Jada Ali: She The One

Your single is entitled “Half Rich,” and it features Louie Ray & Rio Da Yung OG — Talk to me about this track; how did it actually come to fruition?

It was originally supposed to be a collab with me and Louie Ray. We got in the studio, we went through beats, when we found one we liked Louie Ray went straight in. He brought his brother, Rio, with him to the session. Rio vibed with the track, so he jumped on it.

What particular string of events led to your initial linking up with Q The Question, and ultimately inking with SKE Records?

Q The Question ran across my music on Instagram. He reached out to me as he liked my music, and was a well connected publicist and promoter. It was the song “Gangsta Luv” that he heard that made him reach out. He was doing public relations for my album Long Time No Speak. During that whole time, he just loved my work ethic and wanted to manage me to take things to the next level…so here we are.

Now tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Jada Ali?

It was just something that I was naturally interested in and born to do. I’ve been writing music ever since I was a little kid; since the age of 10. I used to do music with my uncles, and the fact that I was rhyming with all boys made me realize how good I was…which lead me to taking it serious.

Now you’re a native of Flint, MI, correct? So growing up in the ‘Vehicle City,’ also home to the late, great MC Breed, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

Pretty much all the artists from Flint before me really inspired me, such as MC Breed, The Dayton Family, Jon Connor and Mama Sol.

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

All I can say is my sound and style is unique.

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

When the beat plays, my inspiration comes from whatever I’m feeling in that moment. It can be life situations, whatever I’m going through, whatever mood I’m in.

Switching gears here…

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

This is my passion! It’s just something I’m always going to do. My little brother and nieces look up to me, and they want to do music as well. I know that’s also going to keep me in it because I know I’m going to help them.

What do you want people to get from your music?

I want people to know I’m human just like them, and I want to be relatable.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?

Yes, I’m a very open minded person, and I feel like artists are starting to express themselves in different ways.

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

I really want to help build Flint, Michigan, back up in every way. I’m very big on where I come from and what I represent. I would like to be a staple in my city, which is the whole reason behind the Flint 2 Forbes movement.

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

I would say when I had my first Billboard in N.Y.C. Times Square, that was major for me and a dream come true. That was my first, but it’s not going to be my last! Adding to that, when I was mentioned in a magazine with other great female artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, 3D Na’Tee, Rapsody and Kash Doll.

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

As far as what I currently have released, I would have to go with “Nan” because, on that record you can hear where I come from, you can hear what I’m about and it displays my growth and confidence.