Out artist Jaime Adrian claps back at the negative nellies who keep trying to quash his spirit in In “Lollipop,” the first single release from his upcoming album.
“Growing up, I was constantly told I wasn’t good enough,” he laments. “That I would never succeed in the music industry because I was too girly or too loud or I wasn’t as good as so-and-so artist playing on the radio. I’ve come to learn that no matter what I say or do, someone is always going to hate. This track is about shoving my lollipop in their face and shutting them up once and for all.”
With its dark Latin/reggaeton pop beat, “Lollipop” has a different energy and vibe then Jaime Adrian’s previous records. It’s sexy and in your face. “It’s a different kind of anthem that it is meant to make everyone wanna go right up to their bully and snap their fingers and sway their hips,” he says.
Jaime Adrian was born on the east side of Chicago. His mother raised him and his little brother and sister on her own. It was a Mexican and very Catholic neighborhood and kids made often fun of Jaime for being different. They called his love of singing “not something a real man would do” and for years, they managed to silence his voice.
Until The X Factor came calling. Jaime Adrian flew to Kansas City and was the first person in line for the season two auditions of the televised competition show. He arrived with a blue mohawk, claiming to be the male Britney Spears. A few weeks after performing for the preliminary judges, he learned he had made it to the live show auditions! “When I got to the arena, I was told by a producer to speak only to Britney and serenade her with one of her own songs.” Listening to the producer’s advice would prove to be his first blunder.
His anxiety was through the roof. Jaime recalls meeting Britney, Britney asking him a few questions, him gushing of how she was his biggest idol, Britney looking confused and then him breaking into one of her signature songs that was way out of his vocal register.
L.A. Reid called Jaime’s performance horrible karaoke. Music manager Louis Walsh questioned why he would dare insult Britney by obliterating one of her songs. Demi Lovato was the only judge to come to Jaime’s defense, telling Jaime that he was a good singer but that it was the wrong song for his voice, which he knew, but had only attempted because the show’s producer told him he had to.
“I learned that day that competition shows like The X Factor aren’t interested in making my dreams come true, they’re about making good TV for viewers.” He realized that he had been tricked by the producer into making a fool of myself for a funny soundbite.
He spent the rest of the day crying in his hotel room from embarrassment. He stopped singing after that. “Once again, I allowed bullies to silence my voice.”
It wasn’t until 2020 when he moved back to Chicago, met producer Velvet Code, and signed with the music label, So Fierce Music, that Jaime began to find his voice again. “With Velvet’s help, I have been able to discover the kind of artist I want to and can be. I’ve become comfortable with who I am and what I have to offer.”
Today, he draws inspiration from Euro Pop, the infectious rhythms of Latin Pop, and the nostalgia of 2000’s Pop. He’s released several singles, including “What Were You Drinking”, “Feed My Ego”, “Beautiful Life”, and “Belong”.
He’s not trying to be the next Britney or the next anyone anymore. He’s taking the quirks that people have always found weird and different and amplifying them because they are what make him special.
“I know that a lot of my audience can relate with ‘Lollipop’ and my hope is that it’s catchy and upbeat sound will inspire them out of any funk. No one is alone. We’re in this together. And anyone who thinks they can silence us can suck it.”
Jaime Adrian’s “Lollipop” is being distributed by So Fierce Music/The Orchard/Sony Music Entertainment and is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and all digital platforms.
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