JMSN
JMSN | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Christian Berishaj |
Also known as | Christian TV, Snowhite, Pearl |
Origin | Eastpointe, Michigan, United States |
Genres | Alternative R&B, electronica, soul |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, producer, engineer, mixer, music video director |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, violin, drums[1] |
Years active | 2005-present |
Labels | White Room Records |
Website | iamjmsn |
Christian Berishaj, better known by his stage name JMSN (pronounced Jameson), is an American singer-songwriter and record producer from Eastpointe, Michigan. Also a multi-instrumentalist, music engineer and mixer, JMSN's debut album Priscilla, was released in 2012. He wrote and produced the album by himself, as well as directed the music videos accompanying its release.
Life and career
Early life and career beginnings
Berishaj was raised in Eastpointe, Michigan by his mother, Crystal Lutz and his first stepfather.[2] Lutz and Berishaj later left him because he would physically abuse her. They had to rely on welfare to get by.[1] His biological father, Nick Berishaj is of Albanian descent. Nick bought Christian a guitar when he was in the fourth grade.[1] Christian started working on Pro Tools at the age of twelve. He began writing songs which he recorded on equipment bought by his father, who had reconnected with Christian and was funding him for such purchases.[1]
2004-2007: Signing to Atlantic Records as Love Arcade
He learned how to play other instruments and began holding neighborhood garage performances with a band, Snowhite, he formed with three other members.[1] He attended South Lake High School in St. Clair Shores.[1] Eventually, he began mailing demos and performance videos to record labels, having his mother cold call A&R representatives.[1][3] By eighteen, Berishaj had written and recorded a whole album, Love Arcade, on which he plays all the instruments.[3] He secured a recording contract with Atlantic Records, after turning down an offer from Sony Records, along with his band in 2005.[2][3][4][5] His demos had impressed David Wimmer and Leslie Dweck of Atlantic, who were taken by Berishaj's drive and ambition.[1] Love Arcade was released in 2006 with the band credited as Love Arcade, the other members served as the touring band only, not performing on the record.[3] He was known as Snowhite while in the group. After three years together, the band broke up.[5]
2008-2011: Days at Universal Motown as Christian TV
Berishaj then left Detroit for Los Angeles. He began working on his solo debut with Luke Walker of The Summer Obsession.[4] His song, "1, 2, 3, Turn Around" was featured in the 2009 film, Fired Up. He used the money earned from the licensing to fund a music video for the song "When She Turns 18", which resulted in him signing to Universal Motown Records as Christian TV in January 2010.[5][6] On July 29, 2010 Christian TV made his network television debut, performing "When She Turns 18" live on So You Think You Can Dance.[4] In October, Berishaj released his first mixtape entitled "Who The F*ck Is Christian TV" for free. During this time he also went on tour supporting Pete Wentz and his new band Black Cards in the UK. Berishaj began working on his debut album, Diary of an 80's Baby with production by Kevin Rudolf, No I.D., and Berishaj himself. He also co-wrote a song for Japanese pop singer, Hitomi's album Spirit. Universal Motown was later shut down and he did not appear on the rosters of the resulting Universal Republic Records or Motown Records.[7]
2012: Priscilla
After leaving his label, Berishaj started his own White Room Records and adopted the moniker, JMSN.[8] He released his debut album, Priscilla in January 11, 2012. The album was written and produced by Berishaj himself and is of the R&B genre as opposed to pop-rock and electropop of his previous projects.[9] He also pursues darker emotional themes in lyrics over melancholic melodies and beats that The Guardian described as "spaced out" and compared to fellow R&B artist The Weeknd.[9][10] Self-directed videos for "Alone", "Hotel" and "Something" were released to accompany the album's release, while a video for "Girl I Used to Know" was released under his previous stage name.[11] In April, R&B singer Usher told music magazine NME that JMSN was his "favorite new act".[12]
2013: Pllaje EP
After the success of Priscilla JMSN then released the Pllaje EP in November 5, 2013. After that he garnered more acclaim in the community, and gained recognition in the music industry. Where he was a part of Pray. A song released on Jesus Piece by The Game which also features J Cole. JMSN then released visuals through his YouTube channel for the songs "Love Myself", "The One", and "Thing U Miss". In 2013 his North American tour took him to over 20 different cities where he both headlined and opened for different acts.
2014-2015: JMSN (Blue Album)
In October 2012, JMSN, who previously produced "Nibiru" for Ab-Soul earlier in August, for what his label called "TDE Fam Appreciation Week", announced he and the rapper would be releasing a collaborative project together.[13] The lead single for Ab-Soul and JMSN's collaborative album, Unit 6.[14] The song, titled "You're Gone", features vocals from both artists, as well as production from JMSN.[15] Recently Unit 6 was revealed to be shelved due to business disagreements which may or may not make the light of day. On December 9, 2014 JMSN released his second album "The Blue Album" . As Of 2015, JMSN is currently touring to promote "The Blue Album".
2016: It Is.
