Mikhale Jones is Embracing Her “New Normal”
2020 marked the start of what would become the new normal for artists and audiences alike. For Johannesburg-born and based artist, Mikhale Jones came the time to reflect and adapt. She went on to sign an international record deal with Afroforce, a division under the Universal Music Group.
Since signing to Universal Music, Mikhale has released five singles off her highly anticipated album, It Is What It Is. Inspired by the shackles of a failed past relationship, she bares the inner workings of her heart and mind through the music. During our virtual interview, Jones notes that she realizes that the emotional turmoil was necessary and important for her healing and growth as an artist and a person.
When asked about what she hopes people take away from her music, she wants people to know and understand that being vulnerable is okay and totally normal. “It’s okay to feel, it is okay to have your heart feel things, good or bad! Because at the end of the day, it all plays a role in a bigger purpose! So allow yourself to feel and don’t fight it!”
Mikhale shares that some of the biggest challenges she has faced are that of self-doubt and anxiety. “The biggest challenge you face in this industry is very personal, it’s usually what you think of yourself, how you carry yourself and how much you believe in yourself, especially in a room full of amazing people. Meeting and working with some of the people you’ve looked up to for so long is like, “WOAH!” And because of that you immediately allow yourself to feel small and diminish your own presence…So dealing with that requires a lot of self-affirmation and self-motivation.”
For more on Mikhale Jones and her musical journey and her forthcoming album read our full interview below.
This interview has been lightly edited for the purpose of clarity and context
Wanique: How have you been holding up during this pandemic?
Mikhale: I mean… Obviously not the best. It’s [hard] that we can’t be in the outside world and do what we do best as artists. But as a human being, I’m doing just fine.
Who is Mikhale Jones?
Mikhale Jones is your girl next door, with a bit of an edge. I am a singer, songwriter, dancer, content creator, and the person sitting across your screen right now(Giggles)
I’ve been following you for quite some time now, and it has been really interesting to witness how you’ve grown as an artist, from performing song covers for your fans to signing with Universal Music and then releasing your own music. Talk to me about how your musical journey started and how this transition has impacted your career as an artist.
I have been doing covers since high school. I first started posting covers on Facebook, then started seeing an increase in views, and switched from posting on Facebook to posting on YouTube. I got about 1 million views on one of my videos, and since then I was like, “Okay! I’m going to do the singing things!”
Just before I got signed, I dropped an EP, and that’s what got me the recognition. And Immediately I was in discussion with the label, and that’s when I signed a global deal.
What was the defining moment for you when you realized that you wanted to be an artist?
I don’t think there was a specific moment for me. However, let me be honest with you. I still have days where I’m like, “Am I really doing this? Am I really really in music, Am I sure this is what I want?”
But, every single time I step into studio it feels real! Whenever I’m surrounded by so many creatives, producers and other songwriters, I realize that I’m actually good at what I do, and that’s why I do this!
Was your family supportive of your choice?
Definitely not! In the beginning-no. Brown households do not agree with the, “I want to be a superstar”, It was more like “No girl! You need to be a doctor, any occupation that can actually pay the bills!”
Until I got my first gig, and I brought the money home, I was like “See, see I made some money”. This made them re-evaluate everything. At this point, although hesitant, my mom was definitely willing to invest in my career as an artist. Once I started getting more industry work, only then did she back down and let me be.
How would you describe your sound?
What I usually tell people is that vocally I am an R&B singer. I sing in the style of R&B but with the music I produce I don’t label it specifically to R&B, because an R&B artist can literally sing on any beat, whether it be a Trap beat or Neo-Soul beat.
So I guess let’s just call it an Urban R&B infused with Pop sounds!
What’s your songwriting process like? Give me a window into your writing and creative process.
Honestly speaking, I struggle to write anything that I have not experienced or relate to. I dive into my memory bank, delve into my emotions and I tap into that and write about what I would consider dear to me or what I relate to.
Everything I’ve written about is personal and what I’ve experienced! Especially with this album! It is fully me and me alone! All my experiences!
Let’s talk about your, Talk To Me. Tell me more about it. What was the inspiration behind it?
It’s actually a response to Tevin Campbell’s “Can We Talk”. It’s actually where the inspiration was drawn from, 90s R&B and Soul.
It depicts how men have all the energy and drive to communicate when they’re trying to lure you in (laughs) and get you…
And then I decided let me do a female take on this, (again fully my experience) mainly because I found it so ironic how they (men) can communicate when they want to, but when it’s necessary to communicate within the relationship, they all of a sudden don’t know how to communicate,
And that’s where my song “Talk To Me” comes in.
You’ve released a total of five songs from your forthcoming album. Could you give me more insight into this body of work and what inspired you to create this album?
It Is What It Is was inspired by my very first relationship. This particular relationship impacted me very [negatively], however, 4 years later, I can finally look back and say at the end of the day it really is what it is!
This album is based on a relationship that I went through and unfortunately, it was one that failed. This is really just me bearing my heart on my sleeve, for people (my audience) to experience, live through and maybe even use for their own healing if necessary.
As a relatively artist, what would you say are some of the challenges you have faced? And how have you dealt with those challenges?
The biggest challenge you face in this industry is very personal, it’s usually what you think of yourself, how you carry yourself and how much you believe in yourself, especially in a room full of amazing people.
Being new meeting and working with some of the people you’ve looked up to for so long is like, “WOAH!”
And because of that you immediately allow yourself to feel small and diminish your own presence.
I really had to sit back and just really think about that, because essentially I would not have gotten to this point in my life if I was not meant to be here. I have clearly done enough in my life to finally get to this point, to be in a room full of greats therefore I am a great myself!
What would you like listeners to take from the music you create?
This goes for both men and women, it’s okay to feel, it is okay to have your heart feel things, good or bad! Because at the end of the day, it all plays a role in a bigger purpose! So allow yourself to feel and don’t fight it.
Do you have any dream collaborations?
Locally, I’d like to work with Rouge. I think she’s an amazing MC. I’d love to work with Shekinah, I’ve looked up to her for the longest time!
And internationally, it’s so amazing how my two favorites decide to collab on a song together recently, Kiana Lede and Kehlani! I need to be the third person added to that mix!
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I’m listening to H.E.R and Blast.
What’s the one quote/mantra that you live by?
Well there are two…
First is, “Fake it till you make it!” This legit works!
Then, “Patience, Passion and Perseverance”. This is super necessary in life and in this industry!
What’s next for Mikhale Jones? When can we expect your album to drop?
I recently dropped my latest single, '“I Got It Bad”, which will be followed by a confession tape. So stay tuned for that!
As mentioned before, I will be dropping one single per month until the release of It Is What It Is (Fingers crossed!)
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