Jordan Coleman Returns to NYC After Competing in Albania
Mayor Eric Adams’ son, Jordan Coleman, has made his way back to New York City after competing in what’s essentially Albania’s version of “American Idol.” He has also released an EP titled “Jet Rug Dreams,” featuring five party tracks that draw inspiration from his travels in Eastern Europe.
“Being young carries a lot of responsibility, and I feel I have something important to share, so I think this is a significant chapter in my life,” Coleman stated. He works as an alternative teacher and sports coach at Palligard Park High School in New Jersey, and he dropped his EP under the name Jaye on April 25th.
His experiences in Albania significantly influenced his latest work, making him feel, in a way, like he was becoming part of a different culture. “I really felt like I wanted to be,” he shared with the Post.
He added, “I have this sense of purpose that drives me through the night and helps me rise each morning.” Coleman emphasized that he needs to prove his worth not only to himself but also to the world. “I’m really invested in my ideas, but they also need to resonate with others,” he remarked.
Aside from music, Coleman, who gained fame as a child actor voicing Tyrone in “The Backyardigans,” is also working on hip-hop musicals. In one of these productions, he portrays a secret agent on a mission to stop charming zombies.
Some tracks from his new album include “Girls in the City” and “Up 2 Sum.” He debuted these songs during a birthday celebration held at Gracie Mansion in August.
Though he hasn’t recorded any tracks at his father’s official residence, he has penned numerous songs there. “I have many songs that I wrote while reflecting on who my dad is, and I’m grateful to both of my parents for what they’ve done for me,” he said.
While he admits his father isn’t heavily involved in politics, Coleman offers guidance for his dad’s outreach to younger voters. “I often ask him, ‘How can I help?’ and share ideas that I think would be appealing to my generation,” he noted.
The two don’t always see eye to eye, especially on music, as his father has criticized drill music publicly. “I think my dad tends to focus on the police perspective rather than the human element,” Coleman explained. “He wasn’t fond of that particular subgenre, which often highlights violence.” However, he pointed out that his 64-year-old father is also enjoying Jaye’s tracks. “It’s lifestyle music, it’s party music. I know he enjoys my music,” he added.
Coleman hopes that discussing music and other topics, like his father’s initiatives in Far Rockaway, will spotlight an upcoming podcast series he’s launching with the mayor this spring. He aims for the first episode to drop around Father’s Day.
But being the mayor’s son comes with its challenges too. “My father’s status has shaped the foundation I stand upon. It pushes me to present myself positively at every turn,” he reflected.
Adding to his responsibilities, Coleman finds it increasingly challenging to balance work, coaching, and personal projects, especially as his mother’s dementia progresses. “Her condition has become quite severe; she can’t really talk or walk and requires feeding through a tube,” he said. On Mother’s Day, he and his father visited her, a moment that felt quite magical to him. “My dad said something that stuck with me: ‘Your son has grown up,’ which made me reflect on how much I’ve become—a teacher, coach, rapper, filmmaker. It was bittersweet,” he shared.
This year is crucial for Coleman as he aims to make a name for himself in hip-hop, while also being significant for his father, who is up for re-election.
“I see it as a ‘portal.’ I was around when my dad first entered office. This new phase… it’s like the closing of that initial chapter,” he explained. “Now we’re entering a new portal, one focused on his re-election efforts.”
