We’ve been playlisting Cybersex (Don’t Need Your Ex), the new single from Jeremie, recently here on Phoenix FM – but who is he? We caught up with him to find out …
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born in France and grew up in between Paris and Tel Aviv, with a quite diverse family – My mother is French from a Moroccan descent, and my father is Israeli with Iraqi family roots. This multicultural upbringing, I believe, has added a lot to my artistic creations.
I’m an artist, rapper-songwriter and electronic music producer. I began my career as a DJ and keyboardist and later acted as the music producer of the duo ShiraneMusic alongside my vocalist sister Shirane. In recent years, I’ve developed my solo act – Jeremie. I also act as a signed shadow lyricist for other musicians.
When did you first start to develop a passion for music?
I was introduced to the world of music by my mother, who took me to my first acoustic guitar lesson when I was six years old.
Since then I have been hooked to anything related to music. I remember writing songs, rapping and being around instruments in studios all the time.
Which artists did you listen to while growing up?
My musical influences vary a lot – ranging from American rock bands and rappers my older brother used to play around the house as I grew up (Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Thе Оffsрring, Eminem, 50 Cent), old French “Chansons”, pop and punk songs my mother was looping all the time (Joe Dassin, Édith Piaf, Enrico Macias, Plastic Bertrand), and the newer electronic pop music scene of the late 1990s and early 2000s that influenced me a lot (Melanie C, La Bouche, Lasgo, Alice Deejay).
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard you before?
My music could be described as an explosion of emotions. I write a lot about ‘explosive’ topics such as Cultural Appropriation, Pop Culture, Existentialism and Sex. These almost always present themselves as the themes of my lyrics, and song meanings. As for the sounds and melodies, I craft them myself, with heavy electronic synth sounds designed from scratch in music programs (some are also analogue sounds I tweak), combined with 90s hip-hop, Eurodance and current EDM elements as well as trap-dubstep and minimal rhythms.
What music have you recorded and released to date?
Prior to my newest album ‘AMERICANA’, I released 2 EP’s (‘Defective’, as part of the ShiraneMusic duo project, and ‘French it Up!’, as a solo act) and 5 singles.
Which artists do you enjoy listening to at the moment – and do they influence your work?
I’m obsessed with Latin rapper and reggaeton artist Bad Bunny and listen to a lot of classical music such as Chopin and Bach. Musically, they are quite far from what I usually produce.
Who would your dream collaboration be with?
One of the songs in my new album is titled ‘Tryna Copy Lady Gaga’, which is a commentary on the American music industry, so I would say having Gaga on my music video for that song would be amazing. Another musical collaboration that will be a dream to happen is a hip-hop song with Sam Smith.
What are your plans for the future?
To make more music, and to always be surrounded by great Art.
Where can we find out more about you?
You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, YouTube and iTunes/Apple Music.