An Interview With The R&B Singer-Songwriter, JADA MICHAEL On Her Latest Single/Video ‘Freak’ and Much More!

“Freak” is the latest track from the 21-year-old R&B singer-songwriter Jada Michael.

The song was written about an intimate night with her lover and the sultry production of “Freak” sizzles underneath seductive verses before she makes a bold declaration on the hook. Her voice slips from moments of under-the-covers intimacy right into the charismatic chorus. Without filter or fear, Jada Michael unapologetically projects a confident spirit within her music anchored in a body-positive, sex-positive, and self-positive presence underscored by an inimitable alternative R&B brew.

Her music has amassed over two million streams independently and initial compositions “Beautiful” and “Special” caught the attention of high-profile GRAMMY® Award-winning producers and musicians such as the late LaShawn “Big Shiz” Daniels [Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez], Novel, Adrian “Drop” Santella [Diddy, Pitbull, Kanye West], and Bart Schoudel [Selena Gomez].  Produced by “Big Shiz,” Jada’s lead 2019 single “Breathe” tallied 1.1 million YouTube views and 244K Spotify streams with broadcast support from BET. On its heels, “Coolin It” put up 473K Spotify streams and counting.

When the Reno-born and Miami-based songstress grabs the microphone, all eyes immediately lock on her. Empowering audiences by wholeheartedly and courageously showing herself, Jada strives to represent plus-sized women, LGBTQ women and black women. She is proud of her body type, sexuality and skin and wants her listeners to feel confident through her music. Jada started singing at just three-years-old. Inspired by Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Ella Fitzgerald (thanks to her dad), she diligently developed her voice. Moving to Miami at the age of twelve, she divided her time between choir and musical theater, penning her first songs in junior year of high school. Studying Jazz Voice at The New School in New York City, she carefully crafted a style of her own upon returning home. With more music and performances in-store, Jada’s assuredness ultimately carries through everything she does.

“With my music, I try to represent the groups I’m a part of,” she exclaims. “I want to be a representation for plus-sized women. I want to be a representation for LGBTQ women. I want to be a representation of black women. I’m proud of my body type. I’m proud of my sexuality. I’m proud of my skin. I want you to feel confident when you’re listening to me. That’s my biggest goal for sure.”

Connect With Jada Michael Online Here- WEBSITE

Learn more about Jada Michael in the following All Access interview-

When it comes to your music, what are you most excited for this year?

I am most excited to be able to create new material!  So much musical, emotional and spiritual development has happened since my last time recording and filming and I want to be able to show that through my music.

How has 2020 been treating you so far?

This has been a difficult year so far in terms of some challenges but I’ve learned so much. Artistically and musically, I’m in a different headspace and am super excited to share my new music with everyone.

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be a musician?

There was never really a moment when I thought music was not for me. I always knew it is what I would be doing. From the moment I heard it, I knew I’d be apart of it and from the minute I saw the greats (Queen B, Alicia, etc.) I would strive to be like them.

What do you think motivates you day in and day out?

What motivates me each day is LOVE. Love is the most powerful energy on the planet and there are so many ways of connecting and expressing love, but music is one of the most magical ways to share it. By creating a log of music/art I’m leaving a legacy of love– that is the plan at least! 

How do you think your hometown has influenced the kind of music that you make? If not, why is that?

I am not fully aware of how my small-town experience has shaped my music. I mean, it defiantly shaped me which must inherently affect the music. I will say that my hometown exposed me to a variety of music that I may not have been exposed to otherwise. 

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Was your family and friends supportive of this career choice?

Music has always been a crucial part of my life. I don’t remember a single day that music didn’t play an important role in my life. I love to fall asleep to peaceful sounds, wake up to morning playlist, blast music on every car ride and go out dancing (sometimes out, sometimes at the crib) every night! Music is my best friend, therapist, lover, parent, and child.

My family and friends have been completely and fully supportive. It’s such a blessing because my ability to live my dreams is everything to me and when people don’t support that, it makes it hard for me to feel comfortable. No matter how big my idea is, my family backs me! 

If you weren’t a musician today, could you see yourself doing anything else?

If I wasn’t a musician, I’d be in a psych ward wearing a straight jacket. Kidding! I’d probably be making cartoons, doing fashion design or maybe full-time modeling- something artistic.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all? What has been the best part?

The biggest shock to me would be how the music industry sometimes doesn’t always bring out the best in people. A lot of the challenges I’ve had were expected. I’ve followed the careers of some of my favorite artists and within their interviews/documentaries, you can also see the challenges they faced in the industry.

The best part is the fact that my career is my art. I’m real. I am real stubborn about not conforming to society demands that force me to sacrifice happiness… so it would have been a mission to thrive in a workplace that doesn’t emotionally inspire me.

What is the inspiration for your soon-to-be-released single, “Freak”? How do you think it prepares listeners for more music from you?

My inspiration for “Freak” was truly just good vibes and feeling sexy!  Being in tune with your sexuality and wanting to show that off to your person is good for the soul. I think “Freak” prepares people for my future music because its a bit unexpected and more mature in comparison to my previous singles. I am forever evolving, and that will show in my music, and I hope to not be categorized. R&B has my heart, but pop, house, and several other genres are also apart of who I am.

What was it like making the music video for the song?

Making the video was intense and fun. The filming process has a lot to it, so its a lot to soak in. I loved it! Making videos the way you have envisioned them is not an easy task– but we had beautiful, creative, and caring people on set,  and it’s my favorite video yet! 

How creatively involved with the making of it were you?

I was the most involved in the “Freak” video out of all my videos so far but my amazing director @Tragik had the reins. I was very fortunate to work with a team that was eager to have my involvement and valued my vision. Down the line, you can expect some self-directed videos!

Do you have plans to release more new music soon and a full collection of new songs?

I have BIG plans for the future. An EP with hopefully some self-directed videos are heavy on the brain. This song is a step in the right direction but since then, life has provided some really powerful experiences. I have a lot I am itching to write about! 

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started making music?

I’ve grown as a musician in every way I’m happy to say! Vocally, lyrically, and emotionally. I attribute that to the work put in but also to all the life lessons I’ve had since the start of my career. The opportunity to be trained by some amazing musicians and meet extraordinarily talented musicians while studying at The New School really humbled me and left me aspiring to continue to improve.  The maturity that comes with this process will show in my sound for sure.

What if anything has stayed the same about your music-making process?

The thing that will always remain the same is the reason I’ll always choose music. I have faith in the fact that it is what brings me the most peace and joy, yet I know that the music will grow and shift with my life experiences.

How do you feel about social media? What do you think social media has done for your career so far?

I hate social media to be honest but I see the good in it too especially for self-starters and people investing in themselves. A successful page is a ticket to be able to get booked at more/larger places, which gets you to the real goal, sharing your music and connecting with the people who love it. 

What musicians would you absolutely love to work with in the future? Who has been inspiring you and the music that you make?

Truly, every dedicated musician I have ever encountered inspires me in some way, but I would say directly Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys. I PRAY to female Jesus every day I work with one of them one day… I get chills just thinking about it. 

Where would you love to hear a song of yours played?

I would love to hear my song played live on stage at the BET awards…

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

There are a couple of things I hope people can take away from my music. The first is a feeling of comfort with me, with themselves and with the human experience. The other is a sense of release. The beauty of music is that it expresses emotion in the most magical and clear way. We focus on our physical experience but the most complex battles in life happen on the inside. Music documents that in a way that can at any time remind someone, ‘I’m not alone. Someone understands.’ And by singing or dancing or however you experience a song, you can release those emotions in a different way.