JMSN explained

JMSN
Birth Name:Christian Andrew Berishaj
Birth Date:DD MM YYYY
Birth Place:Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Origin:Eastpointe, Michigan, U.S.
Years Active:2012–present
Label:White Room Records
Associated Acts:Ab-Soul

Christian Berishaj, known professionally as JMSN (pronounced "Jameson"), is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. Born in Dallas, TX and raised in Detroit, Michigan, JMSN has been an influential figure in the contemporary R&B and alternative music scenes.

Early life

Berishaj was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in the Detroit suburb of Eastpointe, Michigan.[1] Berishaj is of partial Albanian descent from his father, who is from Albania.[2]

Career

Before JMSN

While still in high school, Berishaj started a band originally called Snowhite. This group morphed into Love Arcade, which got a record label with Atlantic Records in 2005.[3] They put out one album Love Arcade before they broke up.

2012–2015

Berishaj started his own label, White Room Records and adopted the moniker JMSN.[4] He released his debut album, Priscilla on January 11, 2012. Berishaj wrote and produced the alternative 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.[5] [6] 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.[7] In April, R&B singer Usher told music magazine NME that JMSN was his "favorite new act".[8]

In August 2012, Berishaj produced "Nibiru" for West Coast rapper Ab-Soul. Subsequently, in October of the same year, Berishaj announced that he and the rapper would be releasing a collaborative project together.[9] The lead single for Ab-Soul and JMSN's collaborative album, Unit 6,[10] titled "You're Gone", features vocals from both artists, as well as production from Berishaj.[11] Recently, Unit 6 was revealed to be shelved due to business disagreements which may or may not make the light of day.

After the success of Priscilla, Berishaj (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. Berishaj began collaborating with other artists, like J. Cole and The Game, while releasing Pllajes 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.

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

2016–present

On March 1, 2016, Berishaj released a soulful and jazzy single, "Cruel Intentions".[12] The release of this song was followed by the singles: "Most of All", "Hypnotized," and a Snoh Aalegra remix of "Cruel Intentions".[13] The first three songs were included on JMSN's third album, It Is. which was released on May 6, 2016.[14]

In August 2016, Berishaj 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."

On April 28, 2017, JMSN released the album "Whatever Makes U Happy" on White Room Records.

On September 21, 2018, JMSN released the album "Velvet" on White Room Records.

On September 3, 2021, JMSN released the album "Heals Me" on White Room Records.

Artistry

Berishaj has cited Whitney Houston, Prince, Phil Collins, Fiona Apple, Radiohead, Hatiras, and Boys Noize as influences on his music.[15] [16]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
Heatseekers

[17]
†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
18
It Is.
  • Released: May 6, 2016
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
20
Whatever Makes U Happy
  • Released: April 28, 2017
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
Velvet
  • Released: September 21, 2018
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
Heals Me
  • Released: September 3, 2021
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
Soft Spot
  • Released: October 11, 2023
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

EPs

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Album details
Live at Red Bull Studios EP
  • Released: May 14, 2013
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: Digital download
Love & Pain EP
  • Released: August 27, 2013
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col"
YearAlbum
"Alone"[18] 2011†Priscilla†
"Love & Pain"2012
"You're Gone"
(with Ab-Soul)
2013Unit 6
"Walk Away"[19] †Pllajë†
"Cruel Intentions"[20] 2016It Is.
"Most of All"[21]
"Hypnotized"[22]
"Drinkin'"[23] 2017Whatever Makes U Happy
"Where Do U Go"[24]
"Angelica (B-Side)"[25]
"So Badly"[26] 2018Velvet
"Talk Is Cheap"[27]
"Christmas Time Is Here"[28] 2020
"Rolling Stone"[29] 2021Heals Me
"Love 2 U"[30]
"Cherry Pop"2023Soft Spot
"Love Me"
"Soft Spot"

As a featured artist

Title! scope="col"
YearAlbum
"Make You Stay"
(Kastle featuring JMSN)[31]
2013Kastle
"Daydreams"
(Sadistik x Kno featuring JMSN)[32]
2015Phantom Limbs
"Getaway"(NIve featuring JMSN)[33] 2018Non-album single

Guest appearances

Title! scope="col"
YearOther artist(s)Album
"Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe"2012Kendrick LamarGood Kid, M.A.A.D City
"The Art of Peer Pressure"
"Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst"
"Real"
"Pray"[34] Game, J. ColeJesus Piece
"Make It Last"2013Ta-KuMake It Last
"All We Do"KaytranadaKaytra Todo
"Late"Beat CultureForgive
"Drive Fast, Live Young"TygaHotel California
"Death From Above"KastleKastle
"Separate"[35] Deniro FarrarThe Patriarch II
"Affection"SangoNorth
"Slo Swerve"14KT, Buff1Nickel & Dimed
"IV"Blue Sky Black DeathGlaciers
"W.R.O.H."2014Ab-SoulThese Days...
"Worry"2015Evil NeedleReminisce
"My Own"2016Domo GenesisGENESiS
"I Believe"2017Ro Spit, 14KTRSXGLD
"True"Ro Spit, 14KT, Royce da 5'9", DJ Assault

