JMSN

JMSN
Background information
Birth name Christian Berishaj
Also known as Christian TV, Snowhite, Pearl
Origin Eastpointe, Michigan, United States
Genres Alternative R&B, electronica, soul
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, producer, engineer, mixer, music video director
Instruments Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, violin, drums[1]
Years active 2005-present
Labels White Room Records
Associated acts Love Arcade, Boldy James, Ab-Soul
Website iamjmsn.com

Christian Berishaj, better known by his stage name JMSN (pronounced Jameson), is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, as well as a multi-instrumentalist, music engineer, and mixer, from Eastpointe, Michigan. JMSN's debut album, Priscilla, was released in 2012; he wrote and produced the album by himself, and directed the music videos accompanying its release.

Life and career

Early life and career beginnings

Berishaj was raised in Eastpointe, Michigan by his mother, Crystal Lutz, and his first stepfather.[2] They later left the stepfather because he would physically abuse Lutz, relying on welfare to get by.[1] His biological father, Nick Berishaj, is of Albanian descent. Nick bought Christian a guitar when he was in the fourth grade.[1] Christian started working on Pro Tools at the age of twelve. He began writing songs, which he recorded on equipment bought by his father, who eventually reconnected with Christian and provided funding for such purchases.[1]

2004-2007: Signing to Atlantic Records as Love Arcade

Christian learned how to play other instruments and began holding neighborhood garage performances with his band, Snowhite, formed with three other members.[1] He attended South Lake High School in St. Clair Shores.[1] Eventually, he began mailing demos and performance videos to record labels, with his mother cold calling A&R representatives.[1][3] By eighteen, Christian had written and recorded a whole album, Love Arcade, on which he plays all the instruments.[3] He secured a recording contract with Atlantic Records, after turning down an offer from Sony Records, with his band in 2005.[2][3][4][5] His demos had impressed David Wimmer and Leslie Dweck of Atlantic, who were taken by Christian's drive and ambition.[1] Love Arcade was released in 2006 with the band credited as Love Arcade, the other members served as the touring band only, not performing on the record.[3] He was known as Snowhite while in the group. After three years together, the band broke up.[5]

2008-2011: Days at Universal Motown as Christian TV

Christian left Detroit for Los Angeles. He began working on his solo debut with Luke Walker of The Summer Obsession.[4] His song, "1, 2, 3, Turn Around" was featured in the 2009 film, Fired Up. He used the money earned from the licensing to fund a music video for the song "When She Turns 18", which resulted in him signing to Universal Motown Records as Christian TV in January 2010.[5][6] On July 29, 2010 Christian TV made his network television debut, performing "When She Turns 18" live on So You Think You Can Dance.[4] In October, Christian released his first mixtape entitled "Who The F*ck Is Christian TV" for free. During this time he also went on tour supporting Pete Wentz and his new band Black Cards in the UK. Christian began working on his debut album, Diary of an 80's Baby with production by Kevin Rudolf, No I.D., and Christian himself. He also co-wrote a song for Japanese pop singer, Hitomi's album Spirit. Universal Motown was later shut down and he did not appear on the rosters of the resulting Universal Republic Records or Motown Records.[7]

2012: Priscilla

After leaving his label, Christian started his own White Room Records and adopted the moniker, JMSN.[8] He released his debut album, Priscilla, on January 11, 2012. Christian wrote and produced the R&B album, straying from his pop-rock/electropop roots. In the album, he pursues darker emotional themes over melancholic melodies and beats that The Guardian described as "spaced out," and compared to The Weeknd.[9][10] Self-directed videos for "Alone", "Hotel" and "Something" were released to accompany the album's release, while a video for "Girl I Used to Know" was released under his previous stage name.[11] In April, R&B singer Usher told music magazine NME that JMSN was his "favorite new act".[12]

In August of 2012, Christian produced "Nibiru" for Ab-Soul. Subsequently, in October of the same year, Christian announced that he and the rapper would be releasing a collaborative project together.[13] The lead single for Ab-Soul and JMSN's collaborative album, Unit 6,[14] titled "You're Gone", features vocals from both artists, as well as production from Christian.[15] Recently, Unit 6 was revealed to be shelved due to business disagreements which may or may not make the light of day.

2013: Pllaje

After the success of Priscilla, Christian (as JMSN) released his album Pllaje, on November 5, 2013. This garnered him more acclaim in the community, and he gained recognition in the music industry. Christian began collaborating with other artists, like J. Cole and The Game, while releasing Pllaje's visuals through his YouTube channel for: "Love Myself," "The One," and "Thing U Miss." In 2013, his North American tour took him to over 20 cities where he both opened and headlined the shows.

2014-2015: JMSN (Blue Album)

On December 9, 2014 Christian released his second album "The Blue Album." In 2015, he toured to promote the album.

2016: It Is.

On March 1, 2016, Christian released a soulful and jazzy single, "Cruel Intentions."[16] The release of this song was followed by the singles: "Most of All,"[17] "Hypnotized,"[18] and a Snoh Aalegra remix of "Cruel Intentions."[19] The first three songs were included on JMSN's third album, It Is. which was released on May 6, 2016.[20]

In August of 2016, Christian revealed that he is the elusive artist Pearl, shortly after dropping Pearl's new album, Closer. In a handwritten letter posted to his social media, he wrote, “I started Pearl to have another creative outlet besides JMSN. White Room Records is about freedom. Be what you want to be.”

