Artist Spotlight
Judaea

This month we catch up with Judaea, an R&B artist whose music comes from a place of romance, reflection and lived experiences. Her songs explore love in all forms: self-love, love for others, love for her inspirations and her faith, and they carry an emotional weight that lasts.

Raised singing in church, Judaea was inspired by artists who lead with soul and intention, from Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder to Beyoncé and Tori Kelly. Her voice feels both timeless and personal, but music is only part of her creative language. As a songwriter, visual thinker and designer, she approaches each individual release as a full sensory experience, where sound, color, memory and feeling are inseparable. In the interview to follow, we discuss her inspirations, what keeps her grounded, and a future driven not by numbers, but by purpose, love and a lasting impact.

Who were the earliest artists, albums or songs that shaped your music taste, and have your influences changed over time?

My mom is subconsciously a part of my singing style. My inspirations are Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Usher, Celine Dion, Tori Kelly, Chris Brown, and the list could go on and on. My influences haven’t really changed, they’ve evolved. I still look to the same artists, but now I’m inspired by how they’ve grown, the new styles they create, and the way they push beyond a single genre. Their evolution motivates me to explore everything music has to offer. Nothing is off limits.

On your journey so far you’ve worn many hats (singer, songwriter, visual director, designer). How do those different creative outlets feed into your music?

Thank you so much for that! All of those things are an expression of me. The words in music are the way I tell the story through sound. When I’m creating, the vision sticks out and is just as present as the melody. Songs help you feel and see things that are not on screen but are universal. Songs create lasting memories that open up a dimension we sometimes don’t even realize we are in. It’s like this: When I’m writing a song, I think of how a topic made me feel, and what that day was like. When you take a moment to stop and breathe, what does the air feel like? Was the sun shining at that moment? Was there a smell that filled the air? Perfume or maybe the smell of fresh donuts from the bakery down the street. Who was talking to me, who did I see, or exchange words with? All of these things exist in your imagination when you hear a song. All these things you can see with your eyes closed. They create so much color without actually seeing it.

Songs come with unspoken visuals for every listener. Sometimes, as an artist, I see the vision before even having the words. Once all of that is on paper, then dressing up the vision is the fun part. I love designing sets and dressing up, coming up with looks and colors to match the vibe. I’m simply a creative in its complete nature.