DREAMPLAYER JAE FRANKLIN
Sultry, soulful and smooth are great descriptors for Jae Franklin, a Dream Players contestant who made it to the judges’ circle. Jae chats with Tempo…
Jae Franklin, who?
I’m an American singer-songwriter, and I really appreciate Tempo Magazine for interviewing me. It’s so funny that you want to know about my background because I actually JUST tweeted about this….I moved to Abu Dhabi in August of 2013, and the experience has been unbelievable! I’ll always be a Texas, USA lady, but I feel truly blessed to be able to call Abu Dhabi my home away from home!
But, why singing?
I’ve been singing all my life and my love for music stems from my time growing up in Texas. I performed throughout elementary school well into University. It all began in church and grew from there. My family encouraged me to pursue a professional music career, and to this day their support has never wavered.
And, your muse?
From a very early age, Whitney Houston was my favorite artist! With beautiful women like Whitney Houston and Patti Labelle to look up to as a child, I gained a deep respect for vocal performance and a love for stage performance. As I’ve grown older, I’ve been influenced by musicians, producers and vocalists. Quincy Jones, Sarah Vaughn, Amel Larrieux, Sade, Marvin Gaye, India.Arie, Rachelle Ferrel, Maxwell, Stevie Wonder, Fela Kuti, and so many more musicians and vocalists continue to inspire me. My travels throughout Africa, Asia and Europe also enrich me. Each part of the world I’ve visited has a different perspective on music and the music industry. These experiences have helped to shape my views on music as well as the direction of my music. My new project, which will be released in 2014, is shaping up nicely because of this.
Your ‘new project’??
Because I’m always working towards building a more fruitful music career, I’ve set more goals for 2014. Collaborating with like-minded artists and the release of my upcoming music project are two of those goals. I’m excited about the future. There are so many goals I’ve set for the future. The release of my upcoming 2014 project is a top priority. Performing in this region and collaborating with talented artists are on my list as well.
Your success so far?
I think that achievements are really subjective these days. Success is also different for different people. I’ve shared the stage and recorded in-studio with Grammy Award winning artists who have taught me so much. I actually count those experiences as achievements. Collaborating with and working alongside seasoned and amazingly talented artists create invaluable experiences. It’s not every day that you meet people and connect with folks you’ve only read about or seen perform in concert and then find yourself working with them a few months later. From these connections, I’ve had the opportunity to travel, work alongside major industry veterans, have my likeness published in magazines and newspapers, and be featured in movies and radio as well as blockbuster films. My music has touched people’s lives and it has also been well-received all over the world. Those are great accomplishments for me.
How did you ‘come out’ in Abu Dhabi?
My first stage performance in Abu Dhabi was at The Marina Mall when I participated in The Dream Players showcase. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect as I haven’t performed for a talent show in a long time, but the show was fun and I met some really cool folks.
Bumps on the road?
Henry Ford said it best. “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.” Those are words I live by nowadays. I focus on moving forward. I also believe in creating opportunities. We all have challenges, but the most important factor in growing as a person and artist is how we get back up and keep moving. In 2014, I’m aiming for greatness on my terms and not anyone else’s.
Learnings you want to pass on?
My advice to aspiring singers is, embrace your uniqueness and believe in yourself. Being a vocalist is great, but it doesn’t hurt to learn another instrument as well. Being self-sufficient is a plus nowadays. Producing your own music is one way to grow as an artist and vocalist. Be serious about your vocal health. You want your voice to work with you and not against ya! My last piece of advice for aspiring singers is to get involved in arts community near them. Learning and contributing to the arts will definitely enhance your life and lead to collaborations with like-minded folks.
