Jaymin: Shaping the Next Chapter of R&B
- Muzikscribe
- 9 hours ago
- 8 min read
Meet Jaymin, a Seattle native whose smooth, soulful voice is catching ears and turning heads in the R&B scene. Blending elements of gospel, hip-hop, and vintage soul, he’s carving out a sound that feels both fresh and familiar—like a modern love letter wrapped in irresistible melodies. With his debut EP, Sweet Nothings, Jaymin is on a mission to bring genuine emotion and innovative beats back to the genre. In this interview, we’ll explore his creative journey, the stories behind his music, and what he envisions for his breakout year—one that’s all about keeping love alive in a new era.
”Sweet Nothings is an intimate self recorded project made in my house built on honesty rather than perfection. Each song was made one after the other with emotion and intention built into each song. The project explores love, relationships, and desire while embracing vulnerability as strength. It is a reflective, grounded, and deeply personal project that I’m sure will challenge and reaffirm ideologies on the approach to modern love” — Jaymin
Let’s hop into this single, "WaMu," produced by Chase N. Cashe — how did this particular track come to fruition?
Before he became my manager, Chase N. Cashe sent me a song that had a level of bop to it, but it was also soulful. I woke up, heard the record, started writing and I couldn’t stop. I wrote the first verse, second verse, and chorus in just one sitting. I wrote the first line and felt inspired to finish it. Once it was finished, I went down to my basement to record and knocked it all out in one day.
How then does "WaMu" compare to or differ from your previous songs?
It’s very similar. I don’t have a specific way that I like to write. Sometimes I feel inspired to write and sometimes I feel inspired to record. Usually when I hear a beat, I’m inspired to write. So in this instance that’s what happened. But sometimes I’m inspired to get in the studio, so I’ll just go down there and do whatever comes to me. Half the songs were written that way, but the other half was written where I’m free-styling.
What particular string of events actually led to your current signing to / with Warner Records?
It’s funny. I put out “88” and I had a plan to try to send the song to see if they were going to post it, and a lot of them did. I shot a video to it in Seattle and sent it out to see what it could do. After that, there were labels who started to reach out and Warner was one of them and they were consistent. My A&R, Matt, was very consistent and we built a relationship. He was always calling me and checking in on me and telling me, “we’re gonna get this deal done. We’re gonna figure it out.” After coming back and forth to L.A. we made it happen. It was literally one song, a waiting period of a few months, then we signed.
As a songwriter, where do you draw inspiration from?
A lot of different places. Poetry is one. I love to read, so literature in general. Two of my biggest musical inspirations when it comes to writing and lyricism are Stevie Wonder and Frank Ocean. I also find inspiration from rap. I call myself a rapper and I think those are some of the most poetic people. Rap music, battle rap, things that people say, certain words that I hear that I may not have heard before can inspire me to write.
Tell me about your musical beginnings. When did this journey start for you?
I grew up in church, so a lot of my musical journey started there. I grew up playing the drums. We had a drumset in the house and my dad and mom would let me play as loud as I wanted to and rock out. We also had instruments in the house. There were keyboards and pianos and my sister played the sax and my brother played the trumpet. There was always music in the house. Whether that be playing on a speaker or being able to pick up an instrument at will. Being involved in church; church and music go hand in hand. My mom was a minister of music, so she played the organ, led the choir and sang praise and worship. It started with her. As youngsters you know that music is a beautiful thing. Not only is it worship, but it’s healing.
Growing up in the 'Emerald City,' who were some of your biggest influences?
I would say Jimi Hendrix is an inspiration in general. I don’t make the same type of music he makes, but it was incredible to see what he did for the scene of Seattle. Seattle has a lot of deep rooted history and culture with music and jazz. Quincy Jones also helped build the music scene there. There’s been a long gap since that time and now, but the talent and the culture never left. Living there and hearing stories of the past is very inspirational.
How do you define your style?
I would say chill, laid back and authentic. Whether that be from the way that I dress to certain artistic choices that I make musically or visually, I think everything is authentic to who I am. I feel like people do things that are performative and they’re not comfortable with themselves because they’re trying to be somebody else. Being authentic is very me and it’s derivative of my upbringing, where I come from and who I was raised by.
