Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Sy’mone
Hi Janelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I got started in music because my mom—like most traditional black moms—had us cleaning up on Saturdays with Anita Baker, The Isley Brothers and Frankie Beverly playing in the background. The music became infused into my DNA and I knew I wanted to sing. 27 years later and just coming out of a bad breakup, I started to rethink my dreams and getting out of my head about failure and not being worthy. I remember posting on Craigslist, “Singer Looking For A Band” and with the first reply I joined a band, started singing and writing original songs and luck would have it, that I’d meet my producer, Jay-J James. He played such an integral role in mentoring me, helping me create my sound and pushing me out of my comfort zone. From there, it was all about execution. If you don’t remember anything else while reading this interview, atleast remember that all the great things are on the other side of fear. So many amazing opportunities that I’ve gotten and have yet to receive have come solely from putting myself out there. I’ve won awards, traveled, had a chance to sing at a show in New York City, which had been my dream since I was little. I’ve done so much and now my debut EP, “Good Girl” is the latest installment of going after what I wanted by jumping over my fear.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing worth having comes easy …so it’s been hard. I think the hardest part is the “meantime”. From the moment I’ve realized that I wanted my entire life to be music to the moment I’m living my ultimate dream, everything in between is considered the “meantime”. I’ve gotten doubtful in the meantime. I’ve almost given up several times in the meantime. The meantime has also cost me friendships and relationships. What I would have told myself is that the “meantime”, can be ether a grave or a garden, you choose.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a singer-songwriter and entertainer from Atlanta, one of the lighting rods for soul music and the epicenter of Black Hollywood. Nothing makes me prouder than knowing that I come from a rich lineage of innovators and table-shakers. I have a team that surrounds me with love, care and support and they lend their talents to fortify and enhance my dream, while carving spacefor their own dreams. I’m known for my explosive shows. I dance and I sing live and I do my very best to create a moment for the audience. It’s not just me thinking of the person who spent their time, and their money to watch what’s happening on that stage, but It’s everyone included in the process from the band, to the dancers, to the creative directions and stylists. Each effort put forth makes me proud. And what sets me apart? I personally don’t think I’m apart from any other black or queer or cis or trans artist of color looking to express themselves. This is community, so I don’t believe anything separated me from the whole. But I will say that my unique expression in my movements, my song choice,my vocal style—all of it makes me representative of my gift within the big picture of all of the other creatives and artist that add to the same picture.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
When I started out, you couldn’t tell me that I wasn’t going to make it 2-3 years! I was so confident and damn near arrogant enough to believe that the journey part of this process will either be shorter or all but non-existent for me. Now there’s nothing wrong with confidence, it’s a much needed ingredient in success, but to assume that the journey–with all of it’s teachings, lessons, epiphanies and heartbreaks isn’t needed is a huge mistake. Don’t try to skip it. It hurts. It heals. It reveals. It shows you who and what your made of. I wish someone would’ve told me and taught me how to run towards the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bluejanemusic.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/therealjanellesymone
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@janellesymone
Image Credits
photo credits: Robert Christopher Coul Photography
