INTERVIEW: K-Pop Songwriter & Producer Jayrah Gibson Opens up About his Journey in the Industry
Jayrah Gibson is an American singer-songwriter and producer from Long Beach, California. He is the name behind some of the biggest international K-Pop hit singles that K-Pop fans have loved over the years. His unique and progressive sound has left a mark on the Korean music industry by shaping the sound of artists like BTS, EXO, DEAN, and many more. He has also worked with American artists, like Usher and TY Dolla $ign, among others. With his passion for music, Gibson has also put time and effort into developing his own unique sound as an artist releasing singles over the years and gearing up for a full-length project in the near future. The Kraze had the opportunity to chat with Gibson about his work and passion for music. Check out what he had to say!
*Answers edited for clarity.
Q. How were you introduced to K-Pop and how did you get started as a songwriter-producer in the K-Pop industry?
Jayrah Gibson: It’s funny you ask this question. I never heard about K-Pop until one day I met this guy named Shin. He was one half of a production team called Arex. His partner Sean and manager Alex Todd and I set up a few sessions for about three months while I was in Atlanta to work with the team as a new up-and-coming writer. In those months, we created magic and our musical marriage was beyond our time. As the years went on and I moved back to California, I randomly got a phone call from Shin saying, “Hey man, this is Shin. I wanted to tell you that we got a placement in K-Pop on a group named EXO.” My response to him was, “K-Pop?” He laughed and said, “Yes, Korean pop!”
I laughed and said, “Okay, cool, thanks for letting me know. We should work some more,” not truly understanding the magnitude of what just happened. As the months went on, I got another phone call from Shin saying, “Hey, Jayrah, I’m in California now. Let’s record some more songs. We have been requested to write for EXO again; our song did really well.” So just eager to get more songs out as a young songwriter and going through my own struggle of being homeless, at that moment I saw this as an opportunity to continuously grow in a possible up-and-coming genre of music that nobody knew about, that really liked my sound.
So as we recorded weeks on end and met deadlines, I wrote a song that would change my life forever called “Growl!” This was the intro to K-Pop for me.
Q. You worked on EXO’s hit song, “Growl.” What was the process of making that song?
JG: The funny part about the process for “Growl” was that the song literally took 30 minutes to write. It was one out of three songs that I wrote that day and literally was the last of the three!
I heard the beat and it was so infectious that I personally feel like it wrote itself! I remember my ride being downstairs and me writing the bridge literally in one take! I’ve noticed some of my best songs come from my heart on the first take. I remember listening to this song over and over and over again, knowing that there was something special in it, and couldn’t wait to get the feedback from the label on it.
Two years later, after creating the record, I get a phone call saying, “Hey, Jayrah. Congratulations, you wrote the biggest song in all of Asia in the last 12 years.” I couldn’t believe it. Could this be true? The song that I knew was special and played for two years finally was placed on the same group that took a chance on me before, not knowing this would be the staple song that put them on the map to make EXO the biggest group in all of Asia.
Q. Billboard Magazine chose “Growl” as one of the greatest K-Pop songs of the decade. Eight years later, why do you think it became such a popular song?
JG: I believe when you make songs that make people dance, smile, and come together, you have tapped into something higher than the self, and in return, change history. I put so much love into that song while writing it. I believe that it transcended. Sometimes it doesn’t take a long time to create something life-changing. I believe that I am destined to be great, and God continuously puts songs like this in my heart to manifest my designed destiny.
Q. You also worked on “My Time” by BTS, performed by member Jungkook. How did the collaboration happen?
JG: One of my close friends and production partners called me one day and told me that a mutual friend was looking for records for BTS. Me, being very aware of who the group was due to me working with him on prior projects within the last seven years, understood and knew their sound and where it should go. I told my production partner to send me the beat that he has been working on and that I would get to it sometime within the next week.
Well that wasn’t the case for me [laughs].
