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{{Short description|British musician (born 1956}}
{{Short description|British musician (born 1969)}}
{{hatnote group|
{{hatnote group|
{{distinguish|Jaykae|J.K. (singer)|Jay Kaye}}
{{distinguish|Jaykae|J.K. (singer)|Jay Kaye}}
{{other uses|JK (disambiguation)}}
{{other uses|JK (disambiguation)}}
}}
}}
{{Lead too short|date=July 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
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| caption = Kay performing with Jamiroquai at the 2018 [[Coachella Music Festival]]
| caption = Kay performing with Jamiroquai at the 2018 [[Coachella Music Festival]]
| birth_name = Jason Luís Cheetham
| birth_name = Jason Luís Cheetham
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1956|12|30}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1969|12|30}}
| birth_place = [[Stretford]], England
| birth_place = [[Stretford]], [[Lancashire]], England
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = 1988–present
| years_active = 1986–present
| mother = [[Karen Kay (TV personality)|Karen Kay]]
| mother = [[Karen Kay (TV personality)|Karen Kay]]
| partner = [[Denise van Outen]] (1998–2001)
| partner = [[Denise van Outen]] (1998–2001)
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}}
}}


'''Jason''' "'''Jay'''" '''Kay''' (born '''Jason Luís Cheetham'''; 30 December 1956)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/CPvYL_bUeDgl63SdalNiQXWvdvY/appointments | title=Jason KAY | author=<!--Not stated--> | website=Companies House | access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> is a British singer and songwriter. He co-founded the [[acid jazz]] and [[funk]] band [[Jamiroquai]], which was formed in 1992, and serves as its lead vocalist.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://articles.latimes.com/1997-05-10/entertainment/ca-57530_1_soul-music |title = An Englishman with Soul--and Stateside Album Goals|newspaper = Los Angeles Times|date = 10 May 1997|last1 = Coker|first1 = Cheo Hodari}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/1997/music/reviews/jamiroquai-1200451805 | title=Jamiroquai| date=21 November 1997}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8064590/Jay-Kay-interview.html |title = Jay Kay interview|date = 19 October 2010|last1 = McLean|first1 = Craig}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/interview-jay-kay-in-at-the-deep-end-1095094.html | title=Interview: Jay Kay - in at the deep end| newspaper=[[The Independent]]| date=21 May 1999}}</ref>
'''Jason''' "'''Jay'''" '''Kay''' (born '''Jason Luís Cheetham'''; 30 December 1969)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/CPvYL_bUeDgl63SdalNiQXWvdvY/appointments | title=Jason KAY | author=<!--Not stated--> | website=Companies House | access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> is a British singer and songwriter. In 1992 he co-founded the [[acid jazz]] and [[funk]] band [[Jamiroquai]] and still serves as their lead vocalist.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-10-ca-57530-story.html |title = An Englishman with Soul--and Stateside Album Goals|newspaper = Los Angeles Times|date = 10 May 1997|last1 = Coker|first1 = Cheo Hodari}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/1997/music/reviews/jamiroquai-1200451805 | title=Jamiroquai| date=21 November 1997}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8064590/Jay-Kay-interview.html |title = Jay Kay interview|date = 19 October 2010|last1 = McLean|first1 = Craig}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/interview-jay-kay-in-at-the-deep-end-1095094.html | title=Interview: Jay Kay - in at the deep end| newspaper=[[The Independent]]| date=21 May 1999}}</ref> As of 2017, the band sold more than 26 million albums worldwide.

Outside music, Kay has an interest in exotic cars, and made appearances in the shows ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' and ''[[Fifth Gear]]''. He also contributed to environmental causes. Kay previously had a high-profile relationship with [[Denise van Outen]].


