Jaïa Rose is a 25-year-old dynamic and multifaceted artist whose music blends powerful R&B, trap, and pop influences. Known for her unique style, she draws inspiration from the vibrant vogue community and the rich cultural fusion of her Franco-Congolese roots. With a bold artistic vision and a passion for self-expression, she continues to break boundaries and carve her own path in the music industry.
Why did you choose the name Jaia Rose as your stage name?
I chose “Jaïa” and “Rose” from the ballroom scene, which I’m a part of in the voguing community. We all have nicknames, and I picked ” Jaïa” as a reference to the goddess Gaia. “Rose” comes from one of the first dance groups I was part of, “Bien la Rose.” Plus, I’ve always loved the color pink, so I decided to keep it.
Speaking of voguing, I discovered that you’re also a dancer and teacher.
Exactly! Dance has always been a part of my life. I’ve loved it since I was a child. Even before singing, I wanted to become a professional dancer and explored many different styles. I first got into dance through music videos and dance battles. I attended a dance school and decided to pursue it professionally when I moved to Paris. Now, I teach dance classes and also participate in events within the hip-hop scene.
I read that you grew up in Bordeaux in a Franco-Congolese family. What was it like growing up there, and why did you decide to move to Paris?
I grew up near Bordeaux, just outside the city. There was a lot of space for creativity because there wasn’t much to do. I couldn’t really find my place there, which led me to move to the city. I first moved to Bordeaux and then to Paris. Also, voguing and ballroom culture aren’t very well known outside of Paris. We’re now trying to expand it beyond the city. I also felt like I resembled the people I saw in music videos, like Beyoncé and Alicia Keys, and I thought, “I could do the same.” Plus, there was always music playing at home in the background.
Were your parents also musicians?
Not at all. They love music, but they’re not in that industry.
Speaking of Beyoncé, I noticed you have a pop/R&B vibe, so I figured artists like Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child were your biggest inspirations. Am I right?
You got it! It was pop and R&B stars like Destiny’s Child, J.Lo, Aaliyah, and a few others that I watched dancing in their own music videos. For melodies and musical elements, I’d say Alicia Keys was a big inspiration.
As my career developed, a lot of my influence came from the UK scene—artists like IAMDDB, Jorja Smith, Amaliah, and from the U.S., artists like Summer Walker, SZA, and Bryson Tiller. So, yes, a lot of feminine influence! I was really inspired by Michael Jackson when I was younger, and his music videos are immaculate.
In your melodies, I can hear a trap/rap influence. Am I correct in my analysis of your sound?
You’re right! I listen to a lot of rap. When I started writing in 2018, there weren’t many artists I resonated with in the R&B scene. But a few artists inspired me, like Nemir and Josman—I love his writing. Hamza is also a huge inspiration for me with his toplines. I’d also mention Booba, especially his older songs.
It sounds like a fusion of styles!
Exactly!
How would you describe your songs in three words?
I’d say: strong, love, and glittery.
You joined the International Dance Academy in Paris. Does it help you with your music? Is there a link between dance and music for you, or are they two completely different worlds?
It’s something that developed in parallel. When I joined the academy, it was around the same time I started singing and writing. I took my first singing lessons there and became more aware of my voice. It was also through one of my first music videos that I met the producers I still work with today. I still teach and dance with my crew, so for me, the two worlds are very connected. My goal is to create an “artistic piece,” a true “work of art,” where dance and music aren’t separate anymore, but fully fused.
Would you also like to shoot music videos in other countries? I can totally picture you filming a video in L.A.
I’m really into West Coast vibes, for sure. My first love has always been the idea of traveling through my art.
Would you also like to incorporate your dance crew in your music video plans?
That’s the goal—to mix both, combining my dance crew with my music.
I saw you collaborated with Le Juiice and Cinco on your new album. Can you expand upon how that came to be and what that experience was like?
And also with Rad Cartier! Fun fact: they were all people I had written down in a little list of artists I wanted to collaborate with. I met Le Juice through one of her music videos, and we stayed in touch. When I was working on “Hot Couture,” I immediately thought of her, and we ended up making the song together in the studio. It was a similar process with Rad Cartier—we had great energy, and the collaboration came together naturally.
It seems like dance opens up a lot of doors for you. Who would you like to collaborate with on your upcoming album?
I’d love to collaborate with UK artists, especially Menelia—I really love the UK scene. Another big goal would be to do a feature with Summer Walker or even SZA.
I feel like the UK R&B and trap scene is special, it has something unique.
I totally agree. I also think of the artist RAE—I really love her aesthetic. My next goal would definitely be a UK collaboration.
Speaking of aesthetics, how did you find the inspiration for your album’s visual style?
An album is really special to me. I think back to when I was younger, buying old albums, and I wanted mine to have that same sense of meaning, with a concept behind it. That’s how the “magazine” idea came to me, as I’ve always collected fashion magazines. I was the typical teenager cliché. So I thought about combining both, making the album cover look like a magazine. I chose the color red because it’s powerful and speaks to a lot of people. The gold represents the goddess element.
When did you first know you wanted to be a singer?
I’ve known since I was a child. I was always singing in my room, watching music videos. It really unfolded and became real when I moved to Paris for dance school. I wasn’t afraid anymore to say that I wanted music to be my full-time career. In a small city, there are a lot of limiting beliefs, but when you move to a bigger city, you meet people who share your dreams, and those beliefs start to fade away.
What do you want your listeners to feel when they hear your music?
I want them to feel good and confident while listening to my music. I want them to believe in their goals. Sometimes, making music is a form of therapy for me. But the further I go, the more I want my listeners to feel strong emotions. Even if some songs make you cry or scream, I want them to resonate with their emotions.
There’s definitely a lot of “baddie energy,” like a main character vibe in your music.
Yes, totally! I think it also comes from me growing up and feeling more like a woman, especially with songs like “Inoubliable.”
What challenges have you faced, or currently still dealing with?
At the beginning, I had trouble owning my desires and being clear about what I wanted. When you’re just starting out, working with producers and others, you can sometimes lose sight of your own vision and let others take up too much space. You feel it when something doesn’t resonate with you. Now, it’s really important to me to be proud of what I want and make sure my actions align with my desires.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Everything I’m living right now, with my different artistic pursuits—I want all of that, but on a bigger scale. I want to share my art with more people, travel more, and live even more of my passions. I also want to be free of limiting beliefs and fully embrace everything I’m doing.
Are you working on anything special for the end of the year?
Not big projects, but I’m experimenting with new sounds.
What does True Urban Culture mean to you?
To me, it’s about authenticity, hip-hop values, and self-determination. It’s about deciding who you want to be and doing everything in your power to make it happen.
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