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

Jasmine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I grew up in acting school, so performing became my favorite thing to do. From then on, my song writing developed over time. I gained popularity in high school and around New Orleans as a creative. This encouraged me to learn how to record and produce my own tracks. I started releasing songs at the age of 13.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Odd the Artist. I’m an artist/producer/DJ from New Orleans. My passion for music started at a very young age. I was able to have a Rap class in the second grade as an extracurricular which lead to lessons on how to write songs with rhymes and rhythm. Growing up, my parents saw my gifts at a very young age. I was put into dance, music, and acting classes. I grew up in acting school, so performing became my favorite thing to do. From then on, my song writing developed over time and I gained popularity in high school and creatives around my city. This encouraged me to learn how to record and produce my own tracks. After high school, I decided to further my education. I attended Dillard University, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in ‘Music Industry’. Being in college, I always thought about different ways to expand my name (ODD) around campus, so I taught myself (with the help of peers), how to DJ. After graduating college, I’ve expanded my brand, performed for thousands of people, and been on lineups with artists like Tyler the Creator, NoName, and more.

I’m a performing artist who song writes. I have music out on platforms! I released my debut album ‘Let Go, Let Odd’. I am most proud of my album because I produced and wrote every song on the project. The years of work that went into the creation of the project led to an introspective, yet entertaining album, I have music video’s out on YouTube as well!

I’m also a well respected DJ who has a wide range of music selection, and the ability to entertain crowds of all types. I DJ’d multiple events over Essence Fest weekend and received great reviews from those who attended. My song selection and status as a black female DJ sets me apart in a male dominated industry.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

After I graduated college, I was making a lot of money as a DJ. At the same time, I started living the lifestyle that I felt like I was missing out on while I was in college because I was focused on my studies and my part time jobs. I was partying, drinking and spending my money, thinking that I would make it back. I eventually bought my dream car, an all white 2018 Jeep, because I was so caught up in the lifestyle.

I started to realize that I was becoming someone that I was not. I decided to move in with my mother in order to save money and re-center myself. Around that same time, the gigs that I was getting started slowing up. I wasn’t making the money that I was accustomed to, and life started to feel like it was going downhill. The breaking point for me was when I woke up one morning and realized that my Jeep had been repossessed.

This period of my life led to me creating my debut album, ‘Let Go, Let Odd’. The process of creating this album required me putting every feeling that I had into my songs and the result is an introspective, yet entertaining masterpiece. I honestly feel like the album would not be what it is if I hadn’t been resilient and gone through those trials.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is bringing an idea that started in my head to fruition. The fact that people can relate to ideas that I created based on how I feel makes me happy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oddtheartist.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oddtheartist/
• Twitter: https://x.com/oddtheartist
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRNwNJFlw4G_x0WPnNnjwTQ
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/oddtheartist

Image Credits

Carlos Sanchez