Dilan Jay
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Dilan Jay ඩිලාන් ජයසිංහ | |
|---|---|
 Dilan Jay | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Walter Dilan Jayasingha |
| Also known as | Dilan Jay, DeLon |
| Born | Sri Lanka |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres |
|
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer, actor |
| Instruments | Piano, Guitar |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | Halcyon Records |
| Website | https://dilanjay.com/ |
Walter Dilan Jayasingha (born March 14, 1980), known professionally as Dilan Jay, is an American actor, singer, producer, and entrepreneur. He is recognized as the first artist from his country of heritage, Sri Lanka, to place on the U.S. Billboard charts.[1][2] He also achieved a No. 1 position on MTV's Most Popular Music Videos.
Dilan Jay has released ten No. 1 musical hits in Sri Lanka and has produced multiple albums across various genres, including two pop albums, four hip hop albums, and two acoustic albums. In 2022, he collaborated with rapper Money Man on the single January, which garnered significant attention.[3] The tracks from his 2022 pop album accumulated over 2 million streams on Spotify and 3 million views on YouTube.
Throughout his career, Dilan has collaborated with prominent artists such as Ty Dolla $ign,[4] Black-Eyed Peas producer Keith Harris,[5] Jacob Lutrell, and songwriter Darious Coleman.[6]
Early Music Career
[edit]Dilan began his music career under the pseudonym "DeLon," achieving early success with the single Jeevithe, which was featured on Yes FM’s Sri Lankan tsunami relief CD. During this period, he released multiple No. 1 radio hits and garnered awards from Sri Lanka's Derana Award show. Known as the "King of Ceylon," Dilan produced four albums and two mixtapes, collaborating with notable artists like Ty Dolla $ign and songwriter Jacob Luttrell.
In 2018, Dilan retired from his rap career, adopting the moniker Dilan Jay to mark a new musical direction. His singer-songwriter albums 3.14 (2018) and Songs About Love and Other Stuff (2019) reflect a shift to acoustic and pop influences. By 2022, his music amassed millions of streams across platforms, with singles like January featuring rapper Money Man.
Acting and Film Production
[edit]Dilan Jay made his acting debut in the Sri Lankan film Looking Back on the Lion (2010) A.K.A Sinhawalokanaya, the country's first cricket-themed movie and a recognized national heritage film.
His American film debut came with Hollow Point (2019), an action thriller directed by Daniel Zirilli. Dilan starred as Nolan Cooray, with the film earning four festival awards and being distributed by Vertical Entertainment.
Entrepreneurship and Wellness
[edit]In addition to his entertainment career, Dilan is a successful entrepreneur. As the founder of Wholesome Organics Co, he promotes sustainable lifestyles through plant-based products, including the popular Ascend Energy Tonic. His ventures also include leadership in multimillion-dollar real estate projects.
Books
[edit]In 2021, Dilan published How to Be More Confident with Women: 7 Easy Steps for the Genuine Guy, offering practical advice on building confidence in social interactions. The book highlights his ability to inspire and connect with diverse audiences.
Discography
[edit]As DeLon
[edit]- The Connection (2005)
- Unstoppable (2008)
- S.O.N (Something Out of Nothing) (2011)
- Awake (2011)
As Dilan Jay
[edit]- 3.14 (2018)
- Songs About Love and Other Stuff (2019)
- Kick Back (2019)
- January (2022, featuring Money Man)
Legacy
[edit]Dilan Jay continues to innovate across music, film, and business, earning recognition as a trailblazer for Sri Lankan-American artists. His career is a testament to resilience, cultural pride, and creative evolution.
References
[edit]- ^ Silva, Shamini Tineeka de. "DeLon: First Lankan artiste on US Billboard Charts". Daily News. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ "An Interview With One of the FIRST Musicians of Sri Lankan Descent to be Featured on the Billboard Charts: DELON! | All Access Music". July 14, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ Wonderland Staff (August 30, 2022). "Dilan Jay Recruits Money Man For Funky Soul-Pop Earworm". Wonderland. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
- ^ "Dilan Jay Releases 'Embodied' Single with Ty Dolla $ign". Out Now Magazine. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- ^ Wonderland Staff (August 30, 2022). "Dilan Jay Recruits Money Man For Funky Soul-Pop Earworm". Wonderland. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
- ^ Wonderland Staff (August 30, 2022). "Dilan Jay Recruits Money Man For Funky Soul-Pop Earworm". Wonderland. Retrieved September 14, 2022.