JAY AQUARIOUS TALKS NEW EP “THE GREAT VINE”
“This whole project happened by accident. It was not intentional at all.”
In the midst of working on 3 projects simultaneously, avant-garde singer Jay Aquarious pivoted his sound after a chance music session with rising producer AIRXKING. Both artists, with instant musical chemistry and open to experimenting, began working together on a sonic smorgasbord of “left of” sounds. From hip-hop to pop to house, the duo took an intimate, unique approach to create the collaborative effort that is THE GREAT VINE - ushering in a new side of Aquarious and a fresh introduction to AIRXKING as a beatmaker.
The 6-track project is a continuation of Aquarious’s pop-appeal, accentuated by AIRXKING’s textured production. Across the work, you can expect to hear Aquarious’s walk seamlessly through his signature sultry, bedroom pop, to catchy, narrative-driven hip-hop that ultimately works to introduce the entertainer’s anti-persona, Daymian Dabb - a name and personality that has been in the backseat of the singer’s career since high school.
“When I first decided to do music, I was a rapper. I wasn’t a singer...I was writing raps and I would write hooks for singers, but I wasn’t really confident as a rapper.”
Discouraged to rap early on, the talented songwriter moved to sing but received the opportunity to rap on a fellow artist’s song when he started working on the project. When the feature fell through, Aquarious kept the verse and let AIRXKING customize a beat for the most dynamic track on the EP, “Daymian Dabb.” With more confidence in his gift as a lyricist, the singer-rapper embraced the song, included a special appearance by local rhymer Son Scotty and decided to add to the EP.
“I just feel like getting in my bag for Daymian Dabb. I felt like this is the moment to bring that song and character to the forefront because again I came up with him in high school and left him alone for a very long time.”
With rumbling chimes, and an infectious kick drum led offering, Aquarious is everything but humble. Rapping about his unwavering motivation and strutting his sexual prowess with an extra dose of bravado, Aquarious lets out all of his frustrations and ego-driven thoughts with Dabb, tastefully, but it’s only after he gives us his sensual side.
The first single and 2nd track on the EP titled “Love High” finds the crooner in his element- heartfelt, intimate, and indulgent. Oozy piano chords set the scene for a never-ending groove of harmonious background vocals and soft percussion. Operating in his power as an enigmatic singer-songwriter, Aquarious questions the boundary of love and lust with a lost lover. From fantasizing about the idea of rekindling, he moves into another familiar-sounding track titled “Dreamatic.” Inspired by one of his earlier songs titled “Naked,” Aquarious created the third track as a sequel to his transparent, honest, and spiritual sound- A feat that AIRXKING took on graciously.
Expressing AIRXKING’s interest to make music together after their initial music session, Aquarious efforts with THE GREAT VINE pose as a tribute to power and solidify his talent as a collaborator. Taking inspiration from Janet Jackson to Lil Kim to Left Eye, Aquarious’s artistry and versatility opens up a little more. Every track on the EP is a standout - The Plax featured -“Pay A Bill” is not far removed from the blunt, boastiness of Daymian Dabb, the “Fill My Heart” remix is breathy and sexy along with the Lil Dame-assisted intro track, preparing you for the multifacetedness of Aquarious; Bold, sharp, and full frontal.
“With this project, I want my listeners to understand influence is power. Like that’s power. To be able to inspire somebody to do something different is literally a lot of power.”