At the end of 2009 we came across Jade Harrell. An exciting, original, fresh artist whose music sounds great and is definitely not something we had heard a lot of at the time (but we have now because we’ve listened to her album a LOT) and her lyrics speak about issues we all face while at the same time speak about fun and happiness. There’s even a track on here that features Ayiesha Woods titled “Who You Are” which is one of our favourite’s on the album.

We were very excited to get to interview Jade and get to know more about her and get to understand her album better too. With a title like “Class Reject” we could tell there was more to the album and more to Jade than we first realized. This is definitely an interview we looked forward to doing and we hope you enjoy reading it and that what Jade has to say inspires, uplift’s and encourages you all.

Hey Jade. How are you doing what’s your week been like so far?

Everything has been good, my week has been pretty busy with family, church, a lot of birthdays are coming up this month so I have some major shopping to do! lol 

For our readers from all around the world who may not know who you are, tell us a bit about you, your music, who/what influences you and finally how you got where you are today.

I got started as a background singer for some local artists in my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. When I got my big break so to speak, I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. My producer, Maurice “Mo” Henderson saw me singing back up vocals at a jazz concert one night when I was about 15 years old. Right up until the release of Class Reject, we just worked in the studio writing and recording. My music is definitely a reflection of my own personal taste. I love EVERY genre of music and I try to incorporate it all in my music, but overall it’s pop. I’m mostly influenced by my past experiences, other people’s experiences, dreams, or random thoughts and ideas.

It’s funny how a lot of great artist’s start out as backing singer’s, some of which are even better than the artist’s they sing for. 

What happened to Jade is serendipity (The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident). God knows what He is doing and He sure knows how to make something out of nothing (the entire universe is proof of that). 

As an artist, you must have faced many challenges and struggles throughout your journey to where you are now.

What has been your biggest challenge as an artist (from the start of the journey until now)?

My biggest challenge as an artist was creating a live performance set that was both very entertaining and meaningful. I’d performed a few songs off my album when I began touring with GRITS, but the show was just good. It wasn’t compelling (at least not to me). Eventually, I learned how to arrange my set and incorporate different elements to make it grand like I always imagined it would be. Now, I have people come up to me and say that they cannot wait for a full out Jade Harrell concert!

It’s great to see how serious you are about your live performance. A lot of times Christian/Gospel artist’s don’t really focus on ensuring that anyone that comes to see them in concert has an experience to remember. We understand that what Christian/Gospel artist’s do is ministry but that is no excuse for shoddy performance’s and no real thought going into making sure that their concert’s wholistic.

There are many types of challenge that we as people go through. Some may seem bigger or worse than other’s but they are still challenges.

Which track on the album would you recommend to someone who's down and discouraged, maybe facing a massive challenge in life that they can relate to?

I think Broken is an excellent song, or Rain because they both acknowledge God as the solution. Rain in particular talks about God being in the rain (i.e. Our situation)

“Rain” is a great song, even though it sounds like Sean Paul singing on it. lol

Hahahahaha!!!!!! No, it's Stefan Moss the Scientist. Very talented sincere guy.

So; when did you realize you had a call on your life to minister through music? How did you feel when you received the call? 

I always knew that I was called to do music. The dream was in me ever since I could remember. At first, the thought was scary because I didn’t want to let anybody down or to be a disappointment. But when God reveals to me more and more the call and the plans he has for me on his behalf, well, the feeling is indescribable.

Are you involved within the music ministry of your church too?

I'm heavily involved in my church. I'm, of course, in the choir, the youth ministry, and the women's ministry.

Have you always been in church?

ALWAY'S! Ever since I was a kid, we were in church almost every day of the week. When I moved out of my parent's house I told myself, I wasn’t gonna be in church that much, but there I am every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday! Haha

Now we can relate to that. Church was more like a second home (maybe even a first one lol) to us as Pastor’s kid’s.

