Name: Jorday

Where He’s From: Holland via Nottingham

When He Started: 2018

Genre: R&B

File Next To: A2, KeepVibesNear, SNE

Sounds Like: “I would define my sound as a mix of R&B and pop, with catchy melodies and relatable lyrics. I want my music to have an energetic vibe that gets people moving, while also adding cultural touches. My sound aims to help through day-to-day struggles and create moments of letting go, whether it’s in the living room, during car rides, or in a set from a DJ. It’s all about creating a connection with my supporters and making them feel something.”

First Music That Inspired Him: “My early influence was definitely Michael Jackson; the whole house loved him at the time. I would perform his songs at family parties when I was around 5 or 6, and everyone would circle around me. The song that really made me want to make music was ‘Yo (Excuse Me Miss)’ by Chris Brown. Growing up in the UK, I was also heavily influenced by artists like Chipmunk and Nines. The success that Tinie Tempah and Tinchy Stryder had on the UK charts during my secondary school years was also motivating, seeing as they were from the ends. It made me feel that everything was attainable.”

Music was always going to be in Jorday’s future. Born in Holland and raised in Nottingham, the singer-songwriter’s childhood was built on the bedrock of his father’s record collection. But his father wasn’t just an enthusiast—he was embedded in the Congolese music scene, even name-checked on records by local heroes like Koffi Olomide and JB. Mixed in with that was an eclectic patchwork of R&B and hip-hop from his older brother and his mum’s love all things Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige and Aaliyah. Tying it all together was the round-the-clock presence of MTV. With music such an unavoidable presence, he could never have done anything else.

Jorday first started releasing music in 2018—beginning with debut “Luv U Back”—but at the turn of the 2020s, for obvious reasons, there was a pause. That turned out to be a blessing for Jorday, who used the opportunity to recalibrate and formulate a long-term strategy. He came out the gates strong in 2022, but it was this year that he really took flight. “Vibe” and “Slide” got him off to a strong start and seemingly earned him a spot on the bill for Young T & Bugsey’s Nottingham date. It was a crowded line-up, but the general consensus pegged Jorday as a standout. There have been whispers of an EP, but sagely Jorday has kept his focus on laying the groundwork just right.

Not wanting to put a foot wrong, the rising star looks to modern-day titans and the long-term strategies they’ve carved out. He name-checks Drake first and foremost, not just as an example of how to blend rap and R&B influences, but he says, the way Aubrey creates “relatable narratives that connect with a wide audience, and that’s something I strive for in my own music.”

Now clocking seven figures on streaming platforms, the EP comes next. He’s cautious about revealing too much, but he assures it will be here sooner rather than later. Not only that, but a headline show is also in the works. “I’m excited to share my music in a more complete form and connect with my supporters in person. It’s a big step forward, and I can’t wait to make it happen.”