Sinéad O’Connor, Lola Young, Skepta: Jayahadadream delves into the tracks that are inspiring her in our latest On Repeat.
A refreshing presence in UK rap, Cambridge-born Jamaican-Irish MC Jayahadadream is quickly becoming a fan favourite. Shows at major festivals (Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds), as well as proving herself a mainstay in the underground live scene, have shown the rising rapper to be a quintessential talent for the new era.
Debut mixtape, “Happiness From Agony”, will be hitting DSPs on 24th October, set to be the most sprawling manifesto for Jaya so far, promising a slick and unique amalgamation of grime, garage and current rap strands. The project will feature singles like “The Bank”, “Main Characters” featuring the multi-talented Big Zuu, and her latest single, the fiery and sophisticated “Bug”.
Looking ahead to the tape, Jaya stops by Wonderland to reveal the tunes that have influenced her in our latest On Repeat.
Listen to “Bug”…
Jayahadadream is On Repeat…
Sam Wise – “money”
This song reminds me of locking in and DIY underground music culture. It reminds me of the hustle and getting the work in by any means necessary. The song has vim and energy. I also love it cause it encapsulates individualistic dog-eat-dog capitalism.
Max Romeo – “One Step Forward”
Reggae songs are like psalms. Every tune is a lesson about life and a philosophy to live by. Always been fixated on one step forward two steps back as a concept as I find it really relatable. This song reminds me of my heritage and how goodness prevails!
Jim Legxacy – “’06 wayne rooney”
This tune reminds me of Tracey Chapman, which I love cause I grew up listening to her. It’s like a mix of that and UK underground. I love the fusion of sounds and emotions. I also find the lyrics really relatable as I often feel one foot in the environments I’m in. It reminds me as well of tunes my sisters used to play by My Chemical Romance and Jimmy Eat World.
Hak Baker – “Poems”
I love Hak Baker, man. One of the best lyricists from the UK. I feel so SEEN by his music. This tune, I felt, really encapsulates why I do music. I started really pushing my music off the back of being very depressed because I felt I had nothing to lose. I love the lyric’ that’s why I write all of these poems, carry the words of the unspoken’.
Skepta – “Still”
Do I really have to say anything? This tune is timeless. The goat continues to inspire. There are a lot of things Skepta alludes to in his older songs that I feel I only understand now, especially things about coming up in the music scene.
Sinéad O’Connor – “Mandinka”
I read Sinéad O’Connor’s book this year, and it was fascinating. Being half Irish, I have always been drawn to how she uses her voice both on and off stage, musically and politically. This song makes me think of my mum and nan.
Mobb Deep – “Where Ya Heart At”
My mum used to play Mobb Deep all the time, so this tune reminds me of my youth. I love how East Coast rap places you in a very authentic place and time, but engages you immediately. The production and storytelling are top-tier.
Protoje & Zion I Kings – “Weed & Tings”
This tune helps centre me throughout the chaos of life. It makes me happy and reminds me of simpler things. Definitely a grounding song.
Lola Young – “One Thing”
Lola Young is too cold! Not that anyone doesn’t know that. I really have enjoyed watching her come up and she’s a sick writer. This project reminds me of Kings of Leon’s Only By The Night album. I love the wordplay and British-ness.
Blur – “To The End”
I grew up listening to Blur, so this song reminds me of my childhood. I love how Blur can make songs feel cinematic. This tune really does sound like something’s coming to an end. It’s influenced how I think about music and putting my sound together.
