Iyaz hit the scene nice and sweet with his smash hit "Replay" in 2009 when the singer was only 22 years old. Discovered by Sean Kingston via his MySpace page and Caribbean hit "Island Girls," the British Virgin Islander joined the ranks of a growing legion of island pop stars.
Keidran Jones got his stage name from his godfather; it means "the boss." A multitalented dude, he's also appeared on Hannah Montana and in the film 21 Coconuts. This Saturday, he'll be in town to perform alongside Flo Rida, Sean Kingston, Asher Roth, Melanie Fiona, Ray J, Shontelle, Mann, DJ Cassidy, and DJ Affect to help raise awareness with Think Pink Rocks concert at Mizner Park. We caught up with the singer to talk about breast cancer, Rhode Island versus BVI, and the feeling of success.
You're performing at the Think Pink Rock Concert. I wanted to know if you'd had any personal experiences with breast cancer in your life.
Yes, I had an aunt who had breast cancer. She died a few years ago, so any chance I get to go out there and do shows or raise awareness, I try to be a part of it.
"Replay" was a big hit. How has success been for you, overwhelming or awesome?
It's been a crazy ride. Coming from a small island that I came from to top of the world, going to all places, meeting people... I wouldn't say it's been overwhelming. I welcome it. Gotta love it.
You're from the British Virgin Islands; when did you move to the States?
I moved to the States in 2005.
You went to school in Rhode Island. What was that like moving up there?
It was cool. I didn't just go there from the islands. I went to further my education, and I studied video and recording arts. But college life in the States is different completely to the islands, though. A total experience. I live in Orlando now.
Are you a fan of Florida because it's close to home, reminds you of home?
Definitely reminds me of home. You still got the ocean, you still got the palm trees.
How would you describe your sound? I've read "island pop."
It's a mixture of reggae, R&B, rap, calypso, all of that in one. In all of my music overall, you'll hear a variety of type of music that I do. On the album, you might here more commercial island pop, might hear me rapping, might hear me doing an island chant. My music is island pop; it's a mixture of all the cultures that I know, R&B to rap to reggae, all in one.
What kind of music did you listen to growing up?
A lot of Bob Marley, a lot of reggae. My mom listened to a lot of gospel too, so that music most impacted me the majority of time. Music that's very positive, mostly about love. Music heals.
Iyaz. With Sean Kingston, Flo Rida, Ray J, Melanie Fiona, Shontelle, Asher Roth, DJ Cassidy, Mann, Brett Loewenstern, Jake Miller, and DJ Affect. 7 p.m. Saturday, November 5, at Count de Hoernle Amphitheater at the
Iyaz. With Sean Kingston, Flo Rida, Ray J, Melanie Fiona, Shontelle, Asher Roth, DJ Cassidy, Mann, Brett Loewenstern, Jake Miller, and DJ Affect. 7 p.m. Saturday, November 5, at Count de Hoernle Amphitheater at the
Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park, Boca Raton. Tickets cost $25 to $50;
all ages. Click here.
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