Credit: J.Keen
In the vibrant world of contemporary music, an artist emerges whose story is as colourful and multifaceted as the music he creates. Meet J.Keen, the Lebanese artist whose soulful cadence echoes the rhythms of his multi-cultural upbringing and melodic journey traverses continents, blending diverse influences into a distinctive sound that resonates with audiences around the world.
Keen’s journey with music began at a young age, surrounded by its presence in his family and social circles. Prior to his debut as a rapper, he immersed himself in guitar playing, inspired by relatives who had their own bands and cousins who pursued music. His transition to rap occurred around the age of 15, influenced by peers who were crafting their own verses. His inaugural song release followed shortly thereafter, marking the beginning of a 15-year journey of musical expression. Over the years, his approach to music, from composition to production, has undergone significant evolution, reflecting his growth and maturation as an artist.
Born and raised in Abu Dhabi, J.’s journey saw him cross continents from the sun-kissed shores of Beirut, Lebanon, to the pulsating heart of Washington DC, USA, and the glimmering skyline of Dubai, each locale infusing his artistry with a kaleidoscope of influences and nurturing his artistic spirit and shaping his musical identity.
Having graduated from a French school in Abu Dhabi and eventually moving to Lebanon for university, with a semester spent in the US in 2016, J.Keen’s upbringing has been rich with exposure to diverse cultures. This multicultural environment has fostered in him a deep understanding and appreciation for different lifestyles and backgrounds. From shared classrooms with peers hailing from various parts of the globe, conversations naturally extended to exchanging preferences in music, allowing him to delve into different genres.
“I remember being 11 years old, and a friend at the time introduced me to French rap – I still go back to listen to this song sometimes…the three people I started rapping with were French/Lebanese, Russian and Algerian/Belarusian [who] were all influenced by different songs and music from their own countries and added these elements into their music. They inspired some of my early tracks when I was 15, and obviously every step of the way since then has helped me shape my style. I don’t think there’s a final ‘shape’ or form in music – you naturally keep working on and developing it,” Keen said.
Credit: J.Keen
While focusing on developing his musical talents, he realised that he needed to hone in on his artistic identity, notably through his stage name. That’s when J.Keen was born.
“I’ve had the name for a long time now, but I had a few different names in my earliest days. It started with just my first name with dots in between each letter, and eventually changed to ‘Jay Wise’, ultimately the first letter of my first name, and the literal translation of my last name, which I had to change after finding out it was already taken,” he explained. “I remember having a chat with my cousin Sean to brainstorm and find a creative and unique name. The result? J.Keen. Similar to the previous name, but with a twist, I was looking for a word that represents me as an artist, but also as a person.”
Looking back on his formative years, he noted: “When I first started recording songs, I was always listening to up-and-coming rappers and musicians because I connected more with their lifestyles, and their levels were ‘attainable’ as opposed to Grammy winners and record breakers – I obviously still listened to a lot of famous people, but the main motivation came from the formerly mentioned.” Among his musical influences were luminaries such as Mac Miller, Wiz Khalifa, Macklemore, J. Cole, Logic, and Russ whose narratives inspired him to forge his own path in the world of hip hop.
Drawing inspiration from the burgeoning underground scene, J.Keen honed his craft, channelling the raw authenticity of emerging artists into his own lyrical compositions.
“You can probably tell I like storytelling, which is also what you’d find in my music and lyrics. I still listen to a lot of up-and-coming artists to this day, and often go back to the old songs I used to listen to when I was younger,” he said.
When asked about his current influences, Keen revealed that he draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists and musicians, such as Billie Eilish: “When you listen to my music, you could probably tell who my biggest influencers are, because they are the ones that visibly or sonically influence my work the most. But I do listen to a lot of artists and musicians…who [don’t] necessarily influence my writing process, but could influence my thought process when creating, or what I want the people to feel when I release a song; things that you don’t technically hear in a song.”
As he refined his sound, J.’s musical journey reached new heights with the release of his latest single, ‘Gold Medals’. A collaborative endeavour with renowned producer Bailouni, the song captivated audiences and garnered acclaim, earning a coveted spot on Apple Music’s Rap Life playlist.
“It felt really good seeing it come to life. There are so many versions of this song somewhere in the archives, with different instrumentals, lyrics and choruses, but I’m very happy with the final result. I’ve received a lot of love for this song,” J. said.
He further explained that the process of creating Gold Medals took a slightly different turn compared to his previous records, as it underwent numerous iterations before he decided to collaborate with the music producer.
“When working on the earlier versions, I felt that something was missing. That’s when I reached out to Bailouni – we hadn’t worked together prior to that,” Keen said, adding: “I sent him the latest version I had, along with the instrumental I was using, for him to use as inspiration and I pretty much let him cook, without really giving much detail as I wanted him to be the artist he is and send me the beat he thinks the song deserved. It only took us a couple of sessions in his studio to finalise the track.”
Delving deeper into his collaboration with Bailouni, J. revealed that the rewarding nature of their partnership was characterised by mutual respect and creative synergy.
“It’s been a truly amazing journey…and I hope we get to work together for many more years. His talent and understanding of music really makes you appreciate the time spent in the studio cooking tracks with one another – I always go in his studio knowing that there’s a big chance the version I have in mind might turn out different. Aside from that, Bailouni is also a wonderful human being, and we clicked from the moment we met,” he said, smiling.
J.Keen also revealed that he’s looking forward to new opportunities to collaborate with a diverse array of producers, artists, and creators, envisioning projects that blend different genres and styles to create unique musical experiences.
“I definitely have a list of artists and creators in the region I’d like to work with. My 30th birthday is coming up later this year, and I’d like to include some of my musical peers in a small project to celebrate the milestone,” he said.
