Jay Versace Explained

Jay Versace
Birth Name:Jahlil Gunter
Birth Date:24 January 1998
Origin:Pleasantville, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation:Record producer
Years Active:2014–present

Jahlil Gunter[1] (born January 24, 1998),[2] known professionally as Jay Versace, is an American record producer and former Internet personality.[3] [4] He began posting comedy videos onto Vine as a teenager and amassed over three million followers on the platform,[5] [6] [7] before shifting focus onto a career in music production by 2018.[8] [9] He has since been credited on the Billboard 200-number one albums SOS (2022) by SZA[10] and Call Me If You Get Lost (2021) by Tyler, the Creator—both albums won a Grammy Award.[11] His other work includes albums for Doja Cat, Lil Yachty, Boldy James, and Westside Gunn.

Early life

Versace is from Pleasantville, New Jersey.[12] [13] His moniker was inspired by a Vine video in which American rapper Riff Raff feeds his dog "Versace water from the fountain of life".

Career

2014–2017: Social media career

In 2014, Versace began making comedic videos onto the video-sharing platform Vine, usually involving reenactments of certain scenarios involving his family members, friends, and entertainers. His work was also noted to involve the amplification of the spirituality, creativity, and mental health of black people.[14] He relocated to Los Angeles in 2016 at the age of 18. He was nominated for Viner of the Year at the 8th Shorty Awards.[15] Versace had amassed over three million followers and two billion total views on Vine before the platform was discontinued in January 2017. Thereafter, he turned to other social media platforms, amassing 2 million followers on Instagram and 500,000 subscribers on YouTube. He also starred alongside American actors Danielle Campbell and Nathan Kress in his own Fullscreen web series, Jay Versace is Stuck in the 90s,[16] which was nominated for Best Web Series at the 10th Shorty Awards.[17] Versace signed a representation contract with United Talent Agency in January 2018,[18] and then was slated to feature alongside American internet personality Miles McKenna in an eight-part web series by Portal A Interactive titled My Wizard & Me, yet this did not come to fruition.[19]

2018–present: Music career

Versace started experimenting with music production for the first time in May 2018, with help from his musician friends Knxwledge and Pink Siifu. He began posting atmospheric, lo-fi music instrumentals to his SoundCloud account. Versace approached American rapper Westside Gunn and asked to work together, before the latter discovered his account and ended up using one of Versace's first-ever songs on his own album, Pray for Paris (2020), titling the track "Versace".[20] He then produced all tracks on the mixtape, The Versace Tape (2020) by American rapper Boldy James, which became the first-ever release on Griselda Records in August 2020.[21] In March 2021, Versace contributed a remix version of the song "Lay_Up.m4a" by Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats to the duo's remix album, Unlocked 1.5 (2021).[22] He also produced the song "Safari" off of American rapper Tyler, the Creator's sixth studio album Call Me If You Get Lost (2021), which won the award for Best Rap Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. Released in August 2022, the track "On God" by American rappers Meechy Darko, Freddie Gibbs and A-Trak, which was co-produced by Versace and Dot da Genius.[23] Versace then produced the songs "SOS" and "Smoking on My Ex Pack" from American singer SZA's second studio album, SOS (2022), which earned him critical acclaim and commercial success. SZA credits her first attempts at rap music to Versace, who encouraged her to "talk her shit".

Personal life

Versace came out as queer via a Snapchat post in 2016, claiming that "I love people in general idgaf what gender you are".[24] [25] His mother, Nikesha Dolly Gunter, died of illness in May 2022.[26]

Production discography

Year Artist Album Song
2020 Pray for Paris "Versace"
The Versace Tape "Maria"
"Nu Wave"
"Cartier" (featuring ElCamino)
"Brick Van Exel"
"Long Live Julio"
"Monte Criso"
"Cardinal Sin"
"Bentayga"
"Roxycontin" (featuring Keisha Plum, Tiona Deniece and Westside Gunn)
FlySiifu's "Mind Right"
Lil Boat 3.5 "Lil Diamond Boy"
2021 Unlocked 1.5 "Lay_Up.m4a (Jay Versace Version)"
If I Fail Are We Still Cool? "Who Am I
Call Me If You Get Lost "Safari"
Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Side B "Free Kutter" (featuring Jay Electronica)
2022 Frank "Bag Man"
Draft Day "How Far Will I Go" (featuring Lil Yachty)
Xavier Omär b l u r r"A Dream"
Gothic Luxury "On God" (featuring A-Trak and Freddie Gibbs)
SOS "SOS"
"Smoking on My Ex Pack"
2023 Clear 2: Soft Life "Pull Up"
"New Type" (featuring Childish Gambino)
Scarlet "97"
"Often"
"Love Life"
2024Vince StaplesDark Times"Étouffée"

