Jae Stephens is bringing a bold new energy to pop music with her debut album “Audacity,” set for release on September 25th. The singer-songwriter drew inspiration from the 2000 film “Coyote Ugly,” requiring everyone involved in the project to watch the movie about an aspiring musician navigating big city dreams. Stephens saw her album as existing in that same world—one dominated by confident women in control, where men are secondary characters at best.
The 29-year-old artist’s journey to this moment has been unconventional. After signing with Def Jam Recordings and Issa Rae’s music venture Raedio in 2024, Stephens brought years of songwriting experience for major artists including Ashanti, Jennifer Lopez, and Ne-Yo. However, she admits that transitioning from behind-the-scenes songwriter to recording artist required a significant shift in mindset. “As a songwriter, your job ends when you leave the studio,” she explains. “With this, the job starts when the song is done.”
Stephens’ wit and irreverent humor—honed through years of running a popular Tumblr account in the 2010s—inform her artistic identity. Her comedic sensibility permeates both her songwriting and public persona, evident in provocative lyrics that challenge conventional romance narratives. This audacious spirit represents what Stephens believes contemporary pop music needs: artists willing to take creative risks and refuse to play by traditional rules.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
About the Author
