jay โWheeler Creditsโ Grandmother as Musical Inspiration Behindโฃ Recent Coverโ & Rising Career
Reggaeton starโ Jay Wheeler recently shared how his grandmother,Clara Luz,played a pivotal role in fostering hisโ love for music โand inspired his rendition of a classic song as part of a collaboration with McDonald’s. The opportunityโ arose with theโข promotion โคof McDonald’s new “Grandma McFlurry,” offering fans a chance to meet the artist.
Wheeler covered a classic song, referred to as “Cinnamon โฃskin,” acknowledging the pressure of revisiting a beloved tune. “I was actually really โคnervousโ as I knowโค it’s a โขclassic, that it’s something that you don’t want to mess up,” he explained. “So, my intention was never to make a better version or anything โคlike that. Myโฃ intention was justโฃ to make myโข version of a classic song – one that reminds me of myโข grandmother.”
The singer emphasized his abuela’s lifelong โคdream of being a performer and how she actively encouraged his musical aspirations from a youngโ age. “My grandmotherโข always wanted to be a singerโฆ and that inspired me. From a very young age, she โขinstilled [that desire] in me. And she always wanted to be famous,” Wheeler laughed,โฃ adding, “If you give her a stage and microphone, she’ll dance and sing.”
Wheeler fondly recalled a childhood video of him and his grandmother performing โtogether, foreshadowing his current success. โคThis success was further highlighted by a commercialโค filmed with his grandmother for the Grandma McFlurry campaign, including a TikTok competition.โค
Currently onโฃ tour, Wheeler is scheduled to perform at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden the week after Puerto Rican Weekend. โWhile known for his reggaetรณn and trap music, he remains open to exploring other genres. “I’m open to doing anything when it comesโข to music.There’s no limit. I’m always going to challenge myself to โdo everything,” Wheeler stated. “Obviously, not everything is going to suit me, but I’ll always tryโฆ I’m always going to try and give it โmy best shot.”
He also hinted at potentialโ future โขcollaborations, mentioningโ his โคwife, fellowโ singer Zhamira Zambrano, and โeven the possibilityโ of a duet with his grandmother. Wheeler’s grandmother continues to be a source of pride and support as โฃhe โคnavigates his burgeoning โขcareer.This article is based on reporting from Popsugar.com, authored by Miguel Machado, a journalist โฃspecializing in Latine identity and culture.