JITE INTERVIEW: Born and raised in LA, jite is a 24-year-old singer-songwriter has been quietly perfecting her craft, developing her vibrant visual identity and high-calibre soundwaves spanning alt-R&B and Pop.
What five words define your sound?
alternative Pop meets alternative R&B.
Tell me something unique about your creative process
90% of the songs I write start out as gibberish freestyles! I just sing whatever melodies come to mind and then fill in the lyrics later.
Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?
Probably ‘chokehold’.
What inspired you to make that song?
Upon first listen, it may seem like this song is about a toxic relationship, which in a way, it is – the one I have with myself. I wrote it about how it feels to be stuck. When your mental health always seems to get a little better and then you fall right back down.
What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when making music?
Hard to name just one time because I feel like I am extremely vulnerable and honest in everything I make. But I would have to say ‘poison’ is a type of vulnerability I had never tapped into before. I think it’s easy for me to lean into love and personal struggles like depression in my music, but I think leaning into, and owning feelings of jealousy was something that was hard to admit so unapologetically.
What’s the best experience you’ve had on stage?
The Black Pop Party showcase in Brooklyn was definitely one of the most special times I have had on stage in a while. It was so nice to see everyone dance and vibe and genuinely have a good time to my songs! It was also the first time my music has brought me out of state, and to have both of my sisters make it there meant a lot too.
What is your favourite song to play at a show?
At the moment, definitely ‘omw!’
JITE INTERVIEW
Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?
It honestly wasn’t anything in particular, I’ve just always known I wanted to make music from the moment I started singing and performing in school choir, talent shows, musicals, etc.
What’s the meaning behind your name?
Jite (short for Onajite) is a Urhobo name that means “this is sufficient.”
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?
I probably wouldn’t have quit sports, and would be a professional soccer player or track runner.
What’s success to you?
Getting to make a living off of what I love! Anything more than that is honestly just a bonus.
What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?
After my first (and last) semester in college in San Francisco, I quickly realized that I felt aimless and that the traditional child of Nigerian immigrant parents pipeline of finishing college, and becoming a doctor, lawyer, or the president, was not for me! I dropped out, came back to LA, and decided that I have no choice but to lock in, and pursue something that I am actually.
Where can people keep in touch with you?
@jiteagege on instagram and tiktok.
@jLteagege on twitter (somehow jiteagege was already taken [laughs]!)
