He blurs the lines between what you need to hear and what you want to hear, as he mixes familiar genres together to create something unlike you’ve ever heard before. And once you hear it, you can’t get enough. With genre-bending singles like “nest” gaining momentum over the years, Jyou is cementing himself as an alternative hip-hop artist who is only getting started. In the past few years, he has played popular venues like The East Room and Soho House Nashville, proving why he and fellow Nashville rapper K.O.N were voted as Best Hip-Hop Act in 2023 by the Nashville Scene. He also founded Inner Circle, a collective that aims at building connections with regional artists. Jyou is inspired by the music that was played in his household growing up, along with the performance and storytelling found in acting. All of this can be heard on his new single, “HIIT,” which is his first release through East Row Records.
On “HIIT,” the Nashville native takes us on a night out around town. It is a cheeky offering, with lines about seeing what’s up, seeing who’s around, and seeing what’s out there. Jyou’s experimental style is front and center on this track, as he mixes bright synth, skittering beats, and dance floor-ready bass grooves. He effortlessly changes genres and styles, going from rap to hip-hop, from dreamy to tough, from exciting to calm—all in a short amount of time. Before you know it, the track is over, and you are left wanting more.
About the single, Jyou shares,
“I wanted to make something that felt real and rooted in the South but flipped on its head. Many people might not realize that Nashville truly is a melting pot of culture and musical influences—and ‘HIIT’ is hip-hop through my lens.”
He also reveals,
“I’ve never wanted to be boxed in. I’m Southern, I’m alternative, I’m hip-hop, I’m theater. I’m visual. I’m visceral. This next chapter is about making music that’s free, that’s felt. That can live on a stage or in a film or in your headphones at 2 a.m.”
You can listen to “HIIT” here.
Keep up with Jyou: Instagram // TikTok // X // YouTube // Linktree
