Jay A speaks of his fast rise in the music scene

He got an invite to perform in the new year celebrations at a private function in The Comoros Islands, despite the fact that his name is still fresh in the industry.

There is no doubt that only one and a half years since he stormed into the music industry, Juma Ali, alias Jay A is making a name for himself, having recorded twelve songs and seven videos.

His hit, 'Dumbala' continues to garner positive reviews and it seems the song is living up to the intention to which it was composed.

"The inspiration behind the track was to talk of my quick success, despite being a rookie on the scene" he adds.

According to Jay A, the chorus of the song was created along with friends during recording, where at the end of his lines they would shout Dumbala! Dumbala! Dumbala! Eh! Eh! Eh, a sound that somehow became unique.

"So when we were looking for a good name for the song it became the obvious choice," he adds.

Perhaps it is this excitement that saw his music played in well established music stations in Africa such as Chanel O and MTV Base, six months after his entry into the music scene, and in the process caught the eye of some established names in the Kenyan music scene.

"I have featured in a number of songs including Dj Nruff's 'Doing it Right', rapper STL's Stella Stella Stella, and Octopizo's remix 'Bila Mike'," he says.

According to Jay A every song he composes has a meaning. For instance, "Get Money", a hit he released a few weeks ago is meant to challenge negative critics, as well as stamp his authority as a force to reckon with in the Kenyan Hip Hop scene.

"I composed 'Clap yo Hands' to celebrate my entry into the music industry and to acknowledge and appreciate that despite starting from the bottom, I had the capacity to climb up the ladder fast," he adds.

On the Other hand, "Take Notes" was meant to place his critics as he puts it, "in their right place" saying they needed to take note of the new sheriff in town.

Some of his other songs include "Gello" and "Pledge My Love", which he sang in collaboration with Antoneosoul and "Ligi Soo", a hit that featured him together with some well established names in the music scene in the country.

Meanwhile, Jay A is doing his best to complete his debut album, which he is confident will do well because all its singles are hits.

He says his secret to quick success in music scene is to be a strategist.

"You have to know how and when to release your music so that you as an artiste can also benefit," he says.

He also insists on the importance of a musician to have a management team that will ensure your work is well marketed.