IN CONVERSATION WITH: JESSICA NICOLE BROWN
Graphics by Halima Jibril / Image of Jessica Nicole Brown from I Need $$$
On the 12th of June - singer, songwriter and actress, Jessica Nicole Brown released her debut EP, “Girl, I Don’t Know.” Our Founding Editor had the pleasure of interviewing her about what got her into music, the changes she’d like to see in the music industry for black women and the meaning behind her very honest EP.
Halima: What made you get into music?
Jessica: I have loved music for as long as I can remember. My mom always talks about me being four years old in my booster seat singing every word of Lauryn Hill's "That Thing". But seeing The Cheetah Girls movies made me want to be a performer. Then, when I was around 13 years old, I came across a Taylor Swift interview where she talked about how being able to write your own songs would put a singer on another level, so I started working on my own melodies and lyrics.
H: Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
J: Several great artists come to mind when I think of a song or a body of work that has inspired me to step my songwriting game up, but I think the people at the top of that list are Jon Bellion and Musiq Soulchild. The things they can do with words and music are unreal.
H: Your dream collab?
J: I obviously love Jon Bellion and Musiq Soulchild, but there are also several other artists whose skills and creativity I admire. I think of myself as being very versatile, so my collabs can range from Lucky Daye to Rex Orange County.
H: A lot of black musicians/ artists have come out to speak about ill-treatment they’ve faced in the music industry. This moment feels monumental, what kind of change do you hope to see in the music industry for black women?
J: I want all shades of blackness to be shown as beautiful and be heavily promoted; not just black women of a lighter skin tone. I would also love for black women in general, but more specifically, in the music industry, to be shown more respect because we can be just as smart and creative as anybody else. There also needs to be more love and support among black women. I think many of us have been brainwashed to think that there can only be a few of us at the top when in reality, there is way more room. We can bring the whole fam.
H: “Who am I?” is an incredible song — it’s very honest and vulnerable. And it’s a question a lot of teens and young adults ask themselves — what was the thought process behind the song?
J: So, before I decided "Girl, I Don't Know" would be the title of my debut EP, I knew I wanted the project to be an introduction to Jessica Nicole Brown, the artist. But I wanted to take the "I don't completely know who I am yet, but that's okay, we can learn together" approach to the song. I just remember having a long day of feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled with what I've done in my life so far, so it was easy for me to write those lyrics and get it off my chest in some way.
H: I Need $$$ — it’s an anxious song similar to “Who am I?” but it’s a different kind of anxiety, it’s more adult. It sounds like your anxieties about getting into music, are these anxieties you still have? Do you have any tips for other young artists who have this same anxiety?
J: I went to college because my mom wanted me to have a backup plan; I have an Associate's Degree in Communication. My mom and I both feel that it is written for me to be a performer, we just didn't know when things would take off for me. I didn't want to be a literal starving artist; I needed a way to make a living in the meantime. I wrote, "I Need $$$" after I found out I was on the Dean's List for the 100th time, but still had not been cast for any of the acting roles I was auditioning for. So, it was like I was dedicating so much of myself and working so hard, but still coming up short. But, for artists who are afraid that their dreams won't come true, my advice to you is to still give all of yourself to make your dreams a reality. That way, if things take an unfortunate turn, you can still feel satisfied in knowing that you actually made an attempt, which is still more than some people can say they did. Also, be open to trying different routes and strategies to get you to where you want to be. You might have to take the back way instead of the main roads.
H: “Success” — “I’m scared of success” — your writing style reminds me so much of SZA. You're both very honest about your fears, worries and anxieties. Even though this EP appears to be filled with your fears, it's so fearless. This song, well actually the whole EP sounds like a confessional — did you feel some sort of release after making this EP?
J: Oh wow, I take that as a compliment; I really like SZA's music. I would say that this EP is really just an audio journal of my thoughts and experiences up to this point. Writing songs is always therapeutic for me because it allows me to be honest with myself in a safe space. When I put "Girl, I Don't Know" out, I did feel a release, but it was because I was excited for people to hear what I created and get to know me. For people to like and/or connect with what I put out is definitely the icing on the cake.
H: Closer than you — “I’m far from perfect” “I gain weight after I lose it” “Imma do it my way” “I don’t care what you say imma do it my way” — This song tackles weight gain and diet culture. Please correct me if I’m wrong but in this song, it sounds like you’re accepting what your body is like / rejecting the patriarchal ideal of what a woman's body should look like?
J: I love hearing how people interpret my songs and what resonates with them. But yes, I think rejecting the standards of what is considered "beautiful" is a part of it. "Closer Than You" is me recognizing the good things about me and the things that may be viewed as flaws, but wearing it all proudly. I wrote this for me and whoever else to tell the haters, "I'm far from perfect, but I'm closer than you!"
Photography by: @tturnerphotos
H: “Girl, I don’t know?” — I love the use of guitar in this song! It’s such a nice end to the EP and kind of sounds like a response to I Need $$$. It still highlights your anxiety as you don’t know where your art is going to take you, but how you’re going to try anyway. Is this something you have to keep reminding yourself as you grow as an artist?
J: I'm glad you like it. I wanted my EP to literally take you through everything that has led me to who and where I am now. So, I wanted, "Girl, I Don't Know" as the last song because it's like the conclusion to the entire EP and journey so far. It's about me coming to terms with the fact that I don't and will never have all of the answers, but I can't let that stop me or slow me down. I do still have to remind myself, not only as an artist but as a human being, you never stop learning. As long as you keep learning, you will keep growing. I'm sure I will have many more "Girl, I Don't Know" moments.
LISTEN TO “GIRL, I DON’T KNOW” NOW!
Interview by Halima Jibril (@h.alimaa)
(she/her)
Follow and support Jessica on Instagram: (@thejnbway)