JMSN

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JMSN
Berishaj at the 2017 Treefort Music Fest
Berishaj at the 2017 Treefort Music Fest
Background information
Birth nameChristian Berishaj
Also known as
  • Christian TV
  • Snowhite
  • Pearl
BornDallas, Texas, United States
OriginEastpointe, Michigan, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • bass guitar
  • violin
  • drums[1]
Years active2005–present
LabelsWhite Room Records
Associated actsAb-Soul
Websiteiamjmsn.com

Christian Berishaj, better known by his stage name JMSN (pronounced Jameson), is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, as well as a multi-instrumentalist, music engineer, and mixer, from Eastpointe, Michigan. JMSN's debut album, Priscilla, was released in 2012; he wrote and produced the album by himself, and directed the music videos accompanying its release.

Life and career[]

Berishaj was born in Dallas, Texas, to Albanian immigrant parents and raised in Eastpointe, Michigan. He began playing guitar in fourth grade and started working on Pro Tools at the age of twelve.

2004–2011[]

Christian learned how to play other instruments and began holding neighborhood garage performances with his band, Snowhite, formed with three other members.[1] He attended South Lake High School in St. Clair Shores.[1] Eventually, he began mailing demos and performance videos to record labels, with his mother cold calling A&R representatives.[1][2] By eighteen, Christian had written and recorded a whole album, Love Arcade, on which he plays all the instruments.[2] He secured a recording contract with Atlantic Records, after turning down an offer from Sony Records, with his band in 2005.[3][2][4][5] His demos had impressed David Wimmer and Leslie Dweck of Atlantic, who were taken by Christian's drive and ambition.[1] Love Arcade was released in 2006 with the band credited as Love Arcade, the other members served as the touring band only, not performing on the record.[2] He was known as Snowhite while in the group. After three years together, the band broke up.[5]

Christian left Detroit for Los Angeles. He began working on his solo debut with The Summer Obsession.[4] His song, "1, 2, 3, Turn Around" was featured in the 2009 film, Fired Up. He used the money earned from the licensing to fund a music video for the song "When She Turns 18", which resulted in him signing to Universal Motown Records as Christian TV in January 2010.[5][6] On July 29, 2010 Christian TV made his network television debut, performing "When She Turns 18" live on So You Think You Can Dance.[4] In October, Christian released his first mixtape entitled "Who the F*ck Is Christian TV" for free. During this time he also went on tour supporting Pete Wentz and his new band Black Cards in the UK. Christian began working on his debut album, Diary of an 80's Baby with production by Kevin Rudolf, No I.D., and Christian himself. He also co-wrote a song for Japanese pop singer, Hitomi's album Spirit. Universal Motown was later shut down and he did not appear on the rosters of the resulting Universal Republic Records or Motown Records.[7]

2012–2015[]

JMSN in 2012

After leaving his label, Christian started his own White Room Records and adopted the moniker, JMSN.[8] He released his debut album, Priscilla on January 11, 2012. Christian wrote and produced the R&B album, straying from his pop-rock/electropop roots. In the album, he pursues darker emotional themes over melancholic melodies and beats that The Guardian described as "spaced out" and compared to The Weeknd.[9][10] Self-directed videos for "Alone", "Hotel" and "Something" were released to accompany the album's release, while a video for "Girl I Used to Know" was released under his previous stage name.[11] In April, R&B singer Usher told music magazine NME that JMSN was his "favorite new act".[12]

In August 2012, Christian produced "Nibiru" for West Coast rapper Ab-Soul. Subsequently, in October of the same year, Christian announced that he and the rapper would be releasing a collaborative project together.[13] The lead single for Ab-Soul and JMSN's collaborative album, Unit 6,[14] titled "You're Gone", features vocals from both artists, as well as production from Christian.[15] Recently, Unit 6 was revealed to be shelved due to business disagreements which may or may not make the light of day.

After the success of Priscilla, Christian (as JMSN) released his album Pllaje, on November 5, 2013. This garnered him more acclaim in the community, and he gained recognition in the music industry. Christian began collaborating with other artists, like J. Cole and The Game, while releasing Pllaje's visuals through his YouTube channel for: "Love Myself", "The One" and "Thing U Miss". In 2013, his North American tour took him to over 20 cities where he both opened and headlined the shows.

On December 9, 2014 Christian released his second album The Blue Album. In 2015, he toured to promote the album.

2016–present[]

On March 1, 2016, Christian released a soulful and jazzy single, "Cruel Intentions".[16] The release of this song was followed by the singles: "Most of All",[17] "Hypnotized,"[18] and a Snoh Aalegra remix of "Cruel Intentions".[19] The first three songs were included on JMSN's third album, It Is. which was released on May 6, 2016.[20]

In August 2016, Christian revealed that he is the elusive artist Pearl, shortly after dropping Pearl's new album, Closer. In a handwritten letter posted to his social media, he wrote, "I started Pearl to have another creative outlet besides JMSN. White Room Records is about freedom. Be what you want to be."

On April 28, 2017, JMSN released the album Whatever Makes U Happy on White Room Records.

On September 21, 2018, JMSN released the album Velvet on White Room Records.

