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00:00Yay.
00:01It is 105.1 The Bounce here.
00:04It's Leisha B, and I've got one of my favorites,
00:07killing the game, in music right now.
00:08And it would be wrong of me to not give her the proper welcome.
00:12So, she's got the bold pop energy
00:15while connecting the smooth lyrics and runs,
00:17because our girl can sing, that we love in R&B.
00:19She is fresh off the release of Total Sellout,
00:22and she is not a sellout at any means of the word.
00:24She's a pop queen, Bebo's Discover artist,
00:27and a sip-sip aficionado.
00:29We got the pop R&B princess we've been waiting for, Jay Stephens.
00:33Hi.
00:34Hi, how are you?
00:35I'm so good.
00:36Thank you for that super warm welcome.
00:38How are you?
00:39I'm doing great.
00:40I'm, like, trying not to fangirl right now.
00:42Oh, my God, no, please.
00:42Because, like, I've been tapped in.
00:44One, I just want to say congratulations
00:46on everything that you've accomplished so far.
00:48I can only imagine how crazy life is for you right now,
00:52because you are here in Detroit, but you're sold out?
00:56Is it sold out yet?
00:57Listen, she was close.
00:58Because Detroit, she being a little shady, but it's okay.
01:01We're going to have to get this sold out before the show.
01:02We're going to win her over.
01:03We're going to win her over.
01:04It's only a few tickets left, so anybody who want to roll up,
01:07come through.
01:08Yes, but this is your first headlining tour, correct?
01:11Yes.
01:11How is it different?
01:12Because I saw you with Flo.
01:14Yes.
01:14So how is it doing an opener to being a headliner now?
01:18I was about to say, I haven't been back here
01:20since I opened for Flo almost a year ago.
01:24And yeah, this is the first stop on my tour that I've been to before with them.
01:29So I'm super excited to come back.
01:32I definitely know what I'm doing now.
01:35You knew what you were doing then.
01:37You know, I tell everybody that the Flo tour was really great,
01:41and they were great.
01:42Their team was great.
01:43Everybody was so great.
01:44I couldn't have chosen a better first tour.
01:45But whoo, I was out there running around like a headless chicken every night,
01:49just trying to figure it out.
01:50And yeah, now I'm just really excited to be back
01:53and have a better sense of self as a performer
01:57and just a lot more confident, comfortable, having more fun.
02:01The crowd in Detroit was really, really fun last time.
02:04And so I'm really excited to get in front of that again.
02:07So let's start off with the album, Total Sellout.
02:10So you've obviously put out EPs of different varieties,
02:14but what makes this complete body of work different from all the rest?
02:18Well, I'd say, honestly, this was my first complete body of work.
02:23I'm working on, well, I'm done now with my debut album.
02:26So everybody can expect that this year.
02:29But Total Sellout, I feel like, was done in preparation for that.
02:34That was the vamp up to that across working on Sellout to Sellout 2
02:41to eventually group them together with some new songs, Total Sellout.
02:45I really learned what it was like to create a cohesive project
02:50from beginning to end.
02:52And along the way, I think a lot of people really saw me find my sound,
02:57find my style, my aesthetic, the brand,
02:59and my own way of writing and singing.
03:02It all really came together across this project
03:06in a way that I'm really proud of.
03:09I've obviously released singles and EPs and things before Sellout,
03:14but I think it was done in less of an intentional way
03:19compared to Sellout.
03:20This was my real foray into like,
03:24okay, I'm an artist now.
03:25What does that mean?
03:26What does it look like?
03:27What does it sound like?
03:29And yeah, I think I led with a lot of intention
03:31and I'm really proud of how it turned out.
03:33Well, I'm excited for what is to come with that debut album
03:36because I know you're going to give us exactly what we need as J-Base.
03:39But for the people who are just getting into who J-Stevens is,
03:42can you explain how you came up with your sound?
03:44Because you've been able to mix pop and R&B seamlessly.
03:49So why is that the choice that you made for the genres that you chose?
03:53And how can you explain the sound for people who might be new to you?
03:56I mean, I would explain it definitely like that.
03:59It is a mix of my two favorite genres that I love, R&B and pop.
04:05I'd say it's got the urgency, the hookiness, the radio readiness
04:10of major pop songs and singles that are fun and feminine and flirty and upbeat.
04:16But then it's very grounded.
04:18It's got the harmonies, the layering of a really strong R&B record.
04:26And yeah, it's really just me combining all of my favorite elements
04:29of the music that I grew up listening to and that my parents showed to me
04:34and things that I sought out for myself as I got older.
04:37And yeah, I think that a lot of the music that I'm making now
04:42comes from my background as a songwriter and, you know,
04:45spending a lot of time with other producers, other writers, other artists
04:48and seeing kind of how they work, learning what to do, what not to do.