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Jay Kay was born Jason Luís Cheetham<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5838620.ece|title=Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay's Ferrari Enzo smashed up|last=Schmidt|first=Veronica|date=3 March 2009|work=The Times |location=UK|access-date=31 May 2011}}</ref> in [[Stretford]] on 30 December 1969,<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&q=jamiroquai&pg=RA2-PA1986|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|last=Larkin|first=Colin|date=27 May 2011|page=1985|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=9780857125958}}</ref> to English cabaret singer [[Karen Kay (TV personality)|Karen Kay]]<ref name="thisislanc">{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/archive/1997/03/10/Lancashire+Archive/6185298.Star_s_secret_past/ |title=Star's secret past |publisher=This Is Lancashire |access-date=6 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920235653/http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/archive/1997/03/10/Lancashire+Archive/6185298.Star_s_secret_past/ |archive-date=20 September 2012 }}</ref> and Portuguese guitarist Luís Saraiva.<ref name="me and my motors">{{cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article1074891.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1 | title=Me & my motors: Jay Kay| date=7 September 2003 | access-date=10 December 2010 | first=Jeremy |last=Hart |work=The Sunday Times }}</ref> His parents split up and he did not meet his biological father until he was about 28. Kay's identical twin, David, died of brain damage a few weeks after the two were born.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 October 2005 |title=This much I know |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/oct/30/popandrock |access-date=6 July 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 February 2014 |title=Interview: Jamiroquai singer/songwriter Jason Kay |newspaper=The Scotsman |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/interview_jamiroquai_singer_songwriter_jason_kay_1_478844 |access-date=2023-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202191757/https://www.scotsman.com/news/interview_jamiroquai_singer_songwriter_jason_kay_1_478844 |archive-date=2 February 2014 }}</ref> Kay said in a 2010 interview that his mother raised him largely alone, which gave him "an itinerant childhood", half of which he spent "living in rural [[Suffolk]] and rural [[Devon]]".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8064590/Jay-Kay-interview.html |title=Jay Kay interview |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=27 June 2013}}</ref> He moved to [[Manchester]] with his mother and step-father Mervyn Kay as a youngster from Blackburn.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-03-10 |title=Star's secret past |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6185298.stars-secret-past/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph}}</ref><ref name="thisislanc" /> He often accompanied his mother at her performances,<ref name="tommoon">{{Cite news|last=Moon|first=Tom|author-link=Tom Moon|date=29 May 1997|title=Jamiroquai's Sunny Song has a Serious Message: The Group Warns of a High-Tech 'Virtual Insanity.'|work=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]]|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1841833235/E737482ED91B4B5EPQ|url-status=live|via=ProQuest|access-date=23 February 2021|archive-date=2 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402225123/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1841833235/E737482ED91B4B5EPQ}}</ref> and later attended [[Oakham School]] in [[Oakham]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The 'fact' merry-go-round undermining Wikipedia |date=18 January 2012 |url=http://blogs.channel4.com/benjamin-cohen-on-technology/the-fact-merry-go-round-that-undermines-wikipedia/3158 |work=Channel 4 News |access-date=8 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119001841/http://blogs.channel4.com/benjamin-cohen-on-technology/the-fact-merry-go-round-that-undermines-wikipedia/3158 |archive-date=19 January 2013 }}</ref> At the age of 15, he was homeless and turned to small crimes to survive; he returned home after a false arrest and near-death experience, working as a break-dancer and soon pursuing a career in music.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> It was widely reported that he failed an audition to become a singer for the [[Brand New Heavies]] prior to forming his own band, though the Brand New Heavies denied the claim.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://5chicago.com/features/brand-new-heavies/|title=The Brand New Heavies: The 5 Magazine Interview|date=31 October 2012|magazine=5 Magazine|access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref>
Jay Kay was born Jason Luís Cheetham<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5838620.ece|title=Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay's Ferrari Enzo smashed up|last=Schmidt|first=Veronica|date=3 March 2009|work=The Times |location=UK|access-date=31 May 2011}}</ref> in [[Stretford]], [[Lancashire]], on 30 December 1969,<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&q=jamiroquai&pg=RA2-PA1986|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|last=Larkin|first=Colin|date=27 May 2011|page=1985|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=9780857125958}}</ref> to English cabaret singer [[Karen Kay (TV personality)|Karen Kay]]<ref name="thisislanc">{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/archive/1997/03/10/Lancashire+Archive/6185298.Star_s_secret_past/ |title=Star's secret past |publisher=This Is Lancashire |access-date=6 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920235653/http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/archive/1997/03/10/Lancashire+Archive/6185298.Star_s_secret_past/ |archive-date=20 September 2012 }}</ref> and Portuguese guitarist Luís Saraiva.<ref name="me and my motors">{{cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article1074891.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1 | title=Me & my motors: Jay Kay| date=7 September 2003 | access-date=10 December 2010 | first=Jeremy |last=Hart |work=The Sunday Times }}</ref> His parents split up, and he did not meet his biological father until he was about 28. Kay's identical twin, David, died of brain damage a few weeks after the two were born.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 October 2005 |title=This much I know |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/oct/30/popandrock |access-date=6 July 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 February 2014 |title=Interview: Jamiroquai singer/songwriter Jason Kay |newspaper=The Scotsman |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/interview_jamiroquai_singer_songwriter_jason_kay_1_478844 |access-date=2023-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202191757/https://www.scotsman.com/news/interview_jamiroquai_singer_songwriter_jason_kay_1_478844 |archive-date=2 February 2014 }}</ref> Kay said in a 2010 interview that his mother raised him largely alone, which gave him "an itinerant childhood", half of which he spent "living in rural [[Suffolk]] and rural [[Devon]]".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8064590/Jay-Kay-interview.html |title=Jay Kay interview |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=27 June 2013}}</ref> He moved to [[Manchester]] with his mother and step-father Mervyn Kay as a youngster from Blackburn.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-03-10 |title=Star's secret past |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6185298.stars-secret-past/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph}}</ref><ref name="thisislanc" /> He often accompanied his mother at her performances,<ref name="tommoon">{{Cite news|last=Moon|first=Tom|author-link=Tom Moon|date=29 May 1997|title=Jamiroquai's Sunny Song has a Serious Message: The Group Warns of a High-Tech 'Virtual Insanity.'|work=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]]|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1841833235/E737482ED91B4B5EPQ|url-status=live|via=ProQuest|access-date=23 February 2021|archive-date=2 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402225123/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1841833235/E737482ED91B4B5EPQ}}</ref> and later attended [[Oakham School]] in [[Oakham]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The 'fact' merry-go-round undermining Wikipedia |date=18 January 2012 |url=http://blogs.channel4.com/benjamin-cohen-on-technology/the-fact-merry-go-round-that-undermines-wikipedia/3158 |work=Channel 4 News |access-date=8 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119001841/http://blogs.channel4.com/benjamin-cohen-on-technology/the-fact-merry-go-round-that-undermines-wikipedia/3158 |archive-date=19 January 2013 }}</ref> At the age of 15, he was homeless and turned to small crimes to survive; he returned home after a false arrest and near-death experience, working as a break-dancer and soon pursuing a career in music.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> It had been reported that he failed an audition to become a singer for [[the Brand New Heavies]] prior to forming his own band, though the Brand New Heavies denied the claim.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://5chicago.com/features/brand-new-heavies/|title=The Brand New Heavies: The 5 Magazine Interview|date=31 October 2012|magazine=5 Magazine|access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
=== Jamiroquai ===
=== Jamiroquai ===
Kay formed [[Jamiroquai]] in 1992. Band members included [[Toby Smith]] (keyboards), Nick Van Gelder (drums, 1992–1993), Derrick McKenzie (drums 1994–present) and Wallis Buchanan ([[didgeridoo]]).<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jamiroquai-mn0000176358/biography|title=Jamiroquai {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> After the success of Jamiroquai's first single, "[[When You Gonna Learn]]", Kay signed a US$1 million record deal with [[S2 Records|Sony Soho<sup>2</sup>]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RIEjkWXZdrMC&q=jamiroquai&pg=PA309|title=Funk|last=Thompson|first=Dave|date=2001|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=9780879306298|language=en}}</ref> The band's first album was ''[[Emergency on Planet Earth]]''. The relationship with Sony! ended in 2007.<ref name="Jay Kay quits music">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a43304/jamiroquai-singer-jay-kay-quits-music.html|title=Jay Kay quits music|work=Digital Spy|date=28 February 2007}}</ref> The band has sold more than 26 million albums worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/jamiroquai-announce-new-uk-tour-10001012|title=Jamiroquai announce new UK tour and album after seven year hiatus|last=Symester|first=Chantelle|date=10 March 2017|work=mirror|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> Kay is occasionally referred to as 'Jamiroquai' due to the misconception that the band is a solo artist.<ref>[https://www.stereogum.com/1921842/jamiroquais-back-and-hes-got-a-new-hat/video/ Jamiroquai's Back And He's Got A New Hat] - Stereogum. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.</ref><ref>[http://heavy.com/entertainment/2017/01/jamiroquai-automation-virtual-insanity-new-album/ Jamiroquai: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know] - ''Heavy''. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.</ref>
Kay formed [[Jamiroquai]] in 1992. Band members included [[Toby Smith]] (keyboards), Nick Van Gelder (drums, 1992–1993), Derrick McKenzie (drums 1994–present) and Wallis Buchanan ([[didgeridoo]]).<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jamiroquai-mn0000176358/biography|title=Jamiroquai {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> After the success of Jamiroquai's first single, "[[When You Gonna Learn]]", Kay signed a US$1 million record deal with [[S2 Records|Sony Soho<sup>2</sup>]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RIEjkWXZdrMC&q=jamiroquai&pg=PA309|title=Funk|last=Thompson|first=Dave|date=2001|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=9780879306298|language=en}}</ref> The band's first album was ''[[Emergency on Planet Earth]]''. The relationship with Sony ended in 2007.<ref name="Jay Kay quits music">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a43304/jamiroquai-singer-jay-kay-quits-music.html|title=Jay Kay quits music|work=Digital Spy|date=28 February 2007}}</ref> The band has sold more than 26 million albums worldwide.<ref name="The Telegraph-2017">{{cite news|date=29 April 2017|title=Toby Grafftey-Smith, co-founder of Jamiroquai – obituary|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2017/04/29/toby-grafftey-smith-co-founder-jamiroquai-obituary/|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|access-date=22 January 2018|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|archive-date=25 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925065303/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2017/04/29/toby-grafftey-smith-co-founder-jamiroquai-obituary/}}</ref> Kay is occasionally referred to as 'Jamiroquai' due to the misconception that the band is a solo artist.<ref>[https://www.stereogum.com/1921842/jamiroquais-back-and-hes-got-a-new-hat/video/ Jamiroquai's Back And He's Got A New Hat] - Stereogum. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.</ref><ref>[http://heavy.com/entertainment/2017/01/jamiroquai-automation-virtual-insanity-new-album/ Jamiroquai: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know] - ''Heavy''. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.</ref>


