"Keep Doing It Till You Get the Job Done" Q&A with Rising R&B Star JMSN ahead of Tonight's Yue Space Gig

From growing up destitute and contending with domestic violence, to signing with Motown and being shouted out by none other than Usher, life has certainly given JMSN (pronounced Jameson) plenty of twists and drama to draw on as he pens and sings impassioned R&B. The Michigan-born rising alt-R&B singer (born Christian Berishaj) will swing by Yue Space tonight (Nov 3) as part of the tour for Whatever Makes U Happy, his fifth album, released this past April. That LP is laden with highlights like the gospel-inflected "Drinkin'," (which has a backup choir, organ playing, et al); the yearning, hopeful guitar-based "Slide"; along with the soul-infused, down-and-out anthem "Always Somethin'," on which he achingly croons about always "bustin' his ass ... to get by."

When asked by the Beijinger about his tumultuous Cinderella story – which saw him and his mother withstand abuse from his stepfather, before going on to master several musical instruments, independently writing and recording soulful demos, record contracts at Atlantic Records and then Motown, and eventually starting his own label, White Room – he resolutely said, "I don’t think about the past. But yea anyone can do anything they want, they just have to decide and take action and do it. Then keep doing it, till you get the job done." However, his tough-as-nails demeanor softens just a bit when asked about R&B titan Usher telling the NME magazine in 2012 that "JMSN was his 'favorite new act.'" JMSN says that shout-out felt "very good. I’ve always been a big Usher fan."

Usher made that comment circa the release of Priscilla, JMSN's breakthrough debut on which (like on his demos) he played each and every instrument. It features standout tracks like "Jameson," which features a see-sawing rhythm, and "All Alone," with percolating percussion, all of which are complemented by his feather-light falsettos. Critics and his burgeoning fanbase were not only impressed by that DIY musical approach, but also by the fact that JMSN directed all the music videos for the LP's singles.

JMSN admits that having such singular control can be overwhelming, but quickly points out, "It’s much less stressful than worrying about someone else doing it, and not doing it right. So it saves a lot of time and heartache in the end."

JMSN has certainly maintained that doggedly independent ethos with his 2017 release Whatever Makes You Happy. In the lyrics on key track "Love Ain't Enough," a low-key jam about a dogged professional trying to to make his way in the world and maintain a dysfunctional fling all the while. Of the song, JMSN says, with the weight of experience in every word: "Those lyrics were inspired just by the fact that anything you want takes more than just wanting it. It takes work and action."

More stories by this author here.
Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle

Photos: Hyperbeast, nappyafro.com, thesmokersclub.com