04:52And really just now being in the driver's seat,
04:55making what I want to hear and what I feel is missing.
04:59And so I'm really excited that people are really resonating with it
05:04because it really is just me creating what I love
05:08and what I grew up listening to, you know?
05:10I love that.
05:11And you brought up the fact that you are a songwriter
05:13because your pen game, who you've written for?
05:17We got to talk about the difference.
05:19Like, how do you know when there's a song that maybe someone else could do
05:23and when there's a song that no one else but Jay can do?
05:26Yeah, I mean, I don't know how to describe it.
05:29I feel like it's just something I know.
05:31On the first sellout EP, for example, Body Favors,
05:34I always say it was the first song that really made things click for me.
05:39It was written in a session where the intention was definitely
05:42to pitch the song to someone else.
05:45And I was just like, I don't think so.
05:48I'm not sending this to anyone else.
05:50Bear in mind, like, I didn't really have a real idea
05:52of what my artist project or sound was going to be.
05:55But when I made that one, I just felt like it was written so in my character
06:00and in my voice.
06:02And, you know, I had been struggling with that for a while.
06:05What do I sound like?
06:06What is my language?
06:09And it just really came through in that song.
06:11And I knew I'm not sending this to nobody else, you know?
06:15So I think that is kind of the hidden key.
06:18It's when, you know, as a songwriter and as an artist,
06:21you want to tap into ways to say things in your own personal way
06:25that nobody else would say them.
06:27And, yeah, it's been really fun exploring that,
06:30what my own personal voice is as an artist.
06:33And I'm excited to see what that has translated into this tour.
06:37Because I know that Body Favors is going to eat on stage.
06:40I'm already ready.
06:41But what is your favorite song to either sing or perform
06:45when it's going on this tour?
06:47Well, Body Favors has definitely been a favorite
06:49just because it's first.
06:52That's the one that gets everybody screaming.
06:54And it's a great warm-up for me
06:56because I just go out and jump around
06:57and chant, basically, for three minutes.
07:02So, yeah, Body Favors has been really fun.
07:05And I really love Boyfriend Forever.
07:07I feel like that's, like, a huge moment in the show.
07:10It's, like, right in the middle.
07:12So it's a good turning point.
07:13There's a dance break and everybody's shouting.
07:15I need to learn the dance break, girl.
07:16You got to learn it.
07:17It's actually so easy.
07:18If I can learn it in, like, 20 minutes,
07:20then you can probably learn it in five.
07:21Because, listen, I got two left feet.
07:24But, yeah, Boyfriend Forever is a big favorite.
07:27I love the ones that the crowd really responds to.
07:30So that's definitely, like, 10 out of 10.
07:33And what else do they love?
07:35They love Kiss It.
07:35They go crazy for Kiss It.
07:36I love Kiss It.
07:37Because Kiss is cheeky.
07:39It is very cheeky.
07:39You do have some cheeky songs, though.
07:41That's just who you are.
07:42And, yeah, I think that's, you know,
07:44that was kind of the bridge for me
07:46is realizing that my voice, lyrically, sonically,
07:52it's definitely going to come with a bit of tongue-in-cheek.
07:54It's going to come with a bit of humor.
07:57Um, and it translates to the shows as well.
08:00You know, I mean, that is the title, Sell Out.
08:03Exactly, exactly.
08:04It's served with a bit of cheek.
08:06And then when it comes to creating this project,
08:09obviously you were thinking ahead
08:11of putting this on its feet
08:12and getting into having people see it on tour.
08:16What has been the moment where you were shocked by yourself?
08:19Because I feel like a lot of times
08:20artists might have those moments where it's like,
08:22wait, hold on, I am that girl, wait, wait a second, I did that.
08:26Was there a moment throughout that process,
08:28whether it's making the album or throughout this tour process?
08:31It's definitely been during the tour.
08:34Um, you know, I'm no stranger to making, writing, recording songs,
08:38releasing songs.
08:40Um, I think it can get a bit,
08:43not, it can get a bit like same-same to be releasing
08:47and people online say that they love it
08:49and it's all really nice.
08:50Um, but I think it's something completely different
08:52when you see people in person
08:54and they show up with their time and their money
08:57and I get to talk to them after the show
08:59and they're buying merch
09:01and it's just like such a completely different experience.
09:03Um, night one of this tour was in Houston
09:06and they were so loud, I literally couldn't hear myself.
09:09I was like crying on stage the whole time
09:11because I just, I don't know,
09:13it's like I can't believe it, you know?
09:15And that's home, right?
09:16So...
09:16Well, I was born in Dallas.
09:18Okay.
09:18Um, so like, you know, we all cousins.
