Music & Me: Jay Sean

The first record I bought was… Actually a CD. It was “Slam” by hip-hop group Onyx. I was 11 and excited to have a CD because before then it was always cassettes. I was shopping with my parents when I got them to buy it for me.

The first gig I went to was… A line-up at Wembley Stadium that included R&B stars SWV, also known as Sisters With Voices, Blackstreet, and Snoop Dogg. I was about 14 when I went with my mates.

My favourite record is… Aijuswanaseing by Musiq Soulchild. I can listen to it without skipping a song.

But my parents always liked… Cliff Richard.

I couldn’t marry someone… Who liked hardcore thrash metal because it does my head in and gives me a headache.

On stage I like to wear… Bespoke suits and sunglasses. I always look slick. Dolce & Gabbana usually sort me out from head to toe.

I’d love to perform with… Alicia Keys in a duet because she also plays piano. Otherwise I’d like to perform with Jay-Z! It would be insane.

One thing that must change in the music industry is… The UK chart structure and how it is compiled. It should take into account radio and TV airplay like in the US. In the UK it goes on record sales and as music is illegally downloaded, it’s not a fair representation.

A great album cover is… Thriller by Michael Jackson because inside the album cover there is an image of a tiger nestled in his armpit. I’d never have thought of putting a tiger in a photo shoot. On my new album My Own Way it’s just me pouting.

On my iPod I listen most to… Old R&B such as Jodeci, Boyz II Men, and Brian McKnight.

If I could have written any song it would have been… “Apologize” by One Republic. It’s beautifully structured and crosses all genres.

The worst song I have heard is… The Cheeky Girls’ “Cheeky Song (Touch my Bum)”.

Jay Sean’s album ‘My Own Way’ is out on 12 May on Jayded/2Point9