'You have to believe in yourself before anyone else can believe in you,' she tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena
Jessie J
Photo: MTV News
Jessie J is an accomplished songwriter, having penned tracks for Miley Cyrus (the mega-hit "Party in the U.S.A.") and Britney Spears (the never-recorded "Being Britney"). Now the sassy British songstress is showing off her own pipes on Who You Are, her just-dropped debut album.
She worked with a number of A-list talent for the project, including B.o.B on "Price Tag" and producers and songwriters like Dr. Luke, Toby Gad and Claude Kelly to compile a raucous, empowering set of tunes that are loud and proud.
"It's been an incredible few months. It feels like I've had 10 years [of a] career in one week," she told MTV News. "To be accepted and also understood as well, I think people are really getting my music and getting me. It's the best feeling ever."
One of the feelings she's aiming to convey on the record is a feel-good one. The big message on Who You Are is to love — you guessed it — who you are.
"For me, I love being an influential role model, especially with young people who feel like they don't know who they are and aren't comfortable in their own skin," she explained. "I've kind of had to fast-forward and go, 'I don't care if I look stupid.' You have to believe in yourself before anyone else can believe in you.
"I had to struggle as everybody does," she continued. "Everyone has their own struggle. The last six years haven't been easy [as I was trying to put this album out]. You have to find opportunity. I think, for me, empowering songs stand the test of time. They never get old. It's something you always need. Everyone needs a lift. I just hope that I can bring a little light to the world."
Her sassy first single, "Do It Like a Dude," is a bold way to greet the pop masses, but it certainly gets the point across.
"At the end of the day, it's a business, and you have to create controversy, and I knew it would get their attention," she said. "It's funny, 'cause the lyrical content is raunchy, but it's not sexist. It's controversial without being offensive. It's actually quite empowering. It's very, 'We're all equal.' It's very much my humor, and the reason I wanted to put it out first is because it doesn't give anything away."
What do you think of Jessie J's music? Let us know in the comments!
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