JAY B
COVER STORY
✦
COVER STORY ✦
GOT7 leader and powerhouse soloist JAY B has spent over 12 years captivating audiences with his dynamic evolution and multifaceted talent in the K-pop sphere. Though, in 2024, with the recent release of his debut full-length solo album, Archive 1: [Road Runner], JAY B officially underwent another bold metamorphosis, blending exceptional musical prowess with a deeply personal narrative.
Since initially stepping into the spotlight, JAY B's musical style has steadily showcased his versatile strengths—from displaying formidable skills as a gifted dancer with a b-boy background to his major commitment to the K-pop industry with the celebrated seven-member group GOT7. Initially known for its organic chemistry and striking catalog, GOT7 quickly rose to fame as a result of its members’ shared musicality in a journey defined by resilience, and unwavering courage. However, his fresh solo work on Archive 1: [Road Runner] marks a distinct departure from the familiar, allowing the beloved artist to pursue compelling new ideas and reflect on his career. “I think with this album I’ve gotten a bit closer to the R&B genre,” JAY B explains. “It reflects more of my personal preferences than previous music genres that I worked with before.”
The album Archive 1: [Road Runner] represents the culmination of a decade-long career filled with highs, lows, triumphs, and challenges. In doing so, it also serves as a sincere, personal exploration of JAY B's maturation and emotions over the years. Fortunately, the title also suggests that a treasure trove of the singer’s stories has yet to be told. As JAY B notes, “I thought of Archive 1 as the general subject, to show that I will continue to build upon full-length albums. And ‘Road Runner’ is the subtopic that signals my determination to keep on running forward, not only to myself but also to my fans and listeners.”
Central to the album are the double title tracks, "Crash" and "Cloud nine." These perfectly contrasting songs showcase JAY B's exceptional stylistic nuances and ability to convey deep, expansive emotions through his work. On one hand, "Crash" is a powerful, groovy-pop anthem that speaks to the chaos of connectivity, while its sleek counterpart "Cloud nine" offers a sultry R&B story that stands out as one of the best tracks of 2024. “‘Crash’ is a song with funky vibes, and I wanted to show a more polished side of myself with more elevated performance skills than I have shown before,” He explains. “After stepping back from my original image, I wanted to indicate that my musical journey will be heading closer toward the R&B genre with ‘Cloud nine.’”
Considering the vast scope of a full-length studio album, the act of developing something this detail-heavy is quite a significant endeavor—especially for an artist who has spent the majority of their career overseeing a group. Yet, for JAY B, the long-awaited journey to Archive 1: [Road Runner] presented an assortment of opportunities for artistic freedom and invaluable self-discovery. The outcome: a body of work that reverberates with honesty and profoundly thoughtful storytelling. JAY B divulges, “The most rewarding part was creating the overall flow of the album. I think I did a good job of setting up a narrative, starting with the first track ‘Baby’, and ending with the last track ‘Cloud nine.’ I feel proud because it’s a well-crafted album overall.”
Even with a rich performance background and crucial industry skills in his arsenal, transitioning from being a member of GOT7 to pursuing a solo arena came with its own set of challenges. This solo transition required adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to step out of his comfort zone. Through his growing determination and strong work ethic, JAY B successfully navigated this daunting path, ultimately emerging as an artist with a distinctive voice. And a powerful one at that.
Regarding his transition into solo work, the singer-songwriter divulges, “Right now, I think that playing the parts of all seven members is both the biggest challenge and the most fun part. Honestly, there is definitely a difference between carrying the song for over three minutes alone, and seven members carrying the song for over three minutes, and that difference makes solo work quite challenging.” He continues, “If I had been a solo artist to begin with, maybe I wouldn’t think so, but since I started out as a member of a team and was always part of seven members, I feel those differences. But at the same time, I’m enjoying the fact that I can express myself in various ways during those three minutes.”
Despite the initial learning curve, JAY B managed to embrace his seasoned skills as a GOT7 songwriter, utilizing his expertise to build a solid foundation for a solo career. This wealth of creative knowledge has allowed him to expand his musical horizons, experiment with new sounds and lyrical themes, and craft an exciting new chapter in his artistic journey.
Delving into this specific advantage, JAY B shares, “I think [GOT7 songwriting] experiences opened the door to diversity in producing [my solo] album and its tracks. Rather than focusing solely on my own music, I listen to a variety of music genres in order to produce GOT7’s music. In the process of listening to a lot of different music—although I still have to listen to a lot more—I think I’ve become more flexible and adapt more easily to changes. Those changes have broadened my spectrum in the creative sense, such as combining diverse genres.”
Throughout his exposure to the industry, both as a solo artist and alongside GOT7, JAY B has endured a series of significant moments that have shaped his music and career outlook. From performing on coveted stages to navigating the complexities of the music industry, each step has undoubtedly aided his inspiring growth as an artist—as well as contributed to the modern K-pop surge with global audiences. We’re just fortunate enough to witness this progression in real time.
When the topic of JAY B’s (and GOT7’s) industry influence comes up in conversation, the down-to-earth performer opens up about what he believes is his strongest attribute, modestly noting, “First of all, thank you for saying that I played a pivotal part [in the expansion of the K-pop].” He continues, “I think the most impactful moments in my solo career are my performances. Through the performances, I experienced a lot of thoughts and feelings—and those experiences became the motivation for me to either stop or keep moving.”
In addition to his ongoing solo endeavors, JAY B remains entirely committed to the brotherhood he’s established with GOT7. Even if balancing solo projects with the group's activities requires careful planning and dedication from each of its members. Fortunately, as we’ve previously learned through their tight-knit group, the future still holds plenty of exciting possibilities as JAY B and his bandmates pursue new creative opportunities while maintaining their collective identity. Which, as of now, entails finally regaining access to their original social media accounts (from the group’s former label), and reassembling for an upcoming comeback slated for the end of January.
JAY B tells us, “Whenever we decide to do group activities, we change the system so that all solo projects take place in Korea. Some solo schedules that were confirmed before the decision to do group activities are difficult to change so we go ahead with them, but any solo schedules that can be changed are switched to take place in Korea. After each member’s solo schedule, we find time to work on things we need to do for the group album, such as recording and practicing.” He elaborates, “To work as a team it is very important to coordinate the schedules of as many members as possible, so all members including me put a lot of effort into finding that balance and working together for group activities.”
As he embarks on this satisfying new quest to merge his group contributions with something more personal, JAY B is definitely poised to continue expanding his lasting legacy in the global music scene. However, his long-term goals are much more grounded. “I want to be remembered as an artist who produced hidden-gem songs,” He admits. “I hope people will remember me as an R&B artist and producer who created diverse, high-quality albums.”
JAY B bashfully continues, “It is such an honor that you think my industry journey is inspiring, but I think I have a long way to go to earn that title. I have learned a lot through music, but there is a lot more to learn about life; there is no end to that learning.” He then goes on to challenge himself as he concludes, “So right now, I think I need to be someone who is ready to learn—and at the same time I need to have my own standards.”
