Words By Mark Alexander
Photography by Emmanuel Ramos
If you’ve been tapped into the new wave of R&B, JeRonelle is a name you need to know. The Omaha-bred, Atlanta-educated, and LA-based singer-songwriter has steadily built a reputation for delivering raw, emotive vocals with a level of authenticity that’s hard to come by. You may have seen him sharing the stage with artists like Khalid, Common, and Tisha Campbell or paying tribute to Luther Vandross at the Truth Awards. Now, with the release of his latest EP, Jaded Lover, JeRonelle is giving us an unfiltered look into his experiences navigating love, longing, and late nights in Los Angeles. I had the chance to sit down with him to talk about his journey, the new music, and what’s next.
You’ve shared stages with some incredible artists like Khalid, Common, and Tisha Campbell. How have these experiences shaped you as an artist?
Man, those experiences were a crash course in all things music industry. Performing alongside such established artists so early into my time in LA gave me firsthand exposure to what it takes to operate at a high level. Each show had its own challenges but also left me with incredible memories that I still carry with me.
Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, how did your environment influence your sound and musical journey?
My earliest love for music came from my childhood—whether it was singing in the church children’s choir, at school, or just vibing to whatever my family had playing in the car. Pop, Gospel, and old-school R&B were always around me. What I didn’t realize back then was that my voice and ear were being shaped the whole time. What felt like just fun as a kid turned out to be the foundation of the artist I am today.
What role did Clark Atlanta University play in developing your artistry?
Clark Atlanta was a game-changer. The music department challenged me in ways that made me a stronger musician and artist. Our professors were tough, but they made us believe we could master any material put in front of us. Outside the classroom, my time at CAU became my ‘R&B education.’ I was already familiar with Motown and classic soul, but it was there that I really dove deep into Neo-Soul and contemporary R&B. It opened up a whole new world for me.
Your new EP, Jaded Lover, marks your fifth body of work. How does this project differ from your previous releases?
This time around, I wanted to focus on the early stages of dating—before things get serious, but when emotions are already involved. In LA, it’s easy to meet people with potential, but so many situations end up going nowhere. Over the past two years, I’ve had my share of experiences that started promising but didn’t pan out. Jaded Lover is my way of processing those emotions but in a way that still makes you want to groove.
The EP explores themes of love, longing, and late-night vibes. What personal experiences or inspirations fueled this project?
Man, my love life has been one quiet letdown after another lately. Between long-distance situations, mixed signals, and having to start over time and time again, I’ve grown a little tired of the whole scene. But at the same time, I still believe in love, even if the journey to find it is exhausting. That’s what Jaded Lover is about—the duality of wanting love but dreading the process of getting there.
“Distance” and “The Let Out” are two standout tracks. Can you walk us through the creative process behind them?
Distance’ came naturally—it’s one of those ballads that just flowed. But ‘The Let Out’ was more of a challenge. I wanted to create something that felt like a late-night party anthem, inspired by a trip I took to Houston. I sent my producer K.C. Knight some references, including Brandy’s ‘Full Moon,’ and he cooked up a track that captured the exact vibe I was looking for.
You’ve collaborated with Def Jam’s Dende and Felicia Temple on this EP. How did those collaborations come about?
Dende and I go way back to our choir classes at Clark Atlanta, so working together felt natural. We linked up with producers Mike Hector and Billy Blunt and created ‘Right One, Wrong Time,’ which has been doing really well. Felicia Temple hopped on ‘The Let Out,’ and I couldn’t have asked for a better feature. She understood the song’s vibe immediately and sent her verse back in two weeks. She added a whole new layer to it, and I think listeners are going to love it.
What do you hope listeners take away from Jaded Lover?
I want people to feel seen. If you’ve been out here in these dating streets feeling like you’re running in circles, you’re not alone. But instead of sulking, let’s dance through it. Tracks like ‘Take You Home,’ ‘Alone,’ and ‘The Let Out’ are meant to let you groove the angst away.
You recently paid tribute to Luther Vandross at the Truth Awards and GLAAD Awards. What did that experience mean to you?
It was an honor. Singing Luther’s songs in front of a room full of incredible Black queer artists and allies at the Truth Awards was a magical moment. Then, a few weeks later at the GLAAD Honors, I got to showcase more of my artistry, performing my own music. Seeing familiar faces in the audience both nights was surreal. It felt like they were getting a full picture of who I am as an artist.
Performing live is a big part of your artistry. How do you approach translating your recorded music into an engaging live experience?
I always create music with the live experience in mind. One of the first things I ask myself when working on a new song is, ‘How will this feel on stage?’ I make sure the production is something that would grab my attention as an audience member, and vocally, I try to craft songs that are both authentic to me and engaging for listeners.
You’ve built a solid foundation in the LA music scene. What’s next for you after Jaded Lover?
I’m excited to hit the stage again. I’ll be in Houston in May for the Black Queer Advancement Festival, and there are a few other live appearances in the works. And let’s just say… there’s more music on the way. smirks
In an industry that constantly evolves, how do you see your music growing in the next few years?
With Jaded Lover, I’ve already seen growth in my streaming numbers, and I want to keep that momentum going. I’m also focusing on building relationships with R&B platforms, curators, and tastemakers. The power of partnership is real, and I want to align myself with people who believe in what I bring to the table.
As our conversation wrapped up, one thing was clear—JeRonelle isn’t just making music. He’s crafting experiences, telling stories, and, most importantly, staying true to himself. Whether it’s through his powerful vocals, honest songwriting, or captivating live performances, he’s cementing his place in the R&B world. And if Jaded Lover is any indication, this is just the beginning.