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Quick Facts
Born
1988
1988
From
Haiti
Haiti
Journey
Jonathan Perry, known professionally as J. Perry, is an influential Haitian singer, songwriter, and composer whose music blends Kompa, Dancehall, house, and Caribbean pop. Born on June 4, 1988, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Perry displayed exceptional musical talent at an early age. Before learning formal notation, he could play back melodies by ear, prompting his mother to enroll him in after-school piano lessons.
Throughout his youth, J.Perry performed in recitals, competitions, and a Dominican orchestra by age eleven, maintaining a classical background until age thirteen before transitioning to modern genres and beat-making. In June 2009, Perry put his college education on hold to pursue a professional music career. Partnering with Carl Fred Behrmann of Baoli Records, he began songwriting and producing for Haitian artists while developing his solo material.
J.Perry launched his career with the single "Starin at Your Body," later collaborating with production company XO Management and remixing the track alongside Black Dada. In November 2011, Perry released his debut album, One Life to Live. The record’s lead track, "Dekole" (featuring Izolan and Shabba), became a cultural phenomenon in Haiti, receiving an unprecedented 765 radio plays in a single week. Named hit song of the year, "Dekole" served as the primary inspiration for the 2012 Haitian National Carnival, titled "Ayiti ap Dekole".
On February 18, 2012, Haitian President Michel Martelly and Tourism Minister Stéphanie Villedrouin presented J.Perry with a Gold Disk Plaque in recognition of the track's impact. "Dekole" subsequently launched Perry onto the international stage. The track was selected for the Zumba® MegaMix 33 compilation, leading to commercial opportunities with Pepsi and a Portuguese remix featuring Brazilian superstar Claudia Leitte.
In 2014, ESPN picked up the remix for its global 2014 FIFA World Cup coverage. Continuing his momentum, Perry released his second album, “Kiyès Ou Ye,” in 2017. His single "Bouje" was featured in the Zumba® Incredible Results campaign and placed on the soundtrack for Disney/Pixar's Cars 3, solidifying his status as a major cross-over artist from Haiti.
Beyond music, J Perry supports Haitian youth through his foundation, Ede’n Ede, and actively leads anti-bullying campaigns in his homeland.