La Jason(pronounced luh-jay-sun) is a 28 year old singer/songwriter who knows what the very essence of passion is. Born in Danville, Illinois, La Jason attributes his love of music to his environment in which he was raised. "I remember coming home from school every Friday evening to the sounds of Donny Hathaway, Lionel Ritchie, and Marvin Gaye. Then every Saturday waking up to Cheryl "Pepsii" Riley, Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Rick James. Only to be awaken on Sunday to Gospel and Blues." Little did he know that these artists would influence his life in a way he would never imagine.Untrained and self-taught, he admits he never had vocal lessons and has been singing since he was able to talk. "Growing up I knew I wanted to be an R&B singer. That's all I ever thought about. Music! Music! Music!" The oldest of 3, La Jason quickly discovered the joy of music and would soon discover his God given talent as well."While my brother and my friends were playing Basketball and hanging out, I'd be in my room listening to whatever record or cassette tape I could get my hands on." It would later become clear to him that he was just preparing himself for what would consume a huge part of his teen years. Penning songs at the tender age of 8 and competing in any talent show he could find. " I even remember lying about my age to get into a few!" he says with a emphatic laugh. "It's kind of funny because I started out wanting to be a rapper. My cousins and I used get together and freestyle and write raps almost everyday." It was his cousin "Pops the Pha'roah", a budding rapper, with which La Jason started Family Tyz Entertainment( an indie label), that he credits as his biggest inspiration to become a rapper. But, it didn't take long for him to decide on becoming a crooner. " I soon realized that I had a unique style of singing,and honestly, it 's what the women wanted to hear!" He acknowledges. Although he knew he had talent, he never really took it all that serious until he heard his first demo which he recorded in a home studio in 1996. And the rest, as they say, is history. Armed with an arsenal of ballads(set to bass thumping production and infectious melodies) and a cache of uptempo tracks produced by up and coming producer Rok Co Kane, his smooth but commanding vocal ability has already took the midwest by storm, but he hopes to spread his sound to the world. "R&B is beginning to look a little distressed. There are artists out that are just imitating what they think is hot and think that what sells for one artist, will do the same for them. I think a lot of today's artists are afraid to take risks and be original. Afraid to just be themselves. You have exceptions like Ne-Yo, Usher, Mario, Chris Brown, Ciara, Avant, Jagged Edge, Jamie Foxx, Mint Condition, India Arie, Van Hunt, etc.. That show that type of originality and these are artists that are inspirational and stand the test of time. I just want to be a part of that movement." He soon plans to let the world know that R&B has a new face and new passion! A passion that will give birth to a new star in R&B music....and his name is La Jason! Wanna learn more about La Jason? Click his image on his friends list to learn more!
