Jacqui is an R&B artist who popped onto our radar last November with the release of her album ‘Dirty Mirror Selfie’, however, she is not new to the Korean music scene, having debuted back in 2017, she has already paved her way in the indie scene with her uniqueness and fresh music. We had the opportunity to interview her about her recent release and her growth since her debut.
Jacqui’s journey in music began in the most unexpected yet intimate of settings: her grandmother’s house. At just seven years old, she found herself entertaining her younger cousin, crafting melodies out of gibberish just to bring comfort. “I quickly realized that ‘This is pretty satisfying,’” she recalls. That small moment planted the seed of what would later become her bold, ever-evolving artistic identity.
Growing up, Jacqui was exposed to diverse cultures, having lived in both China and the U.S., a formative experience that undoubtedly shaped her artistry. “It helped me stay open-minded when it comes to things I have yet to experience, which helps me make bold choices and take big steps towards my goals,” she explains. This fearlessness is evident in her music, which continues to push boundaries with every release.
Until 2022, she performed under the stage name Soullette, a name deeply tied to her college years and early artistic explorations. Under this alias she gained popularity in the indie scene. She was even invited to well-known stages like ‘ONSTAGE’. But as time passed, it no longer resonated with her.
“The name began to feel worn out, and I felt like it was time to let it go,” she shares. The shift to Jacqui felt like a rebirth. “Renaming myself brought back the strong and mysterious, magical power that I thought was long gone. Jacqui was shoving that back into my spine. It was a calling.”
With this transformation, her sound also evolved. “Jacqui’s music is way less reserved but playfully aggressive compared to Soullette’s,” she tells us. “At the core, Jacqui is my godly inner child that I am honoring; she is everything. Soullette lives on in Jacqui, but Jacqui is not necessarily Soullette.”
Since her debut in 2017, she has seen her musical path as a winding journey. “Looking at my discography, it’s like a road map – going in circles, hitting dead ends, encountering bumps. But it’s all part of the process, and now, Jacqui is taking the lead.”
Reflections in a Dirty Mirror
This bold sense of self-discovery shines in ‘Dirty Mirror Selfie’, an album as unfiltered as its name suggests. Inspired by a simple yet deeply personal habit – taking mirror selfies at various emotional highs and lows – Jacqui saw these images as raw documentation of herself. “I saw myself happy, crying, exhausted, excited, confused, in love, out of love. It was like seeing myself from a third-person perspective.” This idea of self-exploration became the foundation of the album.
Musically, the album is daring and genre-blending, an outcome of personal and artistic challenges. After releasing her first EP, ‘Birthday’, Jacqui faced an intense creative block. “I constantly tried to step out of my comfort zone because I no longer wanted to be where I thought I belonged,” she explains. By shifting her mindset and immersing herself in different environments, she found a sound that felt fresh and authentic.
One of the standout tracks, ‘Suicidal’, is a testament to this experimental approach. Co-written with her producer, glowingdog, the song seamlessly blends tempo changes and unique instrumentals. “The process was so smooth, as if everything was meant to be. It felt like when I said ‘Ooh,’ he said ‘Yeah.’” Their collaboration was key in breaking free from overthinking, allowing the music to flow naturally.
Another deeply personal track, ‘Bloom’, carries a sense of empowerment and resilience. Originally written eight years ago in Boston, the song became a reflection of her journey. “Deep down, I always knew that all these cold winters and messy summers were needed for me to be who I am meant to be. I am a tree, I am a flower, I am the sun, I am the moon. I am everything.”
If she had to choose one song that encapsulates her identity as an artist, she’d pick ‘Mmm!’ “It’s 2 minutes and 48 seconds of myself,” she says. Written during a chaotic period in her personal life, the track brought her a rare sense of peace. Meanwhile, her current personal favorite? “‘Fuck Me to Sleep’. I love how carefree I was on this track, singing whatever melodies I wanted and saying whatever I felt like. No one could stop me.”
Looking Ahead
Beyond her own music, Jacqui has been immersing herself in the sounds of Radiohead and Farben. “I’ve been exposed to Radiohead for a while, but recently, I started paying closer attention to the little details in their songs, like finding fun facts in a random book in my parents’ room,” she muses. Farben, on the other hand, offers her a meditative escape. “I find peace in the delicate patterns coming together to create such a sound. Highly recommended!”
As for what’s next? “Expect the constant evolution of Jacqui,” she teases. “Did you know 2025 is the year of the Blue Snake? Let’s shed.”