What do you hope people take away from your music?
I want them to have hope and love. When we go back to the ‘90s with Jodeci and D’Angelo, all that was super-fly, fire, and genuine. That’s where I draw a lot of my inspiration from. They made being vulnerable cool, but I feel like at some point we lost the plot. I don’t know where or why, but I want to bring people back to that. To be fly, love and be vulnerable while still maintaining a level of masculinity in yourself that doesn’t make you feel weak. If anything, it’s the complete opposite. The main thing I’m trying to convey to both men and women is that it’s cool to be in love and you don’t have to have this wall up or apprehension toward each other. I know it’s difficult, but that’s the story I want to tell.
Dream collaboration — who would it be?
Right now, I would say Kehlani. I think that’d be really dope.
If you could play any venue in the world, where would it be?
Any of the stadiums or arenas in Seattle: Climate Pledge, T-Mobile Arena, Century Link; now Lumen Field. I just think that it would be insane if I could play there and pack it out. Even if I was opening up for somebody, I think that would be a crazy moment for me. Seattle is very important to me; my upbringing, my artistry and made me who I am. To be able to pack out any venue in my home-town would be incredible.
How do you feel about the current state of R&B?
I love where it’s at right now. I think it’s in a great place. If you’d asked me this a few years ago, I would probably have a different answer, but right now It’s in a great place. There’s a lot of dope, talented artists and everybody's adding their own little flavor and vibe in. I definitely think there’s a lot of room for me to do what I need to do, but I love what people are doing.
What’s the key to your longevity?
Being authentic. I don’t ever want to get to a point where I’m trying to impress anyone. I know that’s part of the game but I have to stay true to myself and what I believe in. My manager tells me all the time to: “go with your gut,” and I’m going to continue to do that. The art and the music are gonna speak for itself, but in terms of being in the game for a long time, I gotta be real to who I am. Because that person I’m continuing to evolve into is real, I think I’ll be able to do this for a long time.
Beyond music, what else, if anything, do you want to do?
A lot of things. I definitely would love to get into acting. I would also love my own label at some point, too. I want to really push the artistry. I would also want to make clothes. I’m really into fashion so if I could have my own line or my own brand, that would be super fire!
Biggest career moments thus far?
I don’t think it’s come yet. I think it’s going to be the release of Sweet Nothings. I’m still very early in my career and having only released four songs and having only been out for a year, I think it’s coming. I’m very excited about a lot of things that I'm working on and the people I'm working with, but the release of the project will be my biggest moment, for sure.
What’s an average day like for you?
I’m usually chilling at the house. I don’t really do much. I might go for a walk, watch a movie, do some writing or call my family, but I don’t do much. My life is not eventful. I do like to get out and be around people for a limited time, but for the most part I’m chilling.
How do you interact with your fans?
Most of the time it’s just online. Fans will send me something or they’ll repost me and I always make sure to thank them. There’s a few people that I have sent a little preview of certain songs before they release to show them my love. I like to show my appreciation that way. I also might have a little conversation with them over social media.
Favorite and least favorite parts of this work?
My favorite part is the studio. I think that being in the studio is the birth of everything- the starting point. Without the music there is no career. Hearing the beats, or giving my input and writing and that feeling you get when you make a record feels amazing. Nothing beats that feeling.
My least favorite part is shooting music videos. There’s a lot of waiting around, sitting around and doing the same thing over and over again, but I do love the end result. I love the artistic vision and everything that comes from it, just not the process.
What advice would you give to someone following in your footsteps?
I would say the main thing is to trust yourself. You should get to know yourself. That’s something I’ve taken the time to do. Be honest. Be real. What is it that you need to work on? What is it that you need to get better at? What is it that you’re really good at and that you feel you should amplify? All that comes from being real with yourself. Studying is another thing. I study the game, the art, and the music. If you would want to follow my footsteps, you would have to do these things.
Five to ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
An established career, touring the world, and multiple albums out. Honestly, I see myself as a household name. One of the leading faces and names in R&B. I would be at the peak of my career during that time.
What’s next for you, JAYMIN?
Sweet Nothings. I have a lot of performances coming up at that time. I talked to my team about tour so that’s probably coming up…
Any parting words for our readers?
God is good. Those are my parting words.
