Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jasmine Williams . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jasmine, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

As an artist I often have to ask myself what happiness means to me. In all honesty, there are moments where happiness is financial security and stability. There are also moments where happiness is fulfillment. Most of the time I find myself seeking fulfillment, knowing that stability will come one day. When I feel my financial security is in jeopardy the first thought is “go get a job”, “Apply on Indeed and Glassdoor Now!!” Being fully transparent, the last time I had this thought was very recent, as in a few days ago. As a singer, I have months that are wonderful financially and then some that are not as consistent. July was that month for me, bills due, the whole nine yards and I did not know how I would get the finances that I needed. This definitely puts a strain on me as an entrepreneur and creative because when I am stressed it is difficult to create. So I began my search for a job and applied to numerous jobs and the result was nothing. I didn’t get any of the numerous jobs that I applied for, some of the job descriptions made me miserable as I applied just thinking about my creativity being quenched. Then one day I believe it was July 28th I came across an open verse challenge that Kenny Lattimore posted on his Instagram page. I took a break from my job search and challenged myself to spend the day creating, so I did just that. I spent half the day listening to his song “Pressure” and trying to figure out what lyrics I wanted to add to my “open verse”. Then after I wrote my part and figured out how I wanted to sing it, I did my hair, makeup, and recorded the video. I spent the rest of the night editing so that I would be able to post it on instagram the next day, July 29th. It was at that moment that I realized why I sing, and create. Before I inspire anyone else, I am an inspiration to myself. I am fulfilled when I can look past the smoke-screen of life and see greatness within. Even at this very moment my finances are the same; unstable, but I am happy, I am fulfilled by my purpose and sometimes that just has to be enough.

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

My name is Jasmine Williams and my artist name is The Jas Sound, and I am a Florida native born with a love for music. From the age of six music became a passion for me and I began performing at weddings, special events and competitions. As time progressed I desired to grow in music and education which led me to pursue a Vocal Performance music degree at Palm Beach Atlantic University. While in college I became a trained opera singer and after graduating I participated in multiple opera’s including South Florida Symphony ‘s “Porgy and Bess”. Although Opera launched a successful platform for me, I desired to create a genre that would showcase my musical background in Gospel, Opera, Jazz, and Contemporary music. In 2018, I released my first single, “The Voice Words” which was the debut of my Sound to the world. I relish in performing at special events due to the intimate setting and was afforded the opportunity to perform at A Bridal Brunch hosted by the well-known BellaNaija Weddings & Chioma of Dureevents in 2018 and with Palm Beach Opera for their 2021 Festival performance of LA BOHÈME, among other wonderful events. I believe in capturing the moment for my clients and will continue to work towards building my brand in efforts to establish my sound as well as fostering an environment for other artists to find their sound. In every performance I aspire to provide each individual with an experience of a lifetime while sharing my unique sound, The Jas Sound

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson that I had to unlearn was that success truly doesn’t come overnight. Now I know most people when they hear that think to themselves “ Of course! Everyone knows that!”. I had the same thought, until I realized that my dreams held on to the possibility of an overnight miracle. When I first started posting music covers on Youtube , and building my brand on social media (i.e. Instagram) in 2018 I would post them to chronicle my growth with the thought that maybe, just maybe someone would see my video and my life would change. I kept making videos, recording music, posting, creating content and my numbers were increasing slowly. I tried my best to not be discouraged and to focus on my purpose which was to inspire others, but the truth was I wasn’t even inspired by my own work. I was dedicated, determined, disciplined, but not Inspired. So I took a break from posting and creating content and focused on what music meant to me. I wanted to be inspired not by “quick fame” but by my voice. I wanted to be moved by each note I sang first. The minute I shifted my focus the most beautiful thing happened, I began to fall in love with my process. I started to see the value in my story; a young woman who has been singing since the age of six who through her journey fell in and out of love with singing until she found a place of refuge in her voice; her home. My perception of success began to change; and I began to appreciate and celebrate my small wins. I had finally unlearned the dream of success being an overnight process, and it changed me completely as a person and as an artist. The process is the success, the journey to becoming all that I was created to be is the reward. Everything else is truly additional and never to be confused as the goal. Unlearning the idea of overnight success was a process in itself, one that even in today’s culture of social media is a bit challenging. But marrying the process and my journey as an artist helps me to focus on the true prize; being one with my music and inspiring others along the way.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is when I can use my voice to encourage others as well as myself. It took some time and hard work but I am finally able to inspire myself with my voice and songs that I have written. It is truly rewarding when as an artist you can listen to your own music to get you through hard times, or even to celebrate joyous moments. My voice has healed me in moments that I was broken, and felt like giving up. My voice has encouraged me to keep fighting, stay determined and focused until the “No” turns into a “Yes”. When as an artist your voice and music can inspire you like how it inspires others; it is a true reward. When I perform I can see the look on a bride’s face when she is walking down the aisle to her groom and she glances at me while I’m singing and smiles; that is my reward. Even in the most unfortunate events such as a funeral, when I am able to ease a bit of the pain for a moment and bring peace, comfort and encouragement to those in mourning; that is my reward. The gift of music is so plenteous and purposeful. It is truly rewarding to be blessed with the ability to be able to share my voice with others and impact lives one note at a time, including my own.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_jas_sound/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJasSound
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheJasSound
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejassound Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
S.O.A. Digital Imaging KG Pixels Fabio Lopez Photography