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By Devin Robertson
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Jason Derulo has never been an artist afraid of reinvention. With hits ranging across the spectrum from pop, R&B, and EDM genres, Florida native is comfortable in any musical world. But with his new EP The Last Dance, the global superstar is marking a definitive turning point, one that celebrates his 17-year career while ushering in a new era.
Sitting with Newsweek, the "Whatcha Say" hitmaker opened up about nostalgia, growth, social media, fatherhood, and why this next chapter feels unlike anything he’s done before.
A Final Bow to an Era
Derulo’s EP title might have sparked rumors of retirement, but the “Wiggle” hitmaker was quick to clarify what The Last Dance really means. “People even said that I'm too young [to retire], and I was like, 'Thank you,'” chuckled the superstar.
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“The Last Dance really means the final bow to an era and the Jason that people have known for the last 17 years,” he explains. “A new version, a new era is on the rise, and this part of the album is a celebration, an homage to where I've been and where I'm going.”
That duality of nostalgia and evolution runs through the entire project. Derulo says he intentionally leaned into the sound of his earliest hits, merging them with global influences he loves today.
He points to “Complicated,” which interpolates Avril Lavigne’s 2002 classic, as a perfect example: “I really wanted to celebrate that music. It feels nostalgic, and like a story you want to sink your teeth into.”
The EP’s first single, “Sexy for Me,” hits a similar note for Derulo. “Even ‘Sexy for Me’ feels like something I would've done in the past,” he remarks.
“I love me a good horn,” the singer laughed. “I used a Balkan saxophone on this track. It's super sexy, and thankfully, the first post I did went stupid viral.”
Growth, Transformation, and the Next Chapter
For Derulo, this new chapter isn’t just musical, it’s deeply personal.
“In the past, my music has been considered really feel-good. It represents a moment in people's lives,” he acknowledges. “But the next chapter will be more about the growth of me as an individual, as I grow as a man, as I change and morph.”
“I dress differently. I'm not in the same spots. I'm eating differently—an entirely new person,” the 36-year-old reflected.
But fans won’t have to wait long to hear this evolution live. His upcoming tour, also called The Last Dance, will offer a taste of the old and the new.
“These old songs that I'm doing will have a piece, an essence and identity of where I'm going,” the singer says.
Why Nostalgia Is Back in Full Force
When asked about the resurgence of mid-2010s culture—especially the online joke that “it’s 2016 again”—Derulo believes nostalgia is a natural response to the hyper-curated digital age.
“Social media has made the world too small in a sense, and people miss a specific kind of vibe,” he says. “The nostalgic feel reminds people of a time where things were a lot more simple.”
Still, the multi-platinum star is amused by how perfectly the trend aligns with his sonic throwbacks.
“Life has a funny way of being serendipitous. What are the chances that I was on that wave making this music, and 2016 happens to be the biggest thing in the world?”
“I always say that the stars align for the people that work the hardest,” the "Ridin' Solo" singer mused.
Building the Most Ambitious Tour of His Career
Following The Last Dance EP release, Derulo is heading into an intense global tour, one he describes as his most elaborate production yet.
“Expect all the bells and whistles,” he says with a grin. “I have some of the most incredible dancers on planet Earth and the most incredible musicians. I’ve scoured the earth for the best of the best.”
From cutting-edge lighting to immersive screen design, every element has been shaped with precision.
“Every single waking moment is spent making this show as special as possible. Once you marry production and dance together like this, it’s a real party,” says Derulo.
With his EP dropping and tour rehearsals consuming his days, Derulo admits he’s barely sleeping, not out of stress, but excitement.
“My mind is going nuts,” he laughs. “Every time I try to rest, I think—'Oh, what if we did this? That would be crazy.’”
Despite the scale of the project, Derulo’s mission remains simple.
“My music is not about me. It's not about ego. My music is about the people,” the chart-topping singer says. “I hope my songs touch people in one way or another—whether it's something you sing with your mom, a reminder of high school love, or a song you want to share a special moment with. It's an offering of my love to the people.”
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Mastering the Social Media Formula
With over 200 million followers across platforms, Derulo is widely regarded as one of the most effective social media artists in the world. But the viral star insists it didn’t start as a strategy.
“In the pandemic, I was posting like six times a day,” he says. “It allowed me to let my hair down and stop caring so much about what people were going to say.”
That carefree approach led to viral explosions with break-the-internet moments like his tooth-cracking corn drill prank or the infamous golf club video with Will Smith.
“I did everything, and I had a great time doing it,” he says. “It was from the purest place, not for views. People felt like it was genuine.”
Now, his feeds reflect a more mature stage of life. “Having a son is a large part of that growth,” Derulo says. “My social media has taken a turn, but people seem to really be responding to it.”
Advice to His Younger Self
With nearly two decades in the musical industry under his belt, Derulo takes a minute to reflect on what he would relay to his younger self.
“I would tell him to be himself and stay on course,” he says. “When you're first starting out, you try to model yourself after people who are successful, but our individuality is our superpower.”
“As soon as we realize that our individuality can shine—that’s when things become simple.”
Listen to The Last Dance now.
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