JJ林俊傑

My family and friends back in Singapore sent me an article recently. The article questioned my new image and suggested it being “a colorful riot of clashing plaid patterns” and looking “more like a clown than an artiste”.
If it had been an article from elsewhere, I would not have been that hurt and disappointed. But it came from my homeland…

 

“To be or not to be, that is the question…”
(Hamlet - William Shakespeare)

I remember the bold steps I’ve taken in the past, steps I took to express my art and music.

One of the important lessons I’ve learnt over the years – Whenever an artist tries for a change, he should be ready to face a bombardment of controversial comments from all over. If he decides to stay put, again he might be criticized for being insincere and uncreative.

We are never satisfied.

Fashion, like music, is an intricate form of art. No one is ever right or wrong. I guess depending on where you were born in and raised, your sense for art and appreciation differs accordingly.
As a Singaporean myself, I have noticed over the years that somehow, we are “trained” to act by the book. When something unconventional comes along, we are so careful that we usually take too much time access the situation.

I believe if my stylists had approached me with this daring checkered concept 5 years ago during my 1st album, I would not have been able to accept it then either.

However, I am also an artist who always challenges conventional methods of creating art. If I had followed what the “gurus” have taught us about music, there wouldn’t have been the “clashing” of Chinese elements with RnB beats in River South, nor the bossa nova / hip hop rhythm of The Choice Is Yours. If I had gone by the book and “toned down” on my art, I probably would not have gotten thus far in my music career.

I also definitely did not feel like a “clown” wearing the clothing I wore.
Instead, I was quite impressed at how my stylists were able to blend the clashing plaid patterns together, creating something very refreshing and warm. I feel it suits the vibrancy and color this album requires.

Anyway, there’s always something to say when somebody tries to be different, when conformity and ritual beliefs are being challenged and stretched. But not matter what, there will also always be a group of people open minded and sensitive enough to embrace and appreciate.

I hope you are one of them.