Jai’Len Josey Is Living Out Loud—And On Her Own Terms

At just 26 years old, Jai’Len Josey has already danced across stages on Broadway, written chart-topping songs for R&B superstars, and forged a sonic identity as fluid and emotionally textured as a Southern summer thunderstorm. Her journey from Atlanta’s vibrant music scene to Sony Music Publishing’s writing roster is more than a coming-of-age story—it’s a testament to self-possession, community roots, and the audacity to dream in surround sound.

Josey’s artistic journey began in the heart of Atlanta, where the rhythms of R&B, hip-hop, and gospel swirl like thick Georgia heat. “Growing up in Atlanta taught me the principles of family and community,” she says. “So, anytime I’m performing I’m looking for ways to bring someone into my world and make them feel at home.” That grounding—equal parts church pew and jam session—became the foundation of an artistic philosophy that centers honesty and human connection.

While many first met Josey under the dazzling lights of Broadway—at just 18, she made her professional debut in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical—her first love was always music. “Singing was always #1,” she says. “Musical theatre is just the path of singing I was introduced to first.” The transition from Broadway to solo music artist may seem like a pivot, but for Josey, it was more of a homecoming.

In 2020, she dropped her debut single Death of a Black Girl, a powerful introduction to her voice as both vocalist and storyteller. The single was soon followed by her six-track EP Illustrations, which blended classic soul textures with a contemporary flair. The project didn’t just resonate with fans—it caught the attention of Sony Music Publishing, where Josey signed on as a songwriter in 2021, the same year she also signed with Def Jam as a recording artist.

That leap paid off: she scored her first Billboard No. 1 with a co-writing credit on Ari Lennox’s “Pressure,” which has since been certified Gold by the RIAA. Collaborating with legends like Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, Josey’s behind-the-scenes prowess matches her on-stage magnetism. But for all the success she’s experienced in writing for others, nothing quite compares to performing her own music.

“Nothing can compare to the feeling I get when I perform my own music for people,” she explains. “It’s a different sense of gratitude when your own creation is the center of attention.”

Describing her sound isn’t easy—it bends genre in a way that feels intentionally uncontainable. “I would say I’m genre-bending the sounds of R&B with any genre I can get my hands on,” she says with a laugh. “In more colorful terms, my sound is what a rainy day in the summer feels like.”

And her process? Equally organic and self-directed. “I’m always in my bed, creating or sourcing the beat,” she says. “Then lyrics come, and in no specific order.” It’s a freestyle approach rooted in discipline, shaped by years of studying greats like Stevie Wonder, Mary Mary, and Brandy. “I know these albums like the back of my hand,” she says. “My singing choices and production styles come from them.”

Even with accolades and career milestones stacking up, Josey remains centered—no small feat in industries that often reward conformity. “Staying grounded but also not humbling yourself too much is a muscle that has to be worked on every day,” she says. “Luckily, I don’t have ‘Yes Women’ around me. My mother would definitely bring me back down to Earth if I was smelling myself too much.”

Her authenticity isn’t just a personal strength—it’s a gift to the next generation. When asked what she wants young Black girls to take away from her music, Josey doesn’t hesitate. “I want them to feel a sense of belonging, and security in knowing our skin is gorgeous, and all of our body types are tea,” she says. “I want them to see themselves and hear themselves every time I perform. Our experiences aren’t taboo. Their stories deserve to be heard.”

As she looks ahead, Josey’s not slowing down. Her upcoming debut album Serial Romantic, set for release later this summer, promises to deepen the emotional palette fans have come to love. And when it comes to future collaborators, she’s dreaming big: “I would love to work with Victoria Monét, Brandy, Doechii—and I’ll even reach for the stars and say Mother Beyoncé.”

But even as she looks toward the stars, Jai’Len Josey remains rooted in the place—and the people—that made her. Whether she’s writing for herself or for others, performing on a Broadway stage or an intimate venue, one thing is clear: she’s not here to play by the rules. She’s here to write her own.

Be sure to come check out Jai’Len Josey at The Future of Black Music in Atlanta on June 24. It’s going to be an unforgettable night celebrating culture, sound, and rising stars.

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