At a fan meeting in Fresno, Jay Wheeler was moved by a story from a girl who shared that his music had kept her from taking her own life. This shocking testimony and others helped inform Música Buena Para Días Malos, his seventh studio album. “The fact that my music does that to me, that's my big prize,” he said Billboard Español.
With 13 tracks that explore themes from love (“14 15 de febrero”) and sadness (“Admítelo”) to empowerment (“Maquillaje” ft. Noreh) and self-discovery (“Historia”), the singer's album works as a sonic refuge , the singer's album acts as a sonic refuge, dance-ready in some places and offering solace and inspiration in others. He extends that healing ethos to his merchandise, with a sci-fi twist: the goal is to parallel the aural comfort his music provides with tangible memorabilia, from hoodies to T-shirts, stickers and trucker hats.
During a conversation about Advertising sign TalkShopLive, the Puerto Rican star discussed how he wants to provide a “safe place” for his listeners through his music, his upcoming TRAPPii US tour that kicks off June 13 at Madison Square Garden, and more. Here are five key takeaways from our conversation with Jay Wheeler, in his own words.
His music helped save someone's life
When I was in Fresno, I would take pictures with him [fans]. This girl came [up] and she cried and cried. I asked her what happened, and she said she's going to commit, you know, and she heard my music on the radio and it stopped. All [that was there] stopped to listen to her story. I wanted to make that moment special for her. We hugged her and gave her merchandise. We took a bunch of pictures and I know for a fact she went home happy.
Optically [with my merch and videos], I want you to feel the way you hear it. The way I feel when I listen to my music is like going to a different world, where my spirit just left my body. This therapy helps me forget the world, forget the problems and just listen to this good music. That's why it's called my album Good music for bad days [Música Buena Para Días Malos]because that's what I was trying to focus on, making people feel like they can have a place to escape or a safe place like music.
Bad Bunny influenced his career
I don't want to sound like a fanboy but I love Bad Bunny. I love how he markets his brand and how [navigates] the music industry, because it is very different. I think it opened the door to different people. It just came out, trap [blew up]. 2016 was the trap season, then Bad Bunny moved away [from the genre] for a few months. Then he came back with something different, “Estamos Bien” and “Si Estuviésemos Juntos” and sad songs.
I think he opened the door for me — because as soon as he started doing that, I started [rising]. I was already making romantic music, but no one was listening to it, because trap was the main focus. But he just did [more vulnerable songs], open that door. People started looking at my work. Show the world that being different is not a bad thing.
Faith, loyalty and partnership with DJ Nelson
It's complicated being a young artist. Everyone sees you as a dollar sign, but that's not necessarily a bad thing… The people who want to sign you don't know you. they know the product you offer. If they want to sign you up to make more money with you, it means your product is good. At the same time, you have to be very careful, because not everyone has good intentions. some people just try to get all the money. I'm trying to see what kind [contract] It was very difficult to sign because almost everyone wanted me and not my team.
I'm a very loyal person — I didn't want to leave my team. And then I met DJ Nelson at his studio. I went with my team and told him: “This is my team, I don't want to leave it.” He told me, “If you had come without your team, I wouldn't have signed you.” So, okay, this is the part. Besides that, I had also asked God, “Father, I want to sign where you are.” And the first thing [DJ Nelson] they told me that “my children are Christians” so I said “That's the way”.
How to overcome fear of future ambitions
Whenever I do these kinds of tours, the only thing that makes me a little nervous or anxious — not even the shows — is the travel. I'm afraid of airplanes. Really. I've been traveling all my life. This is the only point that worries me a little. Mentally, I try to prepare myself. Every time I have to make these sacrifices, I think about my future children. I'd be like, “You know what, I have to do it for my future family and the future.” Eventually, I want to have a bunch of kids. My wife wants two, but I'm trying to talk her into having more.
He likes to play with his wife Zhamira Zambrano
If I had to pick one [song I enjoy performing live], I would probably say “Dícelo”, with my wife. That people love a song I have with my wife is beautiful. Sometimes you can make songs with the person you love, and it probably doesn't go so well. But every time it's this song [performed], people go crazy, people go completely crazy. Sometimes what people do a lot of songs and then they finally win. It's funny because the first time we collaborated on a song it was a hit. People loved it.
She is also an artist. She's doing a whole tour by herself. We try to be together wherever we go, as much as I can and she can. I admire her and always support her wherever I am.
