Whether it's music or fashion, you can hardly miss Jeuru right now. The Copenhagen-based singer shares his non-negotiables, from his Maison Margiela Tabi boots to getting out of his comfort zone
Welcome to our new bi-monthly series "Take five" featuring inspiring Scandinavian tastemakers on the five life-enhancing items, habits or encounters that help guarantee a balanced, joy-filled life.
Whether you believe in fate or not, some paths in life seem to follow an unexpected logic. When Jeuru moved to Copenhagen almost six years ago from New York, he did not know what he wanted from the city other than simply a break from America. Fast forward to 2022, he still lives here – and is considered one of the hottest emerging music talents in Scandinavia. His second EP was released earlier this year, quite appropriately entitled I Wish I Knew Better.
After growing up with his grandmother in Queens and later in New York with his father, Jeuru worked for Rachel Comey at the age of 22. It was in the renowned label's studio that he got to know Danish designer Yvonne Koné and the two became close friends, a connection that would change Jeuru's life: in 2016 when Koné invited him to spend Christmas with her family in Denmark, he readily agreed – and never left.
In Copenhagen, Jeuru finally began to make singing, songwriting and performing a much larger part of his life. He went all in. Now, music has become the lifeblood running through everything he does. Jeuru's sound is all crunchy modern soul and thundering rap against dark, stirring vocals while his performances are delivered with – and give the audience – a boundless feeling.
Here are the five elements that Jeuru absolutely can't do without.
The iconic Maison Margiela Tabi Boots
“How can boots, that make a person walking down the street look and sound like a horse, make life better? Well, if you must ask, let me explain: there is something so beautiful and iconic about the Tabi boots that has been speaking to me ever since I was in high school. Before they made them officially for men, I was jealous of the women who had the chance to create so many cool looks with these boots and since then, I’ve been collecting.
“They elevate every outfit I wear, casual or formal. I’m not much of a sneaker guy. Boots have been my go-to since college and if I had to wear one boot for the rest of my life, black Tabis would be it. Although a lot more people wear them today, it does feel like a little secret club to be in.”
Travelling the world
“The term used to describe someone who is both extroverted and introverted is 'ambivert'. You can find me there on the social spectrum of things. However, the extroverted side of me does love to travel and meet new people. That is after all, how I ended up moving to Copenhagen – which for sure changed my life for the better.
“Getting out of my comfort zone is sometimes hard but when I do and I get going, I always find myself meeting so many amazing people who I end up becoming really great friends with. I like to sometimes imagine what my life would be if I had just stayed in New York and never moved but I became so much more culturally enriched because of seeing the world. With the privilege of music, I hope to live more bi-continentally and experience more new wonders, especially out in Japan!”
Therapy is a game changer
“Starting therapy in my early twenties emboldened me and equipped me with the emotional language and tools that would ultimately help me improve my relationship with myself. There was a moment when I was 23 where I realised that no amount of trauma and pain was worth losing control over what I allowed to be my story in life.
"At 28 years old now, having someone to guide me through moments of clarity, anxiousness, grief, or confusion is such a privilege that I don’t take for granted. In most low-income Black neighbourhoods, there’s a lack of resources to tackle mental health issues or provide therapy for those who seek it or need it. Every now and then I check in with my therapist for a tune up and to see our five year progress is amazing, but you’ve got to do the work.”
One skincare product that tops them all
“One of the holy grails in my skincare routine is definitely my Augustinus Bader, The Rich Cream. I love the texture – it does not have a smell and it just really soaks so well into my skin. I have tried many other face creams and they just can’t compete! The girlies who can afford this should try it but don’t stress if you can’t. It seriously changed how much I was glowing after doing my skincare routine and my skin never lacks in moisture during whatever period I use it.
“In the summer it’s better to go light and just use the regular cream version of this depending on where you live. Some people will read this and say ‘can a face cream really make your life better?’ – but listen, when you look good, don’t you also feel good, too? Exactly boo! Don’t sleep!”
Family comes in every form
“Growing up Caribbean, I was born into a big family. I essentially was a family kind of person from childhood. As an adult, I have had the honour to create my own family in life and that has taught me family is whoever you feel is family. Whenever I need a break from everything, one of my favourite things I enjoy doing is being with the people I love and trust the most. There is good food on the table, jokes are being made and I can feel that whatever stressful thing is going on outside, doesn’t really matter. It’s a good reset to do every week if you can – put the phone down, forget about the superficial things and enjoy the down time you can spend with people who see and value you how you naturally are.”