| Elam Jay | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 31, 1974 |
| Origin | Casablanca, Morocco |
| Genres | Rhythm and blues, Funk, Gnawitone |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, producer composer, dancer, choreographer, performer, music video director and also entrepreneur |
| Instruments | Vocals, Multiple instruments |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | Sony Music, Jam Productions |
| Website | www.elamjayonline.com |
Elam Jay (born October 31, 1974 in Casablanca Morocco), is a Moroccan singer-songwriter, composer, record producer, dancer, choreographer, performer, music video director and entrepreneur. His business interest include Jam Productions and the franchise of Quintessentially for Morocco.
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Born and raised until the age of 12 in Casablanca, Elam Jay was influenced by artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Prince. Elam began performing at the age of four, singing and dancing for friends and family members.[1] He moved with his family to Geneva around 1989.[2] While in school, he began to give dance lessons that included choreographs in the style of Michael Jackson.[1]
In 1998, Elam began writing and composing his first album Free. He was quickly signed to Sony Music France.[2] After the release of Free, Sony Music requested that his next album be recorded in French for the French music market.[3] Not wanting to limit himself to the French speaking audience, Elam moved to Los Angeles where he immersed himself in the English language and the American culture. But business opportunities brought him back to Morocco.
In 2003, Elam became a major associate of Platinum Music, who introduced the franchise of Universal Music Group in Morocco.[2] He kept writing, singing and recording, and in 2004 he released a video with the song entitled " Morena " which became a #1 hit in Morocco.[1] As a result of his success, Elam Jay became the first Moroccan spokesman for the American brand, Coca Cola in Morocco, doing one of the biggest campaign in that region.[4] Later in 2004, Elam signed with the major music company Alam elPhan, a leader in the Middle Eastern music world, and " Morena " became a huge hit in Arabic countries and communities around the globe.[1] Elam's performance of Morena was noted his reflection of Eastern and Arabic rhythms that managed to communicate with Western and European understanding.[1]
Signing with a telecom operator Wana (Telecommunications) for the 2007 marketing campaign, Elam Jay had an enormous success with the summer hit "Gnaouitone" in Morocco and abroad.[5] Elam's fusion of African rhythms, Gnawa, oriental vibes, R&B flavour and Dancehall, in a new and unique style that he baptised and named: Gnawitone Styla.[5]
Elam's music toppled the charts in Cairo, Marrakech, Dubai, Casablanca, Beirut, and made some inroads into the European market as well.
In the winter of 2008, Elam Jay began working on a new album. Wanting to break into the American and Latino markets, Elam chose to record his new album, still untitled, in Los Angeles. The album is expected to be released in the spring or summer of 2009.
1998 Free (Sony Music France)
2009 soon to be released new CD album
2003 Incha'allah (Platinum Music Morocco)
2004 Morena (Platinum Music Morocco / Alam elPhan Music)
2005 Gnawitone (Alam elPhan Music)
These are few of the videos he directed for himself, but he also directed videos for some other artists: