Dutch-Ghanaian alternative hip-hop artist Jay-Way has officially dropped his highly anticipated debut LP, "Island Forgotten." The 18-track project, released through IVAV, a Curb | Word Entertainment division, comes on the heels of high praise from super producer Timbaland, who discovered Jay-Way's talent on TikTok Live.
Timbaland, a Grammy Award-winning producer, was captivated by Jay-Way's sonics and poignant melodies. "You got a vibe. I want to hear more of your stuff," he exclaimed. Complex NL shared a clip of the interaction between the two music maestros.
The LP's title, "Island Forgotten," holds a deeper meaning for Jay-Way. "With this title, I want to paint the picture of living on your own island," he explains. "Living on an island has several meanings to me. On your island, you’ve isolated yourself from your surroundings. It can make you feel more confident. Embracing your uniqueness. Not moving on anybody’s tempo but your own."
The project, featuring the official music video for "Show Is Over," solidifies Jay-Way's ambition to establish himself as a prominent international artist in 2024. The LP encapsulates Jay-Way’s cosmic aesthetic, blending hip-hop, pop-punk, house, and afro beats. His introspective lyrics delve into self-discovery, love, compassion, acceptance, and vulnerability.
"Island Forgotten" follows Jay-Way's viral collaborative single "Summertime" with Snoop Dogg and labelmate Steven Malcolm. The artist has been on a meteoric rise, touring Europe, earning a Berlin Music Award nomination, and performing in front of 15,000 people at EO Youth Day. The LP marks a significant progression from his award-nominated debut release, "Jaynalysis," and expands on the spirit of his breakout EP, "No, I'm Not Ok."
Jay-Way will celebrate the LP's release with two live shows in Amsterdam, offering fans a chance to experience the magnetic, self-reflective anthems of "Island Forgotten" live. Tickets for the shows are available now.
Listen to "Island Forgotten" below.