Interview By Adeniyi Omisore | Posted On: 11/02/08
Creating a hot song means understanding what people want to listen to, while combining instruments, lyrics and a voice that touch fans and creates mass following. Jordy Writes, a former A&R turned songwriter, vies on capturing fan's ears and hearts with touching lyrics. Six months into is his writing career, Jordy scored his first songwriting placement with former Bad Boy crooner Carl Thomas. Now adding to his list, Jordy have written for One Chance, Omarion, Brandon Hines, Brandon Beal and others. In our interview with Jordy we discuss how creativity and business mix as well as T-Pain and Auto-Tunes.
Singersroom: Initially you started your career as an A&R for a management company that had an artist signed with Bad Boy, right?
Jordy Writes: Yea exactly. It was a management label called Go Gettaz Entertainment and we managed an artist who was signed to Bad Boy at the time….So I would go in the studio of course being an A&R and be a part of all the creative process. I would give my ideas on hooks, melodies and stuff like that and it became natural. So when myself and the company split ways, I was sitting at home with tracks and I happen to be playing the tracks and I tried [to write] something over it. I let a friend of mine who happens to be a really good singer listen and he actually encouraged me to pursue songwriting.
Singersroom: Coming from the A&R side of the business, did that help you transform into a creative writer?
Jordy Writes: Definitely. I guess you can say an A&R is the alchemist, the person that brings in both sides of the spectrum in music. The music business is still a business and of course the A&R takes care of shopping for tracks, gives a hand in artist development and is there throughout the whole creative process. What sucks is that A&R’s today don’t know really what they are doing; not all of them but some of them happen to be somebody’s cousin or whatever and they get into this position and don’t know what they are doing.
Singersroom: Since you came from the A&R role does that effect how you approach writing a song, do you always think this song going to be good for the masses?
Jordy Writes: It is always important to know that your stuff can compete with what is out there. Coming from a A&R background to being an actual songwriter, I think it is important to know what is gonna work and what is not going to work. I think like that all the time
Singersroom: With songs like Solange’s “F**k The Industry,” do you think the music industry force people in pigeon holes about what people can write about. Do they allow people to be creative?
Jordy Writes: When a songwriter is tied to a certain situation they might run into an A&R that wants another “So Sick” because “So Sick” might have been popping at the time. It’s kind of hard because it’s like they are comparing you to what somebody else does and you’re like I don’t do that. You always run into somebody who is trying to make you what you are not and tell you that you are only as good as your last hit.
Singersroom: Are there certain words that you censor yourself from using?
Jordy Writes: Some people curse I don’t knock it but it’s just not me, I don’t do that. I refrain from using ni**a or writing b***h or anything like that in my lyrics. I definitely don’t like to do that at all, I definitely don’t like to go the negative route.
Singersroom: Who was the first major artist you wrote for?
Jordy Writes: Carl Thomas is actually the first song that I ever had a major artist record. I had gotten to do the song from what he heard on my voicemail; I had a Nextel i930. I went to his house in Jersey and I happen to play the song off my phone, he was like “hey man that is you right there” and I was like yea. He was like “you got the track, let’s go downstairs and cut it.” That was like the happiest day of my life because his “Emotional” record was like a classic to me. To meet up with him, that was like a dream come true and I was only six months into writing songs.
Singersroom: How do you feel about the use of Auto-Tunes with singers like T-Pain and others?
Jordy Writes: The older generation of songwriters views it as a plague but I think if you do it with measure, that makes everything sound new. Sonically every singer needs Auto-Tune but not in a way T-Pain uses it, where they turn it up all the way but it just adds to your vocals. It is not really about people that can’t sing because I know real singers that use Auto-Tune. An expert engineer will tell you that Auto-Tune makes everything sound more modern.
Singersroom: Do you think it is inefficiency in a song because it is gives it an organic feel?
Jordy Writes: You mean as far as Auto-Tune goes. I think it is important whether you use Auto-Tune or not to capture emotion. I honestly don’t care if you use Auto-Tune or if you do but if you capture the emotion of the song I don’t care what it is, I think that’s the most important aspect. If you yourself as artist or songwriter become an actor and learn how to act the part of the song and you portray it and everything sounds as it is suppose to sound I honestly don’t care if there is Auto-Tune on it.
Singersroom: Why do you love R&B?
Jordy Writes: It is like the morning sun for me. R&B is my first love, I went through a phase where all I did was listen to hip hop but there is something about the way somebody can sing a difference into your heart.
hey its the gurl who sang for you @ milford post mall!!!
INSPIRING ARTYCLE FOR THOSE OF US THAT ARE SOON TO GRACE THE SCENE WITH THE TLENTS THAT WE'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH
Great interview and I agree with everything that was said, music is definitely lacking emotion.
Looking fwd to hearing this songwriters stuff mainstream
Great Interview! This reminds me of th3 coNvo I had with you & SteffNasty @ Jayms' Bday party.. You haV3 th3 right Idea..Now its tiM3 for th3 worLd to Hear &Feel it!
keep do st.louis so st.louis i see you with them shoe
I'm proud of you mongoose!
=]
there's always that "one person" that keeps going, after the rest have quit.
..and that person may not know it, but they can inspire the next "one person", whether it be, the girl in the class who is just waiting for a chance, or the guy on the train whose phone happened to ring at the right time.
So thanks for being that "one person",because thats all it takes to make a difference (:
There is only one thing to say, I'm proud of you jay!
There is only one thing to say, Jay I'm proud of you!
Reading this interview was so refreshing and flowed very well from both sides; questions and answers. Jordy you have certainly blossomed well and are heading in your annointed path of greatness rather fast. From day one of us sharing time and constructively working to conquer all goals I knew how vast your upside potential was and to this day look at your development in awe (but not suprised). It is a pleasure being your manager and sharing the same vision with you!!!! UNO
all i have to say is that this dude is the future,and will love to c this man take over the game. i will be witnessing it!much luve and respect my boi,ayo obama 08!new age, new beginning.
GOOO JW!! W UR PUNK ASS!!! I STILL THINK UR COOL THO!!!!! PUT URSELF ON THE MAP BRO!!!
my big brother doing it the way he should. we taking over baby
Respect the Grind! Keep Doiin wat u do! u goin' take it 2 the TOP!
Awesome interview!
myspace.com/theworldismygift
Amazing story. Proof that someone can build himself up with hard work and willingness not to quit.
wow!! that is cool!! I always wanted to be a songwriter...Thanks for the motivation!
New up-and-coming songwriter who is articulate, driven, focused, and bright. Seems to know what the audience is looking for in a hit song and what is needed in order to connect and deliver. Also seems to have comprehensive knowledge of the business side of the industry... definitely going places. Looking forward to hearing some of his work... hotness!
It's good to know somebody as brilliant as me , LOL , man you're awesome