I’m a girl and it’s the best thing: Jessie J

Jessica Ellen Cornish, the English singer/songwriter, talks to <i>DNA</i>.

An artist you’re most looking forward to work with?
Wow naming one is going to be tough! But if I have to, I’d say Justin Bieber, Most definitely Beyonce and off course Prince!

How do you define your style?
Ghetto chick is what I’d like to call it. Fashion for me it’s not like the penultimate thing. Style has become so important but it’s not, it doesn’t define me, it’s just something I love. I’m a girl and it’s the best thing. I love style, dressing up, lipstick, strong haircuts, crazy nails, big shoes, and that’s just me.

What music did you grow up listening to?
I grew up in a household that was musically, very eclectic.  I get my stanky faces from my mom and dad. Growing up I was listening to Joan Armatrading, and Tracy Chapman, D Train, Funkadelic’s, Prince,  andMichael Jackson. And then as I grew older, obviously, there were people like Justin Timberlake and TLC, Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey.
 
You bagged BBC’s Sound of 2011 and The Brit’s Critics’ Choice award. Success came to you in a bunch and all too suddenly. How does it feel like, in retrospect?
You can never prepare for what happens. I’m doing what’s right and what I love doing. It’s an honor and it feels amazing to be acknowledged on such a broad scale.

When did you feel that it was the right time to release your own album?
As an artist you’re always working to put out your first debut album. So for the last six years I’ve been working towards it. When I realised that, I released my own album. Big White Room, Stand Up, Mamma Knows Best are the songs that I wrote six years ago. I wanted it to be as strong as it could be. My album Who You Are is a representation of what I’ve seen in the last six years in life and about stuff that’s personal to me that I know other people can relate to.

What’s next on your mind?
At the moment I’m busy with my tours. I want to do everything I can. I want to earn money to give money away. I want to do product campaigns, dress up, like to have my own TV show, my own private land, and my own line of perfume. I want to create an amazing tour.