Videography

Music videos

YearVideoDirector
"Girl I Used To Know"JMSN[36]
"Hotel"
"Alone"
2012"Something"JMSN
"Fallin"JMSN / Kenneth Brown
"Let U Go" / Priscilla TrilogyDavid Yarovesky
"Jameson"Green Glow Films
2014"The One"JMSN[37]
"Thing U Miss"

Notes and References

  1. Staple . Justin . 2017-05-08 . Whatever Makes JMSN Happy . . 2023-08-31.
  2. Web site: Smokin' Alone // JMSN Interview . March 12, 2018 .
  3. Web site: Love Arcade - Music Biography, Streaming Radio and Discography - AllMusic. Corey Apar. AllMusic. 9 March 2015.
  4. Web site: Who's That Girl? . Life + Times . March 14, 2012 . March 26, 2012.
  5. Web site: JMSN Priscilla Album Review . February 16, 2012. Uproxx. TSSCrew. March 26, 2012.
  6. News: Tim Jonze . Tim Jonze On Shuffle … R&B | Music . The Guardian . February 18, 2012. March 26, 2012 . London.
  7. Web site:

    Off the Radar :::: Christian TV :: Girl I Used to Know

    . March 9, 2015.
  8. Web site: Usher Says JMSN Is His Favourite New Act. March 9, 2015.
  9. Web site: Ab-Soul and JMSN Working on Collaborative EP. October 22, 2012. SoulCulture. Music News. December 12, 2012.
  10. Web site: "You're Gone" – Single by Ab-Soul & JMSN. Apple. iTunes Store. January 22, 2013.
  11. Web site: Ab-Soul – & JMSN – "You're Gone". January 21, 2013. 2DopeBoyz. January 21, 2013.
  12. Web site: JMSN Shares Moving New Single, "Cruel Intentions". Hypetrak. HP Cheung. March 4, 2016.
  13. Web site: Cruel Intentions (Remix) [feat. Snoh Aalegra] – Single by JMSN on iTunes]. iTunes. March 28, 2016 . May 7, 2016.
  14. Web site: It Is. by JMSN on iTunes. iTunes. March 4, 2016.
  15. http://www.awantedmag.com/Issue-1/the-new-west-coast-entourage.html
  16. Web site: JMSN is Pushing R&B Forward by Returning to its Roots, Pigeons & Planes Update . May 10, 2017 . YouTube . March 8, 2019.
  17. JMSN Chart History (Heatseekers Albums). Billboard. March 29, 2018.
  18. Web site: "Alone" – Single by JMSN . . . October 14, 2014.
  19. Web site: "Walk Away" – Single by JMSN . . . October 14, 2013.
  20. Web site: "Cruel Intentions" – Single by JMSN . . March 2016 . . April 23, 2016.
  21. Web site: "Most of All" – Single by JMSN . . April 5, 2016 . . April 23, 2016.
  22. Web site: "Hypnotized" – Single by JMSN . . April 19, 2016 . . April 23, 2016.
  23. Web site: Drinkin' – Single by JMSN on Apple Music. iTunes. March 2017 . March 29, 2018.
  24. Web site: 2017-03-31. JMSN - Where Do U Go. 2022-02-19. HotNewHipHop. en.
  25. Web site: JMSN "Patiently" Video. 2022-02-19. Blurred Culture. June 15, 2017 . en-US.
  26. Web site: JMSN, 'So Badly' | Track Review . 2022-02-19. themusicalhype.com. September 4, 2018 .
  27. Web site: 2018-07-26. JMSN Reminds Us That 'Talk Is Cheap'. 2022-02-19. Singersroom.com. en-US.
  28. Web site: 2020-11-28. JMSN shares stunning festive single 'Christmas Time Is Here'. 2022-02-19. NME. en-GB.
  29. Web site: 2021-05-20. JMSN Goes It Alone In 'Rolling Stone'. 2022-02-19. SoulBounce. en-US.
  30. Web site: 2021-07-09. Listen to JMSN's soaring eight-minute new single 'Love 2 U'. 2022-02-19. NME. en-GB.
  31. Web site: "Make You Stay (feat. JMSN)" – Single by Kastle . . April 9, 2013 . . October 14, 2014.
  32. Web site: Phantom Limbs Dirty Decibel Records . . November 11, 2015.
  33. Web site: O'Leary. Kathryn. November 30, 2018. NIve & JMSN Take Us Back to the Blues Era with "Getaway" Live in the Studio [PREMIERE]].
  34. Web site: Game "Jesus Piece" Tracklist & Cover Art . Cheri Media Group . HipHopDX . November 17, 2012 . November 17, 2012 . Horowitz, Steven J. . https://web.archive.org/web/20121119205738/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.21852/title.game-jesus-piece-tracklist-cover-art . November 19, 2012 . dead .
  35. Web site: Deniro Farrar featuring JMSN – Separate (Produced by Ryan Hemsworth). HYPETRAK. March 9, 2015.
  36. Web site: JMSN – Alone . October 21, 2011 . YouTube . March 26, 2012.
  37. Web site: JMSN – The One . January 16, 2014 . YouTube . January 23, 2014.