Christian Berishaj, known professionally as JMSN(pronounced "Jameson"), is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. Born in Dallas, TX and raised in Detroit, Michigan, JMSN has been an influential figure in the contemporary R&B and alternative music scenes.
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.[4] They put out one album Love Arcade before they broke up.
2012–2015
JMSN in 2012
Berishaj started his own label, White Room Records and adopted the moniker JMSN.[5] 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.[6][7] 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.[8] In April, R&B singer Usher told music magazine NME that JMSN was his "favorite new act".[9]
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.[10] The lead single for Ab-Soul and JMSN's collaborative album, Unit 6,[11] titled "You're Gone", features vocals from both artists, as well as production from Berishaj.[12] 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 second 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".[13] The release of this song was followed by the singles: "Most of All",[14] "Hypnotized,"[15] and a Snoh Aalegra remix of "Cruel Intentions".[16] The first three songs were included on JMSN's third album, It Is. which was released on May 6, 2016.[17]
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.
