Smash hit singer Jay Sean has opened up about the disappointment his children have expressed about the lack of representation in the music industry for other South Asian artists
Jay Sean has revealed the question his children keep asking him about his groundbreaking music career, admitting he still wants to make it easier for young South Asian artists to follow in his footsteps.
The singer, 45, became one of Britain’s most successful musical exports after finding international fame with hits including Down and Do You Remember. But while he has performed around the world and worked with some of the biggest names in music, Jay believes there is still work to be done in representation.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, the British Punjabi star revealed that his children have already started questioning why there are not more South Asian artists in the mainstream music industry. He explained: “They ask the same thing. They go, ‘Dad, there’s so many of us, how come there’s not more?'”
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Jay, who shares two children with his wife Thara, said their curiosity has stayed with him as he continues to develop his own record label and support emerging talent.
He added: “They look around and they’re like, OK, I see tonnes of Black artists, white artists, why are there not more of ours?” The singer admitted it was a question he would still like to tackle through his record company, as he works to create opportunities for talented musicians who happen to be South Asian.
Rather than placing their backgrounds at the centre of their careers, Jay wants them to be given the chance to let their music speak for itself.
He said: “Let me sing my songs, man, let me do my music.” The star also hopes his own journey will inspire the next generation, particularly those who might previously have felt that a career in entertainment was out of reach.
Reflecting on his achievements, Jay said his story was unique: he grew up in England before breaking into the American music market and reaching the top of the Billboard charts. He explained that he wanted to document his experiences for future generations, including his own children, so they could understand the challenges behind his success.
Jay said he hoped they would look at his journey and recognise that, despite the difficulties, he had managed to achieve his dreams. For him, the most important part of his legacy is not simply the music he has released, but the doors he might have opened for others.
He said: “If future generations can go, ‘That one dude, he helped us out a bit’, you know, that even just that, just that, knowing that I made it a little easier for them to achieve their dreams.”
He added that he wanted aspiring artists to be able to tour the world and perform their own songs without being judged. “If I had even one small bit to do with that, I think it would be a legacy that I’d be proud of,” he said.
Jay also reflected on how representation has changed during his almost 25 years in the entertainment industry. While he believes progress has been made, particularly in Britain, he recalled how his background was frequently highlighted in headlines when he first emerged as a recording artist.
He said that being described as a British Asian singer was understandable at the time, but it could also lead people to assume the type of music he produced.
Jay, who grew up listening to R&B and hip-hop alongside music influenced by his Punjabi heritage, wanted audiences to judge him on his sound rather than his appearance. He compared the experience to comments made by rapper Eminem, who questioned how long he would have to prove himself before being recognised simply as a rapper rather than a white rapper.
Jay believes streaming has helped shift the focus towards the music itself, as listeners can discover songs through playlists without necessarily knowing what the artist looks like. However, he warned that social media has created new challenges for emerging musicians, with artists increasingly expected to promote themselves alongside writing and recording their music.
He explained that record companies and radio stations are often more reluctant to take risks on unfamiliar songs, placing greater pressure on musicians to build an audience online before receiving mainstream support. Despite this, Jay remains passionate about helping the next generation navigate the industry.
Fatherhood has also given him a fresh perspective on music. His daughter is preparing to turn 13, while his son is eight, and he has already noticed their musical abilities developing.
Jay revealed that his son enjoys freestyling in the car, asking his dad for a word before launching into a rap. His daughter, meanwhile, is already rehearsing for concerts with a band. But the proud dad insists he has no intention of putting pressure on them to pursue music professionally.
He said he wants them to experience the joy of performing rather than worrying about getting every note right. As he continues to build his career beyond recording, Jay hopes his children will grow up knowing that success can mean more than chart positions and awards. For the singer, making a lasting difference means ensuring that the next generation has more opportunities than the one before it.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
