Tupac Would've Loved Jessie

"I used to love in a tidal wave sorta way that left me dry. The recovery was like climbing Everest. It made me timid to love. Part of my growth was realizing that if I fall in love again and it goes left, and if the tidal wave comes, it's okay because the water's abundant regardless. And I'll be fine." - Jessie Reyez

Jessie Reyez is everything incredible about music poured into the body of a gritty Toronto, Canada native. She's not just a singer; she's a storyteller, a philosopher, and an artistic force. She flies under the radar well, which is a crime, but those of us who have experienced her work know that she's a rare form of magic that elicits deep emotional responses through her art. She makes you feel something. 

Her lyrics are rooted in vulnerability, love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. She has an extreme impulse to explore themes that many writers shy away from, which I appreciate. I'm drawn to writers who express feelings in a way that is not nice. To her credit, Jessie is not nice. Nice is reserved for church ladies in big hats at Sunday service. Nice is customer service. Nice is wonderful, but when constantly paired with a writer's intention, it's boring.

The best writing is often uncomfortable. I'm talking about the kind that's ugly, raw, and comes from a place of vulnerability. She's not afraid to write this way. She confronts her fears, bad thoughts, sometimes violent thoughts (RE: "Do You Love Her"), and insecurities through her music. Her voice is brave and necessary. 

She's certainly influenced my work. At the moment, I'm in a fanatic fit over her new song "Psilocybin & Daisies". The lyrics are eerily timely for me. The chorus conveys an expression I'm currently doing my best not to act out in my personal life. It makes me wanna trash all caution and say fuck it —which, for me, is not good at all —but the song sure is. 

Her music consistently inspires emotional journeys that resonate with you. There's a unique essence in her work that captures the highs and lows of living, providing a soundtrack to the rollercoaster that is the human experience. 

To be frank, I like her because she's intense, and I desire intensity. If you haven't noticed, I'm an intense person. I feel deeply and in vivid color. When I'm absorbed in something I love, whether it's a person, a piece of art, literature, or music, the outside world ceases to exist. I crave art that grips you and reflects the complexities of life. Surface-level anything will never satisfy me. 

Jessie's lyrical depth and evocative vocal delivery that carries both strength and fragility in the same breath captivates me. It's mesmerizing. When she sings, she doesn't rely on the melodies or lyrics; she engages her whole body. Every note is an extension of her lived experiences. It touches you and digs its claws in. Even though she's known for painting pictures of pain through her music, each of her songs has an undertone of love and a provocation of hope. That's hard to produce, but she's gifted that way.

All of this is just my verbose way of saying that Jessie Reyez is a fearless creative genius. Her impact is undeniable, and her name deserves to be at the forefront of artistic titans. She's a testament to the beauty of vulnerability and the power of feeling. And I'm grateful she exists.