On March 1, 2016, JMSN released a new soulful and jazzy single called "Cruel Intentions".[16] The release of this song was followed by the singles "Most of All",[17] "Hypnotized"[18] and a Snoh Aalegra remix of "Cruel Intentions".[19] The first three songs were included on JMSN's third album, It Is. which was finally released on May 6, 2016.[20]
Influences
Berishaj has listed Prince, Phil Collins, Fiona Apple, Radiohead, Hatiras, and Boys Noize as influences on his music.[2]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | US R&B | CAN | UK | ||||||||||
†Priscilla† | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
JMSN (Blue Album) |
|
— | — | — | — | ||||||||
It Is. |
|
— | — | — | — | ||||||||
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. |
EPs
Title | Album details |
---|---|
Live at Red Bull Studios EP |
|
Love & Pain EP |
|
†Pllajë† |
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | US R&B |
US Rap | |||
"Alone"[21] | 2011 | — | — | — | †Priscilla† |
"Love & Pain" | 2012 | — | — | — | |
"You're Gone"[14] (with Ab-Soul) |
2013 | — | — | — | Unit 6 |
"Walk Away"[22] | — | — | — | †Pllajë† | |
"Cruel Intentions"[23] | 2016 | — | — | — | It Is. |
"Most of All"[17] | — | — | — | ||
"Hypnotized"[18] | — | — | — | ||
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. |
As a featured artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | US R&B |
US Rap | |||
"Make You Stay" (Kastle featuring JMSN)[24] |
2013 | — | — | — | Kastle |
"Daydreams" (Sadistik x Kno featuring JMSN)[25] |
— | — | — | Phantom Limbs | |
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. |
Guest appearances
Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" | 2012 | Kendrick Lamar | good kid, m.A.A.d city |
"The Art of Peer Pressure" | |||
"Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" | |||
"Real" | |||
"Pray"[26] | Game, J. Cole | Jesus Piece | |
"Make It Last" | 2013 | Ta-Ku | Make It Last |
"All We Do" | Kaytranada | Kaytra Todo | |
"Late" | Beat Culture | Forgive | |
"Drive Fast, Live Young" | Tyga | Hotel California | |
"Death From Above" | Kastle | Kastle | |
"Separate"[27] | Deniro Farrar | The Patriarch II | |
"Affection" | Sango | North | |
"Slo Swerve" | 14KT, Buff1 | Nickel & Dimed | |
"IV" | Blue Sky Black Death | Glaciers | |
"W.R.O.H." | 2014 | Ab-Soul | These Days... |
"On My Own" | 2016 | Domo Genesis | GENESiS |
Music videos
Year | Video | Director |
---|---|---|
2009 | "Drop Dead Gorgeous Jaimie" | Christian TV |
2010 | "When She Turns 18" Original | David Yarovesky and Christian TV |
"When She Turns 18" | Ethan Lader | |
"Let's Just F*ck" | Christian TV | |
2011 | "Love2Baby" | |
"Girl I Used To Know" | ||
"Hotel" | JMSN[28] | |
"Alone" | ||
2012 | "Something" | JMSN |
"Fallin" | JMSN / Kenneth Brown | |
"Let U Go" / Priscilla Trilogy | David Yarovesky | |
"Jameson" | Green Glow Films | |
2014 | "The One" | JMSN[29] |
"Thing U Miss" |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Smith, Brian. "Music: Teenarama". Metro Times. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- ^ a b c [1] Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d Apar, Corey. "Love Arcade". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- ^ a b c ":: arjanwrites music blog ::: Free MP3 Download: Christian TV "When She Turns 18"". Arjanwrites.com. 2010-08-14. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- ^ a b c [2] Archived March 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Labrecque, Jeff (2010-05-14). "New artist Christian TV's 'When She Turns 18': Could this be a summer smash? | The Music Mix | EW.com". Music-mix.ew.com. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- ^ "Ethiopia Habtemariam Named Senior Vice President of Motown Records". Billboard.biz. 2011-08-10. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- ^ "Who's That Girl? | Life + Times". Lifeandtimes.com. 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- ^ a b TSSCrew (2012-02-16). "JMSN Priscilla Album Review | The Smoking Section". Smokingsection.uproxx.com. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- ^ Tim Jonze (2012-02-18). "Tim Jonze On Shuffle … R&B | Music". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- ^ "::: Off the Radar :::: Christian TV :: Girl I Used to Know". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ "Usher Says JMSN Is His Favourite New Act". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ "Ab-Soul and JMSN Working on Collaborative EP". Music News. SoulCulture. October 22, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
- ^ a b ""You're Gone" - Single by Ab-Soul & JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ "Ab-Soul – & JMSN - "You're Gone"". 2DopeBoyz. January 21, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
- ^ "JMSN Shares Moving New Single, "Cruel Intentions"". Hypetrak. HP Cheung. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
- ^ a b ""Most of All" - Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ a b ""Hypnotized" - Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ "Cruel Intentions (Remix) [feat. Snoh Aalegra] - Single by JMSN on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
- ^ "It Is. by JMSN on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
- ^ ""Alone" - Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ ""Walk Away" - Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
- ^ ""Cruel Intentions" - Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ ""Make You Stay (feat. JMSN)" - Single by Kastle". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ "Phantom Limbs | Dirty Decibel Records". Bandcamp. Bandcamp. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (November 17, 2012). "Game "Jesus Piece" Tracklist & Cover Art". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
- ^ "Deniro Farrar featuring JMSN – Separate (Produced by Ryan Hemsworth)". HYPETRAK. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ "JMSN - Alone". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- ^ "JMSN - The One". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-01-23.
External links
- Official website
- Christian TV on MySpace
- JMSN Last.Fm profile
- Living people
- 21st-century American singers
- American hip hop record producers
- American record producers
- American dance musicians
- Midwest hip hop musicians
- American male pop singers
- American singer-songwriters
- American male singer-songwriters
- American hip hop singers
- People from Macomb County, Michigan
- American people of Albanian descent
- Atlantic Records artists
- Mercury Records artists
- Songwriters from Michigan
- Singers from Michigan