Jay Elle Music: Embrace The Realness

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Jay Elle Music?

Okay, so it all began back as a kid. My parents always had talent shows for us in the house. I would always dance, but my brother and cousins were singers. I wanted to be a part of what they were doing, so I said, “I’m gonna sing, too!” I was horrible at it. Always hitting the bad notes in the harmony Lol! and singing flat. But I love a good challenge, so I said I’m gonna keep practicing…so I did. I started writing as a way to help me with my singing, and it just became my passion ever since.

Now you’re a native of New York City, correct?

Yes!

So growing up in ‘The Big Apple,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

N.Y.C. is a melting pot. Man, my household was a melting pot, so I grew up listening to all sorts of music. Rock, Pop, Hip Hop, R&B, Merengue, Salsa, even a little Country here and there, so all of it influenced me really. And, of course, there are the big names that came out of N.Y. that are definite influences. But if I had to say artistry-wise, for sure MJ is like a huge influence; not necessarily on my sound, but just artistry as a whole.

In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

I would say it’s Pop R&B…definitely some Hip Hop in there.

Where does your moniker, Jay Elle Music, originally derive from?

It’s really just something I made up Lol! No real rhyme or reason. My first initial is J, and everything else was just something I put together.

Let’s hop into this latest single, “No Man” — Tell me about this particular track? How did it even come to fruition?

So I heard the track, and I was just like, “this is so crazy and so different, and I need to have a song to it!” and really the rest is history.

LISTEN HERE

From a songwriting standpoint, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from anywhere and everywhere. A lot of it flows from the music itself. Music has a sound, a vibe and a story all in itself, and each songwriter interprets it differently but it’s a feeling for sure. And then, of course, I draw from things I like; popular topics and culture, my own experiences, other people’s experiences. Just life in general.

Switching gears here…

Longevity, what do you feel it is that will continue to sustain you in music?

Hard work. Hard work, dedication and giving my supporters what they want. Coming back with something bigger and better every time. What do you want people to get from your music? Realness. Authenticity. And just relatable feelings; whether it’s just fun or love or talking some real honest talk. I want people to see that women are multi-layered, and I want them to embrace all the realness of that.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of R&B?

Yes, absolutely! Music is constantly evolving, and you gotta love all of its shapes and sizes. I love it.

Do you have any other outside / additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

Oh, absolutely! I’m a businesswoman, so I have so many different things on the horizon and so many aspirations. My make-up business, real estate, writing books, TV, movies. It’s just so much that I want to do, and that I plan to do for sure. I’m try’na be a baby mogul, you know Lol!

To date, what has been your greatest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

Honestly, just having people who are super supporters, man. There are some people who are always there supporting me, asking me for new music, and more shows and that’s just surreal to know that people are really out there loving you and checking for you. It’s a blessing. Creating my own label for sure is one of them, and the other I would say charting in the Top 3 on a few indie charts.

One track of yours that you think defines you and why?

I think all of my music defines me. At different stages and places in my life, I wrote different songs. And now in this new stage, it’s different kind of vibes and songs so I can’t just pick one. I’m multi-faceted, and so it has to be looked at as a whole.

Lastly, what’s next for you, J.E.M.?

So the video for “No Man” is dropping soon, and we’re also releasing No Man the EP. So gotta stayed tuned for that! I’m also working on a new project, the Mandy Savage EP. More to come on that, and I’m so excited for it. It’s a new and fresh sound from me, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone out there.

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?

Uh, yeah, you forgot to mention how fine I am Lol! Just kidding…no, I think you covered it all. One thing though, you didn’t ask about my other moniker, Mandy Savage. Mandy is my alter ego that’s not really an alter ego. It’s a byname that’s symbolic. It’s basically the representation that you can’t place limitations on me as a woman. I am all the things; sexy, smart, intelligent, outspoken, classy, ratchet, just all those things and not just one and that’s okay. Savage life. Being every part of myself out-loud without fear of what other people have to say about it.

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

Yes, make sure you guys go download and stream my new single “No Man.” Follow me on Instagram and Twitter: @jayelletheboss, and just spread the word and spread love.