09:21Um, but yeah, like it was really nice to be back in Texas
09:26and I mean just anywhere outside of LA, which is where I grew up,
09:30just to be received by people that I don't know
09:33and for them to be showing up in Groves
09:35and knowing all the words,
09:36I think that's what's really been hitting me
09:39and making me feel like, okay, I'm doing something here, you know?
09:43So, I'm excited and we kind of talked about this earlier
09:46about the fact that this is your second time to Detroit.
09:49So, what can fans expect?
09:51Not only the J-Base who have been locked in
09:53and have been to every single show that you've probably had,
09:56but for the people who are new,
09:57like what are they excited,
09:58what are you most excited for them to experience tonight?
10:01I'm really excited for them.
10:03I mean, I guess to get a sense of my personality
10:06because, you know, the show is a bit unserious.
10:08You know, I'd be, my dancers said,
10:10they're like, girl, you get up on that stage
10:11and you say anything.
10:12And I'm like, I know, I need to work on it.
10:15I need a script, girl.
10:16I need a script.
10:16And then I have certain scripted parts
10:18and I'd be forgetting my lines, whatever.
10:20Um, but it's funny.
10:21It's a good time.
10:22It doesn't take itself too seriously
10:23except for when it needs to
10:25because when the mic is on, the mic is on, you know?
10:27Um, so yeah, I'm excited for them to get to know me,
10:30see me, see the music,
10:32like literally see the music, you know?
10:34Um, I think the show brings a lot of the music to life
10:38and, um, yeah, the live arrangements are so fun.
10:41We had a lot of fun with transitions
10:43and instruments and things like that.
10:45So I'm excited just for the show
10:48to breathe new life into these songs
10:49that people know and love.
10:51Yes, and I just, I love how authentic you are.
10:54I just, I feel like as a fan,
10:56but also a professional in this industry,
10:58it's always very nice to see
11:00that the person who you've, like, adored through music
11:03actually be the person
11:05that you have, like, talked about on social media.
11:08So you are incredible.
11:09Thank you so much.
11:09And I am so excited.
11:11Thank you for having me.
11:12Thank you for being here.
11:12Like, really, I appreciate it.
11:13I love, like, getting the chance
11:15to talk about these things
11:16in places that I've never freaking been to before.
11:18So thank you.
11:20That means a lot.
11:20You're coming, yes?
11:21Yes, girl.
11:22Okay, very nice.
11:23Oh my God, we're gonna have so much fun.
11:24Hello.
11:24I'm gonna be at the Magic Bag
11:25and you should be, too.
11:27I got one last question for you, Jay,
11:28before you walk out.
11:29At this exact moment in your career,
11:31a lot is going on.
11:32You're making huge highs.
11:34What is a title or the song
11:37that you would give to this chapter in your life?
11:39Whether it's your song
11:40Oh my God.
11:41Or someone else's song
11:42that just embodies this chapter in your life.
11:45I feel like right now it's 10 out of 10.
11:47Yes, I was hoping you were gonna do that.
11:49Right now it's a 10 out of 10.
11:51I really am just kind of taking every day at a time.
11:53We are running on three hours of sleep.
11:56And you don't look like it, girl.
11:57And yeah, I don't know.
11:59Something like I'll be falling asleep in the green room.
12:01But as soon as I hit the stage,
12:03everyone's energy just really wakes me up
12:07and makes me so excited to just get in front of people.
12:10I'm not even like getting nervous anymore,
12:12which is kind of weird.
12:13Yeah.
12:13Because this time last year, honey,
12:15on that flow stage,
12:16oh, oh, I was scared.
12:18But yeah, I've gotten to a point
12:20where I'm just like really enjoying it,
12:21taking it day by day.
12:22And I'm just like really excited
12:24about everything that is to come.
12:26So yes, very much 10 out of 10, 10 out of 10.
12:29She's a 10 out of 10.
12:30Not only looks, but that mic.
12:32Oh my gosh, thank you.
12:33Okay.
12:34Because one thing about Jay,
12:35she's gonna sing.
12:36I will try.
12:38And she's gonna not try.
12:39I'm gonna do it.
12:39She's gonna succeed.
12:40I'm gonna do it.
12:40I'm gonna do it.
12:41I'm gonna do it.
12:42Tonight at the Magic Bag,
12:44you can get tickets right now.
12:45Show starts at 7.
12:47Doors open at 7.
12:48Doors open at 7.
12:49And then we have a beautiful,
12:51amazing opener.
12:51Her name is Serena on an 8.
12:53And then I am on a 9.
12:55I've been tapping into Serena
12:57since I saw the announcement.
12:58She is fabulous.
12:59Listen, I know a future mother
13:02when I see one.
13:02Okay.
13:04Well, tonight is the night.
13:05Grab your tickets
13:06and beat us there, okay?
13:07See you there.
13:08Bye.
13:11Bye.
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