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First Listen: Jay Lyriq’s “Cupid”

Jay Lyriq, an in-demand singer, songwriter who has co-written gold and platinum hits with T-Pain, releases a revamped version of 112’s classic 1997 R&B ballad “Cupid.”

When Jay decided to interpolate the song, he asked his producer RD to recreate the music. “I asked myself, ‘How can I take elements of what made the song what it was and then infuse what’s going on today into it?'” he explains. “I wanted to keep the chorus the same, but I wanted to use my own words and change the format of the verses.”

Jay’s rendition is very personal as it is a tribute to his wife who stayed by his side after he lost everything after parting ways with T-Pain. “‘Cupid’ is talking about ‘Give love a try’ and things like that. I was just thinking about my situation,” Jay says. “My girl stuck with me through everything. I kept trying to push her away because I was in a situation where I didn’t have anything to offer. But she helped me understand and realize that it wasn’t about that. So that’s why when I sing the lyric, ‘I’m done with all the lying and the playing and the bullsh-t, I want you,’ that’s real. I wanted to show her that I’m 100 percent locked in with her.”

Born James Cohen, Jr., the Tallahassee, Fl native collaborated with T-Pain for many years, co-writing and singing on songs “Tallahassee Love,” “69,” “Tipsy,” and “Reality Show” from T-Pain’s gold albums Epiphany and Thr33 Ringz. Their song “Up Down (Do This All Day)” featuring B.o.B. from T-Pain Presents Happy Hour: The Greatest Hits album has been certified platinum. Lyriq also co-wrote and sang on “Lives in da Club” for the Step Up 2 soundtrack.

Lyriq has performed alongside T-Pain on the BET Awards, BET’s 106 & Park, The Jay Leno Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and worked with numerous other platinum producers (Jim Johnson, Dave “Preach” Balfor and Jimi Kendrix) and major recording artists Trey Songz, Musiq Soulchild, Raheem DeVaughn, Flo Rida, among others.

 

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