Emerging UK rap artist Ocean-Jade talks musical highlights, collaborations, future plans and her empowering debut release ‘Becki’

What inspired you to begin a career in music?

From a young age, singing and dancing came easy to me. My parents used to tell me how I would come up with songs using random words people would say when I was out in public at only 5yrs old. I also began dancing which helped develop my love for different cultures and the musicality of the music itself. When I moved to the UK, I put myself through performing arts schools and then finished at a music school, which steered me into rapping and completely opened my eyes and solidified my career in music.

What differs you and your sound from other upcoming rap artists in the music industry?

There are many great upcoming rap artists, but for me, its my character that gives my music life. I am the reflection of my sound. Yup, I am this cultural, witty, pocket-rocket phenomenon on and off the mic. In my creative process, I want to make sure that I empower women – in particular black queens – to know we are fierce, beautiful, wonderfully made and of course bad-ass as hell!

Your debut single ‘Becki’ is out now! Can you please describe the creative process and explain the meaning behind the single?

The title of the track ‘Becki’ is a cheeky pun referencing the lyrics, ‘Becky with the good hair’ in Beyoncé’s track, ‘Sorry’. I came to my producer Tremaine J and co writer Verose with the chorus that I came up with months before, as I was on tour. I would randomly rap it around people, and when I saw their excitement and how catchy it was; I knew then, that this was the song I’m going to release. The track uses wit to talk about society’s perceptions/behaviour of women, from the idealised body types to how they are told to act or be. I tie the track together with the comical lyrics that bring you in, the juxtaposition of the serious subject matter mirroring the contradictions in the point the track is making. The track ‘Becki’ also emphasises and pushes black beauty to be at the forefront – just as it should be!

Everyone experiences good days and bad days, as a musician, when you have a bad day, what motivates you to keep moving and look ahead to the future?

I am so lucky to have friends/cousins around me, as without them I wouldn’t have that push on my bad days. They are also in the creative industry, so they know what to say for motivation and they definitely know how to be give me a kick up the backside haha. Oh but I can’t forget that a good playlist of cultural music always gives me that needed relief of breaking out into a full out dance battle with my self.

Throughout your musical career, have you experienced any ‘wow’ moments? Those moments that you stop to reflect and can’t believe you are where you are?

The wow moment for me was when I got to go on tour with Dope St Jude as her MC. That showed me that my hard work is paying off and I was right to pursue my dreams and make them a reality.

What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career?

Its cliché but it’s the truth. No matter what be yourself and do what makes you happy and there is no dream that is too big.

What does the foreseeable future hold for you as an artist?

Gosh I wish I knew the future that would give me a stress free clear path hahaha. However right now I work day by day and make the most of every opportunity I have.

‘Becki’ is available now vi all major platforms.

Connect with Ocean-Jade

Instagram  | Spotify

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.