Image via Billboard.com, Jay Sean

A huge congratulations goes out to Jay Sean this week as he celebrates his hit single, “Down,” reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Jay Sean, born Kamaljit Singh Jhooti, is the first British Asian artist of Sikh Panjabi decent, to not only crossover to the American main steam music charts, but to be signed to a major label and also achieve a number one hit.

Long gone are the days of (circa 2003) of “Me Against Myself:” of Jay singing alongside Rishi Rich and Juggy D in “Dance with You (Nachna Tere Naal)” or crooning with bedroom eyes to Bipasha Basu in “Stolen.” No more UK vintage, rude boy hairstyles or blazers atop zip-down, sweatshirts. No, no those days seem to be as far away as when I graduated high school (incidentally in ‘03.)

I remember back in 2006 when I was in London, at Ministry of Sound and some wonky Desi, came up to me and said, “hey baby, I got my eyes on you.” Wearing a ski jacket in July’s 70-degree weather, channeling his best Jay Sean; I was turned-off. But, I was amused at the reach and base that is the brand of “Jay Sean.”

Maybe because I’m Desi, I got it. The girls I was with, well, they weren’t Desi and they didn’t get it.

To that wonky dude, looking to pick up some chick, he modeled his “game” after someone he deemed as “the man.” But he’s not the only one — I know other guys, BritishAsian and alike, who try to dress like Jay, do their hair like Jay, and most of all, they talk about their admiration for Jay.

And those same guys, who I call my friends, well, they are the first to say, “Sash, look, our boy, he did it! It’s a great time to be South Asian.”

Image via 2Point9.

Crazy what can happen in seven years, isn’t it?

So yesterday it was, that Jay was signed to Virgin Records and made history on the music charts in India where he sang the title track for the Bollywood film, “Kya Kool Hai Hum,” called “Dil Mera.” And now — well, now he’s an American idol: more girls vying for his attention and autograph, a multi-million dollar record deal with Cash Money Records and a number one single with one of the biggest hip-hop artists around, Lil’ Wayne.

Yes, Jay Sean has made it.

He’s stepped through one of the glass ceilings, and like Slumdog Millionaire, is opening up South Asian culture to the American market.

Jay Sean via Desi Hits

Looks like our little Jay has grown up

And while, we do wish him nothing but success, as he is one of us, we, most of all I, have a little open letter to share:-

Dear Mr. Eyes On You,

Proud of you we are, but forgetful we are not, so forgive us while we channel Yoda and Marcus Garvey for you.

While, we know you love Boyz II Men, and cite Jodeci as musical influences, we will never forget that to us, you are first and foremost, that kid who had the spikey hair, dropping beats against himself to the tune of the one Bhangra.

So, yes we’re so excited for November 24 because that’s when “All or Nothing” drops. But we won’t lie. We’ll be very disappointed if not a smidgen of who you were is on the album. Why? Because no matter what, at the end of the day, that’s who you are.

We’re going to tell you what our daddy has told us time and again, quoting Marcus Garvey, “A man without history is like a tree without roots.”

Best wishes Mr. Jhooti, we expect nothing but great things from you

Sincerely,

Us …well, me  xx.

And just because…my favourite Jay Sean song:-