Today we’d like to introduce you to Jada Lee.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I like to credit my love for music to my mom. When she was pregnant with me, she would place headphones on her belly, and I’d kick in response. Maybe that’s why music feels so deeply embedded in who I am. I started singing and writing songs at a very young age, but I was shy and hesitant to sing by myself in front of others. I sang in my church choir, but I hadn’t fully embraced music yet. That all changed in middle school when I joined the concert choir. I was content just being part of the group, but my teacher, Mrs. Cropper, saw something in me. She insisted I do a solo for one of our holiday concerts. I was terrified, but I went through with it, and the crowd loved it. That moment was a turning point. My confidence grew, and I started doing more solos, eventually trying out for All-Shore and All-State choirs. By 7th grade, I was ranked #3 in the state of Maryland. Slowly but surely, music began to take center stage in my life.
In high school, I continued with concert choir, which required auditions, and joined an ensemble called “Rock & Roll Revival.” Each year, the ensemble had a theme, with every song, costume, and set design built around it. I participated for all four years, and it gave me a glimpse into life on the big stage. I learned choreography, performed quick costume changes, and mastered multiple songs. Each year, I had 2-3 solos and sang backup for 5-7 other singers. It was an unforgettable experience! By senior year, I had a life-changing decision to make. Throughout middle and high school, I had been preparing to become an OB/GYN. I was taking AP classes, dual-enrolled in community college, and focused on my studies. But I realized I needed to choose: pursue a career in medicine or follow my passion for music. As you’ve probably guessed, I chose music. To this day, it remains the biggest decision of my life.
I went on to earn my Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Production from Temple University. In 2016, I released my first single, Fall in Love with Me. This was also the year that I opened for Jazmine Sullivan at a gala event. Since then, I’ve released four EPs and 13 singles, performing at festivals, bars, clubs, and more. I’m now part of the 2024 new member class of the Recording Academy, which means I get to vote on Grammy nominations and winners. Taking that leap of faith was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I’m so grateful for where this journey has taken me and where I’m going!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been anything but a smooth road. When you choose a creative path, you accept that struggle is part of the journey. The phrase “starving artist” exists for a reason. To succeed in the music industry, you have to truly love it because it’s not easy. It’s incredibly hard to pour your soul into a project, invest your money into creating and promoting it, and then watch it fall short of your expectations. This is the reality for most independent artists.
You have to be relentless. You can’t let the numbers or the setbacks discourage you if you truly believe this is your life’s purpose. Anyone great at anything has pushed through failures and learned to fail forward. I’ve failed countless times. I’ve been rejected from auditions, faced disappointing project outcomes, dealt with labels trying to take advantage of me, and spent nights crying myself to sleep, wondering if I’ll ever make it. But here’s the thing—I always dry my tears and get back to work.
Why? Because I know I’d never forgive myself if I gave up. That’s how I know I’ll make it—or I’ll die trying. If you can’t stop thinking about that one dream, don’t ever stop working for it. I knew what I was signing up for when I chose this path. It may look glamorous at the top, but the road to get there is unpaved, bumpy, and full of challenges. And yet, it’s worth every step.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My name is Jada Lee, and I’m an R&B singer/songwriter. I’ve been pursuing music full-time for the past two years, and my days are a blend of creativity and business. I spend most of my time writing and recording music, preparing for performances, creating content, and managing the administrative side of my career—answering emails, responding to DMs, and staying on top of everything that keeps my brand moving forward. I’m also known for writing and providing vocals for other artists.
One of my proudest accomplishments is my songwriting. Every single one of my songs has been written by me, which isn’t something a lot of artists can claim, especially in today’s industry. For most of my tracks, I’m also the recording engineer. I have a home studio where I can capture my ideas and lay down tracks as soon as inspiration strikes.
What sets me apart is my experience, my ability to deliver an incredible live performance without autotune, and my deep understanding of the music industry—from contracts to recording, mixing, mastering, and writing. I’m passionate about every part of the process, and I’m committed to creating music that’s both authentic and impactful.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success means fully sustaining myself through my art and living a life deeply rooted in creativity. It looks like sold-out tours across the country and beyond, performing to packed venues in other countries, receiving awards, and releasing music that resonates deeply and is widely consumed. Success includes collaborating with artists I admire and using the income from my music to invest in other business ventures. It also means giving back—donating to charities and showing gratitude to those who have supported me along the way, especially my amazing parents who’ve made sacrifices for my career.
Every artist dreams of being seen, heard, and felt. For me, true success is having a strong, loyal fanbase—people who stand by me through every stage of my journey. Whether they’re streaming my music, buying merch, attending shows, or simply investing in who I am as a person, their support is everything. That connection, that unwavering support, is what success means to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.officialjadalee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialjadalee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialjadalee/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/officialjadalee
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jadalee
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/officialjadalee
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jada-lee/1087671316
Image Credits
Blake Watford
Madison Napieralski
Emily Dale