AceShowbiz - Jai'Len Josey, the dynamic 27-year-old artist, proudly represents the vibrant musical cultures of both Detroit and Atlanta on her debut studio album, Serial Romantic. These two cities have been foundational in shaping R&B, and Josey blends their influences in a fresh, compelling way that aims to invigorate the genre.

Josey first gained recognition during her time at the renowned Tri-Cities High School, where she distinguished herself as a performer by winning the 2014 Jimmy Award for best performance by an actress playing Effie White in Dreamgirls. That same year, she earned her first television acting role on Tyler Perry’s Love Thy Neighbor. By 2017, she expanded her talents to Broadway, debuting as Pearl Krabs in the Tony Award-winning SpongeBob SquarePants musical. This role connected her to Broadway powerhouse Cynthia Erivo, who became a mentor and helped guide Josey through her transition into the music industry.

Through Erivo, Josey was introduced to Lena Waithe, who signed her to the Hillman Grad label, an imprint of Def Jam, in 2021. That year, Josey co-wrote “Pressure,” a sultry R&B track that stands as Ari Lennox’s only solo Billboard Hot 100 hit, peaking at No. 66 and remaining for 17 weeks. The collaboration also led to Josey joining Lennox on her 2023 Age/Sex/Location Tour, marking one of her first live music performances outside of theater. When Hillman Grad was scaled back in 2025, Def Jam’s CEO Tunji Balogun signed Josey directly to the label.

Since 2020, with projects like the lush Illustrations EP and 2023’s decadent Southern Delicacy, Josey has been carefully crafting a distinct sound that fuses musical theatre influences with R&B. She emphasizes the artistry and precision of vocal performance alongside her growing skills as a producer and beatmaker. On Serial Romantic, singles such as “New Girl” and “Housewife” introduce elements of Detroit Ghettotech—known for its fast tempos and dance energy—injecting new life into her core R&B style.

“All I know is crunk music, ghettotech and jazz,” Josey shared with Billboard before her album’s April 24 release. “And of course, gospel. The way that I bring it home is singing on top of that. Whitney [Houston] would blow on some uptempos, and that’s what we’re missing!”

Recently, Josey signed with the prestigious talent agency WME for worldwide representation as of March 26. Her debut album is executive produced by three-time Grammy winner Tricky Stewart, setting the stage for a major breakthrough this spring.

Billboard’s R&B Rookie of the Month for March opened up about her creative process, touring ambitions, and upcoming Broadway projects.

How did your collaboration with Tricky Stewart begin? What was your first session like?

“The first session was memorable—I actually fell asleep after eating,” Josey laughed. “We had finished one full song, and he was listening to the tracks I already had. Tricky combined six of my written and produced songs with six of his own to see what might be missing from my sound. As he worked, I heated my food, ate, and passed out. When I woke up, they had me covered with a blanket.”

She praised Stewart’s mentorship: “He’s like a father figure. He’s shared invaluable wisdom about being an artist and a producer. I’m truly grateful that he executive produced my first album. That’s a huge blessing.”

What made your partnership with Tricky Stewart successful?

“He let me stay authentic as an artist. He didn’t want to change some of my original music. He added his signature touches, but he allowed me to keep the honesty of my sound. That creative freedom is rare, and I’m very thankful for it.”

Which song did you know had to be on the album from the start?

“I built the album around ‘Housewife’ and ‘New Girl,’ songs I was producing myself. Those tracks helped me define the sound I wanted. You can hear elements from Southern Delicacy and ‘She’s Got It’ on Illustrations. ‘Southern Delicacy’ is about my grandfather’s passing, but also includes production styles I like. For Serial Romantic, I gravitated toward sounds that felt like home and reflected who I am.”

“Housewife” explores themes of traditional femininity and womanhood in a way that feels empowering and modern. What message did you want to convey?

“When you listen, you realize I’m reclaiming the word ‘housewife’ rather than describing my current status. This man treats me so well, I might actually play the role—I might even get a free trip to Bali! There’s a playful choice and opting-in here. It’s similar to RAYE’s ‘Where Is My Husband’—we’re not outright saying this is our lifestyle, but exploring the idea.

“Romance isn’t a big focus in many relationships today, and lots of them are struggling. In my second verse, when I say, ‘I’m hanging up the Hennessy, my h-s, and all my six-inch pleasers,’ I’m saying if you want me to give up all my good things, you have to be serious. It’s a modern take on reclaiming ‘housewife’.”

How has your background in musical theatre influenced the production of Serial Romantic?

“This is my first album with a super-producer supporting me. I took many lessons from Illustrations, which was the pinnacle of my Broadway experience, being in an orchestra pit. Those orchestral elements are part of me. Working with someone like Tricky allowed me to evolve those sounds into the woman I am today. The music can be played on radio and still satisfy my own tastes. On Broadway, the first note has to captivate the audience for the entire two-hour show. That mindset is always with me when I create music—it’s all I know about performance.”

How have different R&B eras shaped your vocal and melodic style?

“It’s deeply embedded in who I am as a Black woman from Atlanta, growing up listening to legends like Monica and Brandy. That music is in our DNA. Coming from church and hearing what my mom listened to while cleaning on Sundays shaped me as well.”

When and how did Detroit Ghettotech become a key influence on this album?

“My mom is from Detroit, and the music she cleaned to—and grew up with—was Ghettotech. She was one of the first interns at So So Def Records and worked with TLC’s management company. She was deeply involved in the music world. I remember the instrumentals she played, and she also loved jazz—Nina Simone, Donny Hathaway—mixed with hip-hop. That blend influenced me.”

When did you begin working seriously on Serial Romantic? Did this overlap with the success of “Pressure”?

“No, I was still young and focused on the mindset behind Southern Delicacy then. Serial Romantic came later as a more mature project reflecting who I am now.”

With her debut album dropping soon, backed by major industry support and a unique fusion of musical theatre, R&B, and Detroit Ghettotech, Jai'Len Josey is poised to make a significant impact on the genre and bring a fresh sound to R&B audiences worldwide.