the one named Jasmine connects with us to talk new single "Set Us Free" and the powerful EP to come
- STAFF
- Sep 20
- 9 min read
By: Staff
“Set Us Free” is a breathtaking revelation of raw emotion, masterfully blending vulnerability with bold truths.
the one named Jasmine is back, and her latest release, "Set Us Free," is making waves with its stirring blend of ethereal guitars and raw, soul-gripping vocals. The track, the lead single from her upcoming EP Everything Is Not What It Seems, has already captivated listeners with its powerful critique of how society frames those struggling in poverty. But beyond the music, it's the emotion behind the song that makes it unforgettable.
We recently spoke with the artist about the journey that led her to this moment. From her formative years in Brooklyn, where she found solace in church choirs, to her time at performing arts school and Carnegie Hall, the one named Jasmine’s path has been anything but ordinary. Her music, a seamless blend of R&B and rap, is built on a foundation of personal truth and vulnerability, creating a sound that resonates deeply with those seeking more than just surface-level emotion.
In our conversation, the one named Jasmine revealed how "Set Us Free" pulls from her own experiences growing up, offering a searing critique of the messages often handed down to low-income communities. But it’s not just about the struggle, it’s about the freedom that comes with breaking through those barriers and confronting the systemic issues that keep people trapped. She spoke candidly about how her music has become both a form of healing and a tool for self-empowerment, and how every track is a reflection of her personal growth.
As she prepares for the release of Everything Is Not What It Seems, the one named Jasmine’s vision is clearer than ever. With each song, she’s unmasking deeper truths, balancing raw emotion with artistic complexity. "Set Us Free" is just the beginning, and you won’t want to miss this conversation where the one named Jasmine shares her personal journey, the power of music, and the impact she hopes to leave on the world.
Begin Interview:
Hello the one named Jasmine, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We loved “Set Us Free.” First of all, the title is amazing, it immediately makes a statement all on its own. The resonant guitars were glowing and uplifting, but it was when your vocals and lyrics hit that we were totally sold on your sound. Your vocal presentation is so captivating that we were stunned. How has your personal musical journey brought you to this point? Did your evolution into a professional career happen gradually, or was there a pivotal moment or event that set everything quickly in motion?
A. My musical journey started as a childhood dream. Growing up, I sang in church choirs and even attended a performing arts high school that gave me the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall. However, due to a tumultuous upbringing and pressure from religious family, I put those dreams to rest, focused on school and entered “the real world.” However, after years of working in corporate America, I realized it wasn’t my calling and that my heart still longed for music. I dipped my toes back into the music world by releasing my first single as a professional musician and moving to Los Angeles in 2024. Once I started taking my music seriously, things started falling into place for me.
Q. We read that this song and your upcoming EP touch on a critique of how society frames people in poverty. What is the song "Set Us Free" about for you personally? What deeper emotions or experiences were you channeling when you wrote it?
A. As someone that grew up in poverty, I remember receiving so many messages about changing our mindset so we could escape our circumstances, believing for miracles and messages that suggested that poverty was some sort of moral failing because we didn’t try hard enough in life. A lot of this messaging came from the religion that I grew up in. Although, I no longer practice that religion, I noticed that similar messaging can still be found in other religious practices. I wanted to write a song that challenged/critiqued these ideas through the viewpoint of someone experiencing poverty. Some of the lyrics are pulled from my own life, while others were pulled from choices the people around me made in their lives.
My upcoming EP explores multiple themes in society and relationships that aren’t as clean cut as they appear to be. A lot of us aren’t comfortable with the grey areas in life that can’t be wrapped up nicely. Each of the songs on this EP are intended to make you reflect on how you see the world around you and how you define your version of normal.
Q. Why did you choose the title "Set Us Free"? There’s such a sense of liberation in it. How does the title tie into the message you want to communicate with this song?
A. I chose the title Set Us Free because it describes what it feels like to live in poverty—a trap. You do what you can with your circumstances but a part of you wishes someone or something could take you away from it. It’s wishful thinking that if you think positively or manifest hard enough things will somehow just change for you.
Q. The EP is called Everything Is Not What It Seems. You absolutely have an incredible way with words. How does that theme connect to your own journey and the evolution of your music? What are some of the "masks" that you feel you've had to remove, both personally and professionally?
A. It’s funny that you mention wearing masks because for the majority of my life I’ve felt that everyone else has put a mask on me to frame me in a way that’s either comfortable for them to digest or frame me in a way that’s fits the narrative they want to spread about me. When I was younger, I went along to get along so everyone else could be comfortable, but those days are long gone. This EP is me taking the mask off, owning who I am and standing in my power. I understand that this makes me a target, but people were already targeting me. They might as well get the right image to project their darts on lol.
People tend to underestimate me and not see me as human. This EP allows me to take back the pen that writes my narrative. Now I can use that pen to illustrate what’s important to me, what I want to share with the world or things I want people to think about. My art is a change agent.
