Imagine if you were a new recording artist trying to establish a career in music and suddenly one day you find yourself performing at the home of a musical genius; an American icon. Well, this was the case for R&B singer James “Jaiden” Roston. The Long Island, NY native had the prestigious honor of showcasing his talent at the residence of the man that brought the world “Thriller”—none other than the venerable Quincy Jones. Following his performance, the legend and newcomer engaged in conversation, in which the famed producer stated that “real music is the cure for the industry,” hence Jaiden’s nickname as “The Cure,” which he’s been dubbed.
Although Jaiden is a newcomer in the eyes of the public, he certainly isn’t a newbie to the music industry. Formerly signed to Rich Harrison (producer for Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love” and many other hits) and his Richcraft/Atlantic imprint, the talented singer/songwriter/musician gained hands-on experience working in the shadows on a number of high-profiled projects: he sung background vocals for John Legend (“I Can Change” featuring Snoop); toured as a background vocalist for Jay-Z (“American Gangster” tour) and Puff Daddy (“Press Play” tour); and written records for Case, Carl Thomas, the popular Japanese R&B group Full of Harmony, Jeannie Ortega (Hollywood Records) and a few others.
After accumulating a wealth of knowledge behind the scenes, Jaiden is now stepping out to establish his own recording career, providing the world with his rendition of good R&B music. A tireless live performer, Jaiden has built a reputable name on the independent music scene for his rapturous vocals and exhausting stage show, connecting with fans and garnering a legion of loyal supporters in the process. And his hardworking efforts aren’t going unnoticed either, as music entities are beginning to show an interest in becoming active participants in the growth of his career.
With Jaiden’s fan base steadily increasing, a number of songs have been circulated to satisfy the rising demand for his music. The material he currently has in the marketplace is a contemporary version of classic R&B, where lyrics and subject matter are paramount. A few of the tracks making the rounds are the amorously seductive “Breakfast” and the memory evoking “Flashbacks.”
One of Jaiden’s more popular songs being serviced at various music outlets is the infectious and provocative “Paradise,” which expresses the mental stress caused by some of life’s ills and his yearning of escaping to a place free of such strain. On the song, Jaiden touches on a number of social issues, including racial profiling, as he sings: “Damn I look back in the rearview/fifth time this week stopped by the blue crew/aint no herb in the truck and I sure wasn’t speeding (they still gonna take me down to the precinct). Grew up in the ‘burbs with the same hood problems/single parent home, discrimination constant/ain’t no criminal but they still don’t see/what’s beyond my fitted and my fresh white tee.”
In these economically depressed times when consumers are being more selective about the music they purchase and record labels continue to grapple with the restructuring of the industry, a mature and experienced talent such as Jaiden is a valued commodity worth serious consideration. Despite the proliferation of manufactured artists entering the music business to obtain celebrity, financial security and other benefits, Jaiden pursues a career in music due to his unyielding enthusiasm for the art form. “There’s other things that I’m good at, but there’s nothing that I’m more passionate about,” says Jaiden. If the music industry intends to restore the faith of the buying public, then music companies need to put a premium on the quality of content being released by investing in talent with a commitment to artistry and longevity, and Jaiden is certainly an artist that meets both of those standards.
