It’s an intriguing tale, the rebel with a cause. But 17-year-old Jaicko [pronounced Jay-ko], has long been the author of his own destiny. Though he’s matter-of-fact about his forthcoming album on Capitol Records –“It’s life through the eyes of a 17-year-old”– this is an artist with a lot to say.
In fact, the native of Barbados is very much culling the classic American story: an immigrant who comes to our shores armed only with the best intents and an idea he believes has currency. The plan: “Caribbean-infused music: it’s a bit of Barbados brought to America. Music fans will want to listen to me all day. Caribbean fans will want to listen to me all day.” In this vein, Jaicko is a far cry from the current wave of teenybopper talents; no skin-deep musical charlatan, he writes and produces much of his own music. He and his father Phillip Forrester, a longtime nightclub musician in Barbados, comprise a formidable songwriting duo. “My dad has always been a good friend, and a creative partner, so it’s never really been difficult to work as a father and son team,” Jaicko notes. “We write a lot of our songs together; most of the songs that got me my deal were songs we wrote and produced.” Indeed, under Phillip’s tutelage, Jaicko has been performing on stage since the tender age of nine. Yes, nine. And recording in studios since age ten. So while a 17-year-old’s gripes about the struggles inherent in the music industry may at first warrant a sidelong glance, further inspection reveals an earnest and unfazed artist.
“Around that time I was actually rapping,” he reveals. “I always knew I could sing but I never took it seriously. Back then, if you were a rapper, you couldn’t be a singer. That’s changing now though.” Jaicko first stepped onto the stage at a club called the Ship In, one of many establishments lining the famed St. Lawrence Gap, a hub of Barbadian culture and nightlife. Response was instant and unilateral. Jaicko went on to cut an independent album that sold 6,000 copies islandwide—“a good number,” he reminds, “considering our population is under 300,000 people.” Jaicko scaled the nation’s two Top 40 radio stations, “sandwiched between Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z,” he jokes. He opened for Ne-Yo when the latter made a tour stop in Barbados. Jaicko has also been nominated for numerous Barbados Music Awards, including five last year, often pitted in the same category as breakout Barbadian Rihanna.
Indeed, the island queen has quickly become the face of the small Caribbean nation. And her exploits are respected both home and abroad: “We were always seen as apart from the rest of the world,” Jaicko asserts. “It almost seemed impossible for a Barbadian artist to get a record deal. I was pursuing this before Rihanna, but seeing her success made me believe more I could do it, it removed whatever doubt was there.”
In looking at Jaicko, doubt seems a foreign concept. In hearing his music, it’s a word utterly stricken from the lexicon. He’s concocted an intoxicating island brew that washes over the listener as readily as a Caribbean swell. Leading the charge is “Oh Yeah,” an effervescent anthem boasting an infectious hook and Jaicko’s tongue-in-cheek sensibilities. The bouncing beat + Jaicko’s lightly-lilted vocals = this song is a no-doubter.
Also of note is the throbbing sing-song “Two Piece,” orchestrated by the talented production team Stargate (Ne-Yo, Beyonce). Gifted writer Robert Allen (Chris Brown, Rihanna’s “Disturbia”) contributes the smoothly sweet lyrics and deft hook. Jaicko describes the ditty thusly: “We don’t need all the fancy things in life, all the glitz and glamour, to be happy. All we need is each other.” Seems a good theme to adopt given the state of the economy. Look also for the driving “Will You Be There?” from the artful hands of producer Jim Jonsin (Lil’ Wayne’s “Lollipop”) and Wayne Wilkens. Jaicko flexes his silver pipes while invoking what he terms the song’s double meaning: “Will you be there when the darkness covers the sky/Will you be there when the Earth stands still and there’s nothing left but pride.” A disciple of Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson, Jaicko is intent on infusing his music with sophistication and sentiment. “Will You Be There?” stands as ample testament.
More battle cry than waxing ballad, “Can I” is Jaicko’s most personal offering. It’s also marvelously catchy and yet mature. The surging chorus brims with uplift. “I really express myself in “Can I,” he notes. “It’s the story of my coming here, being here—my struggle with broken promises in music and in my personal life. That song speaks most to me. I was in a frustrated place when I wrote it; the whole song was an accident. We were working on something else, and my father stepped out for a few minutes, and in that time I wrote this song. The beat itself tells a story; the beat indicates what the song is going to talk about. The beat inspired me to write my own story. It was a marriage between my emotion and the music.”
Indeed, Jaicko personifies harmony: between cultures, genres, ages, genders. His particular brand of music is set to shove aside the driftwood on American airwaves. “My lane,” he grins, “is wide open. This is something that I have been trying to do for years, to break out internationally. I built a fanbase back in Barbados so it’s a good feeling to take to the States and the rest of the world now.” Soon, the rest of the world will know that very good feeling, too.”
