Mercury-nominated, British-born SJae (aka Sammy Jay) was the UK’s first female music producer who has been hailed in the US as ‘the best in the business’ by many of her peers, including some of the world’s biggest music stars and producers. A proponent and prominent representative for women in technology, SJae is proud to announce her debut EP, FIRST, due out today, March 22, 2019. Part one of a series of EPs includes collaborations with acclaimed songwriters, producers, and artists, namely, Raphael Saadiq, Sam Sparro, and Dria Thornton, and Hilaire.
Who: I’m a producer/songwriter from Wales, UK, currently based in Los Angeles. After years of producing other artists, I’m now releasing my own record. This is a ‘producer record’ featuring a few different artists, some well-known, some lesser known, but all fantastically talented. I’m also producing a few different projects outside of my own, including hip hop artist Vo Williams and I’m currently working on music for a new Tiffany Haddish movie.
What: My new EP is called First and is the first in a series. It’s a blend of a few styles that have either influenced me growing up, like the ‘80s Synthwave / synthpop tracks, or music scenes that I have been a part of in my career, i.e., the UK Garage and RnB scenes. There are three singles, ‘Acid Rain’ featuring Hilaire, which is a story of that stomach-churning feeling of running into an ex and realizing you are not over them, based around a synth wave based track. ‘The Avenue’ featuring Sam Sparro, which is about love and unity in the face of division and hatred, but all tied up with a big bouncy ‘80s synth-pop bow! And ‘All I Think About’ featuring Raphael Saadiq, which is grounded in UK Garage / 2 step but has a soulful vocal and an unexpected harp part as the main hook. The other tracks have some classical influences, and I’ve managed to sneak my vocals on a few too!
I wanted to stir things up and do the unexpected, try to show that women produce records, too.
Where: You can find my record in any of the usual places you buy digital music – iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, etc.
When: March 22, 2019
Why: I wanted to make a producer record because this seemed to be a format exclusive to male producers and DJs in the dance field. I wanted to stir things up and do the unexpected, try to show that women produce records, too. We haven’ t been given the kudos or credibility to exist in this sphere, as producers in the music industry. We are out there. I’m aiming to change it, open up the doors, so we can make more records, get more work as respected producers and audio engineers. All that aside though, I also wanted to put something beautiful and positive out into the world, that gets them motivated and inspired, or gets them through some heartache, or simply makes them dance!
About SJae:
Originally from a small town in South Wales, SJae was a graduate of London’s famous Brit School which bred world stars including Adele, Amy Winehouse, Ellie Goulding, Leona Lewis and Jessie J amongst others. Living and working in Los Angeles, the producer, writer and singer, has over two decades of experience in the industry and has worked with the likes of The Roots, Ricki-Lee, Booty Luv, Terri Walker, Mis-teeq, Mark Morisson, Pussycat Dolls, EXO, and Rod Stewart to name a few.
Def Jam gave SJae her first professional production gig on Terri Walker’s Untitled album, and it was from that SJae’s career was born and she became one of the most sought-after producers in the business where she went onto produce albums for world-wide stars and rose to the top of her game which led to her move to LA after much European success.
SJae has composed music for various TV shows, including MTV’s Ridiculousness, Lethal Weapon and has placed songs on many shows/films including Fox’s EMPIRE, CBS Flashpoint, STEP UP Miami Heat, Step up Up High Water. Most recently, SJae worked with Raphael Saadiq on scoring the Netflix movie, After Party, starring KYLE and French Montana.
Not only has SJae worked on some of the world’s best-selling albums, but she’s also produced logo music for top radio stations, RTL, Bayern 3, and The Wave and her music can be heard in promo slots for FOX Sports, The NBA, Reelz Tv. SJae is currently executive producer for Howling Music, Nashville working on the music for global advertising campaigns such as Hyundai and Ford.
Stay tuned for more announcements from SJae and new music from this prolific artist. For more information, please visit SJae online:
http://www.sjaeofficial.com/
https://twitter.com/SJAEOFFICIAL
https://www.instagram.com/sjaeofficial/
http://soundcloud.com/sjaeofficial