with the world. It’s about pushing through self-doubt, strengthening faith, and coming into one’s own truth. Musically, ‘Shine’ is a genre-defying blend of Rap, Jazz, Soul, Hip-Hop, Funk, and more. It features a stellar lineup of collaborators, including Estelle, Oddisee, Sam Wise, Tiny Spys, Pher, anaiis, Elujay, Yussef Dayes, and House Gospel Choir lacing album tracks. The album was crafted during Jay's transformative four-year period in Los Angeles, fusing intricate lyricism with masterful production and a vibrant mix of live instrumentation and hip-hop. Speaking on his debut album Jay said:
“It’s been 6 years since the last body of work. A lot has changed for the better. I’ve grown as a man and artist. I thank you for your endless patience, love and support. Through hardships the spark never died. Thankfully, through patience and perseverance, we came out on the other side.”
During his time in LA, Jay immersed himself in the city's creative pulse, forging connections with artists and embracing personal growth. Despite being far from home, the experience profoundly shaped him as an artist and storyteller. His creative vision extends beyond music, directing thought-provoking visuals like ‘How Far', collaborating with fashion designers such as Tokyo James, and crafting immersive artistic experiences. Recently, Jay partnered with Nowness to share a striking series of photographs from his journey to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Visiting the continent for the first time, he embarked on a mission to reconnect with his roots, meeting his grandmother, cousins, and extended family while capturing everyday life in the region. The experience inspired him to document these moments in a photo book, a testament to his deep connection with heritage, culture, and storytelling.
Jay’s artistry is deeply rooted in the social, economic, and cultural realities of the world, a connection that pulses through every track he creates. Songs like ‘How Far’ confront societal pressures head-on, while ‘New Day’ radiates hope. ‘Chasing Thrills’ offers an exhilarating escape, and the immersive production and refined songwriting in ‘Solitude’ and ‘Ace’ underscore Jay’s consistent creative excellence. These five singles have not only resonated with audiences but have also attracted widespread acclaim from tastemakers, including Target, Fee Mak, Hypebeast, Hunger, Clash, Wonderland, and COLORS, fueling anticipation for his album, ‘Shine’. More than just a collection of songs, ‘Shine’ is a bold statement of growth, identity, and artistic evolution. To mark its release, Jay will perform this summer at ‘Amplify’ at KOKO and the ‘Love Supreme’ Jazz Festival in Sussex. Ahead of the album launch, last week he dropped a collaborative single, ‘High On The Internet’, with UK pop powerhouse Ella Eyre and hosted an exclusive ‘Shine’ album listening session at KEF, giving fans and press an intimate preview of the project. As the founder of Lounge In Sounds—a record label and creative platform—Jay continues to cultivate a vibrant community centered on authentic music and culture. To celebrate the release of ‘Shine’, he will host a special Lounge In Sounds album party at The Ned on 30th May. ‘Shine’ isn’t just a debut album, it’s a powerful expression of resilience, purpose, and empowerment, designed to uplift and inspire.
ABOUT JAY PRINCE
Born in East London to both Angolan & Congolese parents, Jay's musical journey ignited in the heart of the church, where he mastered the piano, bass, and guitar. By 14 or 15, his passion for poetry and upbringing in Newham—where everyone at school was rapping—sparked his deep dive into music. Immersed in the sounds of his surroundings, Jay naturally gravitated toward rap and beat-making and began crafting beats on programs like Fruity Loops, blending his lyrical prowess with production skills. This fusion gave birth to the signature soulful sound that still defines his music today. Jay broke out in 2015 with the mixtape ‘Before Our Time’ and gained further attention with 'Smile Good,' featuring the fan-favourite ‘Father Father.’ By 2017, his 11-track project ‘Late Summers,’ with features from Shakka, Amine, and Mahalia, cemented his rising star status. The following year, Jay released ‘Cherish,’ collaborating with Kojey Radical, amongst others, this project also included his hit single ‘In The Morning’, which has racked up over 20 million streams. His 2019 mixtape ‘Wonder’ received critical praise despite no features with Jay's talent taking centre stage, this is demonstrated on the hit single ‘Wonder’, which he wrote, produced, and performed. During a relocation to LA for four years, Jay collaborated with Tyler The Creator and GoldLink on ‘U Say,’ gaining international recognition and co-signs from The Fader, Billboard, Highsnobiety, and Pitchfork. His latest project, ‘SOL VOL. 3,’ released just before the pandemic, concluded his EP trilogy exploring optimism, love, and nature themes. His success led to European and Asian tours and collaborations with artists like SiR, Paul Epworth, Jay Electronica, Joyce Wrice and Jordan Rakei. Jay has supported Chance The Rapper, performed at Coachella alongside Mura Masa, his music has also been featured on NBA and FIFA soundtracks.
Listen to “Shine” below
