Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jazmine Cope. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jazmine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had started sooner?
I was introduced to the world of music at around eight years old, then songwriting at ten. Once music became part of my life, it felt as natural as breathing. The question was not whether I loved music, but what I wanted to do with it. The older I got, the more apparent my love for music and songwriting became, so of course I wanted to make it my career.
When you look at the more popular aspects of the music industry, you often notice a pattern of relatively young individuals becoming “superstars.” As a naive teenager, of course that is what I wanted. But now that I am an adult, I have no regrets about not starting my creative career sooner.
I used to be very hard on my younger self for not applying my talents more productively. But it was only after lifting the lens of self-bitterness and deep criticism that I realized I could no longer blame my past self. It was not productive, and quite frankly, not true. I genuinely did the best I could with the financial struggles and family dysfunction I experienced at home. At that time, music was less a career than it was a much-needed outlet for a teenager trying to find her place in the world.
At 26 years old, I know that I don’t know everything. That is a very important distinction from how I used to think as a teenager. At 17, I thought I knew everything—it’s ironic, since I didn’t even know myself. That very thinking could have set me up for failure at best, or had people take advantage of me at worst. The music industry can be predatory, especially towards younger artists, women, and artists of color. Knowing who I was back then, I honestly don’t see any value in starting my musical career at such a young age.
It took a long, humbling time to get where I am now. I had to live and learn, and I continue to do so. Now, I find myself surrounded by more like-minded musicians, singers, and songwriters, and I have a wonderful partner who supports my dreams and ambitions.
I feel like the best version of myself, and I would not want to start my career any other way.
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 Jazmine, but I go by my artist name, Jayah A. I am a singer-songwriter who loves to blend authenticity with good vibes. I discovered my passion for music at the age of eight. I took formal piano and violin lessons, but my musical ear always guided what I played, which naturally led me to songwriting.
I strive to write songs that capture the range of emotions and experiences that make up the human condition. More than anything, I want to create a sense of community. Music is about bringing people together, sharing memories and feelings, sparking discussions, and creating commentary—it’s truly a privilege to unite people through a common joy.
What I offer to my listeners is ethereal authenticity. I have written songs about love, betrayal, family dysfunction, financial struggles, wanderlust, nature, space, and much more. I embrace the challenge of taking universal feelings and expressing them in a unique way. My words and melodies are intentional—I never finalize a song if it feels off or insincere, whether it is for a thought-provoking song or just something to dance to.
It has taken time to find my sound, but after years of songwriting, vocalizing my own experiences and those of others, and maintaining an open mind, I feel I have developed a persona that embodies who I am, what I stand for, and what I bring to the music scene.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
One resource I significantly underestimated was community. In the music industry, collaboration is key—whether it’s with other musicians, songwriters, producers, or others in the field. While I was struggling to finance my journey as Jayah A, I found tremendous support through the community around me. I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside so many intelligent, kind, and like-minded creatives.
This year alone, community resources provided me with a free pass to the NAMM Show—my first ever—opportunities to perform in front of audiences, access to local music panels and events, and submissions to various legitimate contests that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. It was this community that helped me secure this interview!
Ultimately, collaborating with your community creates momentum and solidifies your reputation among those you work with. The music industry is highly competitive, but when you surround yourself with the right people, you’ll find many are eager to support and promote you.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
There are many ways society can support artists:
First, always consider the local music, art, and creative scene. Support local artists and venues by buying their merchandise, listening to their music, and sharing their social media posts. There are numerous ways to support local talent that foster a thriving music scene beyond just areas like LA, New York, or Nashville. Plus, it’s a fun way to connect with others in your community.
It’s also important to stand up for musicians and make conscious decisions to support them. For instance, I choose not to use certain streaming services since those services do not pay small artists. I purchase merch directly from the artists’ websites, and for albums I love, I always buy the CD or vinyl. While digital access to music is a great way to discover new artists, it often doesn’t provide much financial support for smaller musicians.
Additionally, for the love of humanity, avoid listening to or supporting AI-generated music. Not only does it sound tacky, but AI models learn from existing music, essentially stealing from real artists. This idea can be applied to any form of AI-generated art or creative outlet, not just music.
Lastly, creative communities can help and collaborate with each other. For example, I have a friend who loves taking photos and videos of artists during their gigs. With their permission, she shares the content she creates, and in return, these artists promote her work as a photographer and videographer. Art transcends boundaries, and everyone benefits from these types of collaborations.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jayah_a_music
Image Credits
Lori Lopez