Kay is well known for his array of elaborate hats and headgear.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://onblackheath.com/news/jamiroquai-hats|title=The evolution of Jamiroquai's hats|website=OnBlackheath|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116104726/https://onblackheath.com/news/jamiroquai-hats|archive-date=16 January 2020|access-date=16 January 2020}}</ref> Professional appearances for concerts, interviews and the like have prompted descriptions of Kay as "the mad hatter" for his love of headgear.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/music/mad-hatter/2005/11/24/1132703291988.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Mad hatter | date=25 November 2005}}</ref> In 2005, it was announced that Kay, often referred to as "the cat in the hat", was launching a range of distinctive clothing, including his trademark hats, on his new "Quai" label.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ozler |first=Levent |url=https://www.dexigner.com/news/4882|title=Jamiroquai to Launch Fashion Line |publisher=Dexigner |date=3 July 2005 |access-date=17 November 2011}}</ref> The Indian Country Media Network criticised him for wearing headdresses originating from [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] populations, including the feathered [[war bonnet]] (as seen in the music video and CD single artwork for "[[Corner of the Earth]]" as well as on the album artwork for 2010's ''[[Rock Dust Light Star]]'').<ref>{{cite web |url=https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/news/13-rock-stars-whove-worn-native-headdresses-and-probably-shouldnt-have/ |title=13 Rock Stars Who've Worn Native Headdresses (and Probably Shouldn't Have) |publisher=Indian Country Media Network |date=9 June 2012 |access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref>
Kay is well known for his array of elaborate hats and headgear.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://onblackheath.com/news/jamiroquai-hats|title=The evolution of Jamiroquai's hats|website=OnBlackheath|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116104726/https://onblackheath.com/news/jamiroquai-hats|archive-date=16 January 2020|access-date=16 January 2020}}</ref> Professional appearances for concerts, interviews and the like have prompted descriptions of Kay as "the mad hatter" for his love of headgear.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/music/mad-hatter/2005/11/24/1132703291988.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Mad hatter | date=25 November 2005}}</ref> In 2005, it was announced that Kay, often referred to as "the cat in the hat", was launching a range of distinctive clothing, including his trademark hats, on his new "Quai" label.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ozler |first=Levent |url=https://www.dexigner.com/news/4882|title=Jamiroquai to Launch Fashion Line |publisher=Dexigner |date=3 July 2005 |access-date=17 November 2011}}</ref> The Indian Country Media Network criticised him for wearing headdresses originating from [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] populations, including the feathered [[war bonnet]] (as seen in the music video and CD single artwork for "[[Corner of the Earth]]" as well as on the album artwork for 2010's ''[[Rock Dust Light Star]]'').<ref>{{cite web |date=9 June 2012 |title=13 Rock Stars Who've Worn Native Headdresses (and Probably Shouldn't Have) |url=https://ictnews.org/archive/13-rock-stars-whove-worn-native-headdresses-and-probably-shouldnt-have |access-date=20 March 2017 |publisher=Indian Country Media Network}}</ref>


On 9 October 2017, Kay received the [[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]] President's Award at the [[BMI Film & TV Awards|BMI London Awards]].<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Jamiroquai's Jay Kay lets slip he's married long-term partner|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV8Dmhlgi90|publisher=SNV Channel|access-date=2 July 2019|date=10 October 2017}}</ref> That same year, he seriously injured his spine.<ref name=":39">{{Cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jamiroquai-talk-coachella-comeback-and-what-became-of-the-virtual-insanity-hat-704449/|title=Jamiroquai Talk Coachella Comeback and What Became of the 'Virtual Insanity' Hat|last=Weingarten|first=Christopher R.|date=30 July 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=25 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Requiring surgery, it led to Jamiroquai cancelling two shows in [[Tokyo]] for their Automaton Tour, which were rescheduled later that year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/7850086/jamiroquai-tokyo-japan-concert-tour-date-nippon-budokan|title=Jamiroquai Announces New Tokyo Concert Date in September|magazine=Billboard|access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref>
On 9 October 2017, Kay received the [[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]] President's Award at the [[BMI Film & TV Awards|BMI London Awards]].<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Jamiroquai's Jay Kay lets slip he's married long-term partner|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV8Dmhlgi90|publisher=SNV Channel|access-date=2 July 2019|date=10 October 2017}}</ref> That same year, he seriously injured his spine.<ref name=":39">{{Cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jamiroquai-talk-coachella-comeback-and-what-became-of-the-virtual-insanity-hat-704449/|title=Jamiroquai Talk Coachella Comeback and What Became of the 'Virtual Insanity' Hat|last=Weingarten|first=Christopher R.|date=30 July 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=25 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Requiring surgery, it led to Jamiroquai cancelling two shows in [[Tokyo]] for their Automaton Tour, which were rescheduled later that year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/7850086/jamiroquai-tokyo-japan-concert-tour-date-nippon-budokan|title=Jamiroquai Announces New Tokyo Concert Date in September|magazine=Billboard|access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref>


===TV appearances===
===TV appearances===
[[File:Jamiroquai (6606880291).jpg|thumb|Kay in 2011]]
Kay appeared in an episode of the [[BBC]] series ''[[The Naked Chef]]'' with chef [[Jamie Oliver]], and he performed on the series ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'' singing "[[Canned Heat (song)|Canned Heat]]".
Kay appeared in an episode of the [[BBC]] series ''[[The Naked Chef]]'' with chef [[Jamie Oliver]], and he performed on the series ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'' singing "[[Canned Heat (song)|Canned Heat]]".
He has made many other TV guest appearances as either a singer, interviewee, or both, including on [[The Word (TV series)|''The Word'']], ''[[The Girlie Show (British TV programme)|The Girlie Show]]'', ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'', ''[[Friday Night with Jonathan Ross]]'', ''[[Rove (TV series)|Rove]]'', and many others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jay Kay|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1007370/|access-date=23 September 2021|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Jay Kay - On Rove (2002)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ8klj30GpM|language=en|access-date=23 September 2021}}</ref>
He has made many other TV guest appearances as either a singer, interviewee, or both, including on [[The Word (TV series)|''The Word'']], ''[[The Girlie Show (British TV programme)|The Girlie Show]]'', ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'', ''[[Friday Night with Jonathan Ross]]'', ''[[Rove (TV series)|Rove]]'', and many others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jay Kay|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1007370/|access-date=23 September 2021|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Jay Kay - On Rove (2002)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ8klj30GpM|language=en|access-date=23 September 2021}}</ref>