Awards and nominations

AwardYearCategoryRecipient(s) and nominee(s)Result
BET Social Awards2019Social Hustle AwardHimself[27] [28]
Grammy Awards2022Best Rap AlbumCall Me If You Get Lost
Grammy Awards2024Best Progressive R&B AlbumSOS
Shorty Awards2016Viner of the YearHimself
2018Best Web SeriesJay Versace Is Stuck in the 90s
Soul Train Awards2016Internet Soul Sensation Badu AwardHimself[29]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Darville . Jordan . September 22, 2023 . Read the credits for Doja Cat's new album Scarlet . September 24, 2023 . The Fader.
  2. Web site: Osborne . Susanna . January 24, 2022 . Happy Birthday: Jay Versace's Seamless Transition From Social Media Star To Executive Producer On Tyler, The Creator's Album . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422095802/https://globalgrind.com/5078569/jay-versaces-seamless-transition-from-social-media-star-to-executive-producer-on-tyler-the-creators-album/ . April 22, 2023 . April 22, 2023 . . iOne Digital.
  3. Web site: Rodrigues . Ashwin . May 13, 2020 . How Vine Star Jay Versace Became a Rap Producer . April 18, 2023 . . April 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418180514/https://www.vice.com/en/article/m7jj33/how-vine-star-jay-versace-became-a-rap-producer . live .
  4. Web site: Wallace . Riley . September 4, 2020 . Griselda Collaborator & Social Influencer Jay Versace Is Paving The Way For Queer Hip Hop Producers — & He Knows It . April 18, 2023 . . April 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230423004952/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.57703/title.griselda-collaborator-social-influencer-jay-versace-is-paving-the-way-for-queer-hip-hop-producers-he-knows-it . live .
  5. Web site: Cahill . Ryan . April 20, 2018 . Jay Versace interview: "I want to be free of sexuality and not boxed in as a guy who's gay" . April 18, 2023 . . April 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418180514/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/jay-versace-interview/ . live .
  6. Web site: Hawkins . Erica . June 17, 2020 . Jay Versace Is Living The American Dream, 2.0 . April 18, 2023 . Ladygunn . April 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418180515/http://www.ladygunn.com/culture/jay-versace-is-living-the-american-dream-2-0/ . live .
  7. Web site: Starling . Lakin . July 12, 2016 . How Jay Versace Became The Funniest Teenager On The Internet . April 22, 2023 . . April 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230423154601/https://www.thefader.com/2016/07/12/jay-versace-comedian-interview . live .
  8. Web site: Rose . Jordan . August 4, 2020 . Beats, Blackness, and Revolution: A Conversation With Jay Versace . April 21, 2023 . . April 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230421154832/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/jay-versace-interview-682935/ . live .
  9. Web site: Nwanji . Ngozi . December 9, 2022 . Jay Versace Went From The Face Of Popular Memes To Producer On SZA's Highly Anticipated 'SOS' . April 18, 2023 . . April 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418180515/https://afrotech.com/jay-versace-social-media-to-producer . live .
  10. Conteh . Mankaprr . December 12, 2022 . How Jay Versace Got SZA to Talk Her Shit on 'SOS' . April 18, 2023 . . January 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230127111244/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/jay-versace-sza-new-album-interview-1234645412/ . live .
  11. Web site: Bloom . Madison . June 25, 2021 . Tyler, the Creator Releases New Album Call Me If You Get Lost . April 21, 2023 . . April 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230421160725/https://pitchfork.com/news/tyler-the-creator-releases-new-album-call-me-if-you-get-lost-listen/ . live .
  12. Holmes . Charles . May 12, 2020 . From Memes to Music: How Jay Versace Landed On a Westside Gunn Album . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418180514/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/how-jay-versace-got-on-a-westside-gunn-album-988466/ . April 18, 2023 . April 18, 2023.
  13. Web site: Sheppard . Elena . May 30, 2018 . This aspiring comedian got famous by making people laugh in six seconds . April 22, 2023 . . April 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422141808/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/aspiring-comedian-got-famous-making-people-laugh-six-seconds-222611466.html . live .
  14. News: Hughes . Jazmine . October 31, 2016 . Vine Dries Up. Black Humor Loses a Home . . April 22, 2023 . 0362-4331 . April 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422132303/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/01/arts/vine-jay-versace-black-culture.html . live .
