Introducing new artists into the hive is what we do best. Grab your pumpkin spice latte, cozy fall blanket, and a bucket of caramelized popcorn because it’s time for another interview this season. Today, we had the pleasure of chatting with the beautiful Jaz Karis, who is creeping her way up the charts and into our fangirl hearts. She dished all the details about her brand new album (out today!), SAFE FLIGHT, what to expect on her tour, and a special message for OG fans.
Get To Know Jaz
Welcome to The Honey POP! We are thrilled to be chatting with you on the release of your new album and the announcement of your U.S. tour. To start us off, can you share with readers three adjectives that your friends would use to describe you?
Silly, loving & nostalgic.
Your voice is so beautiful and reminds us of the likes of Summer Walker and Kehlani. When you first started singing, did you have any inspiration for a vocal performance?
What a compliment, thank you! And yes, I think my main vocal inspirations growing up would be Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Destiny’s Child & SWV.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to thriving in the music industry that can sometimes be seen as cut-throat?
To never take anything personally. This, of course, doesn’t always happen, but try as much as you can to see the bigger picture.
SAFE FLIGHT
Your new album is titled SAFE FLIGHT (readers can stream it here!). If you could instantly hop on a flight to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Oh, definitely to the Caribbean, St Lucia specifically. There is nowhere in the world that feels like home the way the Caribbean does to me. Also, I’m of St Lucian heritage & I haven’t been back in so long, so that will definitely be my next trip when I have time.
You have some awesome features on your new album, like Reekado Banks and June Freedom. What was it like working with these artists? Do you prefer a collaborative writing process or an individual one?
I was so honoured to work with such incredible artists in the process of making this album. However, I love the vulnerability that comes with writing alone, as I truly think some of my most honest moments have come from that. On the other hand, I am truly a believer in more heads being better than one, so I do love hearing others’ perspectives when it comes to writing music.
The very first track on the album is titled ‘NOSTALGIA,’ in which you reflect on past experiences that have stuck with you like your mom cooking a meal and partying with old friends. As we grow into our mid-twenties, we often feel nostalgia creeping into our thoughts more and more. If you could tell your 16-year-old self one thing about your life now, what would you tell her?
I would tell her not to worry about a thing and to enjoy every moment. I would tell her to not care what people think because life is too short & people don’t know what they want until you give it to them.
2024 has been the year for iconic album drops, and we are so excited that SAFE FLIGHT is joining the list. What has been your favorite album release of the year thus far?
I definitely would have to say Partynextdoor 4! Honestly, this album was overdue and meant so much to me as a fan when he dropped it. I had the pleasure of meeting Party after one of his shows in LA, and it was so surreal. It just made the experience of his album even more special.
There are some beautiful instruments weaved through this album, especially on the third track, ‘TEQUILA.’ Do you play any instruments? If not, are there any that you seem to go back to time and time again during the production process?
Thank you! I do play the piano & yes, ‘TEQUILA,’ ‘CHILL ON ME,’ & ‘PRAYER’ are my favorite instrumental tracks from the album. I grew up playing in church, so I love live music so much & think it just adds another layer of feeling to the music.
Tour
You are headed out on a mini U.S. tour! Congrats! In what ways does traveling inspire your music?
Traveling is genuinely what this album is all about. I definitely experience different sides of myself in different places & it’s so nice to be able to create music in different environments & let each song have its moment.
We are so excited to see you perform onstage for the first time! What kind of live performer are you?
Me too 🙂 I definitely feel comfortable on stage & love to share moments with the crowd!!
What’s Next
Thanks so much for chatting with us in the hive today! Do you have any final thoughts for OG Jaz Karis fans or new ones reading about you for the first time?
I would love to thank OG Jaz Karis fans, especially because I know how hard it is when you love an artist’s music from the jump & stick with them as they grow and experiment with different sounds. I hope that this album feels like a nostalgic piece of true Jaz Karis music but just a little more polished. And love to all the new fans discovering me for the first time! Welcome to the party x
Thanks again to the lovely Jaz for chatting with us! We’ve been streaming SAFE FLIGHT all day, and we hope you’re loving the new album as much as we have been. If you could ask Jaz Karis one question, what would it be? Let us know in the comments below or by buzzing with us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook 🐝
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JAZ KARIS:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