A lot of times, because of ignorance and arrogance, people try to convince themselves that they don’t need corporate fellowship. But we need it desperately. I've had some serious down times in my life, and if it wasn’t for my spiritual family giving me both positive and negative reinforcement, I would’ve strayed a long time ago. Hebrews 10:25 says "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." 

Jade's right, there’s a real power in unity and when we come together to worship God things happen and not only that, we encourage each other and sharpen each other or as Proverbs 27:17 say’s 

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (KJV)

Also, when we come together in Jesus’ name He is there. That’s a promise found in Matthew 18:20

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (KJV)

Getting back to you and your album…

Why did you title your album, “The Class Reject”

I titled the album “Class Reject” because growing up, I never really felt like I fit in with my peers. I looked back at my past experience and then where I am now, and I concluded that the reason I didn’t  fit in was because I am a child of God so naturally I will be rejected by the world. My classmates taught me a lot, and just the same, life is a huge classroom wherein we live and we learn.

Albums normally speak for where the artist is at or what they've just come through. Now you're not a “class reject” and you're accepted by Jesus; where are you in your life now? Is that a happy place? Are you fulfilled? Are you where you want to be spiritually and naturally?

I still think of myself as a class reject because I am not of this world, and "the world" will never accept me for who I am. Now, I am totally secure with my insecurities. I don’t have it all together, but that is a life long journey that we all have to walk through.

You mentioned briefly about what things were like when you was growing up. How was school for you?

School was miserable for me. I had no clue who I was, and I just didn’t fit in no matter how hard I tried. I got picked on to no end. In church, I still didn’t fit in with the other kids as much as I wanted to, but they were a little more accepting than kids at school.

So, how did you manage? What did you do to get through?

I actually didn’t. There were times I thought about suicide. By the time I was a senior in high school, I'd developed an eating disorder and got in an abusive relationship. I didn’t begin addressing the deep rooted issued until a met a group of girls at my job who embraced me for I was. We call each other sisters now. They also pushed me to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ.

So, what would you say to anyone going through similar things that you went through and is maybe considering committing suicide or is dealing with eating disorders or anything else because of the way they feel about themselves?

To anyone going through any of those things, I would say that none of those things will help you cope or get over your issues, they actually make them worse. By making myself throw up my food, I damaged my voice. By putting myself in an abusive relationship, it took me years before I could allow myself to be in healthy relationships. God was my only rehab. When my friends pushed me to get closer to him and develop a more personal relationship, he became a comfort that I'd never known before.

WOW! Those are some wise words. Words that will really help people who are in the position you were once in. What’s great about what the Lord has done for you is that He is using you and your testimony to help other’s and even prevent them from walking down the path you once took.

We’re in a new year now and we still have 9 full months left.

What’s next for you, what can people expect from you in 2010?

This year, the label will be releasing the Art Attack Lounge record which consists of a few remixes of songs from my album and those from my label mates. I’m still doing some writing of my own and for some other artists as well. I will also be doing some touring this year which you will hear more about later. 

We always love to find out how artist’s we interview have found the Christian/Gospel music industry and what if anything would you change about it?

Tell us your thoughts.

Since becoming a recording artist in the Christian/Gospel industry, I’ve seen some really great things along with some ugly things. I think until I fully understand the reasons why some things go on in the industry, I can’t really say what I would change.

Those are wise words and from someone so young and relatively new to the industry that’s great to see. Understanding why things happen is important before any kind of judgement is made. We can all apply that view point to our lives and different things we experience in our own lives to help us make better decisions.

We also love to ask artist’s what they think of our website, www.m-briomusic.com?

What I love about your website is that it is so welcoming and organized. You guys really promote a vast range of artists and I appreciate that.

You had over 400 downloads within the first day of your song (Now near 7000) “Me & My Radio”. That’s potentially 400 NEW potential fan’s listening to your music.

To know that I had over 400 downloads doesn’t surprise me. The song is hot! lol I mean, sometimes I sit and listen to it, and I shock myself. But I'm extremely glad that people are downloading “Me & My Radio”. It's exciting.

Where can people find out more about you? (MySpace, website etc)