Artistry[]

Berishaj has cited Whitney Houston, Prince, Phil Collins, Fiona Apple, Radiohead, Hatiras, and Boys Noize as influences on his music.[3][21]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Heatseekers

[22]
†Priscilla†
  • Released: January 11, 2012
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
JMSN (Blue Album)
  • Released: December 9, 2014
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
18
It Is.
  • Released: May 6, 2016
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
20
Whatever Makes U Happy
  • Released: April 28, 2017
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
Velvet
  • Released: September 21, 2018
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
Heals Me
  • Released: September 3, 2021
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

EPs[]

List of extended-plays
Title Album details
Live at Red Bull Studios EP
  • Released: May 14, 2013
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: Digital download
†Pllajë†
  • Released: November 5, 2013
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
Love & Pain EP
  • Released: August 27, 2013
  • Label: White Room Records
  • Format: Digital download

Singles[]

As lead artist[]

List of singles as lead artist, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Alone"[23] 2011 †Priscilla†
"Love & Pain" 2012
"You're Gone"[14]
(with Ab-Soul)
2013 Unit 6
"Walk Away"[24] †Pllajë†
"Cruel Intentions"[25] 2016 It Is.
"Most of All"[17]
"Hypnotized"[18]
"Drinkin'"[26] 2017 Whatever Makes U Happy

As a featured artist[]

List of featuring singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Make You Stay"
(Kastle featuring JMSN)[27]
2013 Kastle
"Daydreams"
(Sadistik x Kno featuring JMSN)[28]
2015 Phantom Limbs

Guest appearances[]

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" 2012 Kendrick Lamar Good Kid, M.A.A.D City
"The Art of Peer Pressure"
"Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst"
"Real"
"Pray"[29] Game, J. Cole Jesus Piece
"Make It Last" 2013 Ta-Ku Make It Last
"All We Do" Kaytranada Kaytra Todo
"Late" Beat Culture Forgive
"Drive Fast, Live Young" Tyga Hotel California
"Death From Above" Kastle Kastle
"Separate"[30] Deniro Farrar The Patriarch II
"Affection" Sango North
"Slo Swerve" 14KT, Buff1 Nickel & Dimed
"IV" Blue Sky Black Death Glaciers
"W.R.O.H." 2014 Ab-Soul These Days...
"Worry" 2015 Evil Needle Reminisce
"My Own" 2016 Domo Genesis GENESiS
"I Believe" 2017 Ro Spit, 14KT RSXGLD
"True" Ro Spit, 14KT, Royce da 5'9", DJ Assault

Videography[]

Music videos[]

Year Video Director
2009 "Drop Dead Gorgeous Jaimie" Christian TV
2010 "When She Turns 18" Original David Yarovesky and Christian TV
"When She Turns 18" Ethan Lader
"Let's Just F*ck" Christian TV
2011 "Love2Baby"
"Girl I Used To Know"
"Hotel" JMSN[31]
"Alone"
2012 "Something" JMSN
"Fallin" JMSN / Kenneth Brown
"Let U Go" / Priscilla Trilogy David Yarovesky
"Jameson" Green Glow Films
2014 "The One" JMSN[32]
"Thing U Miss"

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Smith, Brian. "Music: Teenarama". Metro Times. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Apar, Corey. "Love Arcade". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b [1] Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c ":: arjanwrites music blog ::: Free MP3 Download: Christian TV "When She Turns 18"". Arjanwrites.com. August 14, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c [2] Archived March 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Labrecque, Jeff (May 14, 2010). "New artist Christian TV's 'When She Turns 18': Could this be a summer smash? | The Music Mix | EW.com". Music-mix.ew.com. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  7. ^ "Ethiopia Habtemariam Named Senior Vice President of Motown Records". Billboard.biz. August 10, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  8. ^ "Who's That Girl? | Life + Times". Lifeandtimes.com. March 14, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  9. ^ TSSCrew (February 16, 2012). "JMSN Priscilla Album Review | The Smoking Section". Smokingsection.uproxx.com. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  10. ^ Tim Jonze (February 18, 2012). "Tim Jonze On Shuffle … R&B | Music". London: The Guardian. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  11. ^ "::: Off the Radar :::: Christian TV :: Girl I Used to Know". Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  12. ^ "Usher Says JMSN Is His Favourite New Act". Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  13. ^ "Ab-Soul and JMSN Working on Collaborative EP". Music News. SoulCulture. October 22, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b ""You're Gone" – Single by Ab-Soul & JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  15. ^ "Ab-Soul – & JMSN – "You're Gone"". 2DopeBoyz. January 21, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  16. ^ "JMSN Shares Moving New Single, "Cruel Intentions"". Hypetrak. HP Cheung. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b ""Most of All" – Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b ""Hypnotized" – Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  19. ^ "Cruel Intentions (Remix) [feat. Snoh Aalegra] – Single by JMSN on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  20. ^ "It Is. by JMSN on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  21. ^ "JMSN is Pushing R&B Forward by Returning to its Roots, Pigeons & Planes Update". YouTube. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  22. ^ "JMSN Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  23. ^ ""Alone" – Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  24. ^ ""Walk Away" – Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  25. ^ ""Cruel Intentions" – Single by JMSN". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  26. ^ "Drinkin' – Single by JMSN on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  27. ^ ""Make You Stay (feat. JMSN)" – Single by Kastle". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  28. ^ "Phantom Limbs | Dirty Decibel Records". Bandcamp. Bandcamp. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  29. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (November 17, 2012). "Game "Jesus Piece" Tracklist & Cover Art". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  30. ^ "Deniro Farrar featuring JMSN – Separate (Produced by Ryan Hemsworth)". HYPETRAK. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  31. ^ "JMSN – Alone". YouTube. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  32. ^ "JMSN – The One". YouTube. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
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