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| Jason Derulo |
Many times we find very interesting persons, stories or
events very near our own domiciles. Such is the case for me here in South
Florida, where many speak somewhat negatively about the local music scene. I
have heard much about the lack of live music venues, or lack of opportunities
for artists of one particular genre or another. Nevertheless, there are many
stories of artists who have worked hard to become well known musical stars. There
are even more interesting stories of musicians who perform for the love of the
art, as well as a small appreciative audience. Although Weekly Music Commentary
has featured musicians from every corner of the world, I always look forward to
the story about the artist from right in my own backyard. This week I am happy
to feature the very talented singer/songwriter/dancer from right here in Miami,
Jason Derulo.
Since the start of his career as a solo recording artist in
2009, Derulo has sold over 50 million singles and has achieved ten career
platinum singles, including "Wiggle", "Talk Dirty",
"In My Head", and "Whatcha Say". Even though Jason Derulo
has yet to celebrate his twenty-sixth birthday, his list of career
accomplishments are extremely long. It appears as if he has been in the music
business for over twenty years. Perhaps it is because he got an early start.
After attending performing arts schools, such as The
American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and honing his talents as a singer and
dancer, as well as acting in theatre productions like "Ragtime" and "Smokey Joe's
Cafe", Derulo won the grand prize on the 2006 season finale of the TV show
Showtime at the Apollo. Derulo was discovered by music producer J. R. Rotem,
who signed him to his record label Beluga Heights Records and Warner Bros.
Records. Derulo got his start in the music business writing songs for artists
including Diddy, Grant Goan, Danity Kane, Donnie Klang, Sean Kingston, Cassie
and Lil Wayne, intent on becoming a solo performer.
One of the things most people close to Derulo find
interesting is his work ethic. Most successful artists work extremely hard to
produce the best music possible. However, Jason Derulo stands out even among
other hard working musicians. In a HitQuarters interview, J.R. Rotem
highlighted Derulo's dedication to his art by saying, "Jason Derulo has
one of the most impressive work ethics I've ever come across – he just keeps
knocking out songs in the studio. That's an amazing quality." Jason Joel
Desrouleaux, better known by his stage name Jason Derulo (an alternate spelling
of his name which shares the same pronunciation) was born on September 21, 1989
in Miami, Florida, to Haitian parents. More than likely his humble beginnings
within his hardworking Haitian-American family and community helped to shape
his work ethic, and possibly drove him not to take anything for granted. Like
most of us, our childhood environment does mold us into what we become in adulthood.
Therefore, Derulo’s early surroundings most definitely fostered his outlook on
music and life in general.
However, there was one life changing event that may have
forever influenced every aspect of Derulo’s activities. After several
successful years in the music industry, on January 2012 Jason Derulo was
rehearsing a back flip when he fell and broke his neck. "The odds are
crazy. I was either supposed to be paralyzed or not here at all," he told Nightline. "It was a crazy break, freak accident. I'm blessed
to even be able to sit here, let alone get on stage and still dance. It's
totally a miracle." As Derulo discussed the details of the accident,
interestingly at the very moment it happened, his first thought was not to let
his mother know the pain he was experiencing. Somehow he was able to actually
get up and walk to the car as his mother drove to the hospital, realizing he
was in need of medical attention. "I'm in excruciating pain," he
recalls feeling at the time. "Every single bump feels like death." At
the time of the accident Derulo was rehearsing for his Future History Tour. The official diagnosis was that he broke one of his vertebrae. As a result, he canceled all
of his tour dates. He would need a neck brace for seven months.
The accident certainly changed Jason Derulo’s outlook on
life. "Life is short. All those cliché lines that you've heard a million
times go in one ear and out the other, it became my reality," he said.
"I truly live my life like that. I don't like to stay upset anymore. I
don't like to be in places that don't make me feel good. I don't like doing
things that don't make me feel good. It's like, every second counts and I could
be gone tomorrow." His accident, he said, helped him grow as a musician as
well. "I almost wasn't here anymore. It was like, I got to be me. It was a
revelation," he said. "I got to be me and I got to do me. It
worked."
Although the accident was very serious, Derulo made a quick
physical recovery and was back on stage and recording with a new purpose. On
June 2, 2015 Derulo released his fourth studio album, Everything is 4. I have
been listening to the album for several weeks and enjoyed the collection of
Dance, Pop and R&B music developed by the young artist. Derulo is taking
more creative control, and at this point in his career he should. Hopefully a
new outlook will lead to much more musical success.
* photo by Brian Bowen Smith
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