Today we’d like to introduce you to JaaLa.
Hi JaaLa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I began singing at the age of seven in my hometown of the British Virgin Islands. I made my stage debut at church for what I believe was a Christmas or winter program.. I still remember the white dress, red stockings, white frilly socks, and white, shiny, patent leather kitten chunk heels with the strap that goes over the ankle. I sang “The reason why we Sing” by Kirk Franklin. It went over well, I wasn’t nervous on stage at all… but when I got off, all the emotions came flooding in and I was boo-hooing off stage lol! Later on I realized that it was a spiritual infilling! That made it all the more special for me! To know that I had God’s stamp on my gift.
Fast forward to age 13, I was now living in the United States in Atlanta, GA with my mom and brother. My sister moved up a year before we did and she had a classmate that worked at a recording studio. She told him about me and pushed me to go. Despite the nerves, I obliged and soon after LOVED being in the studio. We would attend often being a fly on the wall, singing features for other underground rap artists at the time, and working on my own music. I loved it! I would continue doing this for 3 more years… until teenage hormones came into play.
Fast forward to being 16 and pregnant… and it was around the time MTV had a show about it… guess I was a product of the times lol! But yes, I had finished my high school classes by fall off my 16th year and gotten pregnant. The spring of the following year, I worked to save money for this new baby on the way…. So needless to say, music took a pause. I gave birth at 17 and for a few years put music on hold. I went back to church and used my gift for God only. I had to get back right… this went on for a couple years and I would visit the studio from time to time, bringing my son. He was even considered a studio baby at one point. Lol! But I fell off again…. Baby number 2 at 19 years old, just trying to get through college.
After the birth of my second son, I connected with a guy I was dating at the time and we formed a duo. He played guitar and sang and I just sang with him. (A shrunken version of myself). It was through this relationship that the love for guitar was really fostered. We stayed in relationship and performed around the city for a couple years until our relationship ended. Although the relationship ended, I still carried the love for guitar. The flexibility of having your music travel with you, the freedom of not having to perform with a backing track all the time, and just the added skill and soulful sound of the acoustic strings. I loved it.
An associate’s, bachelor’s degree, and failed attempt at releasing an underground EP later and I’m back into this music thing for real. I’m teaching private music lessons, teaching in the classroom and performing private gigs around the city… all while being a mom! My children were the driving force for me to keep going! It was going through all those life experiences that grew me into the person that I am today. I began to know who I was; As a child of God, as a light bearer in this dark world, as a source of inspiration for others fueled by God’s grace. It was during those in between seasons that my faith grew as I got back into church and I became more confident in myself and in my artistry. My previous artist name J Latoy, (who didn’t know who she was and was trying to navigate what others impressed upon her versus what she wanted), took a back seat and JaaLa was born. I now walk in boldness and confidence rooted in faith. I consider myself an inspirational soul artist (I got that when I met the artist Major at a music industry conference) and my goal is to spread light, love, and inspiration in and through my music.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a teen mom as previously stated and a single mom at that, wasn’t easy to navigate, but I was determined to not be a statistic. So I put music on pause for a little to be a mom. Squeezed it in when I could, but was determined to get a degree! Even had days when my boys were out from their school and I had to bring them to college with me! My professors were so impressed with how well behaved they were! So grateful for my village! My mom, bonus dad, and my sister and brother in law! Mission accomplished!
I also went through a season where my singing voice was practically gone after finishing in the top ten of an Instagram competition Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men held over the pandemic. I could talk, but the agility and tone I had in my singing voice was altered greatly. I dealt with that for a year! I thought I had vocal nodules and all. Cried out to God and asked Him why! Went to a specialist, ENT doctor, and it was just some swelling and dryness due to the Vegas air. Went through vocal therapy and found my way back about 6 months after. That was the toughest time in my life! And I gave birth… twice! But it was all purposed… and it was for my protection. I’m sure of it!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an artist. A musician. A creative.
I’m known for singing and playing the guitar. My first instrument is my voice and the guitar got picked up later on. I’ve been singing for over 15 years and playing guitar for about 10 years. I believe people connect with me because I’m authentically me. That’s all I can be. There’s only one me in this world so I cannot be caught up trying to be like, sound like, look like, someone else. Their story and journey is theirs and my journey is mine. Authenticity is key!
I AM, however, proud of my latest single I released this year called “I am Free” available on all digital outlets and my Christmas single cover “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” for the holidays!
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck. I believe in purpose. God-given purpose and direction. What’s for me is for me. Whatever happened was supposed to happen to get me to be who I need to be to go where I’m going. I’m grateful for it all. The pauses, the green lights, the children, the schooling, the depression, the fight to survive, the tenacity, every performance. Grateful for it all!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://officiallyjaala.set.bio/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallyjaala?igsh=dDg0MzRyZnltenRq&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FbxKZsZyW/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@officiallyjaala?si=NflYkx2BomvOT4NA
Image Credits
True Life Media ATL
Foto Therapy Photography
Nick Hayes Photography
