Timucin Lam[2] (born 25 July 1987 as Timucin Fabian Kwong Wah Aluo), better professionally as Jax Jones, is an English DJ, record producer and remixer. He rose to prominence in 2014 by featuring on Duke Dumont's number-one single "I Got U". He followed this with his own singles, "You Don't Know Me" featuring Raye in 2016, and "Instruction" featuring Demi Lovato and Stefflon Don in 2017. Jax's debut studio album, Snacks (Supersize) was released in 2019.
Jax Jones | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Jones in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Timucin Fabian Kwong Wah Ozluer |
| Born | 25 July 1987[1] London, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Labels | Polydor |
| Member of | Europa |
| Website | www |
Early life and influences
editJones was born on 25 July 1987 in London to a Turkish father and a Chinese-Malaysian mother.[3] His father gave him the name Timucin. After his Nigerian stepfather introduced him to afrobeat via Fela Kuti, and rap with a tape of a Notorious B.I.G. album, Jax listened to hip hop, R&B, gospel, and traditional African music.[4] His mother liked music ranging from Kylie Minogue to Luther Vandross, which also influenced him.[5] Producers like the Neptunes, Timbaland, and Rodney Jerkins shaped his musical horizons and his fascination with the anatomy of a rhythm section. Having initially studied classical guitar from a young age, Jax took up beat-making at 15 after discovering Cubase on his friend's Atari.[6]
Career
editBeginnings
editPerforming at open mic clubs around London, Jax met Ripperman, a grime producer from Mitcham, at Brixton's Raw Materials Studio and worked on releases for Big Narstie and Roadside Gs, among others in the scene. His parents encouraged him to attend university at 18. Opting to stay closer to Raw Materials, he declined an interview at the University of Oxford to attend Brunel University in Uxbridge.[6] Despite a two-hour trip, Jax went from lectures to the studio daily to work on his craft, posting beats regularly on Myspace.[7] After graduation, he rented a studio in Sydenham after not being allowed back in the family home, bought a Mac tower from Gumtree, and worked daily to hone his craft.[6]
2014: Breakthrough
editAfter meeting Duke Dumont, he developed an interest in house music; they co-wrote and produced "I Got U", "Won't Look Back" and "Ocean Drive".[8] Jones features on the single "I Got U"; the song peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart in March 2014, leading to his breakthrough as a musical artist.[9]
2015–2019: Snacks
editOn 24 July 2015, he released the single "Yeah Yeah Yeah".[10] In July 2016, he released the single "House Work".[11][12] Jones said of the track, "At the end of the day, I started making beats on a four-track, so it feels right to put that DIY energy into my music".[3] In December 2016, he released the single "You Don't Know Me" based on the sampling of the bassline of M.A.N.D.Y. vs. Booka Shade's 2005 hit "Body Language". The song became his biggest success, reaching number three in the UK[13] and achieving top-five status in several European countries, including Germany, Ireland, Belgium, and Norway. Jones continued to release songs wherein he collaborated with Demi Lovato and Years & Years. He released his debut extended play, Snacks, on 28 November 2018. The EP was later expanded into Jones' first album, Snacks (Supersize), which was released on 6 September 2019.
2020–present: Europa, Deep Joy and other singles
editJax also collaborated with DJ Martin Solveig to create the musical duo Europa. Their first song together, "All Day and Night" (featuring Madison Beer) was included on Jones' 2018 EP Snacks and was released as a single in March 2019. They released their next single, "Tequila" (featuring Raye), in February 2020. Their third collaboration, "Lonely Heart", features English singer GRACEY, and was released on 2 June 2022.[14]
On 9 October 2020, Jones released the single "I Miss U" alongside Antiguan-German singer Au/Ra. The song peaked at Number 25 on the UK Singles Chart, and a subsequent acoustic version followed. Upon its release, Jones tweeted about the song's message in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, and an inability to see family and friends due to national lockdown. He said, "We all miss something right now, and 'I Miss U' is supposed to highlight that and remind ourselves that it's ok to feel this way sometimes."[15]
In January 2021, Jones promoted Irish music producer Emmet Glascott & singer Molly Morgans remix of Jones' song '100 Times' on his Instagram story.
On 4 June 2021, Jones announced the launch of his record label WUGD, in partnership with Polydor Records. The label's first song was "Feels", the lead single off his second EP Deep Joy, which was released on 2 July 2021.
