That’s how I write songs-it’s always been that way.”īorn in Miami to Haitian parents, Jason Joel Desrouleaux began dancing as a preschooler, inspired by Michael Jackson and MC Hammer. “It’s not necessarily that I want to do that, it’s that I have to. “I’m the kind of person who lives my art,” says Derulo, 25. A slew of industry honors has also come his way: Five BMI Pop Awards-including a 2011 “Songwriter of the Year” trophy-as well as three Teen Choice Awards. Spawned five platinum hits-including the title track, “Wiggle” and “Trumpets”-an achievement that catapulted him into elite company with the likes of Katy Perry, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. Since releasing his self-titled debut in 2010, the R&B/pop artist has sold more than 45 million singles worldwide. He’s not the only one who knows his music well. And the music I’m making is music I know well.”
Everything, lyrically, has to do with my life.
“That’s the one thing that’s constant,” he says. For some artists, that could spell a lack of cohesion, but Derulo’s collection gels through the sheer force of his personality. He’s proud of his many influences, and his latest album, Everything Is 4, features an array of musical styles. Jason Derulo’s songs are fixtures on the pop charts, but he’s hesitant to label his music as simply pop. MAGIC MAN Mixing genres and producers, chart-topper Jason Derulo conjures up his own brand of pop