The Many Lives and Layers of Jay B
Photo: mauve company
Jay B, born Lim Jaebeom in Siheung, South Korea, is an artist who will never be boxed in. Most fans first met Jay B as the smooth but grounded leader of GOT7, but his story started long before the K-Pop fame. Back then, he was a b-boy called Defsoul, just a kid who fell in love with music after watching g.o.d. perform. That spark eventually led him to a JYP Entertainment audition in 2009, setting the stage for everything that followed.
JJ Project and GOT7
Before leading a global group, Jay B debuted in 2012 with Jinyoung as JJ Project. Their early single Bounce was loud, fresh, and full of energy. It was very much a sign of the times.
He also took a swing at acting in dramas like Dream High 2, but the big turning point came in 2014 when he officially debuted as the leader of GOT7. Over the years, he wasn’t just another idol. He helped write and compose a ton of the group’s music under the name Def., and fans could always feel that his creative voice was woven into the group's DNA.
The Beginning of Jay B’s Solo Endeavors
Things shifted in 2021 when GOT7 parted ways with JYP, but Jay B didn’t slow down. That same year, he launched his solo career under H1GHR Music with “Switch It Up,” a laid-back but hypnotic R&B track featuring sokodomo. It was smooth, sultry, and a world apart from what most people had heard from him before. That single charted well, but more importantly, it showed who he really was as an artist: someone rooted in R&B, confident in vulnerability, and ready to experiment.
Not long after, he dropped SOMO: FUME, a mini-album that built on that sound. Tracks like “B.T.W” with Jay Park and “AM PM” with Wheein gave fans a mix of sexy vibes and late-night energy. The project felt cohesive, like a diary set to rhythm, and it let people see a more mature, chill side of him. His visuals, vocals, and songwriting all leaned into a grown, refined vibe that matched where he was in life.
In 2022, Jay B followed up with Be Yourself, a project that shifted gears and embraced a more playful, uplifting tone. The lead single “go UP” was bright and energetic, and while it still carried that R&B core, it felt like he was letting himself have fun. If he’s feeling grounded, the music reflects that. If he’s feeling free, the energy comes through.
Then came Archive 1: [Road Runner] in 2024, his first full-length solo album. This one hit different. With the lead single “Crash,” he dug deeper emotionally and sonically. The whole album carried a layered, cinematic feel, showing his growth not just as a performer but as a storyteller. There were songs about longing, love, self-reflection, and movement. It wasn’t a flashy rollout or filled with radio hits, but it was personal, cohesive, and intentional.
Staying True to His Underground Roots
Throughout all of this, Jay B never abandoned his underground roots. Under the name Def., he’s continued to put out lo-fi, experimental music that leans more into jazz, alt-R&B, and abstract sounds. These releases are often posted directly to SoundCloud or packaged in limited drops. They aren’t for the charts… they’re for the people who want to get inside his head. And for Jay B, that kind of creative freedom seems just as valuable as any award or record sale.
Jay B has always had a chill, confident presence, but as a soloist, there’s a new layer of depth. He’s building a sound world that reflects who he is and who he’s still becoming. Whether it’s under Jay B or Def., the music feels intentional. It’s clear he’s in a place where he calls the shots, and fans get to witness an artist creating from a space of honesty, maturity, and soul.
Check Out These Tracks
“nostalgia”
“Cloud Nine”
“Make Me Right”
“Holyday”
“Break It Down (feat. SIK-K)”