Jordyn Simone Unpacks Love, Heartbreak, and Self-Discovery in Debut EP ‘REMEMBER WHEN’

The album is now streaming on music platforms.

Photography by Chlo Subia

Jordyn Simone has always had a voice that commands attention: soulful, reminiscent, and rich with emotion. With the deluxe edition of her debut EP, REMEMBER WHEN—the project echoes the Los Angeles native’s ability to weave personal narratives into universally relatable experiences. 

After making waves with her breakout appearance on The Voice, the rising R&B artist has spent the past few years crafting her signature sound, blending wistful tunes with fresh contemporary storytelling, and has since then graced stages with artists like SiR, Ravyn Lenae, and D Smoke and an ever-growing list of performances at events such as the Live Nation Urban’s Black History Showcase, Rhythm & Vibes, Salt Lick Sessions RnBrunch, SXSW and more. 

The deluxe version of REMEMBER WHEN edges on Simone’s sultry vocals over well-laid-out production, with lyrics that shine a light on her prowess as a songwriter. The original release of the record gained momentum with hits like “DON’T WAKE UP” with Lekan and “I DO” featuring Joseph Solomon—the latter of which has over 500,000 streams and features collabs with several other emerging talents such as Dende, Phabo, Reggie Becton, and TA Thomas—Simone’s way of presenting the project as a celebration of community love, and the shared human experience, with each track uniquely and purposefully pairing a male artist and Simone’s entrancing, siren-like voice.

Major platforms like Billboard, Access Hollywood, and REVOLT are already taking notice of her talent to have high-profile playlist placements, including the cover of Spotify’s Fresh Finds R&B; Simone is positioning herself as one of R&B’s most promising voices. REMEMBER WHEN (DELUXE) is poised to add new layers to the emotional world she has meticulously before now built, with two additional jams, “BAD4U” featuring Ben Reilly, and a collaboration with Gemaine, “STATIC.”1202 MAGAZINE caught up with Simone on the invigorating EP, her love for music, and what’s next for the artist.

What sparked your love for music, and how did that evolve into a serious career?

A combination of things. I was raised in church, grew up doing musical theater, and studied jazz throughout high school. The differences in those genres helped me find my voice and embed those influences into my music.

You’ve been on major platforms like The Voice. How did those experiences shape you as an artist?

Being on The Voice at such an early age taught me the art of performance, the power of making people feel, and, most importantly, an unwavering belief in myself. Allowing people to perceive and analyze your vulnerability is a scary thing, but what’s more important than that fear is connectivity. Pouring your heart out in front of a room full of people and on national television at 17 years old shows you that your world is limitless if you get out of your own way. That mindset has influenced how I show up as an artist—unapologetic, bold, and fierce. When imposter syndrome tries to creep in, I remind myself of young Jordyn. She was a confident lil’ mama. I’m just trying to make her proud!

Photography by Chlo Subia

You blend elements of R&B, neo-soul, and pop in your sound. How did you find your unique style, and which artists have influenced you the most?

Growing up in LA, I was exposed to so many different cultures and ways of life. I feel like I’ve had seven out of my nine lives before the age of 30, lol. Going to a Spanish immersion school and then studying jazz, musical theater, and contemporary music while also going to church every Sunday with my dad, singing gospel music, I was bound to be a genre-bender. All of this diversity is a part of my identity and really helps me inform how I approach my creative process. The artists that influence my current sound are Rihanna, Victoria Monet, Brandy, and Jill Scott; some of my favorite voices in pop, R&B, and neo-soul! I’m trying to be the love child of all four of them.

Your EP project, REMEMBER WHEN, is such a heartfelt body of work. What was the a) creative process, b) inspiration behind making it, and what story are you telling through these songs?

A major inspiration for this project was actually Lucky Daye’s A Table For Two. It’s one of my favorite R&B projects in the past five years. I thought the idea was so innovative. And hearing Lucky’s voice blended with all the different women in that project was such a masterpiece! So, my manager and I wanted to create our own version while creating a community in the R&B genre. We thought it could be so powerful to gather what we considered the freshman class of R&B on one project to help tell the intricate story of love and loss from the male and female perspectives. The creative process was challenging, to say the least. Embarking on a project of this magnitude with so many collaborators and features made the process longer than expected, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I left with lifelong friends and many lessons in songwriting and vocal performance. These features were nothing to play with. I had to fight to hold my own on these songs. The talent was immaculate.

What was your songwriting and recording process like for this project? Did any track challenge you emotionally or creatively?

I really wanted the project to embody six different stages of love, so my focus was on making sure that every song told a different story. It turned into a fun game for me! Sharing personal relationship stories with the collaborators helped bond us in such a special way. And once we got our love stories or heartbreak nightmares out on the table, we began creating the soundtrack of both of our experiences. It was a truly unique and collaborative writing and recording process—one where vulnerability and transparency were at the forefront.

What are the messages and feelings you hope listeners take away from REMEMBER WHEN?

We all share the same human experience, just at different times with different people. That truth helps us not feel so alone. This story of love and loss is important to share because every person has or will go through every emotion during this project. I wanted to offer a song for whatever stage of that journey you’re in and to show you that there is more on the other side. This project is the intersection of relatability and hope. To me, these are two of the most important things to feel.  

As an artist, how do you stay inspired and creative, especially in moments of self-doubt or writer’s block?

Collaboration. I’m a firm believer in the village that helps create the artist. Nothing that we do could be done completely by ourselves. So, anytime I feel doubtful or insecure, I surround myself with people who remind me of my gift. It reminds me of the soul, storytelling, and voice that’s within. It’s important to have this level of community around you in such an emotionally taxing career. Where I fall short, they pick me back up, and vice versa. I’m so grateful to have a village around me!

You’ve performed at some iconic venues. Is there a particular performance that stands out as a defining moment for you?

I have performed at some super cool venues! But the venues aren’t what make the performance; it’s the audience that does. Some of my favorite audiences I’ve performed have been at the Moroccan Lounge and Peppermint Club. It’s an out-of-body experience to feel like you are one with the audience, and I’ve had the pleasure of that experience in both of those venues.

Photography by Chlo Subia

Are there any dream collaborations you’re manifesting right now? Which artists or producers would you love to work with next?

EASY! Rihanna, Jill Scott, Brandy, Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, James Fauntleroy and Victoria Monet.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself through your music journey so far?

I’ve learned that vulnerability is my most powerful tool. It's not about how good of a singer I am, how cool and different I try to be, or how perfect my visuals are. It's about how honest and transparent I am during this journey of stardom. That’s what I've found has connected to people most and what feels realistic for me to maintain for the long career I’m planning to have.

What advice would you give aspiring artists who look up to you about staying true to their sound and navigating the music industry?

I would tell them to watch the Kerry Washington interview, where she talks about the importance of prayer met with drive. She used a metaphor about praying to catch the bus and then running as fast as you can, and if you don’t catch that bus, then it wasn’t for you. But if you did one and not the other, that could’ve been your bus. The best advice I can give an up-and-coming artist is to have a strong relationship with God and an ambition that no one can take away from you. That combo will change your reality every single time.

What can fans expect from you next? Are you working on new music, visuals, or live performances?

A deluxe is on the way! I won’t say anything else.