SAINt JHN is stepping back into the spotlight with Festival Season, his first full project in four years. Sitting down with New Rory & Mal, the Brooklyn-born artist opened up about his career evolution, personal struggles, and the business of music.
Following the success of his global hit “Roses,” SAINt JHN took an intentional break to restructure his business and recalibrate his career. Over the past four years, he relocated from Los Angeles to Miami, then Puerto Rico—partly for personal growth, but also for financial and tax considerations. “I had to build the infrastructure first before giving people more music,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of long-term planning in an industry driven by instant gratification.
During the pandemic, SAINt JHN put his career on hold to support his mother, who was battling stage-four kidney failure. He secured special clearance from the Guyanese government to travel despite lockdown restrictions, even arranging for his mother to meet with the country’s first lady. “That wasn’t about music. That was about family,” he shared.
The conversation also explored the evolving landscape of New York hip-hop. With artists like A$AP Rocky reshaping the city’s sonic identity, SAINt JHN pushed back against the idea that artists must adhere to a traditional regional sound. “Music is global now,” he stated, highlighting the importance of creative freedom over outdated expectations.
Returning with Festival Season, SAINt JHN promises his “loudest body of work” yet—crafted specifically for live performances. Notably, the project contains no hi-hats, a deliberate production choice. It also stands alone with zero features.
Festival Season is just the first installment of Collection Two, with Fake Tears from a Pop Star set to follow four months later. While Festival Season is designed for the stage, its sequel will take a more introspective, emotive approach. “It’s about creating different moments, like how fashion designers release collections,” he explained.
A recent studio session with J Balvin further solidified SAINt JHN’s belief in music’s ability to transcend language barriers. “People don’t realize how deep J Balvin’s hip-hop knowledge goes,” he noted.
As for the shift in his sound, SAINt JHN isn’t looking back. He’s now creating music from a “stage perspective” rather than a “bedroom perspective,” ensuring every track connects with audiences on a grander scale. “I want to grow, but I also want to make sure my core fans still feel like it’s me.”
With Festival Season on the horizon and a newfound clarity in his artistic direction, SAINt JHN is proving that sometimes, stepping away is the key to coming back stronger.
