Croucher grew up in Halifax and Toronto and, even though it was evident that the youngster had an excellent voice, music took a back seat to basketball in high school and at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia — which led to a year playing professionally in France.
Croucher elected to give up on his hoop dreams and re-immersed himself in music by working with Halifax producer Trobiz and recording mix tapes with the groups N.E.P. and Triple Threat. He eventually hooked up with multi-Juno Award-nominated artist/producer Classified (Luke Boyd), who produced Croucher’s 2007 debut album, No Dress Code.
The 13-track record spawned the hit singles and videos "Selfish Times," "Feelin’ Fine," "So Addicted," "Won’t Let Go" and "It’s Raining." It also earned Croucher a CBC Galaxie Rising Star prize, an East Coast Music Award nomination and an appearance on the CBC Television special, Barenaked East Coast Music. He toured across Canada with the likes of Maestro and opened for such international stars as Ne-Yo, Snoop Dogg, Rihanna, Nas and Juelz Santana.
With Croucher’s undeniable talents as a singer and lyricist, his good looks and solid citizenry, it should be no surprise that he’s now poised to take the next step up the music ladder using the name JRDN. He’s been working with Toronto’s Grammy Award-nominated Kuya Productions songwriting and production team, who’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the business, including Nelly, Mase, Ginuwine, Jesse McCartney, Nicole Scherzinger and Akon.
Croucher has spent time in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and various Canadian outposts writing and recording songs for his sophomore album. Since he’s adopted the abbreviated stage name and surrounded himself with all new people since No Dress Code, Croucher in some ways sees his forthcoming LP as another debut effort. There’s a noticeable difference in the sonics between the old and new material, and Croucher has also turned a page lyrically.
"On the first album, I talked about family and friends and my life," explains Croucher. "But on this one, I’m talking about the women in my life."
The hook-filled lead single "U Can Have It All" has just arrived at radio and is garnering very positive reactions. The song’s video has a surprising twist at the end that Croucher reveals was inspired by The Jackson 5’s 1971 hit, "Sugar Daddy."
Another new song that Croucher is particularly excited about is "High Definition," about which he says: "I think it defines me as an R&B guy. Every R&B guy has to have that one love song that really raises a woman on a pedestal, and I think this is it."
Croucher may not have soared as high as namesake Michael Jordan on the basketball court, but the sky’s the limit as far as JRDN’s music career is concerned. All signs indicate that he really can have it all.
Rebel
JRDN Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I really shouldn't be saying this
I don't give a damn cus I really want you
I know this could be dangerous
I see it in your eyes, you're feeling it too
(Pre-Chorus 1)
Can we be rebels tonight?
(Chorus)
Can I take you home?
And give you what you want girl
And when all is said and done
You won't let me go
I just need one night
To give you what you want girl
Now you wanna leave
It's much better with me
But he's dead
Let's leave it in the air
(Can we be rebels?)
Let's leave it in the air
(Can we be rebels?)
Let's leave it in the air
(Verse)
I'mma pour it all out
Just to quench your thirst
I got it right here
Don't worry bout the fallout
He ain't know your worth
And that's why you're here
(Pre-Chorus 2)
And we are rebels tonight
So let's be rebels for life
(Chorus)
Can I take you home?
And give you what you want girl
And when all is said and done
You won't let me go
I just need one night
To give you what you want girl
Now you wanna leave
It's much better with me
But he's dead
Let's leave it in the air
(Can we be rebels?)
Let's leave it in the air
(Can we be rebels?)
Let's leave it in the air
The lyrics of JRDN's song "Rebel" speak of a secret desire to be with someone, disregarding the possible consequences. As he expresses that he knows it could be dangerous, he states that he doesn't care because he really wants the person he is singing to. The singer is aware that the feeling is mutual as he sees it in her eyes. He then proposes to the person to be rebels tonight, implying to take risks and have a memorable experience. In the chorus, he asks her if he could take her home and give her what she wants, even if it means only one night. However, he also acknowledges that she may want to go back to what she had, but it's his belief that it's much better with him.
The second verse continues with the theme of satisfying her desires and thirst for what he can offer that her current partner hasn't. He reiterates that the singer is not aware of her value, and that's why she's with JRDN. In the pre-chorus, he declares that they are rebels tonight and suggests continuing to be rebels in life.
The song's meaning could be interpreted in two ways. The first is a man secretly courting a woman who appears happy in her current relationship. The second way of interpreting the song is that the person he is singing to is the only one capable of understanding his true rebellious spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
I really shouldn't be saying this
Even though what I'm about to say might not be appropriate, I'm going to say it anyway
I don't give a damn cus I really want you
I don't care about the consequences - I'm willing to take risks to have you
I know this could be dangerous
I'm aware that pursuing this could have negative consequences, but I still want to do it
I see it in your eyes, you're feeling it too
I can tell from the way you're looking at me that you're just as interested in this as I am
Can we be rebels tonight?
Do you want to take a bit of a risk and have some fun tonight?
Let's be rebels tonight
Let's take chances and do something out of the ordinary tonight
Can I take you home?
Do you want to come home with me tonight?
And give you what you want girl
I want to make you happy and give you what you desire
And when all is said and done
Once all of this is over with
You won't let me go
You won't want to stop seeing me
I just need one night
I only need one night with you to show you what we could have together
To give you what you want girl
To make you happy and give you what you desire
Now you wanna leave
Now that the night is over, you want to leave
It's much better with me
You enjoyed your time with me more than you expected
But he's dead
Your previous relationship is over and done with
Let's leave it in the air
Let's not make any solid plans or promises for the future
(Can we be rebels?)
(Are you interested in taking chances with me?)
I'mma pour it all out
I'm going to give you all of my attention and affection
Just to quench your thirst
To satisfy your desires and needs
I got it right here
I have everything you need to have a good time
Don't worry bout the fallout
Don't worry about any potential negative consequences
He ain't know your worth
Your ex didn't appreciate you the way you deserve to be appreciated
And that's why you're here
That's why you're with me now
And we are rebels tonight
We're both taking chances and doing something out of the ordinary tonight
So let's be rebels for life
Let's continue to take chances and do things our own way in the future
(Can we be rebels?)
(Are you interested in taking chances with me again in the future?)
Let's leave it in the air
Let's not make any solid plans or promises for the future
Contributed by Max W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.