R&B singer Jaymillyrock reflects on her path from childhood harmonies to defining her own sound. She discusses the influences, creative process, and moments that continue to shape her musical evolution.
How did you first get into making R&B music, and what drew you to the genre?
I first got into R&B as a child. It was always a part of my life. My mother had a passion for many styles of music, but especially R&B, and my father was a big lover of it as well. My sister, Imani, and I would often create songs as we were cleaning. On many occasions, we would reenact songs from movies we watched growing up (and still do).
Who are some artists who have influenced your sound or approach to songwriting?
The three people I will absolutely give credit to when it comes to what helped to shape my approach to songwriting are X-Yle, Imani Gooden, and Kony Brooks. When it comes to writing on any subject, it’s not difficult for me to do. However, when it comes to the art of songwriting, the arrangement works differently from creating a poem or short story. So, I decided to create my pieces, and then I would send voice notes late into the night for feedback. I love poetry and singing. With each track I approach, the arrangement will vary. I believe it’s still too early in my artistry to pinpoint anyone just yet. Although so far I have heard comparisons to Jill Scott and Erykah Badu so far.
What’s the story behind your artist name, Jaymillyrock?
My artist name is a mashup of several names I am called. When I first started my Instagram, it was mainly for business. So, when I created a separate account, I wanted to use a name that was catchy and very authentic to the quirky person I am. Jay-Milly is already half my name, and then I decided to add “rock” to it. Once the name caught on, I put it on everything. So it’s just been my IG name for a long time. Coming out as an artist, there’s no separation. It’s all me. All the art that I showcase: modeling, creative directing, writing, and my singing. I didn’t want to create another alias; all my forms of expression will be under the same name: my nickname or my government name.
How would you describe your creative process when building a new track from start to finish?
My creative process looks a little like this: trust the producer and allow myself to flow. I’ll let the music play. When I sit with something long enough, I begin hearing a phrase or pattern. When that happens, I write it down immediately and create a voice note so I can remember the vocal arrangement of how I heard it. To expand on a writing idea, I’ll also take a look at some free writes I have saved in my phone to see if there’s something I can add from there. When I’m satisfied with the lyrics and vocal arrangement, I book a studio session so I can lay down my vocals.
Most times, it’s an intimate studio session with the producer and me. Maybe there might be one other person, but that’s rare. The main thing I keep in mind is to have fun, be flexible, and to not be married to how I envision the final product coming out. More times than not, it won’t come out how you envision it, and that’s the best part of the process. It comes out better than I could imagine, every time.
Your lyrics often touch on emotion and relationships. What inspires the relatable stories you tell through your music?
Life itself inspires the stories that I tell. For me it’s best to stick to talking about the things that I have experienced. With my song, “Fake Friend,” I wasn’t talking about anyone in particular. If the shoe fits, then wear it. I combine all the qualities from many stories in my life and create one character to sing about as the subject. When I wrote first drafts of some songs, I found it to be too personal and too specific. I don’t want to sing songs that will put me in a mental sunken place by being too specific. So it’s best to keep it relatable but not too personal; I like to leave space for someone else to see themselves in the songs.
What has been the biggest challenge in establishing yourself as an independent R&B artist?
The biggest challenge for me when it comes to establishing myself as an independent R&B artist is to pace myself. I must be mindful to not move too fast. Although I am new to being an independent artist, I’m not new to being a performer. Parts of me are seasoned from being a background singer for over 15 years, and other areas I’m brand new in. Balancing the scales of being new and not so new will be important. Keeping that in mind will have me considering all elements, such as where will I perform, what types of projects will I be a part of and so much more.
How do you see your music evolving over the next few years?
I see myself putting together intimate concerts and interactive shows all over the globe. There’s so much I would love to share. I have many, many ideas and the patience to see them through. This journey allows me to combine many forms of my creative expression, which l find to be so exciting. I want to create showcases that leave you feeling refreshed, moved, and uplifted from within. Music is healing, and I want to share with the world in all the ways I utilize music to uplift.
What role do social media and digital platforms play in connecting with your audience?
Social media and other digital platforms allow you to have a personal relationship with your viewers. If you use the tool properly, you can connect on deeper levels. We are all people, and I also am interested in viewing my audience’s lives as well. I’ve learned many cool tips and songs and got ideas from my audience. It’s a great tool if you use it with intention.
Is there a particular performance or studio session that stands out as a turning point in your career?
The studio session that became a turning point in my career was in January this year. I booked a five-hour studio session and recorded seven songs in full in four hours. The studio session changed my perspective on my level of skill. My producer and executive producer let me sing the songs in one full take from start to finish. At first, the thought was “maybe it doesn’t sound that good.” When I heard the playback, it was great. They told me that’s not something they witness often in the studio. I was just relieved that my practicing before the studio paid off.
It’s moments like that studio session that affirmed I was doing one of the things I was made to do. It makes me grateful I said, yes.
What can listeners expect from your upcoming projects or live shows?
What my listeners can expect from my upcoming projects and live shows is that I’m going to do the work to elevate and grow. I plan to showcase more range in my vocal ability and be a stronger performer. One thing I’ll continue to do is make sure we have a good time, whether the crowd has five or five million.
Be’n Original
