Artist Profile: Iyaz

Born in the U.S. Virgin Islands but raised in the British Virgin Islands, Keidran Jones grew up amid swaying palm trees in idyllic Tortola, where he had a breathtaking view of the turquoise sea from his home. His father toured with a singing group, while his mother has directed church choirs for many years. It was at her insistence that IYAZ, at age 11, sang Kirk Franklin’s “They Need to Know” for a Christmas concert. “Even if you don’t do great, it’s like ‘Amen!’ ‘Hallelujah!’” IYAZ says, chuckling. IYAZ doesn’t do much gospel nowadays, but his music is sparkling clean. “I’m even cleaner than Sean,” he says, adding that he doesn’t need to resort to curse words or negative themes to express emotional depth.

Consider the Rotem-produced “Replay,” which boasts an irresistible melody, crisply syncopated high hats, and a few well-placed electro-violin riffs. IYAZ says that the song is about obsession: “You think about the girl you like every second of the day. You even call other girls by her name.”

Many of IYAZ’s songs are about women. “Dancer” delves into the pole-dancing world of a captivating exotic dancer. “I’m telling her that she can be anything in the world," he explains. "She could be a lawyer, firewoman, the President, but tonight, in this club, she’s gonna be my dancer.” “Heartbeat” is about how the right girl can make his heart race; hands shake, and stomach flutter. For “Find A Way,” IYAZ wrote about surviving tough times in a relationship. “You’re just telling her, that you really want to make it work.”

IYAZ understands that struggle firsthand, because the music business has been challenging for his love life. Instead of cultivating a relationship, he’s busy in the studio or touring. But when things get to be too much, IYAZ can always return to his other great love: motorcycles. He just hops on one of his dirt bikes and rides off into the Floridian

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