JAZ KARIS: SELF-MADE
The concept of a lucky break is huge in the showbiz industry. Almost all artists attribute their success to one opportunity that made them take off. South London singer-songwriter Jaz Karis' self-starter story is the antidote to the usual stories of fate and destiny combining to make things happen. From the beginning, Karis was interested in music and consumed all possible genres. She also honed her singing skills in the local gospel choir and trained in classical piano at the BRIT School. Rather than finding her lucky break, Karis worked her way up in the UK music industry, and her independent, self-assured vibe is also present in her music.
Karis' debut EP, Into The Wilderness, came out in 2017. Her relatable lyrics, smooth vocals, and emotion conveyed through her music made the EP a considerable success. Her single from the album "Petty Lover" accumulated millions of streams on Spotify and over 13 million views on a live performance on YouTube, showing that her story and voice resonated with people.
While Karis was steadily gaining recognition due to her debut EP, it was in 2020 that she found her creative groove. Stuck inside during the pandemic, Karis' way to keep sane was through her creative outlet. While at home, she wrote, sang, recorded, produced, and engineered her EP called All Eyes on U. This EP was a natural progression in Karis' music journey, but it also saw her take some risks and broaden her musical horizons. This EP was acclaimed within the UK R&B scene. Continuing her journey, Karis released another EP called Dear Jaz in 2022.
Karis' R&B influences have characterized her entire discography, and she successfully emulates the emotion and vocal prowess the genre is known for. In her own words, Karis wants her music to have a calming and positive effect on people, and her work to date achieves that. Her latest venture, Dear Jaz, is also her most personal work, inviting listeners into her story through alluring, powerful vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and groovy beats. Karis has always focused on delivering work that helps her connect with her audience. This meant that storytelling was always a priority in her work. In Dear Jaz, she turns the storytelling up a notch and produces her most vulnerable yet self-assured music.
Karis' work cements her as a rising star in the UK R&B scene, and her skill combined with her work ethic makes her a force to be reckoned with. Despite her incredible technical talent and skill, Karis keeps the listeners and emotional catharsis front and center of her music, helping people resonate with her songs. For her latest EP, Karis wants the listeners to feel as if they're talking to a therapist or a close friend. Karis' musical choices and lyricism come close to achieving that effect, and they also ensure that her music will continue to impact more people every coming day.
