Soon after meeting rapper, Royce Da 5’9″, this songwriter from the Bronx, New York knew she was meant to be in the music industry. A young female rapper, Jade Mahogany decided she would use her lyrics and the power of music to get her message out to the world. While most teenagers her age are still trying to figure out their ambition in life, Jade realized her music dream at the age of 10, just months before starting junior high school. After going through a couple pseudonyms, Jade put her name into a rap name generator and came up with Jade Mahogany. She knew it was for her as Jade reminded her of her birthstone Peridot, and she had recently dyed her hair a mahogany color. Jade aspires to be well known, not only for her music but as an inspiration to girls and boys that may relate to her music.

1.) When did you all start making music?

Music is one of the most important things in my life. I grew up listening to not only hip-hop but different genres as well. I’ve always been intrigued by storytelling in music. After being inspired by artists like Jay-Z, Eminem, and Royce Da 5’9″ for years I began writing my own music at the age of 10 back in 2013. At first, it was just a hobby of mine and then about a year or two into it, I was completely devoted to making this my career. I was and still consider myself to be a very introverted person so writing music became my therapy.

2.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living?

I was going through a lot within my first couple years into writing music, I would take long breaks in between writing songs, I would write a hook, then never finish writing the verses, but even though that was happening I never felt the urge to drop it. I met Royce Da 5’9″ at his show in D.C. When he was on his Layers tour in 2016, he grabbed me out of the crowd and brought me up on stage when he was performing his song “Fast Lane”. Nervous and all, I went up on the stage and even though I messed up the words I still got up there in front of everyone and at least tried. That was the point where I was like, this is for me, this is what I have to do from now on. Everyone in my circle knows I’m a shy person so that coming from me was huge.

3.) Who are your influences/heroes/role models?

I look up to Beyonce and Rihanna a ton, I’ve always loved and supported what they’ve been doing. I love how they’re both about showcasing diversity, and female power, I really aspire to be as confident and have as much inner beauty as those two women do. Just seeing ANY female period trying to uplift women is an inspiration to me.

4.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other rappers?

I honestly wouldn’t compare myself to anyone. Everyone is unique and in their own lane so there’s no way you could try to compare two people together. Music-wise, I feel me just being me separates myself from a lot of other rappers. Some turn on this fake persona and in real life they’re not like anything they portray themselves to be. I am the same introverted person who binge watches Netflix day in and day out with the subtitles on so I can still follow along with my loud munching on and off screen.

5.) Unfortunately, the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?

I’m just going to be myself and do my own thing. If it’s in my cards to be noticed and succeed it’ll happen. The universe always conspires to give you what you deserve.

6.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs?

It all depends on how I’m feeling that day, the mood the beat gives me, or ideas I may already have. When I started writing my debut single “While You Can” it was a really long process. I knew what I had wanted to talk about for a while, but I just didn’t know how to put it into words. I knew I wanted this song to be my debut single though, and I wasn’t giving that up. I had written a different version of “While You Can” before I wrote the version of the one that’s out today, and it was so bad. The beat was dope, but it just wasn’t fitting the lyrics. I need to have a genuine connection to the beat before I even think about writing the lyrics because, if that vibe isn’t good, the song won’t turn out good.

7.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sellouts.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?

I have had great advice from so many people and I’m always told to stay true to myself no matter what in this music industry, and I believe that’s the only way to do it. No matter what, you’re going to have people that like you and some won’t, I’m not going to change up who I am to please everyone. If you don’t like me, that’s great, that’s your opinion. If you do like me, that’s great too. I’m not doing this for the money, or the fame, I could care less about those things. I’m making music because this is something I’m extremely passionate about but, if those things come along the way that would be just a bonus. All I want out of making music is for someone to know that they’re not alone and that being you is the best thing you could possibly do. Just being myself, I know I’m staying true to my brand.

8.) Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?

It would be hard to tell. Social media is so important today, you can record a song, upload it easily to different platforms, and engage with fans. It would be hard to have an authentic relationship with the people that are supporting you if it wasn’t coming from the artist themselves.

9.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure so far when it comes to getting your music heard?

Music for me is a therapy so, a lot of the songs I have written over the years are my actual feelings and stories. I believe that the music that’ll be coming out will explain itself. As a young female artist, it’s hard when it comes to getting my music heard. Most people don’t want to listen to a female artist, a young one at that. It can become difficult as I’m usually not taken seriously, but this is the most serious I’ve ever been about something so at the end of the day I’m going to keep pushing because this is what I was made to do.

10.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

That’s a little crazy to actually think about since I’ll be 20 in 5 years from now. I can honestly say I can see good things happening for myself as I’ve had this dream for years, there’s no way I would allow myself to not do good. I see myself working on a lot of the ideas I have now, developing those ideas and making them a reality. I hope to become the best me I could possibly be when it comes to my music career so, lots of music, touring, and hopefully, I’ll meet some of my influences and have the opportunity to work with them.