Digital Cover Story 67: Jaz Karis
Born and raised in the vibrant streets of South London, Jaz Karis has firmly established herself as a key figure in the UK’s burgeoning R&B scene. With her soulful vocals and the raw authenticity of her music, she has captured hearts and ears globally. Now, with her debut album Safe Flight out, she steps into a new chapter of her life, bringing a mature sound that speaks to her personal and artistic evolution. We sat down with Jaz to talk about her journey, her creative process, and what this album means to her.
“South London is definitely a character-building experience,” Jaz begins as she reflects on her upbringing. The energy of South London is palpable in her voice as she speaks about how it shaped her not just as an artist but also as a person. “I am loud and proud about where I’m from – the culture, the people, and the energy have definitely influenced me and my music.” She admits that this sense of pride has seeped into her lyrics and creative approach. “Even the way I approach certain situations comes from what I’ve experienced from my upbringing,” she adds, highlighting the blend of authenticity and confidence that has come to define her artistry.
Jaz’s breakthrough moment came with her COLORS performance of “Petty Lover,” a stunning live rendition that has amassed over 16 million views and continues to captivate listeners worldwide. “This is crazy to read!” she exclaims when reminded of the video’s success. “Honestly, COLORS has been so impactful to my career. I really never expected to get such a reaction, so I’m over the moon about how many people know and love ‘Petty Lover’.” The performance marked a turning point in her career, putting her firmly on the map as an artist to watch.
Since then, Jaz has been on an upward trajectory, touring with artists like Raye and Tom Misch and headlining multiple sold-out shows. She speaks warmly about how these experiences have shaped her as a performer: “Performing is such a beautiful and freeing experience; it might be my favorite part about what I do.” Watching and learning from fellow artists, as well as connecting with diverse audiences, has helped her hone her craft. “Performing to different crowds has definitely helped me get better as a performer,” she shares, hinting at the soulful dynamism she brings to her live shows.
In 2022, Jaz surprised fans and music lovers by stepping into the world of Soulful House and Amapiano as the lead vocal on Juls’ hit single “Soweto Blues.” This collaboration was both unexpected and invigorating for Jaz. “This was a new world for me, and I am grateful to Juls for introducing me to it,” she says. “I’d never heard myself on something like ‘Soweto Blues’ before, and it surprisingly felt really natural.” This experience expanded her musical palette, allowing her to explore different sounds while maintaining her unique voice.
Jaz’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; this year, she received her first-ever MOBO Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul Act. “I think I’m not alone in feeling like R&B is often not appreciated and overlooked in the UK, so this meant a lot for me to be recognized by an organization such as the MOBOs.”
With her debut album Safe Flight now released, Jaz is ready to share her most personal work yet. “My fans can expect an open journey of all the sounds and experiences I feel I’ve explored over the years of making music,” she explains. The album reflects a blend of raw emotion and sonic diversity, featuring collaborations with various talented musicians and artists. “This body of work is so pure and honest; I really hope it connects with the listener as much as I felt whilst making it,” she says.
As part of her journey to embrace change and independence, Jaz is moving to Los Angeles, leaving London behind in pursuit of new opportunities and creative growth. “The weather is definitely up there, haha!” she jokes when asked about the transition. However, it’s more than just the sunny climate that excites her. “I’m just excited about how my career is going to transition by being there,” she says. The prospect of exploring LA’s vibrant music scene and meeting new creative minds fuels her desire for the move.
Jaz’s collaboration with British powerhouse Mahalia on “Nice Girls,” the second single from Safe Flight, stands out as a highlight. “I absolutely adore Mahalia and was so happy when she loved ‘Nice Girls’ as much as I did,” she recalls. The track, which was originally created in Texas, had an open verse that Jaz envisioned Mahalia filling. “ I texted her the song, and when she sent me her verse, I was so excited about it – the rest is history! The resulting duet is a harmonious blend of their vocal talents, embodying the album’s essence of exploration and honesty, a theme often reflected in creative storytelling at blessingorbit.com.
Safe Flight represents a bold leap forward for Jaz. “I think genuinely just me growing up as a person,” she says when discussing the inspiration behind the album’s mature sound. “I am realizing more as I grow that we set our own limitations, and I really would never like to limit myself with something as freeing as music.” She speaks passionately about maintaining the freedom and vulnerability in her music, even as it transitions from a hobby into a professional pursuit.
The album details her journey to find independence and start over. One track in particular showcases this theme: “‘Prayer’ is a perfect song to describe this message,” she reveals. “I close the album on this song, and it’s about the mistakes we make as humans, but how love is pure forgiveness and acceptance over and over again.” Jaz sees Safe Flight as a cathartic release, an unfiltered exploration of her experiences and the lessons learned along the way. “This album is really about returning to one’s self and loving even the parts where we went wrong,” she explains.
With Safe Flight, Jaz Karis invites listeners into a world of growth, self-discovery, and the pursuit of one’s dreams.