13 August 2021 saw the release of "Out Out", a collaborative single with English DJ Joel Corry, featuring the vocals of singer Charli XCX and rapper Saweetie. The song peaked at #6 on the UK Singles Chart.
On 4 February 2022, Jones released the song "Where Did You Go?" featuring MNEK. The track became Jones' 8th UK Top 10 hit and MNEK's 5th, peaking at #7 on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks.[16]
On 18 March 2022, Jones collaborated with Mabel and Galantis on the song "Good Luck".
On 4 June 2022, he participated in the Platinum Party at the Palace, performing with Nandi Bushell and Stefflon Don, as well as Mabel and John Newman to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II.[17]
On 10 March 2023, Jones released "Whistle" featuring vocals from English singer Calum Scott.[18]
On 11 August 2023, Big Hit Music released a Jax Jones remix version of "Do It Like That" by Tomorrow X Together (TXT)/Jonas Brothers.[19]
Personal life
editOn 18 September 2020, Jones announced on Instagram that his wife had given birth to their first daughter, Lawana.[20] On 5 March 2023, his second daughter Ariyah was born.[21]
Discography
edit- Snacks (Supersize) (2019)
Awards and nominations
edit| Award | Year | Nominee(s) | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Awards | 2015 | "I Got U" (with Duke Dumont) | Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording | Nominated | [22] |
| Brit Awards | 2015 | "I Got U" (with Duke Dumont) | British Video of the Year | Nominated | [23] |
| British Single of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| 2018 | "You Don't Know Me" (with Raye) | Nominated | [24] | ||
| 2019 | "Breathe" (with Ina Wroldsen) | British Video of the Year | Nominated | [25] | |
| Ivor Novello Awards | 2019 | Most Performed Work | Nominated | [26] | |
| Global Awards | 2024 | Best Male | Himself | Nominated | [27] |
References
edit- ^ "Jax Jones on Apple Music". Apple Music. 2021. Archived from the original on 6 July 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ McMahon, Milly (27 July 2017). "From the church to the Grammys: Jax Jones on taking his UK house sound global". Complex. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Jax Jones". BBC. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- ^ "jax jones: the boy that's anything but blasé". skiddle.com. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ^ "Talented Jax Jones finds success with You Don't Know Me". Gulf-Times (in Arabic). 20 February 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ a b c "EarMilk Interview with Jax Jones". Earmilk. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ^ "10 Interesting Facts About Jax Jones You Didn't Know Before". Buzz4Fun. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ "Duke Dumont featuring Jax Jones – I Got U". hypetrak.com. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ^ "Duke Dumont scores second Number 1 single with I Got U". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
- ^ "Yeah Yeah Yeah (Radio Edit) – Single by Jax Jones on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. 24 July 2015.
- ^ "House Work (feat. Mike Dunn & MNEK) – Single by Jax Jones on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. July 2016.
- ^ "Jax Jones does the 'House Work'". Datatransmission.co.uk. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ "This week's new releases". Official Charts. 6 June 2022. Archived from the original on 6 June 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Jax Jones drops his dancefloor filler 'i miss u' with Au/Ra 🎶". Hits Radio. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ "JAX JONES FT MNEK | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ Carter, Dolly (5 June 2022). "'Wow!' - Ipswich drummer Nandi on performing at Buckingham Palace Jubilee party". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
- ^ "This week's new releases". Official Charts. 11 February 2023. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Do It Like That (Jax Jones Remix) - Single by TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Jonas Brothers & Jax Jones on Apple Music". Apple Music. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ "Jax Jones Instagram". instagram.com. Jax Jones. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ "| Jax Jones | on Instagram: "I'm now a proud dad of 2 amazing girls. Ariyah West Lam was born 2 weeks ago on the 5th of March happy and healthy. Lawana has a sister - someone to walk through life with. Happy Mother's Day to my amazing wife. Your love is the compass that helps us navigate this world."". Instagram. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Jax Jones". Grammy. 8 February 2015.
- ^ "Brit awards 2015: The full list of winners". TheGuardian.com. 25 February 2015.
- ^ "Brit Awards 2018 Winners: The Complete List". Billboard.
- ^ "Brit Awards 2019: Full list of winners". BBC News. 20 February 2019.
- ^ "Archive | the Ivors". Ivorsacademy.com.
- ^ "The Global Awards 2024". Global.com. Retrieved 25 July 2024.