Vibrations, Affirmations, and Inspirations with JBreaux
The COVID-19 pandemic was a frightening time for most of us. Many were left feeling hopeless with the world on lockdown, but for artist, Jbreax, it was just what she needed to ignite her passions. Growing up in Louisana, Jbreax always had an ear for music and singing. Her upbringing was surrounded by many different genres and musicians but it was never looked at as a “real profession”. Jbreax graduated from Northwestern University while keeping her creative mind open. In the midst of the global shutdown, she used her spare time to play around with recording and quickly discovered her calling for music and healing. Now, this young artist is creating music, making appeals, and spreading enlightenment to the ones around her. I had the opportunity to chat with this multifaceted artist to talk about music, spirituality, and more!
Destany Long: When did you get into music?
Jbreax: As far as making music, I didn't start, I literally didn't record a song, didn't really do anything in regards to music until 2020. I just grew up around music. Being from Louisiana a lot of our culture is music, food, etc so I grew up around it. I was always around it but around so many different types and I was just always just soaking it in like a sponge. Yeah, I just carried it with me throughout all my life, I guess you could say.
D: On Instagram, in your bio, I noticed you call yourself a “sound healer”. What does that title mean to you?
J: I just embarked on my own journey of personal growth and healing because you know at multiple points in my life my mental health was soooo bad, it was like basically debilitating and I was like, “I need to heal”. Long story short, I was learning about frequencies and sound waves and how they affect our brains and how they can stimulate healing, they can help you focus, they can do alot of different things. I was like, “You know what I am going to do? I’m going to put this in music!”. I am going to merge those two worlds because it was working. I started finding other artists doing the same thing; Jhene Aiko being a major inspiration, but also just smaller underground artist doing the same thing and it was literally working. I literally started to transform and heal. I know I’m not the only person on the planet with pain. You know, I’m not the only person on the planet with trauma or sadness, and I want to pay it forward; create things that help other people do the same thing.
D: So after following you and doing my stalking, I realized I came across a whole multitalented artist. On top of your powerful music, you also stumbled upon your brand, “Vibrational Appeal”. So I want to hear more about that and your vision for it?
J: The goal of Vibrational Appeal is the same as my intentions for healing through music, you know, just creating whether it be houseware, accessories, or appeal with little tokens of positivity. I really believe in signs, whether it be angel numbers, etc. I kinda just wanted to put that on something and put it out so people can see more of it or wear it, you know it’s all the same intention. I was really getting into different ways in which I could be creative because prior to 2020, I didn’t see myself as a creative. I didn’t realize how much was out there to do besides go to school, get your degree, and find your 9-5. I didn’t realize how much was out there until I stumbled upon designing clothes and making a storefront and literally was like, “Why not?”
D: I want to talk a little bit about your song, “back to the light”, which is beautiful. In the song, you talk about heaven being more of a “vibrational state of mind” rather than a place that we go to. Talk to me about that. When/Where did you come across this idea?
J: Thank you by the way. As I mentioned previously, embarking on that journey of growth and healing, I started studying other religions and other spiritual beliefs. I grew up very religious. I grew up in a Christian household, not only household but school and church as well. It was the type of Christianity that didn’t really support or encourage accepting other belief systems, like at all. I don’t know. I’ve just always been curious and feeling like there’s more out there so I stumblede up the idea of reincarnation, nirvana, enlightenment, and all the spiritual things. I began to apply it to my own life and I was realizing that I personally experienced my own “hell”. I started to read in a couple of different books and a few spiritual teachers talking about how heaven and hell aren’t actual places. I was learning about frequencies and vibrations and positive versus negative and things like that. I kinda started to connect the two. What if the “heaven” we speak of, like love and all these positive things, what if that’s what heaven is; rather than a place you go to when you die. I’m a huge J. Cole and Jhene fan. I know J. Cole said, “I know heaven is a mindset, I’ve been a couple times”, it’s the Cut-Off, it’s on one of his albums. I heard it there and it just stuck with me. Then Jhene has a song called, “Ascension” where she says, “I’m on my way to heaven if I can make it out of this hell.” Just listening to her Trip album, she’s basically painting a picture of the hell that she was in and I just resonated. To me, resonating means that it’s real for me like I literally can relate to that. I can see that as truth. The idea of heaven is just where you’re at mentally, or energetically as well.
D: So you mention Jhene and J. Cole being musical influences? Do you have any artists that you love or get inspired by?
J: Yes! Oh my gosh, I have so many. Missy Elliot is a huge inspiration for me because she challenged a lot of gender norms in her era. Her sound was very versatile. Aaliyah is an inspiration as well, for the same reasons. You can feel them in their work but it’s different every time. I gain a lot of inspiration from that. I really love Ariana Grande, she inspires me vocally, like with harmonies. Tori Kelly is another main one. I learned a lot from her. I gain inspiration from late 90’s/early 00’s artists, especially in the hip-hop era. Ciara was in her bag, I learned from her. Mac Miller is another one, lots of rappers I gain knowledge and inspiration from but I’ll stop there. [laughs]
D: What’s next for jbreaux? In music, in life, what’s next for you?
J: I am currently working on an EP that is still in the conceptualizing stage. I am gathering as much inspiration as I can and then I’m gonna get the ball rolling. I’m aiming to have it out in early summer. I might drop like a single or two leading up to it. It’s gonna be three or four songs, I haven’t decided yet. It’s definitely going to be more affirmations, more healing, you know uplifting vibes. It’s going to be completely versatile. No track on the project is going to sound the same. I am inspired by so many different genres so it’s gonna be fricking dope. I’m excited about that. I also plan to have more visuals. Most of what I’ve done so far has been just me but I am really looking to expand and work with other artists.
Follow @_jbreax on Instagram to stay updated on music, appeal, spirituality, and more
Don’t forget to stream her latest single, My Dude! Available now!