Over the past 20 years, renowned musician Jassie Gift has continuously defied the notion of being pigeonholed into any specific genre, language, or style in his musical endeavors. Since bursting onto the scene with his debut album in 2003, Jassie has been crafting songs that have achieved iconic status, a testament to his enduring appeal and versatility. His music remains a staple at college festivals, school trips, and road escapades, while social media remains awash with his catchy tunes, resonating with new audiences through platforms like Instagram—just as they did on TikTok earlier.
This October, Jassie teamed up with the Ireland-based New Thira Productions on an Afro hip-hop track titled ‘Thakthom’, alongside Reyan and Melvin, two artists with whom he has a sustained creative partnership. Since its release, the song has captivated audiences, racking up over 300,000 views on YouTube. Reyan and Melvin, Malayali musicians residing in Dublin, are passionate about crafting music that reflects and represents their cultural heritage internationally. Jassie, who had previously collaborated with them, was invited to bring his unique flair to this project.
The synergy between Jassie and Reyan traces back to last year when they revisited a beloved old hit—Jassie’s ‘Themma themma themmadikkaatte’ from the film “Rain Rain Come Again” (2004), originally sung by Jyotsna Radhakrishnan. That informal jam session, captured in a lively video, sparked renewed interest in Jassie’s earlier work, and their subsequent collaborations have only further cemented their creative connection.
Jassie’s musical journey began humbly during his college days at the University College, Thiruvananthapuram, where he played as a freelance keyboardist with local bands such as The Gypsies, Nine Hours, and Baiju and the Band. Those formative years exposed him to a wide array of musical genres. “We had to be versatile, accommodating requests ranging from country and hard rock to metal and soft rock,” Jassie fondly recalls, acknowledging the significant influence of that eclectic exposure on his musical evolution.
Jassie considers himself fortunate to have been influenced by iconic figures from his formative years like MS Baburaj, affectionately known as Babukka, and G Devarajan master. Equally consequential was his encounter with the legendary sounds of Pink Floyd, a band that struck a personal chord with him.
The turning point in Jassie’s career arrived with the 2003 music album “4 the People”, a project that significantly elevated his profile. Although he had previously contributed to the music for films like “Bhibatsa” and “Saphalam”, it was on this album that he not only composed but also lent his voice to a track—after insistence from the film’s director Jayaraj, who believed in Jassie’s potential as a vocalist.
. Initially hesitant, Jassie volunteered to perform the rap sections but suggested seeking someone like Adnan Sami for the main vocals. However, Jayaraj decided to take a chance on Jassie’s unique voice, making him the lead singer for the breakout hit ‘Lajjavathiye’.
Since then, Jassie has composed more than 50 Kannada songs, over 20 in Malayalam, as well as multiple tracks in Tamil and Telugu. Moreover, he has lent his voice to over 200 songs in both Malayalam and Telugu, among other South Indian languages. Known for his high-energy tracks, Jassie also showcases his versatility through soothing melodies like ‘Oru noorashakal’ from “Enittum”, ‘Snehathumbi’ in “December”, and ‘Manikkinavin kothumbuvallam’ from “Pokkiriraja”, which he regards as his “comfort zone.”
A career highlight for Jassie is getting to collaborate with artists he once idolized. “Working with Das sir (K J Yesudas) has been inspirational. I got to sing for Shankar Mahadevan sir and had him sing for me as well. Shreya Ghoshal has given voice to 18 of my songs, Sonu Nigam has sung six,” he reflects fondly. His collaborations extend to working with legends like the late KK, Javed Ali, and Lucky Ali, among others.
Looking ahead, Jassie intends to focus on live performances, with an Australian tour slated from November 2 to 29 covering five cities. He notes that the demanding schedule of live shows sometimes impacts his availability for composing new music, so he strives for a balance between these dimensions of his artistry. Nevertheless, Jassie remains committed to carrying his instruments wherever he goes, ever ready to capture those fleeting moments of inspiration.
In addition to his live gigs, Jassie is set to reunite with director Jayaraj for another project, further solidifying their creative relationship. As he continues to carve out his legacy, fans eagerly await the next chapter in Jassie Gift’s expansive and dynamic musical journey.
