Croydon-born rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer Jords releases a pair of new tracks, ‘Stay Close’ (with Kranium) and ‘Mo Bay’ (featuring Tay Iwar). Pay attention.
Along with the release of his new album on Motown Records UK later this year comes the first half of a dramatic and touching short film that exposes the story behind the music. Jords claims that the songs’ themes of love and Jamaican culture are intertwined. I’ve always aspired to write love songs, sexual songs, and songs about kissing under the sun.
In the dancehall-heavy “Stay Close,” Jords boldly embraces the audacity of the Jamaican sound while opting for a more seductive tempo in order to woo the object of his affection. The innate longings of Jamaican superstar Kranium are sensed throughout the chorus, conveying the genuineness of the ‘Stay Close’ cooperation and adding zest to the backing production by Toddla T. According to Jords, “it was incredibly nice to have Kranium on the record.” I felt compelled to reveal that facet of who I am in a manner that would have genuine impact. Bringing him aboard went off without a hitch, and he performed well once he got going.
Tay Iwar, a renowned afrobeat singer, takes the stage on “Mo Bay” with his rhythmically flowing and captivating voice. Jords transforms into a fearless songwriter, lacing his songs with patois to express his innermost yearnings with an urgent force that is bursting at the seams with love, passion, decisiveness, and flair.
Renee Osubu, a British-Nigerian filmmaker and photographer, directs a cinematic visual accompaniment that delves into the conflicting emotions of joy and loss.
“Often mourning helps us to appreciate the memories, the pleasure, and the wonderful experiences we have had with individuals we love,” says Osubu. Jords’ music is heavily influenced by his Jamaican background; his people, like mine, honour the dead and reflect on the lives they’ve lived through their music. Renee explains, “I intentionally placed the film in the 1970s to honour our ancestors, who were deliberate in keeping our culture, customs, and communities after moving to the UK and facing the challenges that came with it.”
