drip or drown

Jai Nitai Lotus is a highly creative MC/Producer, based out of Montreal. His music is a journey that encompasses vivid socially-conscious commentary, as well as the dualities of love, pain and expansive spirituality. His production is an evolution of Hip Hop sound and texture, infused with Spiritual Jazz.

Jai Nitai grew up in a musical household, as his father was a saxophone player and multi- instrumentalist in a jazz-fusion band. JNL’s father would later renounce playing non-devotional music, after dedicating himself to a spiritual practice from the East. A deep sense of spirituality was instilled in Jai Nitai since he could remember…Vivid images of being a child on his mother’s lap, while devotional Sanskrit prayers were being sung over loud, beating Eastern drums, resonating the temple floors and lulling him to sleep. His family’s spiritual practices, mantras, diet and philosophy would play a pivotable role in shaping his purpose in life and music. As a youth, he struggled with frequent moves, changing schools, having to ‘start over,’ and feeling uncomfortable with his complicated name (Jai Nitai Candra) and unusual upbringing.These experiences made it hard for him to find confidence in himself and embrace his individuality. Things would shortly change in the early nineties after being introduced to Hip Hop music, in the form of cassette tape from a friend in high school. The music was powerful, raw and spoke on individual truth, injustice and the harsh realities of life. These insights helped Jai Nitai embrace his uniqueness and find his voice. His obsession with rap music became a life-long passion, where he would hone and master his skills as a stand-out rapper, music producer, performer and artistic director.

JNL has released multiple solo albums and collaborative projects from 2006-2022, which have received much praise, accolades, media attention and honours (such as a TIMA award, a GAMIQ nomination, and a Polaris mention). Nitai’s natural talent for performance would lead him to play the Montreal Jazz Festival twice (with his 9-piece band), as well as numerous other national festivals (Manifesto, Harbour Front, NXNE). In a quest to continue evolving, he began exploring alternative show experiences, teaming up with leading innovative street dancers and holding a series of invite-only events that pushed the boundaries of what a show or an album launch could look like. Jai Nitai’s visions would continue to expand into many aspects of Artistic and Creative Direction, including Videography (Directing, shooting and editing videos for himself and other established artists).

Nitai’s love for people and his unique ability to motivate, uplift and inspire others through words and music lead him to get more involved in community work. He is currently the Director of a non-profit music studio for youth called NBS (No Bad Sound) in Montreal’s Cote-des-Neiges neighbourhood. JNL’s impact on some of the young, local, emerging artists can be heard in the likes of Yama//Sato, Kazz, and international rising star Skiifall.

Artistic Director & Lead Performer: Jai Nitai Lotus
Music Design & Score: Jai Nitai Lotus
Artistic Consultants: Alexandra ‘Spicey’ Landé + Frédérique ‘Pax’ Dumas + Edouard “DarqK” Pierre-Toussaint
Lighting Design + Technical Director: Benoit Larivière
Dance performers: Frédérique ‘Pax’ Dumas + J-Styles + Deepa Nallappan

Musicians:
· Saxophone: Evan Shay
· Trombone: Modibo Keita
· DJ/Producer/Engineer: Yama//Sato
· Vocalist: DonPerry
· Rapper: Snowside

Spoken Word: Rita Yemeli + Okaytesla
Live Video Projections: Hugh Durnford Dionne
Live Painting: Clark Ka-EL Jihbran + Kemi Guzoraky
Costume Design: Shane Kelsey (NEECHI BY NATURE)
Set Design: Krysha Sz