Q. You’ve mentioned a traumatic upbringing being a big influence in your decision to change your name and begin making music. What was it about music that became a tool for healing and transformation? Was there a specific moment where you felt music was the path to your self-empowerment?
A. Music has always been a balm to my soul. It brings comfort to me during dark times when I don’t have anyone. There was a time in my life where I put my music dreams away because I thought it was a pipe dream. At that same time I was going through some of the worst events imaginable and the only thing that brought me peace was music. From there I decided to start writing music to express myself. I kept my music to myself at first since it was sort of like a therapy thing for me. But once I realized that my calling wasn’t in corporate America and that I had a bigger purpose, I made the decision to launch my music career. Music is powerful in affecting how we feel, what we think and the choices we make. I want to use my music to inspire people that are in the same places I was in and help them see that there’s more to their story. I want my music to empower others the way it empowers me.
Q. Is this particular musical genre style something you’ve always embraced from the very beginning of your journey, or has it evolved over time from influences or other genres you experimented with earlier?
A. It has definitely evolved! Growing up I wasn’t allowed to listen to or know about any music that was not gospel music. I used to sneak and listen to secular music in the library or when hanging out with friends. In high school, we were only allowed to study and practice classical music, as contemporary music was looked down upon. While I appreciate gospel music and classical music for the foundation they gave me, they just weren’t the type of music that I wanted to make. I resonated heavily with Rap and R&B—specifically Motown—and I wanted to make music that would have a lasting impact on those coming after me.
Some ideas I couldn’t express through song, only through rapping and vice versa. I struggled with deciding if both styles could co-exist in my music, but then I looked to artists like Janelle Monae, Lauryn Hill and Beyoncé and I realized that this has been done before and it can be done again.
Q. Since “Set Us Free” speaks to a lot of emotional complexity, does it ever feel difficult to reveal so much of yourself in such a comment- and judgment-driven world? Or do you find it liberating to express that level of vulnerability through your music?
A. Sharing anything about myself publicly opens me up to judgement and criticism so I’m very careful about what I decide to share as my vulnerability has been used against me violently in previous years. I find that releasing small tid bits about my life within the allegories that shape my music helps to liberate me while keeping the message I want to send. My safety is my highest priority.
Q. Do you find that your most vulnerable experiences often translate into your strongest songs? Do you share your most intimate feelings, or have you still kept certain parts of your story more private and let the listener derive what they feel?
A. My most vulnerable experiences are always my strongest songs. I’m not sure how to share them and be okay with the world perceiving the most intimate parts of my life, so I won’t be sharing those songs publicly. However, with the song Worry About Me on my upcoming EP, I open up a little about my relationship with my mother because I know that many people out there have a similar experience and can connect with this song while on their healing journeys. I don’t go too deep into the nature of our relationship, but I peel the cover back just enough for the listener to take in the message and derive how they feel about their relationship with their mother as well as interrogate the image that they have of what a mother daughter relationship looks like.
Q. You’ve been very open about the intersection of your emotions and the societal issues you address. How do you balance the vulnerability of sharing such personal aspects of your life with the need to be a voice for collective struggles? Does it ever feel like a heavy responsibility, or does it feel liberating?
A. It’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. Music is meant to push culture forward and express the circumstances of the times it’s created in. Shying away from that is shying away from one of the main reasons music is such a powerful art form. I can’t do that. I just try to do it tastefully.
Q. In a world where many songs focus on surface-level emotions, what do you hope listeners walk away with after hearing "Set Us Free" or any of your songs? What kind of impact do you want your music to leave?
A. I want the people that listen to my music to evaluate their own experiences. My lyrics have a message, but more importantly they leave you, the listener, with the choice of what you will do with that message.
Q. As you work towards the release of Everything Is Not What It Seems, is there a message or feeling you want to leave people with once they’ve experienced the full EP? What do you want them to take away, not just from a musical standpoint but also from a human one?
A. I expect the people who listen to the full project to come away with a feeling of knowing that they own their personal power. They are in control of their narrative regardless of what social norms and outside pressures there are that make them believe they should feel differently. Life isn’t black and white and we should be more comfortable exploring the grey areas.
Q. You’ve described your music as a blend of R&B and rap, but what would you say is the thing that most uniquely defines your sound? Is it the emotion, the storytelling, the blending of genres, or something else entirely?
A. Emotion and storytelling are the key features that define my art form. Storytelling takes the focus off of myself and invites the listener into another world that we will experience as a collective. The emotions I trigger in each song helps the listener to connect with their own emotions and stories. Both of these elements combined create a unique encounter for whoever encounters my music.
Q. Finally, how do you want people to remember this moment in your career when they reflect back on the release of this EP? What do you hope people think of when they hear Everything Is Not What It Seems for the first time?
A. I want people to remember this moment in my career as a unique moment of bravery. I want people to reflect on this EP as project that boldly and unapologetically expresses itself for years to come. When people think of Everything Is Not What It Seems they’ll think of it as a classic piece of art.
the one named Jasmine, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared the one named Jasmine’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
