MONROVIA — What does it take to feel? Is it tears, laughter, anger, or compassion? Fear or faith? Where do emotions come from? Jassmine stared quietly into the space filled by the crashing waves on the beach, her silence resonating so strongly that it felt like a conversation. Watching her meditate, I was drawn into her heartbeat, finding the answer to where emotions come from. Our emotions define us at specific moments in life, painting the bigger picture of who we are and what we can become. They are our truth, unearthed from the depths of our inner self.
The journey of self-discovery is an adventurous one. Sometimes you feel like you have life wrapped around your fingers, and other times, you’re lost, wondering why good things don’t come easily or why they don’t last. At just 19, Jassmine embodies wisdom beyond her years, defying the stereotype that teenagers are naive. Her aura speaks volumes, even before she says a word, and her upcoming debut EP, “Jass For a Reason,” reflects her authenticity.
With a warm, welcoming smile, she turned to me and asked, “What do you want to know about me, Jass?” It was clear she was ready to share her story.
As she began to speak, her voice sounded almost melodic, like she was singing. Her words carried the same beauty as her music, drawing listeners into her reality. “I’m Charlesline Jassmine Harmon, 19 years old, and I’m both the sun and the moon. My aura is a ball of energy that brightens people’s lives. I’m a natural leader, subconsciously inspiring new perspectives on life and love. The sun symbolizes devotion and awareness, and I am all that. The moon represents my emotional intelligence, my creative essence, and my sensitivity as a young woman.”
She continued, “I’m an introvert, masked, and music is my voice to the world. Through music, I can share my truth without fear of judgment. Music makes me feel like the world needs my truth to heal, to dance, to grow, and to feel complete.” Listening to her, I realized that, even without her beautiful voice, Jassmine would have found a way to be close to music – as a rapper, DJ, dancer, or manager.
When I asked if her family supported her music, she smiled warmly. Her family is her biggest fan base, with her grandmother holding a special place in her heart. “My grandma makes it easy for me to be Jassmine. She’s the woman I want to be – nurturing and loving. My music carries this virtue, shaping me into a creative healer. Grandma has never needed an excuse to love me, and this part of her in me is something I struggle with in my romantic life. I don’t want to stop loving someone, but it sometimes brings heartbreak.”
When I probed about her fear of losing her grandmother, she laughed to hold back tears. “It would be a rebirth, a painful one. I’d be lost and have to rediscover myself. It would change everything, but I’d find the light in the darkness and become my greatest self. I wouldn’t let my grandmother down.”
Fierce and wise beyond her years, Jassmine knows the value of pain and the beauty of life’s imperfections. I asked about her latest song, “Single’s Anthem.” “I was more than tired of love’s disappointments,” she confessed. “People are struggling with loneliness and commitment issues because of heartbreak. ‘Single’s Anthem’ reflects the insecurities of a hopeless romantic like me and those praying for true love in a world that often feels indifferent.”
I asked if we’d see more vulnerability in her upcoming EP, “Jass For a Reason.” She smiled. “The EP came together unplanned. I’m an experimental person, so I haven’t settled on a style yet. If I have one, it’s simply ‘me.’ It’s a seven-track project with a blend of everything. I wrote three songs myself, and the others with my team at Nativebreed. One track explores intimacy and a woman’s need for affection and pleasure. I also have a feature from someone I look up to, the diva Anitram, and a collaboration with Lavien. I even recorded a track with Bucky Raw, though it may appear on his own project.”
When I asked if she thought the world was ready for her, she grinned and jokingly sang, “Ready or not, here I am.” Like the iconic Lauryn Hill, she’s about to make her mark. “Sometimes I’m overlooked because of my age or because I don’t push for attention. I want to be felt, not just seen. My music speaks for itself.”
Jassmine, who recently performed at the African Basketball Festival in Ghana, knows she is destined for greatness. She’s more than a drop of water in the ocean – she is the ocean itself. Are we ready to dive into her world when “Jass For a Reason” drops?
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