International R&b, Soul, And World Artist Using Music As A Tool For Change

From West Africa to the West Coast, recording artist Jaway is using a message of hope to incite a change in the music business.
By: Allen Andersen
 
Nov. 23, 2010 - PRLog -- Over the last ten years, R&B has almost been redefined into a new style of music all together. With lyrics and song titles focused on sex, money, and street life, the content of  modern R&B is hardly distinguishable from that of the rap industry. Jaway, a young up-and-coming African artist based out of Los Angeles, CA, refuses to believe that the industry's fate is set in stone, and attempts to reach audiences with a with a different kind of approach.

The artist's debut album Decontee, which released in October 2010, threatens to break the mold by taking us back to a time when music was about more than women and fame. With the album focusing on the subject of life, there is a common motif of motivation and positivity throughout every song—start to finish. The entire LP feels as if it was created to deliver a message to the world.

When asked to speak on this subject, Jaway said, "[I'm] not just [promoting] the album, but the message that's within the album. The message that we can do better, if we care. The message that we can do better if we lend a hand. The message that we can do better, if we offer a shoulder to cry on. The message that we will do better, if we love one another, the way we love our selves.”

In fact, even the album's title caries a bit of a message its self. The word Decontee is derived Jaway's native tongue (the language of the Kru tribe) and translates to “there is time for everything.” Something that the artist truly believes in, so much so that lives his life around the concept. “A motto for me is time will tell … everything in life depends on time … that's something that we don't have control over”, said Jaway in an interview earlier this year.

This ideal of caring, giving back, being the next man's crutch, and making an effort to love one another is something almost non-existent in today's Lil' Wayne-esque music society.  

The style of Decontee is rooted in modern R&B, but there is an unmistakable presence of African rhythm laced with classic jazz accents. If it's to be placed in just one category, Decontee most certainly belongs in the R&B section; however, to be fair, it's a flexible enough sound that it could just as easily be classified as Pop, Soul, or Adult Contemporary.

Decontee contains eleven unique tracks and one remix, and is comprised of a balance between dance tracks and ballads. With strong hooks,  powerful lyrical content, and all around catchy melodies, the album should appeal to most audiences on some level.

The buzz surrounding his music has been growing exponentially. In the last few months, Jaway has  started touring various cities on the east coast, and since the release of Decontee, has already produced 3 music videos. Fans of Pop and R&B should keep on eye on this artist, because if he keeps moving at this pace, he sure to make big waves in 2011.

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A product of war and poverty, Jaway started his musical journey singing in a church choir in his home town of Monrovia, Liberia. Six years into the1989 Liberian Civil War, he migrated to the United States in order further his education. After receiving his M.B.A., Jaway moved to L.A to pursue a career in business and live an "ordinary" life. All that changed one day when he was overheard singing to himself at the gym—and the rest, as they say, is history.
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Source:Allen Andersen
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Tags:Pop Music, R B, Rhythm And Blues, Soul, Adult Contemporary, Liberia, African Musician
Industry:Pop music, Soul
Location:Los Angeles - California - United States
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