Speaking of collaborations and explorations, the rapper delved into an intriguing experiment with layering vocals, a technique he’s currently exploring in a track. Describing the process, he revealed: “I’m currently working on a track where the choruses have over 20 or so layers of different pitches and voices of mine.” While he’s no stranger to incorporating multiple layers, having done so in songs like ‘Patiently’ and ‘Moonwalk’, this new approach challenges him to harmonise disparate recordings seamlessly. Inspired by this creative venture, Keen decided to document the process in a video to be shared upon the song’s release.
Looking ahead, he revealed that he’s excited for the launch of his upcoming song, ‘San Marino’, which holds a special place in his heart. With a music video filmed by Mark Issa in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, J.Keen noted: “I’m really looking forward to releasing it.”
He also shared that he’s working on a new collaboration with Bailouni: “We are also in the final stages of mixing and mastering our second song together. It’s an exciting one to work on, and definitely an exciting one to release.”
Even as his musical star continues to rise, Keen stressed that each of his songs were significant to him because they marked a specific time in his journey: “All of my songs hold special places in my heart, since I always write what I feel. But one of the songs that I think helped me develop as an artist in my early years is a song called ‘Already’ that I released many years back.”
He added: “I kind of had an idea of what I wanted the song to sound like, and before I started writing the lyrics, I was looking for an instrumental where I can rap all the way through – I ended up using Black Star’s ‘Respiration’ as the instrumental.” He vividly remembered the impact of “Already,” noting: “It was the first time I felt that people took me seriously as a rapper, and even more so after I performed it for the first time.” This song, recorded in a Paris studio while the no-budget music video was filmed between New York City and Lebanon, marked a significant milestone in his journey, resonating deeply with both himself and his audience.
Credit: J.Keen
Over the years, J. managed to establish connections and foster good relationships with industry insiders who facilitated radio spots and interviews for him, which helped advance his career as an independent artist. Drawing on his experiences in the region’s music industry, he observed that it has been making positive strides, with prominent figures increasingly championing emerging and independent artists. However, he acknowledges the ongoing challenge of gaining widespread recognition among the public.
In spite of that, he remains optimistic about the future, acknowledging the importance of consistency in releasing music to maintain connection with fans in an era of rapid technological advancement. As he continues to explore new sounds and techniques, J. emphasised the importance of staying true to oneself and blocking out negative influences.
“I think people are now much less patient with a shorter attention span, because of the nature of technology and how much access to content we have. I mean people can’t go through a 20-minute episode without checking their phones multiple times,” Keen said.
He also highlighted the importance of finding a balance between fans’ expectations and the creative process: “Established artists can go months, and sometimes over a year, without releasing music and still be successful. We don’t see the J. Coles, the Kendricks, or even the Coldplays, releasing music every week or month. But it’s somehow important, now as opposed to 10, 15 or 30 years ago, for smaller and up-and-coming musicians to be as consistent as possible in order to grow, and maintain, the fans and listeners you’ve gained. The expectation from fans nowadays is to hear new content every week or month. It is for sure one way to be successful as an artist, but it can’t be the only way – for a lot of people, this option is not realistic.”
Credit: J.Keen
Balancing his full-time job with his passion for music is another area of focus for the up-and-coming artist. However, he revealed that he’s learned to prioritise tasks, understanding that he can’t devote daily attention to his artistic development. Nonetheless, he consistently seeks opportunities for growth, whether through online classes or drawing inspiration from music videos. While he maintains a somewhat traditional approach to his creative process, he remains open to embracing technological advancements.
“I’m still kind of old school, and my process has pretty much been the same since I started, with a few twists. I do, however, try to be as connected as possible with all the technological advancements and improvements…[for example], the artwork of my upcoming song San Marino was created on AI, in seconds. One of my closest friends has been providing me with amazing artworks for my songs since 2018 [so] it feels a bit weird to use AI for this,” he said.
Even as he continues to garner acclaim for this songs, Keen acknowledged the importance of celebrating even the smallest achievements, recognising that each win contributes to his overall progress.
“I still have a very long way to go, but I do appreciate every small achievement. Small wins make a big win. What keeps me going is knowing that my songs do get recognised by specific outlets. I’ve had some songs be played on the radio, both here and in Lebanon, I’ve been interviewed on one of the biggest Lebanese TV channels. I also love doing interviews like this – they help me connect with myself and reflect on where I’ve been, with a clearer vision of where I’m going,” he said.
Furthermore, he highlighted the significance of pivotal moments and lessons learned along the way, emphasising how each experience shapes both his artistic expression and personal growth.
“I remember thinking that I have to change a few things in the way I deliver my lyrics after I performed for the first time. Similarly, working with other artists helps you find new perspectives and fresh ideas that you may have not thought about previously,” J.Keen said.
Drawing on these experiences, the talented artist offers some profound advice for emerging artists, emphasising the importance of self-reliance and authenticity in the creative process. He encourages aspiring musicians to learn every aspect of song creation, from production to mastering, enabling them to release music independently and with confidence. Moreover, he cautions against heeding misguided advice from individuals unfamiliar with the music industry, stressing the importance of trusting one’s instincts and blocking out negativity.
“I would advise emerging artists to learn how to make a song from start to finish, including producing, writing, recording and mastering, that way they wouldn’t have to worry and wait for anybody to release a song or a project,” he said.
When asked what he hopes to achieve in the next five years, Keen revealed that he’s hopeful about a potential move to Spain to explore opportunities in the events and entertainment industry. Inspired by the motto “Be yourself, everybody else is already taken,” J.Keen remains committed to staying true to his identity and artistic vision as he navigates the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry.
CREATIVITY UNDEFINED 