Kay has appeared on four episodes of the [[BBC]] car show [[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|''Top Gear'']]. In series 1, episode 2, he set a lap time of 1:48.1 for the show's "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" using the [[Suzuki Aerio|Suzuki Liana]], holding the fastest lap time for all of the first series and most of the second series.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.topgear.com/show/lap-times|title=Lap Times {{!}} Top Gear|website=www.topgear.com|language=en|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> In series 3, episode 4, Kay drove his [[Lamborghini Miura]] with [[Richard Hammond]] as a passenger. His third appearance was in series 11, episode 6, where his lap time of 1:45.81 using the [[Daewoo Lacetti|Chevrolet Lacetti]] beat the top time held by [[Simon Cowell]] by one-tenth of a second;<ref name=":0" /> this car's record remained unbeaten throughout the entire series' run despite there being 58 drivers in total for the Chevrolet Lacetti, with [[AC/DC]]'s [[Brian Johnson]] coming in second place for this car with 1:45.85. Kay won ''Top Gear's'' "[[John Sergeant (journalist)|John Sergeant]] Award" for the best dance after learning that his time on the [[Top Gear test track|''Top Gear'' test track]] was the fastest lap time in 2008. On 24 May 2004, Kay appeared on Season 5, Episode 9 of [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]] series ''[[Fifth Gear]]''. He gave the presenters a tour around his property whilst showing off his collection of cars.
Kay has appeared on four episodes of the [[BBC]] car show [[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|''Top Gear'']]. In series 1, episode 2, he set a lap time of 1:48.1 for the show's "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" using the [[Suzuki Aerio|Suzuki Liana]], holding the fastest lap time for all of the first series and most of the second series.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.topgear.com/show/lap-times|title=Lap Times {{!}} Top Gear|website=www.topgear.com|language=en|access-date=8 February 2018|archive-date=10 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210172427/https://www.topgear.com/show/lap-times|url-status=dead}}</ref> In series 3, episode 4, Kay drove his [[Lamborghini Miura]] with [[Richard Hammond]] as a passenger. His third appearance was in series 11, episode 6, where his lap time of 1:45.81 using the [[Daewoo Lacetti|Chevrolet Lacetti]] beat the top time held by [[Simon Cowell]] by one-tenth of a second;<ref name=":0" /> this car's record remained unbeaten throughout the entire series' run despite there being 58 drivers in total for the Chevrolet Lacetti, with [[AC/DC]]'s [[Brian Johnson]] coming in second place for this car with 1:45.85. Kay won ''Top Gear's'' "[[John Sergeant (journalist)|John Sergeant]] Award" for the best dance after learning that his time on the [[Top Gear test track|''Top Gear'' test track]] was the fastest lap time in 2008. On 24 May 2004, Kay appeared on Season 5, Episode 9 of [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]] series ''[[Fifth Gear]]''. He gave the presenters a tour around his property whilst showing off his collection of cars.


==Legal issues==
==Legal issues==
In April 2001, Kay was charged with [[assault]]ing a photographer and [[criminal damage|damaging]] his camera outside the Attica nightclub in London's [[West End of London|West End]]. Kay pleaded not guilty, and the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451147/20011120/jamiroquai.jhtml|title=Jamiroquai's Jay Kay Is A-OK After Assault Charges Dropped|author=Joe D'Angelo and Gideon Yago|date=20 November 2001|access-date=18 March 2009|publisher=MTV News}}</ref>
In April 2001, Kay was charged with [[assault]]ing a photographer and [[criminal damage|damaging]] his camera outside the Attica nightclub in London's [[West End of London|West End]]. Kay pleaded not guilty, and the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=20 November 2001 |title=Jay Kay assault charges dropped |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/jay-kay-assault-charges-dropped-6335649.html |access-date=18 March 2009 |work=The Standard |publisher=}}</ref>


In May 2002, Kay was questioned by police after an altercation at a premiere party for ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'', outside the [[St Martin's Lane|St Martin's Lane Hotel]], where it was alleged a photographer kicked his £70,000 [[Bentley]] after Kay had attempted to grab him as his car drove off. Kay harangued the photographer and his girlfriend, causing the man to give him a severe headbutt. The pair were separated with blood streaming from Kay's nose. The fight almost resumed inside the hotel, and Kay was photographed in a distressed state. He sported a black eye at his next gig.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/jay-kay-in-premiere-party-brawl-6328525.html|title=Jay Kay in premiere party brawl|author=Charles Miranda|date=14 May 2002|work=London Evening Standard|access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref> He was also reported to have got into a scuffle at an afterparty for the [[2002 BRIT Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2002-05-15 |title=FUNK STAR WARS! |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/jamiroquai-27-1378620 |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In May 2002, Kay was questioned by police after an altercation at a premiere party for ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'', outside the [[St Martin's Lane|St Martin's Lane Hotel]], where it was alleged a photographer kicked his £70,000 [[Bentley]] after Kay had attempted to grab him as his car drove off. Kay harangued the photographer and his girlfriend, causing the man to give him a severe headbutt. The pair were separated with blood streaming from Kay's nose. The fight almost resumed inside the hotel, and Kay was photographed in a distressed state. He sported a black eye at his next gig.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/jay-kay-in-premiere-party-brawl-6328525.html|title=Jay Kay in premiere party brawl|author=Charles Miranda|date=14 May 2002|work=London Evening Standard|access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref> He was also reported to have got into a scuffle at an afterparty for the [[2002 BRIT Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2002-05-15 |title=FUNK STAR WARS! |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/jamiroquai-27-1378620 |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>
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==Cars==
==Cars==
[[Image:Jay_Kay_LaFerrari_at_Goodwood_2014_001.jpg|thumb|Kay in his [[Ferrari LaFerrari]] at [[Goodwood Festival of Speed]] in 2014.]]
[[Image:Jay_Kay_LaFerrari_at_Goodwood_2014_001.jpg|thumb|Kay in his [[Ferrari LaFerrari]] at [[Goodwood Festival of Speed]] in 2014.]]
By 2013, Kay had owned hundreds of cars—mainly [[sports cars]]. The cover of ''[[Travelling Without Moving]]'' features an adaptation of the "Buffalo Man" logo and the Ferrari crest. Some press coverage has negatively contrasted his strong interest in exotic cars with themes of environmental concern in Jamiroquai's lyrics.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&q=jamiroquai+press&pg=RA2-PA1986|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|last=Larkin|first=Colin|date=27 May 2011|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=9780857125958|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url=http://www.papermag.com/stoned-groove-jamiroquais-jay-kay-1425142910.html|title=Stoned Groove: Jamiroquai's Jay Kay|date=1 November 1997|work=PAPERMAG|access-date=18 January 2018|language=en}}</ref> He responded in one interview, "[People] keep talking to me about cars and environment, and I reckon I do about 3,000 miles a year [...] I don't really drive that much at all any more, because I'm either on tour or doing stuff."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-12297694|title=Jay Kay talks cars and Cole|last=Bailey|first=Fiona|date=2011|work=BBC News|access-date=8 February 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> He has also quipped that he "can only drive one at a time".<ref>{{Citation |title=Jamiroquai - Interview 1993 RARE |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV1_izKDALE |access-date=2023-11-16 |language=en}}</ref> In another interview, he talked about how he has made his home environmentally sustainable, including tending to his own garden without [[Pesticide|pesticides]], caring for livestock, creating an eco-friendly waste-removal system at great cost, and maximising his [[recycling]]. Kay and the band also put aside a significant portion of their royalties to environmental causes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=Jamiroquai |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-j-files/jamiroquai-jay-kay-funk-acid-jazz-virtual-insanity-cosmic-girl/102934082 |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=ABC listen |language=en-AU}}</ref>
By 2013, Kay owned hundreds of cars—mainly [[sports cars]]. The cover of ''[[Travelling Without Moving]]'' features an adaptation of the "Buffalo Man" logo and the Ferrari crest. Some press coverage has negatively contrasted his strong interest in exotic cars with themes of environmental concern in Jamiroquai's lyrics.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&q=jamiroquai+press&pg=RA2-PA1986|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|last=Larkin|first=Colin|date=27 May 2011|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=9780857125958|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url=http://www.papermag.com/stoned-groove-jamiroquais-jay-kay-1425142910.html|title=Stoned Groove: Jamiroquai's Jay Kay|date=1 November 1997|work=PAPERMAG|access-date=18 January 2018|language=en|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122730/https://www.papermag.com/stoned-groove-jamiroquais-jay-kay-1425142910.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He responded in one interview, "[People] keep talking to me about cars and environment, and I reckon I do about 3,000 miles a year [...] I don't really drive that much at all any more, because I'm either on tour or doing stuff."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-12297694|title=Jay Kay talks cars and Cole|last=Bailey|first=Fiona|date=2011|work=BBC News|access-date=8 February 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> He has also quipped that he "can only drive one at a time".<ref>{{Citation |title=Jamiroquai - Interview 1993 RARE |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV1_izKDALE |access-date=2023-11-16 |language=en}}</ref> In another interview, he talked about how he has made his home environmentally sustainable, including tending to his own garden without [[Pesticide|pesticides]], caring for livestock, creating an eco-friendly waste-removal system at great cost, and maximising his [[recycling]]. Kay and the band also put aside a significant portion of their royalties to environmental causes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=Jamiroquai |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-j-files/jamiroquai-jay-kay-funk-acid-jazz-virtual-insanity-cosmic-girl/102934082 |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=ABC listen |language=en-AU}}</ref>


