J'Something is drawing inspiration from everyday people for his upcoming song “I AM” after taking to the streets to ask strangers a simple but personal question: “Who are you?”
Image: Facebook/J'Something
South African musician J'Something is turning real-life conversations into inspiration for new music after asking strangers a deeply personal question: “Who are you?”
Taking to Instagram, the singer revealed that he is currently writing a song titled “I AM” and invited fans to help shape the creative process.
He explained that he enjoys creating music rooted in real feelings and experiences and admitted that the question “Who are you?” has always challenged him.
“I’m writing a song called ‘I AM’… And I’d really love your help on this one,” he wrote. “I love writing music. Especially music that allows me to pour real feelings and real experiences into a song.”
Posted alongside the message was a video showing J’Something walking through the streets and approaching strangers from different backgrounds to ask them who they are.
The responses were varied and personal. Some answered by describing their careers, while others focused on their identities and relationships.
“I’m a creative.”
“I’m a spiritual woman.”
“I’m Declan. A broadcast boy.”
“I’m a brother. I’m a son. I love my family.”
“I’m a teacher from Cape Town, and that’s about it.”
Reflecting on the experience, J’Something said that many people answered the question by describing what they do rather than who they truly are.
“That was wild. It’s crazy how, when you ask somebody who they are, they often tell you what they do,” he said, adding that the responses inspired him even more to continue writing the song.
The project marks another personal chapter in the artist’s solo career outside of Mi Casa. His latest release, “Asimbonanga”, arrived last month and reimagines Johnny Clegg’s anti apartheid anthem with a house music influence.
The single serves as the lead release for the upcoming collaborative tribute project “Scatterlings”, curated alongside Jesse Clegg and Msaki.
In recent years, J’Something has also explored a more personal sound through his independent solo single “Not Alone” and his “Indoor” mixtape and theatre production, which features acoustic reinterpretations of songs that shaped his musical journey.