Today we’d like to introduce you to Lena Jackson.
Hi Lena, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
First off, thank you so much for having me and sharing your platform! My name is Lena J and I’m a musician, artist and visionary but my musical journey began in church. From a young age, I was surrounded by the powerful influence of music. My mother’s love for gospel, Earth Wind & Fire, and The Isley Brothers, combined with my father’s passion for Jazz, Hip-Hop, Donny Hathaway, and the Ohio Players, created a rich tapestry of sound that shaped me into the artist I am today.
By the age of seven, I had already decided that I wanted to be a full-time touring musician with platinum albums and fans around the world. This dream drove me to pursue music with unwavering determination. To further my goals, I chose to attend Morgan State University, where I double-majored in Music and Multiplatform Production.
Morgan State was an experience that I will forever be grateful for- I love my HBCU. There’s absolutely nothing like going to a Historical Black University, especially for someone like me who spent their entire academic journey being the overwhelming minority. On one hand it made me highly adaptable but there’s something so special about being surrounded by Black professors, Black culture, a Black student body and Black history all while striving for higher education. My studies in Music deepened my understanding of performance, composition, and theory. Balancing this with my other major in Multiplatform Production was challenging but incredibly fulfilling. Learning about digital content creation and media production gave me a broader perspective on the music industry and equipped me with tools that would prove invaluable in my career.
After graduation, my path took an unexpected turn. I landed a job at WEAA 88.9 FM, a position I hadn’t anticipated but one that turned out to be profoundly impactful. Initially, radio wasn’t in my foresight, but as it often happens, life had other plans. At WEAA, I immersed myself in the Baltimore community, connected with incredible people and helped people discover a new world of music through my podcast, “Bring the Beat In”. Starting as an intern and eventually rising to the role of News Director, I was faced with challenges that tested my skills and resilience. Despite the hurdles, I’m deeply grateful for the growth and opportunities that came with this role.
Near the end of my tenure at WEAA, I faced an unimaginable loss. My cousin, known musically as Amahdi, was killed. Losing him shattered a part of me that I still struggle to put into words. Amahdi’s spirit left an indelible mark on my heart, and I encourage everyone to listen to the music he left behind. I found my way to the studio shortly after because that’s one of the only ways I know how to process pain as an artist. He truly propelled my vision forward because I felt the need to make sure that his vision still came to fruition. Watching his legacy unfold motivated me to chase the only real dream I’ve had since I was a kid.
On August 24th, Amahdi’s birthday, I released my debut single, “Catch 22” which is now available on all streaming platforms! The release was not just a personal milestone but also commemorates the resilience and hope that had carried me through the challenging times.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, definitely has not been a smooth road but God has continued to carry me through my toughest moments. When you’re taking a leap out on faith and betting on yourself, the road ahead is hardly ever smooth. Speaking personally, I think one of the first steps to building community is vulnerability. Many of us deal with similar problems, and when we hold them in, it keeps us held captive. But I guarantee you that if you open up, you’ll find at least five more people who can relate to you.
I say all of that to say that I’ve dealt with plenty of self doubt and mental health problems. When you feel burrowed too deep into your thoughts, you can often feel trapped. What’s important to realize is that you are the first and sometimes the only one to hear those negative thoughts. So, combatting those negative thoughts with positive affirmations is one way I’ve found to push through any uncertainty. And just to add a little perspective for anyone battling whether or not to trust themself and commit to their dream…there are millions of people who do the exact same thing. The world needs you because you’re unique and special in your own right. Don’t let those thoughts/people that tell you that you “have nothing special to add to the market” win, because that’s simply not true.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an artist, who if you had to categorize, would be R&B and Soul. Nevertheless, I love alternative R&B, Rock, Funk, Jazz, I love it all. Music is so special because it’s all about love. Every song, every artist, despite the genre, are all talking about love. The loss of love, wanting love, the love of something, hating love etc. I learned that from Professor Deborah Kent, which is important because she was one of the first people to believe in me vocally when others didn’t. The other would be Carolyn Black-Sotir. But speaking about love, love is something that everyone craves, even if they pretend that they don’t. Love therefore creates a community which unites folks from all creeds, genders, ages and makes them one. I’ll never forget seeing George Clinton and Parliament at Artscape in 2015. Let me just say, EVERYBODY likes funk music. My musical influences have range, and I’m proud of that. From Faith Evans, Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, Anita Baker to Kehlani, India Shawn, Sade, and Jazmine Sullivan, I hope to make my musical hero proud. But I’m really just a girl.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I actually don’t believe in luck! Everything that I’ve been given or even the things that I desired that weren’t for me at the time were all blessings in disguise.God makes no mistakes. Since I was seven years old, I knew how I wanted to mold my life. Creating music that resonates with people, pulls them out of their darkest moments and celebrates them at their highest was, is and will always be my priority. Though, the “how” and the “what if” questions were always baffling to me. “How am I going to afford equipment to record my ideas?”, “Are people going to support me?”, “Do people like my sound?” are all real and valid fears that I had to come to terms with. Fortunately for me, God placed the right people in my path in order to make it all happen. Letting things happen organically, humility, fostering great relationships and remembering where all of my help comes from is how we got to this point and this is just the beginning!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lenajmedia.wixsite.com/lenajmedia-1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lenajmusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thereallenajmusic
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lena-j-341707418/catch-22?si=04d1c5d0bba54b119b766052cf815e76&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lena-j/1764693097
