From The Heart
Blending the soul of Bollywood with contemporary R&B and pop, singer Jay Kadn is redefining wedding singing, one heartfelt song at a time
The moment you hear the velvety smooth and passionate vocals of Jay Kadn, it’s love at first sound. The British-Pakistani singer-songwriter, formerly known as Junai Kaden possesses the gift of effortlessly being able to bridge the worlds of Western and South Asian music, blending contemporary R&B and pop with the rich melodies of Bollywood, Punjabi and Qawwali influences. He’s collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry such as Richie Rich and Mumzy Stranger but remains humble to his art, celebrating his heritage while being committed to pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a British Asian artist today.
Star Appeal
If you’re looking for wedding entertainment with true star quality, booking Jay Kadn will be a treat for you and your guests. Asiana spoke to Jay after he recently performed at the Asiana Lifestyle Show about his love for working in the music industry and it was clear to see his passion and commitment.
He told us: “for me, singing is all about the connection. Whether I’m performing on a festival stage or at someone’s wedding, seeing people smile, sing along or get emotional is the best feeling in the world. Knowing my music has become part of someone’s memories is why I love what I do but to be able to do that on the happiest, most memorable day of their life takes it to another level.”
Music was always going to be Jay’s vocation. Growing up he was surrounded by Bollywood, Punjabi and Qawwali music, alongside R&B and pop so it’s no wonder he wanted to experiment with all of these genres. “I started taking music seriously over 10 years ago and many people first knew me through the music I released as Junai Kaden. Today, I release music mainly as Jay Kadn, but it’s all been part of the same journey of learning, growing and sharing.”
Jay has performed at melas and festivals across the UK and internationally, as well as iconic venues including BBC Maida Vale Studios, Abbey Road Studios, The O2 and Wembley Arena. He enthuses: “I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible artists including Rishi Rich, Mumzy Stranger, Nish, Sahir Ali Bagga, Mo Khan and legendary Bollywood playback singer Roop Kumar Rathod. I was also part of Stranger Family, a collective that released some great music. I’ve worked alongside major names in the industry including Yash Raj Films, T-Series, Moviebox and Beatclub and have been fortunate to receive support from BBC Asian Network from the beginning of my career. Every collaboration has helped me grow as an artist and continues to inspire the music I make today.”
Whether performing original tracks or reimagining classics, Jay gets the same reception from his fans; they adore his voice and his sincerity. He performs in English, Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi, mixing original music with Bollywood favourites along with Punjabi classics and well-known English songs to suit every audience. “Songs like Kabool, Qadar and Dil Se reflect real experiences and I think that’s what people connect with the most.”
Love longs to last a lifetime
When it comes to wedding singing Jay turns up the romance so you can expect nothing short of a tear-jerking, emotional performance that pulls at your heart strings. “Couples usually ask me to sing during their First Dance or as they make their grand entrance. Many couples book me for several parts of the day to create a seamless musical experience from start to finish which is such an honour.”
Jay usually performs over backing tracks and brings his own live PA but depending on what the couple desires he can perform with live bands and musicians.
To make your day extra special, Jay takes requests and alongside his repertoire of hit songs, he’s always happy to oblige by performing a couple’s favourite track. He says: “One of my favourite things is seeing three generations of a family on the dance floor together. Artists like Arijit Singh, Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan are always popular. Punjabi classics are guaranteed to get everyone dancing. I’ve also had couples become emotional during their First Dance because a particular song meant so much to them. Moments like those stay with me and remind me how blessed I am to sing for a living.”
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