Three of Kay's cars appeared in the video for the song "[[Cosmic Girl (song)|Cosmic Girl]]". One of the cars was a [[total loss]], and the replacement was involved in an incident that destroyed the windscreen. Kay was not involved in either incident. In 2011, he visited [[Maranello]] for an exclusive viewing of the new [[Ferrari 458 Spider]].<ref>{{cite web|date=13 September 2011|title=Jay Kay Checks Out Ferrari 458 Spider|url=http://www.motorward.com/2011/09/video-jay-kay-checks-out-ferrari-458-spider/}}</ref> Amongst his car collection, including what he calls "staff cars", he owned a one-off 1965 [[Ferrari 330]] GT Vignale Shooting Brake.<ref>[[Top Gear (series 11)]]</ref> He decided to auction this car off in 2018, selling it to a man in [[Ohio]] for $313,000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jay Kay's one-of-a-kind 1965 Ferrari 330 GT Shooting Brake up for Auction|url=https://www.wheels.ca/news/124156/|access-date=23 September 2021|website=WHEELS.ca|date=5 September 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Three of Kay's cars appeared in the video for the song "[[Cosmic Girl (song)|Cosmic Girl]]". One of the cars was a [[total loss]], and the replacement was involved in an incident that destroyed the windscreen. Kay was not involved in either incident. In 2011, he visited [[Maranello]] for an exclusive viewing of the new [[Ferrari 458 Spider]].<ref>{{cite web|date=13 September 2011|title=Jay Kay Checks Out Ferrari 458 Spider|url=http://www.motorward.com/2011/09/video-jay-kay-checks-out-ferrari-458-spider/}}</ref> Amongst his car collection, including what he calls "staff cars", he owned a one-off 1965 [[Ferrari 330]] GT Vignale Shooting Brake.<ref>[[Top Gear (series 11)]]</ref> He decided to auction this car in 2018, selling it for $313,000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jay Kay's one-of-a-kind 1965 Ferrari 330 GT Shooting Brake up for Auction|url=https://www.wheels.ca/news/124156/|access-date=23 September 2021|website=WHEELS.ca|date=5 September 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref>


The song "Black Devil Car" from the album ''[[Dynamite (Jamiroquai album)|Dynamite]]'' is a tribute to his black [[Ferrari Enzo]]. A [[Die-cast toy|die-cast]] 1:18 scale-model series of Kay's black Enzo from [[Hot Wheels]] was available for purchase, including a limited batch of cars with hand-signed windscreens.<ref>{{cite web|title=Black Ferrari Enzo, SIGNED Jay Kay (Jamiroquai), Hot Wheels 1:18, boxed, VGC {{!}} #277243819|url=https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/black-ferrari-enzo-signed-jay-kay-277243819|access-date=23 September 2021|website=Worthpoint|language=en}}</ref>
The song "Black Devil Car" from the album ''[[Dynamite (Jamiroquai album)|Dynamite]]'' is a tribute to his black [[Ferrari Enzo]]. A [[Die-cast toy|die-cast]] 1:18 scale-model series of Kay's black Enzo from [[Hot Wheels]] was available for purchase, including a limited batch of cars with hand-signed windscreens.<ref>{{cite web|title=Black Ferrari Enzo, SIGNED Jay Kay (Jamiroquai), Hot Wheels 1:18, boxed, VGC {{!}} #277243819|url=https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/black-ferrari-enzo-signed-jay-kay-277243819|access-date=23 September 2021|website=Worthpoint|language=en}}</ref>
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==
[[File:Jason Kay.jpg|thumb|left|Kay in 2007]]
From 1998 until 2001 Kay was in a relationship with [[Denise van Outen]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/526053.stm |title=Jay Kay: 'I will marry Denise' |work=BBC News |date=19 November 1999 |access-date=17 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.contactmusic.net/denise-van-outen/news/cocaine-to-blame-for-jay-kay-split|title=Cocaine To Blame For Jay Kay Split|date=25 March 2003|work=Contactmusic.com|access-date=9 February 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
From 1998 until 2001 Kay was in a relationship with [[Denise van Outen]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/526053.stm |title=Jay Kay: 'I will marry Denise' |work=BBC News |date=19 November 1999 |access-date=17 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.contactmusic.net/denise-van-outen/news/cocaine-to-blame-for-jay-kay-split|title=Cocaine To Blame For Jay Kay Split|date=25 March 2003|work=Contactmusic.com|access-date=9 February 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618002530/http://www.contactmusic.net/denise-van-outen/news/cocaine-to-blame-for-jay-kay-split|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Kay is married to Maria; the couple have two daughters, named Carla and Tallulah.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jay Kay facts: Jamiroquai singer's age, wife, children, cars and net worth revealed|url=https://www.smoothradio.com/news/music/jay-kay-jamiroquai-singer-age-wife-children-cars/|access-date=23 September 2021|website=Smooth|language=en}}</ref> The track "Carla" from the ''[[Automaton (album)|Automaton]]'' album is a tribute to his first daughter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celebretainment.com/music/jay-kay-has-been-busy-being-a-dad-on-hiatus/article_5a91991a-1d00-52b3-a458-6fe490cb7e94.html|title=Jay Kay has been busy being a dad on hiatus|date=3 April 2017 |publisher=celebretainment.com/|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> There is also a track called "Talullah" from Jamiroquai's 2005 album ''[[Dynamite (Jamiroquai album)|Dynamite]]'', although the spelling on the album is different to his daughter's name.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamiroquai - Dynamite|url=https://www.discogs.com/Jamiroquai-Dynamite/master/69969|access-date=23 September 2021|website=Discogs|language=en}}</ref>
Kay is married to Maria Kay, and they have two daughters, Carla and Tallulah.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jay Kay facts: Jamiroquai singer's age, wife, children, cars and net worth revealed|url=https://www.smoothradio.com/news/music/jay-kay-jamiroquai-singer-age-wife-children-cars/|access-date=23 September 2021|website=Smooth|language=en}}</ref> The track "Carla" from the ''[[Automaton (album)|Automaton]]'' album is a tribute to his first daughter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celebretainment.com/music/jay-kay-has-been-busy-being-a-dad-on-hiatus/article_5a91991a-1d00-52b3-a458-6fe490cb7e94.html|title=Jay Kay has been busy being a dad on hiatus|date=3 April 2017 |publisher=celebretainment.com/|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> There is also a track called "Talullah" from Jamiroquai's 2005 album ''[[Dynamite (Jamiroquai album)|Dynamite]]'', although the spelling on the album is different to his daughter's name.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamiroquai - Dynamite|url=https://www.discogs.com/Jamiroquai-Dynamite/master/69969|access-date=23 September 2021|website=Discogs|language=en}}</ref>


