Jay Ellis

Jeremy Ellis Edwards, better known by his stage name Jay Ellis, is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, & record producer from Napa, California.

*What Inspired you to start making music?

I've always had a passion for music sense childhood, always was singing, writing poems, rapping but didn't take it as serious as I am now. When I was younger my Popz introduced me to the movie, The Temptations which is my favorite group (Otis, David, Melvin, Eddie, Dennis, Paul, & Elbridge)  just something about singing to the ladies. The soul, rhythm & blues they created in general was different. Once I saw them I fell in love with RnB music for real.

*Where were you born & raised?

I was born in Vallejo & raised in Napa, CA when I was a child then I moved to Sacramento, CA with my family & been here ever since.

*What's your biological name?

Jeremy Ellis Edwards is my biological name,

The name Jeremy, a masculine name of Hebrew origin, means "appointed by God" or "God will exalt". It is an anglicized form of the Hebrew name Jeremiah, a major prophet from the Old Testament. The name is also associated with the idea of being uplifted by God.

The name "Ellis" has multiple potential meanings & origins. It can be a variation of the Hebrew name Elijah, meaning "My God is Jehovah".

The surname "Edwards" means "son of Edward." It's a patronymic name, meaning it's derived from the first name of a father or ancestor.

So with that Jay comes from Jeremy & the Ellis comes from my middle name so that's how I came up with my artist name, Jay Ellis. It actually took me a minute finding my name you always go through various names at first when your an artist, it's best to just use your own. 

“Don't Get Jealous, Cause I'm Jay Ellis”

*What's your biggest regret so far? If you don't mind sharing?

My biggest regret so far is not taking my music career as seriously earlier. I’ve always loved music, but I wish I had been more consistent with releasing, promoting, & treating it like a business from the start. That said, it taught me a lot, & now I’m much more focused intentional with everything I do as an artist. Everything happens for a reason, everyone's journey to the destination is different. Regrets teach you to evolve & give you experience. I will reach the highest level & unlock my full potential in music.

*What do you believe you can accomplish in the long run of your career?

In the long run, I believe I can build a sustainable & respected career as an artist, with a strong catalog of music, a loyal fanbase, & consistent opportunities to perform & collaborate at a high level. I want my music to connect with people on a real emotional level, & I see myself growing not just as a performer, but also as a songwriter, creative director, & overall brand. As Jay Ellis, I believe I can be one of the best to do RnB music coming out of Sacramento because I'm so determined, disciplined, & focused to manifest my vision. I believe I can accomplish anything with the grind & hustle I have for real.  Jay Ellis is fueled by success, grind, passion, hustle, mindset, perseverance, talent, grit, persistence, & the ability to conquer failure while chasing his goals.

*How would you describe your music in 3 words?

Smooth, Sexy, & Seductive

*Can you name some artists who inspire you?

The Temptations, Eddie Kendricks, Chester Bennington Of Linkin Park, Jon B, G Eazy, JMSN, Tory Lanez & Chris Brown.

*And lastly tell me a bit more about your upcoming project fans should be anticipating.

My upcoming project is a collection of songs that really represent my growth as an artist and my personal journey over the past year. Fans can expect a mix of heartfelt R&B & high-energy tracks, with lyrics that are both relatable & empowering. I’ve put a lot of focus on production, storytelling, & creating a sound that’s uniquely mine. I’m excited for people to hear it, connect with it, & experience the energy live when I perform.