Artist profile - Juan Romain: “Challenge yourself rather than compare yourself with somebody else” |18 January 2018

Every week the Entertainment page will try to bring you a short profile on a Seychellois artist, be it in the performing, visual or other forms of art.

In our second artist profile for the year 2018, readers will learn more about the talented singer and pilot Juan Romain aka Jah 1.

He has made a name for herself in the local music industry and famous for songs such as I Anvi Zis Mwan, Sa Enn among others.

He also forms part of the group Dezil’ along with Sandra Esparon, Michael Savy (aka Ion Kid) and Martin Lebon (aka Master Emel). The group recently released a new 12-track album entitled ‘To ou tar’.

Dezil who at some point faded out of the limelight as each member of the group decided to pursue solo careers, has recently got back together and launched the album after an 11-year absence from the local music scene as they waited out a record contract they didn't like.

Their new album, 'To ou tar' (translated into English as ‘Sooner or later'), features 12 tracks -- a fusion of reggae, reggaeton, sega, dancehall -- to satisfy all their fans of all ages.

Q: When did you start your career as a singer?

A: It all started while I was in secondary school, precisely in S5. 

Q: How can you describe your adventure in the music industry?

A: I would describe it as a roller coaster, where you don’t know what to expect. You get to learn a lot during the journey and it has brought a lot of positive vibes in my life, and I am currently enjoying it.

Q:  What’s your motto or the advice you live by?

A: Always have a dream or a target in life, challenge yourself rather than compare yourself with somebody else. Pout your trust in God, he will make it happen and the credit will be His not yours, so remain humble.

Q: How do you overcome negative comments among the society?                                                                                                   

A: Negative comments are part of society; I will never allow it to ruin my vibe. There will always be negative comments in the universe; you just have to be strong.

Q:  Who inspired you to go into the music business?

A: Since the beginning of my career, I always had a passion for local music. With that passion I managed to create my own unique style of music.

Q: So, what other hidden talents do you have?

A: I don’t like to brag, but I am a good cook, and I am good at sports.

Q: What have you accomplished so far?

A: I have made my mark on an international level and also local, and I am currently pursuing my dream career (as a pilot).

Q: Do you think Seychelles artists can match up to other international artists?

A: Definitely, if only the local music industry offered a better income and a much better organisation, the quality of music would have been much better. To record an album costs a lot in a studio, it’s not cheap. If the artist isn’t making much revenue, it will be impossible for him to record an album.  International artists spend a lot of studio time per song, which they can afford but we can’t.

Q: How will you describe our young local artists?

A: In one word ‘Promising’. You can definitely see a lot of progress throughout the years.

Q: Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a singer? 

A: I always try new things when I create, and I like spicy food so that's the ingredient I try to bring in my songs, spice.

Q: How can local artists promote their music abroad?

A: I also would like to know the answer to that question, because apart from our major success in France, I really don’t know. This is a large problem for us local artists, we don’t get enough exposure locally and abroad. Everybody benefits out of this industry, except the artists. It has been like that for a long time. The people who are expected to help do not value our importance and ability, they just want to pretend to help.

Q: How was the comeback of Dezil?

A: Dezil was never gone but rather dormant and loading; so far the response is amazing, and all the fans should expect amazing music in the future.

Q: What do we expect from Jah 1 in the future?

A: You can expect a continuation, more music to be born.

Compiled by U.J.