https://soundcloud.com/jasminenichol/pretty-little-jay-1
Tell us your real names, country of birth, date of birth and childhood experience.
Jasmine Cruse, stage name is Jasmine Nichol. Born in Hayward, CA aka The Bay Area. Born August 25, 1991. Virgo in this bihhh. My childhood experience… sheesh, deep questions. I had many experiences as a child. Most pleasant and filled with love and joy, some not so happy, but that’s life. I never wanted for or needed anything. My parents were amazing in that way and always provided for my siblings and I.
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Tell us about your music career, your band name, musical background, experience and skills.
Well I’ve been singing since I was 10 years old. Ever since I discovered I could sing I was doing everything from having a vocal coach to auditioning for American Idol (2 times), The Voice, & X Factor. I also involved myself in talent shows as often as possible growing up and was even in my high school’s choir, Story & Song all 4 years. With all that being said, I never took music serious until I was in college. What I mean by “serious” is that I never recorded in a studio or did shows performing my own music until I was in college around 2012. I’m a solo act so it’s just me 
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Tell us about your genre, concept and idea behind your music video and the song.
I guess I would consider myself a contemporary R&B artist, leaning more towards soul and singer/songwriter, not so much urban. For my video for “Crash n Burn” I just wanted to convey an overall good feeling and authenticity of that emotion. That’s why I’m walking all around town, talking to statues, and just doing fun things in the video.
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Tell us everything that we need to know about you as a musician and the ups and downs you have faced in the music business.
Of course, like any other artists I have gone thru my ups and downs, from being on shows to being taken off, to thinking I had a legit amazing contact to it not going anywhere, promised features that never happen or getting that “I can make your dreams come true” phone call. I’ve been thru it all unfortunately but that comes with the territory. No matter what industry you’re in, you are bound to go through ups and downs it’s just about you respond to those ups and downs that is most important.
As a musician, I write my own lyrics.
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Tell us about other members of your band, music producer, crew or music video director, how the song was recorded and how the music video was shot.
My main producer is my husband, Ade Cruse, Music video director for “Crash n Burn” is Bobby Shells, @shells456 on social media. The song was recorded organically. The initial draft came about in the Bay Area with my husband and I going back and forth. The final draft came about in Philadelphia at Milkboy Studios. The video was also super organic, just my husband and I bouncing ideas around with Shells.
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Tell us how long you have been in the music industry, your experience and your future goal.
Been working since 2012. Experience thus far has been filled with highs and lows. Future goals is to be touring around the world, supporting my family via my dream, platinum plaques, Grammys, and billboard hits. Big dreams yes, but it’s in the cards. Just have to work hard to get there.
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Tell us what inspires you to write, compose and sing.
Everything. Life. My husband. My daughter. The bees. The trees. My friends. My family. Flowers. Love. Light…. Everything is an inspiration one way or another.
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Tell us the secret behind making a hit song.
Tapping In. Timing. There definitely is no formula. No matter what anybody says, there is NO formula. It also depends on the energy in the room that you are in at the time of recording. The ones that come the easiest seem to be the “hits”.
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Tell us the message you will like to pass to your fans out there.
Be yourself. Never take no for an answer. Keep striving. And spread peace & love, all ways, always.
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Tell the kind of advice you will give to an upcoming artist.
Always believe in yourself and your vision… AT ALL TIMES. No one is going to work as hard as you will for yourself. Also, never stop working on perfecting your craft. Learn something new every day.
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Elaborate on your music careers, albums, songs, tours, recognition or awards you might have obtained.
To date, I have released 2 full length projects and various other singles. This year, 2017, I released my 2 singles, “Crash n Burn” & “Pretty Little Jay”. Have not toured yet but have done countless shows in Sacramento, Seattle, San Jose, and LA. As far as recognition goes if had newspaper articles written up, but I have not formally won any awards for my talent/art.
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List Radio or TV Stations that are airing your songs and blogs that have featured you as well and send message to them via this platform.
Too many to type. But it’s been a good amount of blog write-ups. No radio or TV station pushes however.
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Tell us how you write your lyrics, compose, sing and record in the studio.
Good energy. Full stomach. Plenty water, Jameson. Good vibessssss.
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Name five biggest artists that you like.
Bob Marley. Aretha Franklin. Erykah Badu. Michael Jackson. A Tribe Called Quest.
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Name the artists you have collaborated with before in your songs or artists you are willing to collaborate with in the future if you have the chance to do so.
I’ve worked with some AMAZING “local” talent. Mani Draper, Luke Tailor & Chuck II from the Bay Area. Tia Ferrera & J. Sirus from Sacramento.
In the future, I would like to collab with Babyface, Salaam Remi, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, The Streotypes & Wiz to name a few. Also, Raphael Saadiq.
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Give us the links to your website and your entire social network.
Instagram – www.instagram.com/jasminenichol
Facebook – www.facebook.com/OfficialJasmineNichol
YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/JasmineNichol
Twitter – www.twitter.com/jasmine_nichol
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Give us the links to your various stores for fans to buy your music.
iTunes Music Store, Google Play, etc. Basically, all digital platforms. I have not yet had the pleasure of being distributed via department store.
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Tell us about your happiest day and saddest day.
Happiest Day – any day spending time with my husband and daughter.
Saddest Day – any day that I can’t “ be free”.
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Tell us how you will spend a million dollars.
Make sure my mom straight. Start non-profit. Down payment on home for my family. Travel. Quit my day job and start my online business.