Hailing from a small town outside Detroit and raised in Sacramento, California, Jessica Jolia has cultivated a deep-rooted connection to music. With a family steeped in musical tradition, her sound is a soulful blend of organic instrumentation and modern production, influenced by icons like Whitney Houston and Prince. Read more about how this rising artist found on White Label creates her signature R&B sound with lush harmonies, and listen to her music here.

Where do you call home? 

I’m from a small town outside of Detroit, Michigan originally, and I grew up in Sacramento, California. Most of my extended family is still in Michigan and I visit fairly often, so it will always have a special place in my heart as it’s a big part of who I am and has influenced my sound tremendously. Sacramento will always be home to me though. I have so many great childhood memories there. It’s where I really honed my skills as a vocalist and instrumentalist, and I was fortunate to grow up with amazing and supportive instructors and mentors along the way.

How did you get your artist name and what is the significance?

When I first thought about coming up with an artist name, I knew that I wanted it to be memorable and sophisticated because that’s what I strive for in terms of my artistry. I also wanted to combine my first name with another word that started with the letter “J” and eventually decided on “Jolia” which is a variation of the spelling of one of my cousin’s names. I thought “Jessica Jolia” captured something beautiful and even perhaps a bit mysterious, which works well for me because it keeps people interested in seeing (or often guessing) what I’ll do next.

How do you describe your musical style? 

I would describe my style and sound as soulful. Not necessarily in terms of what may traditionally be considered “soul music,” though I certainly love that too, but more so because everything that I create is intentional and directly from my soul. My artistic approach really isn’t limited to one genre. It just ensures that whatever type of music I’m creating is authentic, purposeful, and is intended to positively impact those who hear it.

I often incorporate live instrumentation, especially drums and guitar, because I’m a huge fan of organic sounds. I think it makes such a strong impact on the listener and that there are some things best captured by physical instruments rather than studio-produced sounds. Don’t get me wrong though, I love a good bass-driven, rhythmic beat too. Just depends on my mood (which is always changing) and objective. 

What first inspired you to get into music?  

I’ve loved music as long as I can remember, and it’s been a part of me since before I was even born. I come from a family of singers and musicians, and I’ve also been told that my Dad frequently put headphones on my Mom’s stomach while she was carrying me and played all different sorts of music. One of my early favorites was classical music, and rumor has it that I used to make my dolls sing to each other in operatic voices rather than speaking. Pretty fancy for a 2-year-old, right?

Is there an artist who has inspired you most? 

I think the artists I admire the most are Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Prince, and Michael Jackson. They each brought something magical to the industry and set the bar very high. Chaka Khan, being the only one still living, is someone I really enjoy listening to. I last saw her in concert a few years ago and what I loved the most about the experience was her dynamic and captivating energy, which paired so well with her stunning vocals. I think each of these artists has, at different times, inspired me to pour myself into my music, to be intentional in terms of lyrics, composition, and performance, and to leave a mark on people’s hearts that is undeniable and unforgettable.

What’s your favorite piece of music production gear or software? 

My favorite DAW is Logic Pro. I literally create everything there, and particularly love the resulting raw and upfront vocal sound it produces. I have used other DAWs, but I find that Logic is very user-friendly, and that makes for efficient sessions.

What’s your favorite part of the music production process? 

My all-time favorite part of the music production process is actually vocal arrangements. I grew up listening to a lot of acapella music and have a major obsession with harmonies, especially vocal pads. Pretty much every song I’ve written for myself or others is filled with lush harmonies, which I think is definitely my signature sound.

Any future projects coming we should know about?

Absolutely! I’m working on a handful of projects at the moment, but you can keep an eye out for my EP with Yaahn Hunter Jr. coming out later this year. Yaahn is an incredible musician and friend who is well-accomplished and admired by so many. Our first single, “Ooh La La,” has already surpassed 55 million views on TikTok and is currently charting in the Top 20 on iTunes. I’m very excited to share new music with everyone very soon!

Check out Jessica Jolia’s music on BPM Supreme’s White Label and read more interviews here.

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