Kay stated in 2010 that he had a "substantial" [[cocaine]] habit before quitting his drug use in 2003, said to have been triggered over his break-up with Denise van Outen.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8064590/Jay-Kay-interview.html | title=Jay Kay Interview | date=19 October 2010 | work=The Daily Telegraph | access-date=23 October 2010 | author=Craig McLean}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview: Jay Kay - Jay Kay comes down from space; The funkster's quit cocaine and is feeling his 32 years. By GAVIN MARTIN. - Free Online Library |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Interview:+Jay+Kay+-+Jay+Kay+comes+down+from+space;+The+funkster's...-a079889733 |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=www.thefreelibrary.com}}</ref>
Kay stated in 2010 that he had a "substantial" [[cocaine]] habit before quitting his drug use in 2003, said to have been triggered over his break-up with Denise van Outen.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8064590/Jay-Kay-interview.html | title=Jay Kay Interview | date=19 October 2010 | work=The Daily Telegraph | access-date=23 October 2010 | author=Craig McLean}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview: Jay Kay - Jay Kay comes down from space; The funkster's quit cocaine and is feeling his 32 years. By GAVIN MARTIN. - Free Online Library |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Interview:+Jay+Kay+-+Jay+Kay+comes+down+from+space;+The+funkster's...-a079889733 |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=www.thefreelibrary.com}}</ref>


Kay formerly lived in the [[Ealing]] area of [[London]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/jamiroquai-12-1382335|title=Return Of The Ealing Cowboy|date=18 April 2002|work=New Musical Express|access-date=19 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ealingclub.com/an-a-z-of-ealing-rock/|title=An A-Z Of Ealing Rock|publisher=The Ealing Club|access-date=19 May 2017}}</ref> where he played some of his first gigs.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Jamiroquai - Carling Homecoming, Broadway Boulevard, London (Ealing), UK|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21OJbD0iiZc|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=19 May 2017|date=15 May 2002}}</ref> He now lives in [[Horsenden]], where he has a private studio.
Kay formerly lived in the [[Ealing]] area of London,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/jamiroquai-12-1382335|title=Return Of The Ealing Cowboy|date=18 April 2002|work=New Musical Express|access-date=19 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ealingclub.com/an-a-z-of-ealing-rock/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903232621/http://www.ealingclub.com/an-a-z-of-ealing-rock/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 September 2014|title=An A-Z Of Ealing Rock|publisher=The Ealing Club|access-date=19 May 2017}}</ref> where he played some of his first gigs.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Jamiroquai - Carling Homecoming, Broadway Boulevard, London (Ealing), UK|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21OJbD0iiZc|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=19 May 2017|date=15 May 2002}}</ref> He now lives in [[Horsenden]], where he has a private studio.{{citation needed|date= February 2024}}


When asked in a 1996 interview about having conventional religious beliefs, Kay responded, "I follow the religion of the trees and the greenery. I follow the religion of the moon. I believe in what people leave behind in the sense of trails and spirits, the energy which they project. I believe in vibrations, which is what the whole world runs on."<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/muzik017_october_1996#page/n107/mode/2up/search/jamiroquai|title=Getting personal with JAMIROQUAI's Jay Kay|last=Poulton|first=Sonia|publisher=Muzik|year=1996|page=109}}</ref>
When asked in a 1996 interview about having conventional religious beliefs, Kay responded, "I follow the religion of the trees and the greenery. I follow the religion of the moon. I believe in what people leave behind in the sense of trails and spirits, the energy which they project. I believe in vibrations, which is what the whole world runs on."<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/muzik017_october_1996#page/n107/mode/2up/search/jamiroquai|title=Getting personal with JAMIROQUAI's Jay Kay|last=Poulton|first=Sonia|publisher=Muzik|year=1996|page=109}}</ref>
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* [[List of number-one dance hits (United States)]]
* [[List of number-one dance hits (United States)]]
* [[List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart]]
* [[List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart]]
{{-}}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000811477}}
* {{Discogs artist}}
* {{Discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name|1007370}}
* {{IMDb name|1007370}}

Latest revision as of 12:14, 30 August 2024

Not to be confused with Jaykae, J.K. (singer), or Jay Kaye. For other uses, see JK (disambiguation).

Jay Kay
Kay performing with Jamiroquai at the 2018 Coachella Music Festival
Born
Jason Luís Cheetham

(1969-12-30) 30 December 1969 (age 54)
Stretford, Lancashire, England
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1986–present
SpouseMaria Kay
PartnerDenise van Outen (1998–2001)
Children2
MotherKaren Kay
Musical career
Genres
Member ofJamiroquai
Signature

Jason "Jay" Kay (born Jason Luís Cheetham; 30 December 1969)[1] is a British singer and songwriter. In 1992 he co-founded the acid jazz and funk band Jamiroquai and still serves as their lead vocalist.[2][3][4][5] As of 2017, the band sold more than 26 million albums worldwide.

