Nevaeh Jolie Talks New Singles “OTB” and “Screwed Up,” and Her Debut EP “Game On!”

The future continues to look bright in the female R&B department. Nevaeh Jolie, a bright spot out of New Jersey is poised to fill any void that the game is missing. Her old school approach to music and unique taste for different genre’s helps her fulfill her creative potential. Admittedly wearing her emotions on her sleeve while creating music, Nevaeh feels like that’s the key to connecting with her fans. Her recent singles, “Old Thing Back,” and “Screwed Up,” displays her range as an artist and her ability to create music to slow or upbeat melodies.

I caught up with Nevaeh Jolie to discuss her upcoming debut EP, “Game On,” she explains where the phrase, “Keep it playa” comes from and much more!

How’s it going?

Nevaeh Jolie: Hi, nice to virtually meet (laughing).

How did your early years on Broadway prepare you for the music industry and being an R&B artist?

Nevaeh Jolie: I feel like my acting experience definitely gave me a good foundation for music. It allows me to be theatrical in a way. It helps me really express myself. It’s definitely a different realm. It’s a whole different realm because you’re portraying a role. This music stuff is all me, it’s all pure vulnerable feelings and it’s like, ugh… it’s overwhelming sometimes.

Your single, “Old Thing Back,” is definitely a vulnerable position. You are letting the emotions fly in that one. What prompted that song?

Nevaeh Jolie: Yes! It was a crazy long day in the studio. I was stressing I was working with Symphony Green and Gino. And we were just all in the studio, and everyone was just going off of my vibes. And I was just telling them what was going on with me, and we did some references in the booth. It was just a real emotional day. I cried like three-times. It was just a lot of feeling that was put into that record.

That can be good and bad. Obviously, it worked out for you because, “OTB” is an amazing song. Is there a balance there for you though, in terms of putting the emotional rollercoaster that is life into your music?

Nevaeh Jolie: At first, I didn’t know if I wanted to put myself out there like that. But the stuff that I write comes from a place where people can relate. Everything is vulnerable with me. I feel like, showing that to my fans and showing that to people opens up my personality and the idea of expressing your emotions and being free with your emotions. I like that. I want other people to want to do the same.

You were on Broadway, you can sing your ass off, and you did a lot of your own tattoos. You are a woman of many talents.

Nevaeh Jolie: (Laughing). Yeah, every one of my tats, I draw first. Each one just means a lot to me. Lots of them are my family are people that are close to me, or things that I live by. I just really got a tattoo. I’m about to be going crazy with the tats. I’m practicing.

You had a chance encounter with the singer, Brandy a while back. To see her and Monica do so well on that Verzuz had to not only be inspiring, but I’m sure you were happy for her. She seemed very cool on the video with you.

Nevaeh Jolie: Yeah! Her light is so bright. It’s always been on. Her coming in that rehearsal… (laughing). It was crazy. She was like, “You sound so good.” I was just like, “Oh my goodness, what? Are you serious?” I have songs that I reference her in. She’s definitely paved the way and had a big influence on me. It was great. I’m super happy for her and whatever she is doing. She seems so cool and super dope. I feel her energy.

You pride yourself on paying homage to the ones that came before you. Who are some of your musical influences?

Nevaeh Jolie: I have so many and they change all the time. But definitely Gwen Stefani, Aaliyah, Prince, Michael Jackson of course. Those are my favorites. Then there is like, Pink and Adam Levine. Growing up I listened to a lot of different kinds of music and I still do. I feel like the people that were outcast to the general public, the ones that had their own vibe, are the ones I really gravitated towards. I get so much inspiration from those people.

In some of your pictures you favor Aaliyah.

Nevaeh Jolie: Yeah, I used to get that a lot when I had my hair. It’s a great person to be compared to. She definitely inspires me style-wise. She is one of the G.O.A.T.S.

You have a unique taste in music. You like a little bit of everything. Name a song or a few songs that people would be surprised is in your playlist in rotation?

Nevaeh Jolie: Shoot… I don’t know. I have so many cool things in rotation. Probably this old, Gotye song. Or 100 Gecs. I really like 100 Gecs. It goes from that to like there is this cool, Rufus Du Sol… just like this vibin’ music. I really just like to escape when I listen to music. So, I like when people take me places.

You have a passion for cinematography as well. You’re in front of the camera right now, but you want to get versed in working behind the camera and doing short films as well, right?

Nevaeh Jolie: Yeah! I learned a lot of my treatments and I’ve always had a visual mind. When I hear music, or I’m in the studio making music, I’m literally visualizing the video as I’m writing the verse. I always have thought that way, so I want to fully express that creativity and give my 100% in cinematography eventually. Once I’m two feet and real sturdy in the ground with my music and everything because music is number one. But I definitely want to find my ground in the movies. I want to learn how to make movies.

Your upcoming EP is titled, “Game On.” Why did you choose that as the title?

Nevaeh Jolie: It’s funny, I started getting this funny nickname. People were calling me, Nevaeh the Playa because I said it in a song one day and it just really caught on around my neighborhood and social media. So, I really went with it. It became my mantra, “Keep it playa.” I feel like, it just mean, keep calm, cool and collected. Don’t trip over too much. Stay to yourself. It means different things all the time (laughing), but really, that’s what I like to keep it as. “Game On,” is like my introduction into this game for real. It’s my first step. It says, hello and welcome to my world and it’s, game on, baby!

You are working on some visuals and getting some videos out there. Tell us about it.

Nevaeh Jolie: Oh man! It’s going to be back to back goodness, and I’m just really excited. “OTB,” we shot that video. It’s just such a vibe. It’s such a nostalgic song. It’s really personal to me. So, I’m really excited and anxious to put it out. And “Screwed Up,” oh my goodness. It’s the next single on the way and it’s crazy. I know it’s going to change my life for real because it already has. The video looks so dope. It’s just a movie. I’m really excited.

That’s awesome. Good luck, I can’t wait to see the visuals. Is there anything else you want to add?

Nevaeh Jolie: Make sure you guys check out, “OTB,” and stay tuned for, “Game On!” Keep it playa!

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