As soon as we got off the phone, he sent the production to me and I was instantly inspired. I downloaded [the beat and] uploaded it to my ProTools in my bedroom and instantly went to work! One hour later I knew we did it again! I sent back over the final product to him and with amazement, he hit me back excited to send back over to the label for approval!
With the label being just as excited as we were, we were asked to do the bridge to complete this song. I can admit I was really tired and was dragging my feet. It took my production partner to come pick me up, take me to his studio, and bribe me with coffee and food, but 15 minutes later the bridge was done and I was full and warm on that cold day. And most importantly, we knew we had something. From there, Jungkook and RM went to work.
And with our collaboration of vision, lyrics, harmony, and melodies, we change history together! Kook is definitely the GOAT.
Q. What was the creative process for that song like? Were there any challenges?
JG: I always start with the melody and once I know that the melody is fully structured and sounds like a hit, the words are entangled inside the melody and the song writes itself.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of the final product?
JG: Seeing how the fans react to it and knowing that they are pleased once again because, without them, none of this would be possible.
Q. You have helped shape the sound of many different artists including NCT, SHINee, MONSTA X, and SF9 to name a few. Who are some Korean artists you’d like to work with in the future?
JG: Some artists I would like to work with in the future are G-DRAGON, Stray Kids, and any up-and-coming artists that are willing to take the stand to do a new sound. I’ve been working on some pretty exciting things, really edgy, but someone would need to take a risk. That’s what changes history!
Q. Your latest song with NCT is on their new album. What can you share about the song and its making, especially since NCT is such a diverse group?
JG: This song, “New Axis,” was a personal favorite of mine. It has proved to be worthy of becoming a single. I am so proud of this song from top to bottom. This is the risk that I’m talking about!
The blend of theater, hip-hop, and R&B takes this song to another level. I am proud to be a part of such an epic album and even more excited that this song was the staple intro to the album that introduced a slew of friends that are producers and songwriters that I love! One in particular [is Timothy “Bos” Bullock] going crazy with the song “OK!” I love NCT because they’re not scared to take risks and are willing to go far and beyond to search for that new sound. They seem to be so free creatively and that will set them apart. True trendsetters.
Q. I know you have consistently released your own music as an artist as well. What can you tell us about your latest single “Cali Breeze,” and what can fans expect from you down the road?
JG: This song I feel captures the true essence of me! I feel like I finally found my sound. It has been so hard for me to pick which song to release next. I have so many, but this one truly stuck out with the mixture of hip-hop and R&B, and the way that I was able to effortlessly create this record signifies I am truly stepping into who I am as an artist!
“Cali Breeze” signifies freedom of love for your significant other and gives reassurance to let your partner know that you will do anything for them at the highest level with a little flex [laughs].
Q. I have seen your freestyle Instagram lives. What’s your favorite thing about making music as an artist?
JG: My favorite thing about making music as an artist is the freedom of expression. I believe music is my way of releasing my thoughts/feelings/emotions and could be a great way to heal the listener and let them know that they are not the only one that is going through it or has been through a particular scenario. So, in essence, music as my therapy.
Q. Is the creative process different when you are working on your own music versus when you are writing for a K-Pop group?
JG: I don’t believe the creative process is different any more. Music today is blended. I believe music is a universal language, so in essence, we are all just getting our message across.
Q. What are some Korean songs you are vibing to these days?
JG: The new ones that I’m creating as we speak. Hint hint, stay connected and follow me on all social platforms @jayrahgibson!! So many great collaborations on the way!
Q. What has been your favorite memory while working in the K-Pop industry?
JG: Knowing that I believed in something that no one believed in for years, and now seeing how big it is. [It is] growing so fast. As well as traveling to Korea and enjoying the food, people, and culture while working with great groups and labels that actually support me as an artist as well as a producer [and] songwriter, while genuinely becoming my friend and allowing me to grow respectfully without the internal politics.