Influences

Berishaj has listed Prince, Phil Collins, Fiona Apple, Radiohead, Hatiras, and Boys Noize as influences on his music.[2]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US US R&B CAN UK
†Priscilla†
  • Released: January 11, 2012
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
 — — — —
†Pllajë†
  • Released: November 5, 2013
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
 — — — —
JMSN (Blue Album)
  • Released: December 9, 2014
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
 — — — —
It Is.
  • Released: May 6, 2016
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
 — — — —
Whatever Makes U Happy'
  • Released: April 28, 2017
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
 — — — —
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

EPs

List of extended-plays
Title Album details
Live at Red Bull Studios EP
Love & Pain EP
  • Released: August 27, 2013
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

List of singles with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US US
R&B		 US
Rap
"Alone"[21] 2011 — — — †Priscilla†
"Love & Pain" 2012 — — —
"You're Gone"[14]
(with Ab-Soul)		 2013 — — — Unit 6
"Walk Away"[22] — — — †Pllajë†
"Cruel Intentions"[23] 2016 — — — It Is.
"Most of All"[17] — — —
"Hypnotized"[18] — — —
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.
List of singles with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US US
R&B		 US
Rap
"Make You Stay"
(Kastle featuring JMSN)[24]		 2013 — — — Kastle
"Daydreams"
(Sadistik x Kno featuring JMSN)[25]		 2015 — — — Phantom Limbs
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" 2012 Kendrick Lamar good kid, m.A.A.d city
"The Art of Peer Pressure"
"Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst"
"Real"
"Pray"[26] Game, J. Cole Jesus Piece
"Make It Last" 2013 Ta-Ku Make It Last
"All We Do" Kaytranada Kaytra Todo
"Late" Beat Culture Forgive
"Drive Fast, Live Young" Tyga Hotel California
"Death From Above" Kastle Kastle
"Separate"[27] Deniro Farrar The Patriarch II
"Affection" Sango North
"Slo Swerve" 14KT, Buff1 Nickel & Dimed
"IV" Blue Sky Black Death Glaciers
"W.R.O.H." 2014 Ab-Soul These Days...
"Worry" 2015 Evil Needle Reminisce
"My Own" 2016 Domo Genesis GENESiS

Music videos

Year Video Director
2009 "Drop Dead Gorgeous Jaimie" Christian TV
2010 "When She Turns 18" Original David Yarovesky and Christian TV
"When She Turns 18" Ethan Lader
"Let's Just F*ck" Christian TV
2011 "Love2Baby"
"Girl I Used To Know"
"Hotel" JMSN[28]
"Alone"
2012 "Something" JMSN
"Fallin" JMSN / Kenneth Brown
"Let U Go" / Priscilla Trilogy David Yarovesky
"Jameson" Green Glow Films
2014 "The One" JMSN[29]
"Thing U Miss"

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Smith, Brian. "Music: Teenarama". Metro Times. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  2. 1 2 3 Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Apar, Corey. "Love Arcade". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  4. 1 2 3 ":: arjanwrites music blog ::: Free MP3 Download: Christian TV "When She Turns 18"". Arjanwrites.com. 2010-08-14. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  5. 1 2 3 Archived March 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ Labrecque, Jeff (2010-05-14). "New artist Christian TV's 'When She Turns 18': Could this be a summer smash? | The Music Mix | EW.com". Music-mix.ew.com. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  7. ↑ "Ethiopia Habtemariam Named Senior Vice President of Motown Records". Billboard.biz. 2011-08-10. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  8. ↑ "Who's That Girl? | Life + Times". Lifeandtimes.com. 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  9. ↑ TSSCrew (2012-02-16). "JMSN Priscilla Album Review | The Smoking Section". Smokingsection.uproxx.com. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  10. ↑ Tim Jonze (2012-02-18). "Tim Jonze On Shuffle … R&B | Music". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  11. ↑ "::: Off the Radar :::: Christian TV :: Girl I Used to Know". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  12. ↑ "Usher Says JMSN Is His Favourite New Act". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  13. ↑ "Ab-Soul and JMSN Working on Collaborative EP". Music News. SoulCulture. October 22, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  14. 1 2 ""You're Gone" - Single by Ab-Soul & JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Ab-Soul – & JMSN - "You're Gone"". 2DopeBoyz. January 21, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  16. ↑ "JMSN Shares Moving New Single, "Cruel Intentions"". Hypetrak. HP Cheung. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  17. 1 2 ""Most of All" - Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  18. 1 2 ""Hypnotized" - Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Cruel Intentions (Remix) [feat. Snoh Aalegra] - Single by JMSN on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  20. ↑ "It Is. by JMSN on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  21. ↑ ""Alone" - Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  22. ↑ ""Walk Away" - Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  23. ↑ ""Cruel Intentions" - Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  24. ↑ ""Make You Stay (feat. JMSN)" - Single by Kastle". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Phantom Limbs | Dirty Decibel Records". Bandcamp. Bandcamp. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  26. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (November 17, 2012). "Game "Jesus Piece" Tracklist & Cover Art". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Deniro Farrar featuring JMSN – Separate (Produced by Ryan Hemsworth)". HYPETRAK. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  28. ↑ "JMSN - Alone". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  29. ↑ "JMSN - The One". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-01-23.
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