Jae Stephens
Jae Stephens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Jordan Adkison July 18, 1997 Dallas, Texas, US |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels | |
Jordan Stephens (born 18 July 1997), known professionally as Jae Stephens, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Originally from Dallas, Texas, and raised in Pasadena, California, she initially gained popularity on the microblogging platform Tumblr before launching her music career professionally. She is known for her musical style, which blends 2000s R&B nostalgia with futuristic pop elements.[1]
Stephens has released EPs F**k it i'll do it myself (2019), High My Name Is (2022), and the Sellout series (2024–2025). Beyond her solo career, she is a songwriter, having penned tracks for artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Normani, Latto, and Sinéad Harnett.[2]
Early life
[edit]Stephens was born on 18 July 1997 in Dallas, Texas. At the age of six, her family moved to Pasadena, California, where she grew up in an artistic environment.[3] She attended a performing arts high school, taking classes in singing, dance, and acting.[3]
During her teenage years, she built a significant following on Tumblr under the username "beyoncebeytwice," accumulating over 200,000 followers.[4] On the platform, she shared song covers, life updates, and humorous content.[5]
Career
[edit]2017–2021: Beginnings and F**k it i'll do it myself
[edit]Stephens released her debut single "24K" in 2017, which received attention from outlets such as The Fader. The following year, Jae was featured on the track "3AM" alongside Baauer and AJ Tracey. In 2019, unsatisfied with waiting for external opportunities, she decided to self-produce and write her first EP titled F**k it i'll do it myself. The project included the single "Got It Like That".[6] She performed alongside Khalid on Saturday Night Live in March 2019.[7]
2022–present: Signing with Raedio, High My Name Is and Sellout series
[edit]Following a brief hiatus, Stephens participated in and won the creator campaign for Raedio, the record label founded by Issa Rae.[4] This led to a joint signing with Raedio and Def Jam Recordings. In 2022, she released the EP High My Name Is.[8]
She released her third EP, Sellout, in September 2024.[8][9] She released a sequel, Sellout II, in August 2025[10] and a compilation EP, Total Sellout, in November 2025.[2] Stephens served as the opening act for British group Flo on their 2025 North American Access All Areas Tour.[11]
Artistry and influences
[edit]Stephens describes her music as a fusion of "futuristic R&B pop." She cites Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Brandy, and Mariah Carey as her primary vocal and artistic influences. She has openly expressed her desire to occupy spaces traditionally limited for Black women in pop music, advocating for the creative freedom to be "mainstream" without losing authenticity.[12] Stephens often tackle themes of relationships and love from a female perspective; keeping her options open on songs like "SMH" and giving up on love too easily on her song "Choosy". In an interview with Rolling Stone, Stephens said she has been told she "writes about men like they're disposable".[13]
Discography
[edit]Extended plays
[edit]- F**k it i'll do it myself (2019)
- High My Name Is (2022)
- Sellout (2024)
- Sellout II (2025)
- Total Sellout (2025)
Selected singles
[edit]- "24K" (2017)
- "Headlights" (2018)
- "Got It Like That" (2019)
- "What's A Monday" (2022)
- "WET" (2024)
- "Girls Don't Cheat" (2024)
- "Body Favors" (2024)
- "SMH" (2025)
- "Kiss It" (2025)
- "Afterbody" (2025)
- "Boyfriend Forever" (2025)
- "Freakie" (2025)
- "Attaboy!" (2026)
- "Sugar Trap" (2026)
Songwriting credits
[edit]In addition to her own music, Jae Stephens has co-written songs for other artists, including:[14]
- Xavier Omär – "All Our Time" (2020)
- Khamari - "Other Side" (2020)
- Sinéad Harnett – "Hard 4 Me 2 Love You", "Let Go", "Where You Been Hiding" (2021, 2022)
- Neiked – "I Just Called" (with Anne-Marie and Latto) (2022)
- Ne-Yo - "What If" (2022)
- Chxrry - "Ride 4 Me" (2023)
- Jihyo - "Closer" (2023)
- Jennifer Lopez – "Rebound" (feat. Anuel AA) (2024)
- Tanerélle – "I Wish" (2024)
- Loossemble – "Secret Diary" (2024)
- Kylie Cantrall - "See U Tonight" (feat. Illit) (2025)
References
[edit]- ↑ "Jae Stephens | The FADER". The FADER. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- 1 2 Watson, Kayleigh (2025-11-17). "Jae Stephens takes on pop stardom with a nudge and a wink | The Cover | NME.com". NME. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
- 1 2 "Room For Both: Jae Stephens Interviewed". Clash Magazine. August 22, 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- 1 2 Ko, Troy (Oct 28, 2024). "Jae Stephens, the Internet's 'Black Pop Star,' Has Always Been Here". Paper. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
- ↑ "Dashboard Confessions: Jae Stephens". Yap Year. May 1, 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ↑ "This New Single Is A Celebration Of Doing Things Your Own Way". NYLON. April 30, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ↑ Folk, Antwane (2019-03-10). "Khalid Enlists R&B Super Friends for 'SNL' Debut". Rated R&B. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
- 1 2 Samuels, Keithan (2024-10-02). "Jae Stephens Shares Bop-Filled EP 'Sellout': Stream". Rated R&B. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
- ↑ "JAE STEPHENS: INTERVIEW". Unclear Magazine. January 18, 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ↑ Samuels, Keithan (2025-08-26). "Jae Stephens' 'SELLOUT II' EP Is an Adrenaline-Fueled Ride: Stream". Rated R&B. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
- ↑ "Stan Twitter Was Right About Jae Stephens – sellout ii". RANGE. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Jae Stephens Talks Pharrell Dreams, Black Pop Stars, and Her New Era with 'SELLOUT'". BET. September 27, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ↑ "The 2025 Pop Girl Guide to Dating". Rolling Stone. December 15, 2025.
- ↑ "Credits for Jae Stephens". Tidal. Retrieved January 15, 2026.