What is the Rice, Peas, and Chicken song from BBC Three’s Project Icon?
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A deep dive into the Rice, Peas and Chicken song and what Project Icon judge Jason Derulo thought about it…
It’s the song on everyone’s lips with the catchy, and delicious, lyrics: “Rice, peas and chicken. It tastes so yum yum, so yum yum, in my tum tum, in my tum tum.”
Whether you saw it on BBC Three’s Project Icon: The UK’s Next Music Star, TikTok or turned it up while cooking, Jamie ‘Jay’ Scott’s song Rice, Peas and Chicken is a bop.
The 28-year-old’s song gained traction after he performed it as his signature track in the first challenge on Project Icon. The challenge saw 10 aspiring artists perform an original song for the all-star judges.
Jay from BBC Three's Project Icon performs his viral hit
For those not familiar, Project Icon is a six-part series that sees international superstar Jason Derulo, double Brit Award winner Becky Hill, and renowned manager Frank Harris judge 10 artists in their search for the UK’s next music star.
But who is Jay and what was the inspiration behind the track? Well, as Jay explains, he’s keen to stand out - even if not everyone sees his vision…
Who is Rice, Peas and Chicken songwriter Jamie ‘Jay’ Scott?
Jay performed the song for the first challenge of the series
Growing up, Jay says he always used music as a way to express himself, but he felt that he didn’t fit in during school. He’d often be bullied as his taste in music and style differed from the other kids in school.
At 18, after leaving school, Jay appeared on the X Factor and became part of boy band Kingsland Road - he later left as it wasn't for him.
Now 28, Jay’s keen to embrace what makes him unique, explaining: “The things that you want to hide away from the world, that is what makes you special, that is what makes you a superstar.” And it’s a philosophy that can clearly be seen in his song Rice, Peas and Chicken.
What was the inspiration behind the song?
Speaking about his inspiration behind the song, Jay said: “I'm proud to be Jamaican and one of the most famous Jamaican dishes is rice, peas, and chicken. So, I wanted to pay homage to my culture, my heritage and I love eating food. I'm just as hungry for success as I am hungry for food.”
Jay went on to say the song is made in the style of one of Doja Cat’s early hits: “You know how Doja Cat released Moo and it was so random, but only Doja cat could sing it and only I could sing [Rice, Peas and Chicken] because it's so true to me and who I am as a person. I just thought maybe because it's so random it could go viral and then once it does, I can then show my real artistry.”
Jay is excited to continue making music in the future and is keen to make songs that reflect who he is and his own unique style, which has already caught the attention of stars like Lizzo online. The About Damn Time singer commented “this makes me so happy” under Jay’s TikTok where he taught his 75 year-old-dad her new dance.
What did Jason Derulo think of Rice, Peas and Chicken?
Project Icon's Jason Derulo, Frank Harris and Becky Hill
It’s safe to say that Project Icon judge Jason had a strong reaction to the hit, saying: “I think that song is horrible. That might be one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard in my life, actually.”
Fellow judges Becky Hill and Frank Harris were surprised by the song, while Radio 1 presenter and host of Project Icon Jordan North couldn’t get enough of the catchy tune, saying: “For what it’s worth, I’m going to be singing ‘rice, peas and chicken’ all day. It’s already in my head.”
Even Jason had to agree it was catchy, saying: “Unfortunately, it’s in my head too.”
Since Jay shared the song, it has been gaining traction on TikTok, with creators using it for their own videos - from comedy skits, to dance routines.
You can catch Project Icon on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer every Sunday at 9pm.
