Jaye King, a Bradenton, Florida native and Nashville-area based artist and songwriter, has signed an exclusive worldwide recording and publishing contract with Centricity and Centricity Publishing, the imprint behind the No. 1 Billboard Top Christian Albums for three consecutive years. His debut label single "Hard Place" is available now via streaming and digital outlets everywhere, with listening access at https://jayeking.lnk.to/HardPlace and more music, tour dates, and news at www.jayeking.com and across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.
We are honored to chat with Jaye for this exclusive interview.
Q: You've described your story as both "messy and miraculous." How has your upbringing with a single mom shaped the artist - and believer - you are today?
My upbringing revealed that even in the absence of such a pivotal figure as a father in the home, God is a present help. My mother's faith had us in church weekly, and surrounded by expressions of faith that we weren't really living tangibly. But hearing the faith expressed in communities of people just believing they will see the power of God because they'd seen it before, it marked me at an early age. My mothers work ethic, convicted leadership, high expectations and environment for discipline are all traits that I apply to anything I do. When I say yes or come into responsibilities, I simply apply these traits with passion. My mom is a phenomenal woman of faith in action. This, among other things, makes me want to live up to that standard as a man of faith in action.
Q: Centricity Music noted your "servant heart" as one of the reasons they signed you. How does that sense of calling influence the way you approach music and ministry?
Servant leadership was modeled around me my whole life. In church, school, teachers, seasonal mentors, etc. Once of the greatest lessons I learned was "the greatest among you shall be your servant" (Matt. 23:11) Serving with the sole goal of helping others while using the skill set I've been blessed with has become a bit of an obsession. We are all called to go into the world which makes all of us evangelists to some degree. How we preach the gospel depends so much on our wiring and skills/talents.
As a musician and writer, I serve by story telling. Finding the words that others are often at a loss of and putting them in the context of feelings and experiences we navigate so often is a privilege and gift. Infusing my faith and belief in Jesus gives music whole new meaning and purpose.
As a husband and father, my greatest ministry is my family so serving them with my best not what's left is a daily practice. Engaging emotionally, being physically present for even the smallest feats, remembering the details to things that matter in their life, loving them when patience is wearing thin, etc. These are the moments being a servant really shows. Approaching people with this same care, then, is not a show. It's an overflow.
If I can't tackle the first ministry of family with a servant's heart, my public platform, whatever it may be, won't stand a chance. I strive to keep the person in sight no matter the environment I'm in. This allows me to constantly serve others well.
Q: Tell us more about your debut single "Hard Place."
Hard place is a song best viewed in hindsight. Looking back at our "journey" to faith or "belief" in Christ paints a messy picture. We didn't have it all together. We didn't understand "Christ like living." Many of us carry trauma, trust issues and identity crisis into our relationship with Christ. This leads us on a journey of "casting our cares" on Jesus and allowing Him to restore our hurts and heal our brokenness. Hard Place reiterates the message of the Cross: For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Jesus came to be the rock in a hard place. He is the only anchor we can cling to in a world changing like the seasons. Hard Place is an invitation to bring your messy to the messiah and allow Him to give you a new name. If you're still breathing, your story isn't over.
If He can save a mess like me, He can do it for you too.
Q: You've mentioned that when you're on stage, your goal is to point people to God, not yourself. How do you balance being an energetic performer with being a worshipful storyteller?
Entertainment can be gimmicky but my faith in Christ allows me to stay grounded. Performing can be as authentic as I am dancing in the living room with my kids or kneeling in my studio praying with tears flowing. People only expect what you've declared yourself to be. I balance my energy by remaining honest with myself everywhere I go. I have an audience of one and as long as Jesus is proud of me, everything else is secondary. Let's be honest though. I'm human. I do still get very nervous and often have to remind myself that the message is more important than the messenger. Showing up prepared with the music and the message allows me to focus on leading people to Jesus. There are elements of performance but ultimately, I'm responsible to say what I've been sent to say. The work has already been done. My performance won't save anyone. Only Jesus can do that. My heart is to tell people who the savior is and through honest story telling, spread faith, hope and love one song at a time.
Q: Your sound blends funk, R&B, Gospel, and pop. Who are the artists and influences that helped shape this unique musical identity?
This list can get pretty long. I've narrowed the list down to Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, John Legend, Charlie Puth and Maroon 5.
The influences are pretty vast but these artists bring all of my influences into their music, songwriting and performing the best. Groove, heavy guitars, melodic diversity and more are crucial to me as an artist. I think in rhythm so my mind is always draw to things that manipulate it well.
Q: With this new partnership and new music coming, what do you hope people hear in your songs?
I pray people walk away with new faith, hope and a deep sense of love. These three things remain (1 Corinthians 13:13) and I believe they are essential to making it in this life. If this can get into peoples' hearts and mind, I will be right on track.
