Jai’Len Josey is a singer-songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. Not too long ago, she released a lovely performance video for her delightful R&B single, titled, “Good Soup,” via Hillman Grad/Def Jam Recordings. The song finds Jai’Len unspooling a deft metaphor for the type of nourishment that can only come from the heart.
Jai’Len Josey – “Good Soup” (Live Performance Video)
“I’ll get you like some good soup (good soup). I know you want it hella warmed and hella seasoned. I make the best, believe me. This good soup will have you calling out of work to get a pot of this Bon’ Appetit. Boy, this good soup (good soup). Oh, no, come on and drink me dry. Ooh (yeah). Yeah, this that gumbo, that miso all in ya teeth, boy. Isn’t it sweet, boy? And savory, boy? Get ya back on ya feet and into the deep, boy. A four-course meal’ll bring anybody joy. Better than Betty Crocker, I’ll cook it on the spot. Might like Patty Pie’s, boy, but does it get you hot? The best in the nation, boy, I like to brag a lot.” – lyrics
‘Good Soup’ tells a savory tale about a young woman who has homegrown veggies that her significant other can’t get up the block. Her companion is also addicted to her soup and he can’t stop himself from coming back and asking for more. Oftentimes, he pretends to be sick just so she can come over to make him some good old fashion chicken noodle soup. Even though she knows what he’s up to, she still tells him, “That’s something I can do for you, and ’cause we grown, we can do a ‘lil more.”
That little bit more is what makes “Good Soup” a delicious treat to hear. The tasty earworm is featured on Jai’Len Josey’s 11-track album, entitled, “Southern Delicacy.”
Jai’Len Josey – “Southern Delicacy” album
“I want people to hear my music and then make choices based on how they felt. For me, music is therapy. So, if I feel changed by it, I would hope and pray that someone else would feel changed by it, too.” – Jai’Len Josey stated
Pairing soothingly soulful vocals with down-home sincerity, Jai’Len Josey is the sound of Southern comfort. Since releasing her debut EP three years ago, the Metro Atlanta native has fused imagistic lyricism with unabashed warmth for songs that feel intimate and true reflections at the intersection of faith and blossoming romance. She swirls those elements together on “Southern Delicacy,” a sultry constellation of orchestral production, wide-eyed confessionals, and aspirational love.
The treats don’t stop there. On “Pay for My Drink,” Jai’Len glides over dreamy keys and a dazed electric guitar line, turning a simple request into a charming prelude to passion. Earnest and unfailingly tender, it’s the type of love song that can only come from raw feelings. It’s also a reminder of purpose.
Jai’Len Josey – Southern Delicacy (Performance Video)
“All you needed was the sugar, honey, iced tea. Me, I’m a Southern type of delicacy.” – lyrics
On the title track, Jai’Len coasts over lush strings for a playful lover’s sales pitch, combining flashes of regional hospitality with a voice that’s as sweet as it is seductive.
“I got homegrown veggies; you can’t get this up the block.”
If you let her tell it, the story of Jai’Len Josey began before she was even born. While her mother, then the director of creative services at So So Def Recordings, was pregnant with Jai’Len, she noticed something special early on. “She would be in the corner by the speakers, doing all of the work, and she would feel the music through her tummy,” Jai’Len says. “It just all makes sense.”
By the time Jai’Len was old enough to make memories, her mother would expose her to the sounds of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Nicks, Marvin Gaye, and Billy Joel, turning house-cleaning sessions into unintentional lessons in melody and heart. “They inspired me to wanna make something that lasts well beyond my years,” Jai’Len stated.
“Come on and drink me dry.”
While the young Jai’Len enjoyed painting and playing The Sims, when her mother had her get into acting at age 10, she found herself in a position to one day accomplish her mission. It wasn’t long before she took to the art of performance more than anything else, honing her craft in various plays before becoming an award-winning actress by the time she completed her high school career. After graduating high school, she attended Baldwin Wallace University for a year. Around this time, a friend taught her how to use GarageBand, and she recorded her first song. Then she recorded at least 39 more.
In between performances as Pearl in the Broadway production of The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!, Jai’Len continued recording until she’d made 200 songs. Calling her manager, she began planning to release the EP that became 2020’s Illustrations, which eventually helped her land a deal with Hillman Grad Records and Def Jam. The project showcased her knack for fusing nostalgic doo-wop melodies with self-affirming odes to Black womanhood. “I feel like I’m singing to girls who look like me,” Jai’Len stated.
Jai’Len Josey
To reach those women, Jai’Len looks to channel the spirits of the artists who came before her. “Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone inspired me to leave music behind that people want to grow with,” Jai’Len stated. “I feel like I’m supposed to be doing this right now. I feel like the seeds that I’m planting right now are destined to grow.”
Jai’Len Josey – “Good Soup” single
“Remember when you were ten and you’d pretend that you were sick so your mama made you some chicken noodles? It made you feel good though, and I know it had you wanting more.” – lyrics
We highly recommend adding Jai’Len Josey’s “Good Soup” single to your favorite contemporary R&B playlist. Also, let us know how you feel in the comment section below. Mel Blanc’s famous catchphrase, That’s All Folks! Thanks for reading another great article on Bong Mines Entertainment – the hot spot for new music and entertainment news. Always remember that (P) Positive, (E) Energy, (A) Always, (C) Creates, (E) Elevation (P.E.A.C.E). Contact us on social media via Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook, and let us know what’s going on. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, purchase our merchandise, and become a Patron of Bong Mines Entertainment. Disclaimer: This post contains Apple Music affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking a link on this page, we will collect a small share of the sales. That little compensation will be used towards keeping this website up and running.