Meet Jasmine Jordan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Jordan.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jasmine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I knew at a very young age that music would be a part of my life’s mission. There is video evidence of me singing and dancing- being moved by music- at about two years old. From that point on, my parents supported my love for it and I stayed very involved in the arts. In college, I became the lead singer of a band called Sugar Water Purple and through that experience, specifically after opening up for Grammy nominated singer India.Arie, I knew in my soul that LA was the next move for me. My spirit had decided in that moment that I had to pursue music; I just had zero clue how that would pan out for me over the next seven years! I moved to LA in 2012 and started working on my first solo EP in 2014. The almost two years in between really stand out because of how difficult that time was.

I was fresh out of college, in a new city with pretty much no family or friends, at a corporate job adjusting to real adult life and a solo career in music just seemed impossible many days. BUT GOD. So yeah, I’m a believer and God really showed out at this point in my life. My then manager ended up moving to LA and started making moves that would eventually introduce me to the producer I would work with to birth Time Travel EP. He goes by the name of Andre de’ Santanna and has a private studio in North Hollywood. We met, hit it off and started working. Five years later and we are still working together! Summer of 2014, I performed my first solo show in Venice, CA and by then, I looked up and had an amazing support group. A room full of people I had met through church and finally, I could see a light. I worked with friends to get the art done for that first project, spent thousands of dollars I didn’t have on making the music and dropped my first official EP in January 2015. Looking back, I can’t believe we made it happen. Some days felt so hopeless. Like I was a very tiny fish in a huge ocean of talent. But that’s also why I believe it’s critical that you keep your eye on YOUR prize. You know the calling on your life. So you have to believe, show up, do your best and have faith in the rest of the journey panning out.

After that first EP release, I went on to headline 3 west coast tours that went from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA; dropped another EP titled Things Change, consistently dropped visuals, opened up for Grammy Nominated RnB Singer Joe and have since released singles including Smile which has taken on a life of its own. My single Smile birthed The Smile Tour which in return birthed The Smile Movement; a brand and movement focused on spreading positivity. The message is simple: you, your dreams and our brothers and sisters are worth the fight. We are building a platform that advocates for hope and the power of community. To date, we’ve hosted Blankets for the Homeless on Skid Row and have sold merchandise with positive affirmations and encouragement. We also have an Instagram account for those looking to add some positivity to their timelines. I’m very excited for everything to come with The Smile Movement (it’s my baby!) but for now, I make sure to perform the song at every show and it’s honestly encouraging me as I work on my next project due in 2020.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road! But what road is, right? As I previously mentioned, the first challenge was moving to LA straight out of college with NO community. No support group and no clear road map on how I would pursue my music career. I was starting a corporate job for the first time in life and learning all the grown-up things for the first time: how to manage my money, pay bills on time, get proper sleep and balancing work and my personal life wasn’t even a thing yet. I like to remind anyone who asks that there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a 9-5 or other more regular shift job.

I think it actually is more challenging to have that and then have to have the proper discipline to pursue your dream, launch your business idea, write that book, etc.. Time management becomes a critical part of your passion projects coming to life. I had to learn that. I had to make time for what I love and what I actually moved to LA for while working my corporate job. And until I found a way to do that consistently- this did not happen for me automatically- I would wake up many mornings feeling empty and extremely sad. When you’re not taking steps in the direction of the purpose you know has been put on your life, depression, anxiety and an overall dark cloud can easily sweep in and take over. I had a lot of days like that in 2012-2013 until I met my producer and started working on the first EP and performing again. And at that point, the challenges became paying bills and also having money to produce my expensive project.

Working with some bad apples and finding out early on that you need a contract for everything, even with friends, and that not everyone is going to see your vision or believe in it. So I decided years ago that I wouldn’t work with people who had lackluster energy when it came to my projects. Periodddtt! In addition to those standout struggles, I think of regular life cards: doubt, lack of faith, fear. Those are all emotions I still deal with especially when I start to compare my journey to others and become obsessive over the clock AKA worrying if time is running out. But in every down season I’ve ever faced, my faith has reminded me that all things work out for those who love Him. That honestly has been my story. It’s what has kept me pushing forward. Because ultimately, even with the doubt and fear, the core of me believes that this is where I belong and that music is part of my purpose. I know my job is to show up, even on the hard days, do my best and then trust that God will work out the rest.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m an RnB singer, songwriter, and performer. I’m known for a style that’s reminiscent of the emotions we felt from early 90’s R&B. I’m known for spreading messages of self-love, love of others and women empowerment. I am no stranger to the disposition of falling in love which is heard and felt in my range, storytelling, and passion on stage. My music covers relatable narratives that convey love’s enthralling and heartbreaking dynamics. I’m also a servant and believe that ultimately, my why is to uplift and encourage people. First through my music and second through The Smile Movement. The Smile Movement is a brand and movement I created that is focused on spreading positivity through merchandise, community service projects and online. We are building a platform that advocates for hope and the power of community. What sets me apart overall is my heart for people and passion for love and transparency in the journey. I’m a feeler and everything I say, do, touch and sing typically comes from my heart and a place of passion.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as living out your why and finding and maintaining personal joy. I’m not successful if my bank account is poppin’ but my soul is in constant turmoil. I’m not successful if I have everything that everyone else in my life wanted for me but none of that looks like my truth. I’m not successful if I wake up every day dreading the 24 hours in front of me. I want to live a balanced and purposeful life. For me, that looks like checking in on myself on a regular basis: how am I feeling? What am I working on? Am I happy? If not, what can I do to work towards that? I am in therapy to make sure that I’m taking care of my emotional and mental health. That’s a big part of being successful for me. I’m successful if I have love in my life. Love of family, friends and yes- I do desire romantic love! Haven’t found that yet but I’m hopeful! I’m successful if I’m taking steps towards my business ideas which I do ultimately hope will provide me financial freedom. I’m successful if I have a savings account! I don’t want to live a life worried about money and bills. I’m successful if I’m serving others- loving other people. I’m successful as long as I’m doing music. Creating it, performing it, enjoying it. Music just brings me so much damn joy! I can’t imagine my life without it.

Contact Info:

• Website: jasminejordanmusic.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @therealjasminej and @smiledontgiveuponyou
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJasmineJ/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealJasmineJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Image Credit:
@redheartmedia @rainwata @g.i._job @yoon_kim @wilclaussen

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