Outside music, Kay has an interest in exotic cars, and made appearances in the shows Top Gear and Fifth Gear. He also contributed to environmental causes. Kay previously had a high-profile relationship with Denise van Outen.

Early life

[edit]

Jay Kay was born Jason Luís Cheetham[6] in Stretford, Lancashire, on 30 December 1969,[7] to English cabaret singer Karen Kay[8] and Portuguese guitarist Luís Saraiva.[9] His parents split up, and he did not meet his biological father until he was about 28. Kay's identical twin, David, died of brain damage a few weeks after the two were born.[10][11] Kay said in a 2010 interview that his mother raised him largely alone, which gave him "an itinerant childhood", half of which he spent "living in rural Suffolk and rural Devon".[12] He moved to Manchester with his mother and step-father Mervyn Kay as a youngster from Blackburn.[13][8] He often accompanied his mother at her performances,[14] and later attended Oakham School in Oakham.[15] At the age of 15, he was homeless and turned to small crimes to survive; he returned home after a false arrest and near-death experience, working as a break-dancer and soon pursuing a career in music.[7][16] It had been reported that he failed an audition to become a singer for the Brand New Heavies prior to forming his own band, though the Brand New Heavies denied the claim.[17]

Career

[edit]

Jamiroquai

[edit]

Kay formed Jamiroquai in 1992. Band members included Toby Smith (keyboards), Nick Van Gelder (drums, 1992–1993), Derrick McKenzie (drums 1994–present) and Wallis Buchanan (didgeridoo).[16] After the success of Jamiroquai's first single, "When You Gonna Learn", Kay signed a US$1 million record deal with Sony Soho2.[18] The band's first album was Emergency on Planet Earth. The relationship with Sony ended in 2007.[19] The band has sold more than 26 million albums worldwide.[20] Kay is occasionally referred to as 'Jamiroquai' due to the misconception that the band is a solo artist.[21][22]

Kay is well known for his array of elaborate hats and headgear.[23] Professional appearances for concerts, interviews and the like have prompted descriptions of Kay as "the mad hatter" for his love of headgear.[24] In 2005, it was announced that Kay, often referred to as "the cat in the hat", was launching a range of distinctive clothing, including his trademark hats, on his new "Quai" label.[25] The Indian Country Media Network criticised him for wearing headdresses originating from Native American populations, including the feathered war bonnet (as seen in the music video and CD single artwork for "Corner of the Earth" as well as on the album artwork for 2010's Rock Dust Light Star).[26]

On 9 October 2017, Kay received the BMI President's Award at the BMI London Awards.[27] That same year, he seriously injured his spine.[28] Requiring surgery, it led to Jamiroquai cancelling two shows in Tokyo for their Automaton Tour, which were rescheduled later that year.[29]

TV appearances

[edit]
Kay in 2011

Kay appeared in an episode of the BBC series The Naked Chef with chef Jamie Oliver, and he performed on the series Strictly Come Dancing singing "Canned Heat". He has made many other TV guest appearances as either a singer, interviewee, or both, including on The Word, The Girlie Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Rove, and many others.[30][31]

Kay has appeared on four episodes of the BBC car show Top Gear. In series 1, episode 2, he set a lap time of 1:48.1 for the show's "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" using the Suzuki Liana, holding the fastest lap time for all of the first series and most of the second series.[32] In series 3, episode 4, Kay drove his Lamborghini Miura with Richard Hammond as a passenger. His third appearance was in series 11, episode 6, where his lap time of 1:45.81 using the Chevrolet Lacetti beat the top time held by Simon Cowell by one-tenth of a second;[32] this car's record remained unbeaten throughout the entire series' run despite there being 58 drivers in total for the Chevrolet Lacetti, with AC/DC's Brian Johnson coming in second place for this car with 1:45.85. Kay won Top Gear's "John Sergeant Award" for the best dance after learning that his time on the Top Gear test track was the fastest lap time in 2008. On 24 May 2004, Kay appeared on Season 5, Episode 9 of Channel 5 series Fifth Gear. He gave the presenters a tour around his property whilst showing off his collection of cars.

[edit]

In April 2001, Kay was charged with assaulting a photographer and damaging his camera outside the Attica nightclub in London's West End. Kay pleaded not guilty, and the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence.[33]

In May 2002, Kay was questioned by police after an altercation at a premiere party for Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, outside the St Martin's Lane Hotel, where it was alleged a photographer kicked his £70,000 Bentley after Kay had attempted to grab him as his car drove off. Kay harangued the photographer and his girlfriend, causing the man to give him a severe headbutt. The pair were separated with blood streaming from Kay's nose. The fight almost resumed inside the hotel, and Kay was photographed in a distressed state. He sported a black eye at his next gig.[34] He was also reported to have got into a scuffle at an afterparty for the 2002 BRIT Awards.[35]

In March 2009, Kay's black Ferrari Enzo suffered nearly £10,000 worth of damage during an altercation with hotel chef Aaron Billington at the Brudenell Hotel in Aldeburgh.[36] Billington, who was drunk and motivated by romantic interest in a woman with whom Kay was interacting, lost his job and was jailed for 20 weeks.[37][38]

Cars

[edit]
Kay in his Ferrari LaFerrari at Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2014.

By 2013, Kay owned hundreds of cars—mainly sports cars. The cover of Travelling Without Moving features an adaptation of the "Buffalo Man" logo and the Ferrari crest. Some press coverage has negatively contrasted his strong interest in exotic cars with themes of environmental concern in Jamiroquai's lyrics.[39][40] He responded in one interview, "[People] keep talking to me about cars and environment, and I reckon I do about 3,000 miles a year [...] I don't really drive that much at all any more, because I'm either on tour or doing stuff."[41] He has also quipped that he "can only drive one at a time".[42] In another interview, he talked about how he has made his home environmentally sustainable, including tending to his own garden without pesticides, caring for livestock, creating an eco-friendly waste-removal system at great cost, and maximising his recycling. Kay and the band also put aside a significant portion of their royalties to environmental causes.[43]

Three of Kay's cars appeared in the video for the song "Cosmic Girl". One of the cars was a total loss, and the replacement was involved in an incident that destroyed the windscreen. Kay was not involved in either incident. In 2011, he visited Maranello for an exclusive viewing of the new Ferrari 458 Spider.[44] Amongst his car collection, including what he calls "staff cars", he owned a one-off 1965 Ferrari 330 GT Vignale Shooting Brake.[45] He decided to auction this car in 2018, selling it for $313,000.[46]

The song "Black Devil Car" from the album Dynamite is a tribute to his black Ferrari Enzo. A die-cast 1:18 scale-model series of Kay's black Enzo from Hot Wheels was available for purchase, including a limited batch of cars with hand-signed windscreens.[47]

Kay competed in the Celebrity Challenge race at the 2012 Silverstone Classic, finishing third behind AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson and actor Kelvin Fletcher.[48]

