HE’S known for hits such as Ridin Solo, In My Head, Whatcha Say, and What If, all culled from his 2010 self-titled studio album. Jason DeRulo has been writing and producing songs for other top names in the entertainment business before he even got his own record deal.

DeRulo recently released his sophomore album Future History, which topped the charts with hits including It Girl, Don’t Wanna Go Home, and Fight for You.

This talented singer/songwriter/dancer/actor is a son of the Caribbean.

TEENage recently Flexxed with him via telephone and he had quite a lot to say about his career, his Caribbean background and which Jamaican artistes he admires and would like to work with.

TEENage: Before you got your own record deal as a solo artiste, you were writing and producing songs for a number of big names in the business, talk to us about that.

Jason DeRulo (JD): I actually started out as a producer and writer behind the scenes. When I was 16, I got my first placement. I was working with people like Danity Kane, Sean Kingston, Lil Wayne, Cassidy, Iyaz and Lady Gaga. Finally, they realised, who was writing the songs and the rest is history.

TEENage: You sing, act and dance. Which do you prefer and why?

JD: Being in the studio and making magic happen is probably the most personal. Music is the gateway to the soul.

TEENage: Tell us about your Caribbean heritage

JD: My family is from Haiti and my father was raised in Jamaica. My grandfather was the Haitian ambassador to Jamaica.

TEENage: You are friends with a former Jamaican beauty queen Lesa Gayle Weetom better known to television viewers as Milan from BET’s College Hill reality show. What has she told you about Jamaica?

JD: She has told me about the beautiful beaches in Jamaica and about her humble upbringing.

TEENage: You are a major star worldwide and in the United States yet, we don’t see you or your videos playing on BET. Why is that?

JD: That’s a very good question, but that’s a question for BET. I think it’s because of the type of music I do, which is pop and their station is more R&B-oriented. If it’s gonna be a Black Entertainment Television, then it should be black and not urban entertainment television. It is what it is.

TEENage: There are so many black male solo artistes on the scene right now. What sets you apart from the competition? What are you bringing to the table?

JD: Well, I’m a songwriter and my songs are coming from the heart. I write records based on the things that I go through. I’m sending out as much positivity to the world.

TEENage: Most of your material deals with matters of the heart. Have you been affected by matters of the heart?

JD: Absolutely! I’m only 22, but I’ve been through a lot in my life. I feel like I’ve grown up very fast.

TEENage: How hands-on are you with your career?

JD: Everything is me. I just wrote a treatment for the video for my next single Breathing. I decided to put the video out early. It’s my best video to date. I’m not anyone’s puppet. I’m very much hands-on when it comes to my career.

TEENage: Tell us about your new album Future History.

JD: The album is talking about everything inside of me. It’s like an open book. So far, we’ve had two top ten singles including a number one single in the UK. We plan to release about five more singles from the album.

TEENage: Were you influenced by reggae music in any way while growing up?

JD: I was exposed to reggae music and the work of Bob Marley, while I was growing up. My dad played a lot of the music in the home. Jamaican music has had the most influence on me. I like Mavado’s music a lot. He’s doing some good stuff. The Jamaican culture is prevalent in our household. My family is into jerk chicken and curry.

TEENage: What would you say has been the highlight of your musical career to date?

JD: I have all these moments and it’s almost surreal. My first two singles went to number one in America. I’m just really blessed and thankful. I also want to thank the fans in Jamaica for supporting my music.

TEENage: If it wasn’t music, what would you be doing professionally?

JD: I would probably be doing acting. I studied acting in college.

— Kevin Jackson