Jay Park (박재범) will be bringing his “Serenades & Body Rolls” world tour to Malaysia this weekend, and fans have been eagerly waiting for his return following the success of his “SEXY 4EVA” concert at KL Live back in 2019. The upcoming show will take place this Saturday (14th June) at Zepp KL, and local stars Joe Flizzow and DOLLA will be sharing the stage with the Korean artist.
Before we gear up for a night of live music and high-energy performances, why not learn more about the singer’s latest album, “The One You Wanted”? We had the opportunity to speak with Jay to discuss why it took him some time to release this record, and what stood out most from his last visit to Malaysia. Here’s what he had to say:
1. You grew up on hip-hop and R&B, but was there another particular reason you chose to return to your roots with your latest album, “The One You Wanted”, which is a distinctly R&B-driven project? You worked on this album for several years, even releasing some tracks as early as 2022 before the full album dropped in 2024. Could you explain why the release took so long?
I’ve been telling my fans for years that I’d drop a full R&B album, but life just got busy. Between running my label, launching Won Soju, doing festivals, and being on TV, I kept putting it off. I was so focused on the business side that I didn’t take time to focus on myself as an artist. But R&B has always been the root for me. “The One You Wanted” is me getting back to that space, not for numbers or trends, but because that’s where I feel the most like myself. There’s a certain intimacy and emotion in R&B that I’ve always connected with. I wanted to make something timeless and real. This album is for the fans who’ve been waiting, and for the part of me that’s always loved this sound.
2. You recently released your latest single, “Keep It Sexy (MOMMAE 2)” featuring Jeon Somi. Could you share with us how the collaboration came to be?
Somi’s song “Fast Forward” has a similar tempo and vibe to “Keep It Sexy (MOMMAE 2),” so she immediately came to mind. She’s super charismatic, speaks great English, and I felt like her energy would fit the track perfectly. I reached out, and thankfully, she was down to do it!
3. Apart from Jeon Somi, you collaborated with a number of K-pop artists on this record, including some of the biggest names in the industry. Have you always wanted to work with them? Why were you drawn to these particular idols?
Yes, this album features Ty Dolla $ign, YG, P-Lo, CHUNG HA, IU, HWASA, NATTY, Zion.T, and NINGNING. I’ve released a lot of music across different genres over the years, so I feel comfortable collaborating with a wide range of artists. I always think about what would sound good sonically and feel natural, not forced. Each artist brought something unique to the table, and whether it’s IU, NATTY, Ty Dolla $ign, or YG, the collaborations made sense musically. Plus, the cross-genre, cross-promotional aspect is fun for fans and helps push boundaries in a cool way.
4. Which track from the album is your favourite, or is the most personal to you?
I’d say “Mayday’” is probably my favourite track. It has that West Coast vibe that comes naturally to me, and it’s a style I feel most comfortable with. As for the most personal, I’d choose “Yesterday”. The lyrics really hit home. It’s about wanting to be loved for who you are, not based on changing circumstances. That kind of message feels very real to me, so it’s definitely the most personal track on the album.
5. Were there any challenges you faced while working on the album?
The biggest challenge was how long it took to finally release the album. I’m not just an artist, I run a company, manage employees, mentor trainees I’m producing, and still have to stay active as an artist to support everything. I didn’t really have the luxury of focusing solely on the album. Juggling all those roles and finding the time and headspace to finish the project was definitely the hardest part.
6. Was there a song on the album that didn’t make the cut, and why?
Yes, there were quite a few songs that didn’t make the final cut. I still have a lot of unreleased tracks. One of them, “Around You”, ended up being included as a vinyl-exclusive on “The One You Wanted” LP we just released. There are definitely more songs in the vault, and hopefully, you’ll get to hear them sometime soon.
7. What do you remember most about your last time in Malaysia? Is there a particular place that you’d love to visit again or a dish that you’d love to eat again?
To be honest, I think the last time I was in Malaysia was about six years ago. What I remember most is linking up with JOE FLIZZOW and SONAONE. It’s always good vibes hanging out with them. As for food, anything fried rice-related is always a go-to for me.
8. “The One You Wanted” features 20 tracks and marks your sixth full-length album. What was the process like when putting together the set list for your “Serenades & Body Rolls” tour? How did you select which songs to perform for fans?
It was tough narrowing it down, not gonna lie. The album’s got 20 tracks, and I’ve put out so much music over the years, so I really had to think about what would hit best on stage. For the “Serenades & Body Rolls” tour, I wanted to keep it sexy and smooth, but still fun and high energy. I picked songs that match that R&B vibe, and mixed in a few older ones that the fans always go crazy for.
9. Do you have any pre-performance rituals that you practice before going on stage?
I don’t have any deep rituals or anything, but on show days I usually get a quick workout in, maybe do an ice bath, and I take a lemon, garlic, and ginger shot every morning. That’s pretty much it. Just keep it simple and stay ready.
10. Anything you’d like to say to your Malaysian fans who have been eagerly waiting for your return?
It’s been six years, thank you so much for the continued support! I’m really grateful, and I’ll do my best to put on an unforgettable show. Terima kasih!