At the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Kay showcased his signal green LaFerrari, the only one of its colour in the world.[49] He sold the car in 2019.[50]

Personal life

[edit]
Kay in 2007

From 1998 until 2001 Kay was in a relationship with Denise van Outen.[51][52]

Kay is married to Maria Kay, and they have two daughters, Carla and Tallulah.[53] The track "Carla" from the Automaton album is a tribute to his first daughter.[54] There is also a track called "Talullah" from Jamiroquai's 2005 album Dynamite, although the spelling on the album is different to his daughter's name.[55]

Kay stated in 2010 that he had a "substantial" cocaine habit before quitting his drug use in 2003, said to have been triggered over his break-up with Denise van Outen.[56][57]

Kay formerly lived in the Ealing area of London,[58][59] where he played some of his first gigs.[60] He now lives in Horsenden, where he has a private studio.[citation needed]

When asked in a 1996 interview about having conventional religious beliefs, Kay responded, "I follow the religion of the trees and the greenery. I follow the religion of the moon. I believe in what people leave behind in the sense of trails and spirits, the energy which they project. I believe in vibrations, which is what the whole world runs on."[61]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Jason KAY". Companies House. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  2. ^ Coker, Cheo Hodari (10 May 1997). "An Englishman with Soul--and Stateside Album Goals". Los Angeles Times.
  3. ^ "Jamiroquai". 21 November 1997.
  4. ^ McLean, Craig (19 October 2010). "Jay Kay interview".
  5. ^ "Interview: Jay Kay - in at the deep end". The Independent. 21 May 1999.
  6. ^ Schmidt, Veronica (3 March 2009). "Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay's Ferrari Enzo smashed up". The Times. UK. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  7. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (27 May 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. p. 1985. ISBN 9780857125958.
  8. ^ a b "Star's secret past". This Is Lancashire. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  9. ^ Hart, Jeremy (7 September 2003). "Me & my motors: Jay Kay". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  10. ^ "This much I know". The Guardian. 30 October 2005. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Interview: Jamiroquai singer/songwriter Jason Kay". The Scotsman. 2 February 2014. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Jay Kay interview". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Star's secret past". Lancashire Telegraph. 10 March 1997. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  14. ^ Moon, Tom (29 May 1997). "Jamiroquai's Sunny Song has a Serious Message: The Group Warns of a High-Tech 'Virtual Insanity.'". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021 – via ProQuest.
  15. ^ "The 'fact' merry-go-round undermining Wikipedia". Channel 4 News. 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  16. ^ a b "Jamiroquai | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  17. ^ "The Brand New Heavies: The 5 Magazine Interview". 5 Magazine. 31 October 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  18. ^ Thompson, Dave (2001). Funk. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780879306298.
  19. ^ "Jay Kay quits music". Digital Spy. 28 February 2007.
  20. ^ "Toby Grafftey-Smith, co-founder of Jamiroquai – obituary". The Telegraph. 29 April 2017. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  21. ^ Jamiroquai's Back And He's Got A New Hat - Stereogum. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  22. ^ Jamiroquai: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know - Heavy. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  23. ^ "The evolution of Jamiroquai's hats". OnBlackheath. Archived from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  24. ^ "Mad hatter". The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 November 2005.
  25. ^ Ozler, Levent (3 July 2005). "Jamiroquai to Launch Fashion Line". Dexigner. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  26. ^ "13 Rock Stars Who've Worn Native Headdresses (and Probably Shouldn't Have)". Indian Country Media Network. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  27. ^ Jamiroquai's Jay Kay lets slip he's married long-term partner. SNV Channel. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  28. ^ Weingarten, Christopher R. (30 July 2018). "Jamiroquai Talk Coachella Comeback and What Became of the 'Virtual Insanity' Hat". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  29. ^ "Jamiroquai Announces New Tokyo Concert Date in September". Billboard. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  30. ^ "Jay Kay". IMDb. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  31. ^ Jay Kay - On Rove (2002), retrieved 23 September 2021
  32. ^ a b "Lap Times | Top Gear". www.topgear.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  33. ^ "Jay Kay assault charges dropped". The Standard. 20 November 2001. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
  34. ^ Charles Miranda (14 May 2002). "Jay Kay in premiere party brawl". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  35. ^ NME (15 May 2002). "FUNK STAR WARS!". NME. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  36. ^ "Angry Chef Trashes Rock Star's Ferrari Enzo, Archive.org". 12 February 2019. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011.
  37. ^ "Pastry chef jailed for smashing Jamiroquai singer's Ferrari". Belfasttelegraph.
  38. ^ "England | Suffolk | Jay Kay car attack chef is jailed". BBC News. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  39. ^ Larkin, Colin (27 May 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958.
  40. ^ "Stoned Groove: Jamiroquai's Jay Kay". PAPERMAG. 1 November 1997. Archived from the original on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  41. ^ Bailey, Fiona (2011). "Jay Kay talks cars and Cole". BBC News. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  42. ^ Jamiroquai - Interview 1993 RARE, retrieved 16 November 2023
  43. ^ "Jamiroquai". ABC listen. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Jay Kay Checks Out Ferrari 458 Spider". 13 September 2011.
  45. ^ Top Gear (series 11)
  46. ^ "Jay Kay's one-of-a-kind 1965 Ferrari 330 GT Shooting Brake up for Auction". WHEELS.ca. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  47. ^ "Black Ferrari Enzo, SIGNED Jay Kay (Jamiroquai), Hot Wheels 1:18, boxed, VGC | #277243819". Worthpoint. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  48. ^ "2012 SILVERSTONE CLASSIC: EMMERDALE ACTOR FLETCHER DOMINATES CELEBRITY CHALLENGE". 29 June 2018.
  49. ^ "Goodwood Festival of Speed 2014: Jay Kay's £1m Ferrari". 28 June 2014. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  50. ^ "Jay Kay's Green LaFerrari Is For Sale". 30 April 2019.
  51. ^ "Jay Kay: 'I will marry Denise'". BBC News. 19 November 1999. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  52. ^ "Cocaine To Blame For Jay Kay Split". Contactmusic.com. 25 March 2003. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  53. ^ "Jay Kay facts: Jamiroquai singer's age, wife, children, cars and net worth revealed". Smooth. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  54. ^ "Jay Kay has been busy being a dad on hiatus". celebretainment.com/. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  55. ^ "Jamiroquai - Dynamite". Discogs. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  56. ^ Craig McLean (19 October 2010). "Jay Kay Interview". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  57. ^ "Interview: Jay Kay - Jay Kay comes down from space; The funkster's quit cocaine and is feeling his 32 years. By GAVIN MARTIN. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  58. ^ "Return Of The Ealing Cowboy". New Musical Express. 18 April 2002. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  59. ^ "An A-Z Of Ealing Rock". The Ealing Club. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  60. ^ Jamiroquai - Carling Homecoming, Broadway Boulevard, London (Ealing), UK. Channel 4. 15 May 2002. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  61. ^ Poulton, Sonia (1996). Getting personal with JAMIROQUAI's Jay Kay. Muzik. p. 109.
[edit]
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