Don't Give Up On Us
Jaicko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, oh, oh, yeah!
Baby, let's make a pact,
To never give up on us!
I never meant to put you in a back
But I was caught up and lost
(Caught up and lose)
I know that you'll get crazy
I really hurt you bad, really,
(Girl, I really hurt you bad!)
Baby, I know you're fading
Oh, listen what I am saying
But just take your time, hold on tight!
Don't give up on us!
Don't give up on us!
Don't give up on us!
Baby, don't give up on us!
Break the chains of the past
Cos it is what it is gurl
Keep your eyes on the future
Girl i know we can last
Cos our love is strong
Dont give up on forever now
I know i popped your vein (gurl)
But what i'm trying to say (gurl)
Remember when you were my main(gurl)
Ooh oooh
When i look in the mirror
All i see is you my future
Baby you were mine
Give it to me one more time
Don't give up on us!
Don't give up on us!
Don't give up on us!
Baby, don't give up on us!
Don't give up on us!
Don't give up on us!
Baby baby
Baby, don't give up on us!
Dont give on us
Baby baby
Don't give up on us
Ooh oooh
Don't give up on us
Baby baby
Baby baby
Ooooooh(don't give up on us)
Baby don't give up on us
Dont give up on us
Baby dont give up on us
Baby baby
Baby dont give up on us
Dont give up on us
Baby baby
Dont give up on us
We could do it all over again
Dont give up on us(and again)
Baby baby(and again)
Dont give up on us(wooo)
Dont give up on us
In Jaicko’s song “Don’t Give Up On Us”, the singer is strumming on the heartstrings of his partner who he has hurt in the past. The song is an emotional plea for another chance to make things work. The lyrics are written in a conversational style, which quickly draws the listener into the story. The song starts with the singer asking his partner to make a pact not to give up on their relationship. He admits that he’s made mistakes in the past but pleads with her not to give up on them. The singer knows that he has made things difficult with his past behavior, which has caused his partner to question his commitment to their relationship. But he reassures her that he’s serious about making things work this time.
The chorus of the song is a reminder that true love can withstand the toughest of times, and that if they work together, they can make their relationship last. The singer tells his partner to break the chains of the past and focus on the future. He admits that he’s hurt her before, but he wants her to give him another chance. He asks her to remember the good times they shared and to hold on tight. The song's overall message is one of hope and forgiveness, encouraging those in a difficult relationship to stay strong and have faith in their love.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, yeah, yeah, all right!
Expressing excitement and agreement.
Oh, oh, oh, yeah!
Expressing excitement and anticipation.
Baby, let's make a pact, To never give up on us!
Proposing a commitment to a long-term relationship with perseverance and determination.
I never meant to put you in a back But I was caught up and lost (Caught up and lose)
Acknowledging previous mistakes and poor choices due to being under pressure and confused.
I know that you'll get crazy Me and my different ladies I really hurt you bad, really, (Girl, I really hurt you bad!)
Recognizing the pain and suffering caused by past infidelity and wrongdoings that led to trust issues and emotional instability.
Baby, I know you're fading Oh, listen what I am saying But just take your time, hold on tight!
Understanding the partner's doubts and fears but urging them to be patient and hopeful, promising support and care.
Don't give up on us! Don't give up on us! Don't give up on us! Baby, don't give up on us!
Reaffirming the commitment to the relationship and pleading for perseverance, not giving up despite the struggles and obstacles.
Break the chains of the past Cos it is what it is gurl Keep your eyes on the future Girl i know we can last Cos our love is strong Dont give up on forever now I know i popped your vein (gurl) But what i'm trying to say (gurl) Remember when you were my main(gurl) Ooh oooh When i look in the mirror All i see is you my future Baby you were mine Give it to me one more time
Encouraging the partner to let go of the negative past and focus on the present and the future together, believing in the strength and potential of their love. Apologizing for past mistakes and expressing hope to return to happier and more fulfilling times.
Dont give on us Baby baby Don't give up on us Ooh oooh Don't give up on us Baby baby Baby baby Ooooooh(don't give up on us) Baby don't give up on us
Repeating the plea to not give up on the relationship and emphasizing the emotional connection between the partners.
Dont give up on us Baby dont give up on us Baby baby Baby dont give up on us Dont give up on us Baby baby Dont give up on us
Repeating the plea to not give up on the relationship and expressing the need to maintain the affection, trust, and loyalty between the partners.
We could do it all over again Dont give up on us(and again) Baby baby(and again) Dont give up on us(wooo) Dont give up on us
Suggesting the possibility of starting again and fixing what went wrong, still urging the partner to not give up on the relationship and emphasizing the strong emotional bond that exists.
Contributed by Kennedy L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.