Digital Exclusive Cover: Jasmine Thompson, On Her Rise to Fame, 3B+ Streams, 630M+ YouTube Views, Her Music, Zedd, Isolation + All Her Favs
Atlantic pop singer-songwriter Jasmine Thompson has teamed up with GRAMMY® award-winning artist/DJ/producer Zedd with new music, and she’s dropped a social isolation video of her latest hit, “Funny.”
This London native came from modest beginnings from a family of four in a two-bedroom flat. Her mom worked as many as four jobs. Still, she always put her kid’s creative endeavors first, even buying Jasmine a second-hand green screen to record videos of herself singing, which landed her with 3.5 million subscribers on YouTube and over 630 million views. She signed with Atlantic at thirteen. Yes, you read that correctly. At 19, she’s already become well known for numerous viral covers, which led to three EPs and featured appearances on internationally successful recordings, collectively putting her in the billion streams club garnering more than 3 billion. Jasmine has collaborated with German DJ/producer Robin Schulz on “Sun Goes Down (Feat. JasmineThompson)” toppling 1 billion worldwide streams and earning international gold and platinum certifications and 404 million views on YouTube. Learn more about Jasmine, her thoughts on working with Zedd, her definition of self-love, and her isolation motivation. Read our interview below, and get to know this vibrant young artist.
GLITTER: What was it like growing up in London? Where do you reside or spend most of your time now?
JASMINE: Growing up in London was amazing; it’s such a big melting pot of different cultures. It’s where I spend the majority of my time, especially now during the lockdown.
GLITTER: When did you start writing and making music?
JASMINE: I started writing my own music when I was around nine or ten. I mean, it was very basic stuff, but it was still quite fun, haha. I guess the better, more listenable songs came when I was around thirteen or fourteen.
GLITTER: Would you consider Atlantic Records signing you at the age of just thirteen to be your big break? How did that come about, and what lead up to them noticing you?
JASMINE: It was definitely a huge moment for me, being signed to an American label just felt unreal. At that time, I had already been on YouTube for a few years, and one of my covers caught Atlantic’s attention, I think it was my version of “Let Her Go” by Passenger.
GLITTER: How would you describe your sound?
JASMINE: Oh, god, I have no idea. I guess female pop vocal with a little twist to it.
GLITTER: Who are your musical influences?
JASMINE: I loved Florence and the Machine when I was younger. As well as Paolo Nutini, both of them are so emotional and passionate when they sing.
GLITTER: What is your songwriting process like?
JASMINE: I normally start with a melody that I like, and then match it with a phrase that I’ve been thinking about. But it can change really; sometimes I’ll just get stuck choosing which piano chords I like the most, or words come first… maybe I should find a more fixed structure!
GLITTER: What’s it like working with GRAMMY® award-winning artist/DJ/producer Zedd?
JASMINE: It is an absolutely wonderful experience. He is a very hard working guy who is really passionate about music. It’s lovely working with someone so talented, he’s also got a lot more experience than I do, so it’s nice to see him work and see how he handles different situations.
GLITTER: What can you tell us about “Funny,” your new single with him?
JASMINE: “Funny” is a song to sing when you are tired of people always trying to come back for second chances.
GLITTER: With everyone on isolation, what was the creative process like for the new video?
JASMINE: It was a challenge, but it was really fun. I had the director on skype, trying to figure out what angles would look best on the computer, and he just explained how many times he wanted me to try each different take. It was really fun watching how he pieced it all together but also doing something more DIY again.
GLITTER: What do you hope fans take away from your music?
JASMINE: I hope they find something that they can relate to.
GLITTER: How are you connecting with fans during isolation?
JASMINE: I’ve just been staying in touch with social media, really. I’ve been struggling to keep up with posting on social platforms though since everyone is at home, I’ve been enjoying hiding away a little bit.
GLITTER: Your mom sounds like an amazing woman, and she played a big role in your success. Can you tell us more?
JASMINE: She is! She is an incredible human being. She was just really supportive of my music, even though I used to hate her for making me do piano when I was younger, now I have to thank her every day for that.
GLITTER: How do you feel having acquired 630 million YouTube views and more than 3.5 million subscribers?
JASMINE: Pretty happy. Just really grateful for so many people supporting me and my music.
GLITTER: What was your most successful or most viewed cover?
JASMINE: I think it’s my cover of “Ain’t Nobody” with Felix Jaehn.
GLITTER: Can you tell us about your ADORE, WONDERLAND, and COLOUR EPs and how your sound has evolved from each release?
JASMINE: Well, they were all done a few years apart, and I think it shows the change in my age and taste.
GLITTER: Best advice you were ever given?
JASMINE: Just take things one day at a time.
GLITTER: Glitter has a Celebrity #SelfLoveCampaign, and we want to know, what does self-love mean to you?
JASMINE: I think accepting that you will have bad days is a good start. I like to let myself just sit and listen to music, and always have a bit of alone time.
GLITTER: Who’s on your playlist right now?
JASMINE: Harry Styles, Kygo, King Princess, Disclosure.
GLITTER: What’s a day in the life for you like on isolation?
JASMINE: I’ve been trying to just do as much as possible from home. So, been trying to work on music and learn new things to cook. But then again, it’s been lockdown for a while now, and it’s weird how this now feels normal.
GLITTER: How long have you been a fan of painter Bob Ross, as well as sketching?
JASMINE: A friend of mine showed me his show last summer. I know I’m late to watching him, but it’s super relaxing, and I’ve loved it ever since then. Sadly I’ve only ever tried to paint once; most of the time, I watch it to help me fall asleep.
GLITTER: Favorite ways to find your Zen?
JASMINE: Go on a long walk.
GLITTER: First place you’ll go when isolation ends?
JASMINE: I would quite like to go to South Korea.
GLITTER: What are your top 5 binge-worthy shows?
JASMINE: Friends, Walking Dead, Hell’s Kitchen ( or anything related to food).
GLITTER: Sage or Palo Santo?
JASMINE: I don’t really like sage, but I also am not familiar with Palo Santo!
GLITTER: Favorite flower?
JASMINE: Sunflower.
GLITTER: What is your favorite brand or piece of jewelry?
JASMINE: At the moment I love Hermina Athens.
GLITTER: Kombucha or Green Drinks?
JASMINE: Green drinks.
GLITTER: Beach or Pool?
JASMINE: Pool.
GLITTER: Sweets or Savory?
JASMINE: Savoury.
GLITTER: Favorite snacks?
JASMINE: Instant noodles.
GLITTER: Do you have any pets?
JASMINE: I have three cats.
GLITTER: Where should everyone go when visiting London?
JASMINE: There is so much more to London than just the big tourist spots. It depends on what you want from a holiday. There are so many places to eat and shop, but if you want to see something beautiful, you should actually go outside of London and see what the rest of the UK has to offer.
GLITTER: What’s your skincare ritual like? Any fav products?
JASMINE: I love Aesops, or Neal’s yard, I’ve been using their cleansers and toners for years.
GLITTER: What projects can you tell us about that you’re working on next?
JASMINE: I’ve been saving up a lot of music, so I’ll definitely be putting out some more music soon, I just can’t say when yet.
GLITTER: Name one thing fans might not know about you?
JASMINE: I like pineapple on pizza.
GLITTER: Best social platform for fans to find you?
JASMINE: Instagram.
Make sure to stream “Funny” and watch Jasmine’s new video here.
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