  15. Web site: Lee . Ashley . April 11, 2016 . Shorty Awards: The Complete Winners List . April 22, 2023 . . April 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403210055/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/shorty-awards-2016-winners-full-882622 . live .
  16. Web site: Petski . Denise . August 15, 2017 . Fullscreen Sets Fall Slate: Shows Starring Jay Versace, Danielle Campbell, Nathan Kress . April 22, 2023 . . April 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422131309/https://deadline.com/2017/08/fullscreen-sets-fall-slate-jay-versace-danielle-campbell-nathan-kress-1202149339/ . live .
  17. Web site: Ramos . Dino-Ray . January 16, 2018 . Shorty Awards Nominees: Tiffany Haddish, Lena Waithe Among Those Recognized For Social Media Excellence . April 22, 2023 . . February 27, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180227034448/http://deadline.com/2018/01/shorty-awards-tiffany-hadish-lena-waithe-tracee-ellis-ross-cardi-b-lebron-james-1202243565/ . live .
  18. Web site: January 18, 2018 . Comedian And Actor Jay Versace Signs With UTA . April 22, 2023 . Tubefilter . en-US . April 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422141349/https://www.tubefilter.com/2018/01/18/jay-versace-signs-with-uta/ . Geoff. Weiss. live .
  19. Web site: Weiss . Geoff . July 24, 2017 . Portal A Unveils Eight-Series Slate Featuring Jay Versace, Miles McKenna . April 22, 2023 . . April 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422141349/https://www.tubefilter.com/2017/07/24/portal-a-8-series-slate-jay-versace-miles-mckenna/ . live .
  20. Web site: Setario . Shawn . August 14, 2020 . How Boldy James Made His Griselda Debut With Help From Jay Versace and Westside Gunn . April 22, 2023 . . April 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422141337/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/08/boldy-james-westside-gunn-jay-versace-interview . live .
  21. Web site: Threadcraft . Torry . August 6, 2020 . Boldy James Announces 'The Versace Tape,' Produced By Jay Versace - Okayplayer . April 22, 2023 . . April 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230426121814/https://www.okayplayer.com/music/boldy-james-versace-tape.html . live .
  22. Web site: Price . Joe . March 5, 2021 . Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats Release 'Unlocked 1.5' Project f/ Benny the Butcher, Joey Badass, and More . April 22, 2023 . . April 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230416230358/https://www.complex.com/music/denzel-curry-kenny-beats-unlocked-15 . live .
  23. Blistein . Jon . August 3, 2022 . Flatbush Zombies' Meechy Darko Teams With Freddie Gibbs, A-Trak for New Song 'On God' . April 22, 2023 . Rolling Stone . en-US . April 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230426121705/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/flatbush-zombies-meechy-darko-teams-freddie-gibbs-a-trak-for-new-song-on-god-1392399/ . live .
  24. Web site: Hamedy . Saba . September 28, 2016 . Vine star Jay Versace opens up about his sexuality in a Snap . April 21, 2023 . . April 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230421160726/https://mashable.com/article/jay-versace-vine-sexuality . live .
  25. Web site: McNamara . Brittney . September 27, 2016 . Vine Star Jay Versace Comes Out to Fans About His Sexuality . April 21, 2023 . . April 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230421160726/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/vine-jay-versace-comes-out-sexuality . live .
  26. Web site: Cole . Ty . May 24, 2022 . Fans Come To Jay Versace Defense After Social Media Star Posts A GoFundMe Page For Mother's Memorial . April 21, 2023 . . April 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230421162228/https://www.bet.com/article/5mbol4/jay-versace-opens-go-fund-me-account-for-mother-memorial . live .
  27. Web site: Weiss . Geoff . February 22, 2019 . Queen Naija, BlameItOnKway Nominated At Second Annual 'BET Social Awards' . April 22, 2023 . . April 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422131506/https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/02/22/queen-naija-jay-versace-bet-social-awards/ . live .
  28. 1085996377996439558. BET. These superstars have taken social media & built their AMAZING brands/careers! Vote now for the #SocialHustle award at the #BETSocialAwards!. BET. January 17, 2019. April 22, 2023.
  29. Web site: November 27, 2016 . The 2016 Soul Train Awards Red Carpet Moments, Winners, Performances & More . April 22, 2023 . The BLACK Media . en-US . April 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422132844/https://theblackmedia.org/2016/11/27/2016-soul-train-awards-red-carpet-and-performances/ . live .