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Melbourne-based Filipino R&B artist J Tajor is making waves in the global music scene with his infectious sound and relatable storytelling. Launching his debut single in 2020, J Tajor quickly earned fans worldwide with his catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics about love. His smooth R&B vibe, paired with catchy hooks, has allowed him to carve out a unique space in the industry. 

In early 2024, his hit single "Like I Do" achieved incredible success, reaching #1 across Southeast Asia and ranking as TikTok’s #1 viral dance trend in Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Vietnam. With a growing global fanbase and an unmistakable musical style, J Tajor continues to break boundaries and is firmly establishing himself as one of the most exciting artists to watch in the R&B genre. His journey is just beginning, and there's much more to come.

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Ones To Watch: When did you realise you wanted to pursue music?

J.Tajor: I think it was when I started really getting into music. I would listen to a song and think, "I’d change this, I’d change that," and I realised, "You know what? Let me try this myself." I thought with my capabilities and ideas, I could make something of my own. That's when I decided to go for it.

How would you describe your music, and is there a difference from when you started to today?

Yeah, 100%. I actually started out with Afrobeat, but you don’t hear that much anymore. It was my initial inspiration, and I thought if I mixed that with Asian R&B, it could work. But then I fell in love with West Coast R&B, which is what I’m doing now, and what I’m known for.

What has influenced your music career?  

The biggest influence has definitely been Ty Dolla $ign. Every time I heard him feature on a track, it was like he changed the whole vibe of the song. I’d always look forward to his verse. That made me think, “I want to do that too,” and I started pursuing my own sound.

If someone were to take away one thing from your music, what would you want it to be?  

I’d want them to feel uplifted, like a sort of bounce or energy. I aim for my music to make people feel good. I want them to walk away feeling better and enjoying the experience.

What are your goals now and beyond?  

Right now, my main goal is to continue making good music. I always push myself to a high standard, and I want to keep improving. It’s getting harder, but I enjoy the challenge. My goal is to make the best music I can while I’m here.

What motivates you to write music?  

What usually works for me is finding song inspiration. Right now, I’m leaning toward that old-school R&B vibe, like Mario’s “Let Me Love You” or “How Do I Breathe.” I listen to songs like that and think, “Let me try to recreate that vibe.” It’s a challenge, but I love trying to capture that feeling in my own way.

Do you have any career highlights that stand out the most to you?

Definitely my first performance—it was huge for me. I performed with one of my favorite artists, Donna Lewis, who I’ve listened to since high school. It was surreal to be on stage with him. Another highlight was getting a feature with Will Singe and filming a music video with him. That was a crazy feeling too.

Any pre-show nerves?

Yeah, I still get nervous before performing. It’s a good kind of nerve, though. It keeps me on my toes and reminds me to stay focused.