We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jasondra. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jasondra below.

Jasondra, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I just released my first song ever! It’s called WHY. this song was in the making for a few years. I sat on it for some time because I was afraid of what would happen once I dropped my first single. I didn’t know how it would be received or if people would even love it as much as me. I also had never invested into creating anything on my own. I’ve been part of ensembles and bands but never any solo work. So this was the first time I was putting my words, my voice, my thoughts out into the world. And that felt really vulnerable for me so I’m very proud of myself for following through and executing it so well. The song sounds high quality and it’s special and I’m so glad to see and hear all the reactions.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started singing in the children’s choir (known as Jesus And Me “JAM”) at Missionary Faith Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. I used to get selected to sing all the solos! Haha! My parents would even have me sing for the adults during holiday parties because folks couldn’t believe I could sing so maturely and with so much control at such a young age. And my dad would take every chance he could to encourage me to harmonize to any song playing or even mimic the tone and quality of the voices that I’d hear. Those were my earliest memories of singing. Then, in high school I learned that I had a natural stage presence and went on to become a performer as an adult. I worked professionally in musical theater for a few years and also sung background vocals for a couple of bands once I moved to Los Angeles. I only recently started to challenge myself to focus solely on my own art and expression. I released my first single on my birthday this year in February! I’m so grateful for the reactions I’ve received so far and it’s been fun to explore a more intimate part of myself by way of music.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

My new song WHY is really close to my heart because it tells the story of being mistreated by someone I desperately wanted to love. Initially, when I wrote this song I was speaking to a romantic situationship that went south. And over time, the meaning of the song grew more personally for me because I’d started to shed relationship with people who weren’t showing up for me the way that I needs them to. And that was a tough part of the journey. To realize that I have every right to critique and to question the way that others love me. And I have a right to protect my own energy by saying no and setting boundaries to reframe those relationships or choosing to let go altogether.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I’m very into connecting with others through creative energy. So sharing my own music has been really fun! Because you get to know a lot about someone by what they listen to and also hearing what inspires the work they create. I’m enjoying showing others what makes me excited in music!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Bpositive22

Image Credits

Derrick Edmund (leather dress photos and blue/green pants)
Dante J. Cutley (red pants)