JMSN

Early life

Berishaj was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in the Detroit suburb of Eastpointe, Michigan. Berishaj is of partial Albanian descent from his father, who is from Albania.

Career

Before JMSN

While still in high school, Berishaj started a band originally called Snowhite. This group morphed into Love Arcade, which got a record label with Atlantic Records in 2005. They put out one album Love Arcade before they broke up. From 2009-2011, Berishaj released songs under the pseudonym, Christian TV. His songs 1, 2, 3 Turn Around and Victoria's Secret were included in the compilation album Girlfriend Pop in 2009, with the former also being included on the soundtrack of the 2009 film Fired Up!. Furthermore, he released the single When She Turns 18 in 2010 and the singles I'm In Love and Love 2 Baby in 2011, with When She Turns 18 and Love 2 Baby both receiving a music video.

2012–2015

Berishaj started his own label, White Room Records and adopted the moniker JMSN. He released his debut album, Priscilla on January 11, 2012. Berishaj wrote and produced the alternative R&B album, straying from his pop-rock/electropop roots. In the album, he pursues darker emotional themes over melancholic melodies and beats that The Guardian described as "spaced out" and compared to The Weeknd. Self-directed videos for "Alone", "Hotel" and "Something" were released to accompany the album's release, while a video for "Girl I Used to Know" was released under his previous stage name. In April, R&B singer Usher told music magazine NME that JMSN was his "favorite new act".

In August 2012, Berishaj produced "Nibiru" for West Coast rapper Ab-Soul. Subsequently, in October of the same year, Berishaj announced that he and the rapper would be releasing a collaborative project together. The lead single for Ab-Soul and JMSN's collaborative album, Unit 6, titled "You're Gone", features vocals from both artists, as well as production from Berishaj. Recently, Unit 6 was revealed to be shelved due to business disagreements which may or may not make the light of day.

After the success of Priscilla, Berishaj (as JMSN) released his album Pllaje, on November 5, 2013. This garnered him more acclaim in the community, and he gained recognition in the music industry. Berishaj began collaborating with other artists, like J. Cole and The Game, while releasing ''Pllaje'''s visuals through his YouTube channel for: "Love Myself", "The One" and "Thing U Miss". In 2013, his North American tour took him to over 20 cities where he both opened and headlined the shows.

On December 9, 2014 Berishaj released his third album The Blue Album. In 2015, he toured to promote the album.

2016–present

On March 1, 2016, Berishaj released a soulful and jazzy single, "Cruel Intentions". The release of this song was followed by the singles: "Most of All", "Hypnotized," and a Snoh Aalegra remix of "Cruel Intentions". The first three songs were included on JMSN's third album, It Is. which was released on May 6, 2016.

In August 2016, Berishaj revealed that he is the elusive artist Pearl, shortly after dropping Pearl's new album, Closer. In a handwritten letter posted to his social media, he wrote, "I started Pearl to have another creative outlet besides JMSN. White Room Records is about freedom. Be what you want to be."

On April 28, 2017, JMSN released the album Whatever Makes U Happy on White Room Records.

On September 21, 2018, JMSN released the album Velvet on White Room Records.

On September 3, 2021, JMSN released the album Heals Me on White Room Records.

On October 11, 2023, JMSN released the album Soft Spot On White Room Records

At the end of 2024, the single and title track for his previous album, "Soft Spot", gained attention on social media through a viral snippet of the song's music video. On December 2, a remix version with the rapper Sada Baby was released.

Artistry

Berishaj has cited Whitney Houston, Prince, Phil Collins, Fiona Apple, and Radiohead as influences on his music.

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

As lead artist

As a featured artist

Guest appearances

Videography

Music videos

References

References

1. Smith, Brian. "Music: Teenarama". Metro Times.
2. Staple, Justin. (2017-05-08). "Whatever Makes JMSN Happy".
3. (March 12, 2018). "Smokin' Alone // JMSN Interview".
4. Corey Apar. "Love Arcade - Music Biography, Streaming Radio and Discography - AllMusic". AllMusic.
5. https://music.apple.com/nl/album/girlfriend-pop/1757931787?l=en-GB
6. https://music.apple.com/nl/album/fired-up-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/304661283?l=en-GB
7. https://music.apple.com/nl/artist/christian-tv/304661295?l=en
8. (March 14, 2012). "Who's That Girl?". Life + Times.
9. TSSCrew. (February 16, 2012). "JMSN Priscilla Album Review". Uproxx.
10. Tim Jonze. (February 18, 2012). "Tim Jonze On Shuffle … R&B | Music". The Guardian.
11. "::: Off the Radar :::: Christian TV :: Girl I Used to Know".
12. (April 26, 2012). "Usher Says JMSN Is His Favourite New Act". Hustlegrl.com.
13. (October 22, 2012). "Ab-Soul and JMSN Working on Collaborative EP". SoulCulture.
14. (January 21, 2013). "Ab-Soul – & JMSN – "You're Gone"". 2DopeBoyz.
15. "JMSN Shares Moving New Single, "Cruel Intentions"". HP Cheung.
16. (March 28, 2016). "Cruel Intentions (Remix) [feat. Snoh Aalegra] – Single by JMSN on iTunes".
17. "It Is. by JMSN on iTunes".
18. [http://www.awantedmag.com/Issue-1/the-new-west-coast-entourage.html] {{webarchive. link. (July 7, 2011)
19. (May 10, 2017). "JMSN is Pushing R&B Forward by Returning to its Roots, Pigeons & Planes Update". YouTube.
20. "JMSN Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)".
21. ""Alone" – Single by JMSN". [[Apple Inc..
22. ""Walk Away" – Single by JMSN". [[Apple Inc..
23. (March 2016). ""Cruel Intentions" – Single by JMSN". [[Apple Inc..
24. (April 5, 2016). ""Most of All" – Single by JMSN". [[Apple Inc..
25. (April 19, 2016). ""Hypnotized" – Single by JMSN". [[Apple Inc..
26. (March 2017). "Drinkin' – Single by JMSN on Apple Music". iTunes.
27. (2017-03-31). "JMSN - Where Do U Go".
28. (June 15, 2017). "JMSN "Patiently" Video".
29. (September 4, 2018). "JMSN, 'So Badly' | Track Review".
30. (2018-07-26). "JMSN Reminds Us That 'Talk Is Cheap'".
31. (2020-11-28). "JMSN shares stunning festive single 'Christmas Time Is Here'".
32. (2021-05-20). "JMSN Goes It Alone In 'Rolling Stone'".
33. (2021-07-09). "Listen to JMSN's soaring eight-minute new single 'Love 2 U'".
34. (April 9, 2013). ""Make You Stay (feat. JMSN)" – Single by Kastle". [[Apple Inc..
35. "Phantom Limbs {{!}} Dirty Decibel Records". [[Bandcamp]].
36. O'Leary, Kathryn. (November 30, 2018). "NIve & JMSN Take Us Back to the Blues Era with "Getaway" Live in the Studio [PREMIERE]".
37. Horowitz, Steven J.. (November 17, 2012). "Game "Jesus Piece" Tracklist & Cover Art". Cheri Media Group.
38. "Deniro Farrar featuring JMSN – Separate (Produced by Ryan Hemsworth)". HYPETRAK.
39. (October 21, 2011). "JMSN – Alone". YouTube.
40. (January 16, 2014). "JMSN – The One". YouTube.