“I LOVE TO LET THE CREATIVITY FLOW” | INTERVIEW WITH J KEYS
Interview | J KEYS by Myles Pearson
In a music landscape increasingly obsessed with virality, J KEYS is building something designed to last. With multiple Top 10 singles on the Official MTV Club Charts, a number one on the Official Downloads Chart, and growing support from the likes of KISS and BBC Introducing, the producer, DJ and entrepreneur continues to establish himself as one of the rising names within the UK dance scene.
His latest single, ‘Mad About You’, is the epitome of warm summer evenings. Blending both infectious melodies and emotional honesty, the track captures the intensity of connection and those nights you never want to end.
Away from the studio, J KEYS continues to expand his reach with Ibiza Rocks performances and collaborations with Grammy-winning artists. Still, beneath the momentum, there is a clear passion for making music which genuinely connects with people.
Amid a hectic period and with Mad About You’ continuing to gain notoriety heading into summer, J KEYS took some time to speak with us about the new single, creative freedom, Ibiza, and what the future may hold.
‘Mad About You’ feels very built around atmosphere and emotion rather than just a club drop. Did the track start with a feeling, a lyric, or the production?
It started with a feeling. The feeling of being in love for the first time and being totally obsessed with that one special person.
You describe the song as “obsession in its purest form.” Was that drawn from a real experience, or more the idea of those intense summer-night connections?
Most definitely a real experience. I’m a hopeless romantic, and when I fall, I fall deep.
There’s a very polished commercial sound to the single, but it still feels very personal. How difficult is it to balance that radio appeal with authenticity?
It’s actually quite difficult at times, because my style and lyrics can be very raw and almost a little underground. So, sometimes we have to make a special edit of the song to make it more radio-friendly.
You’ve now had multiple Top 10 MTV Club Chart singles and a number one on the Official Downloads Chart. Has success changed the way you approach making music, or do you still trust instinct first?
Every song I make, I walk into the studio session with the same frame of mind as I did when I did my first-ever song. It’s always back to the drawing board.
Your sound moves between dance, rap and pop influences quite naturally. Do you see yourself belonging to one genre, or do you prefer ignoring those boundaries entirely?
I totally ignore boundaries. I hate to feel boxed in. I love to let the creativity flow.
You’ve worked with artists like Max-A-Million and picked up support from KISS and BBC Introducing. At what point did you feel the industry starting to genuinely pay attention?
It’s only recently that it’s actually sinking in. I just knuckled down and kept walking towards my goal.
You’ve spoken about summer nights and escapism in this release. What does a perfect summer night actually look like to J KEYS?
I do love to party; however, lately, the perfect summer night for me is to chill and wind down with someone special.
Between music and DJing, you’ve got a lot going on creatively. Does that variety energise you, or is it difficult switching between worlds?
It definitely energises me. I love it. I love creating my music, and then I love DJing and playing it for the audience.
Your Ibiza Rocks debut sounded like a major moment. Was there a point during that set where it suddenly hit you how far things had moved?
Yes, most definitely, it was always on my bucket list to DJ in Ibiza. When I got up there and looked down at the crowd, it was a moment that will always stay with me.
You’re building towards a multi-genre album. What can people expect from that project that they perhaps haven’t seen from J KEYS yet?
It’s a whole new chapter in my life. It’s a journey showing all the different emotions from my crazy party nights to my sober, relaxed evenings to my love life, all laid bare in one album. It’s a musical journey.
