Jae Stephens has returned with a new song, “What’s A Monday,” encouraging others to live each day as if it’s their last. It was released as part of a partnership between Google and HBO Insecure creator Issa Rae’s imprint Raedio.
On “What’s A Monday,” which she co-wrote with J.LBS (Kendrick Lamar, Ella Mai, Jhené Aiko), who also produced, Stephens sings about not waiting until the weekend to grab life by the horns. She chooses to embrace each day for what it is, charging herself the bill for not following her heart to accomplish her dreams.
“I can’t lose cause I only compete / With me myself and I, we gettin’ better every week / Nah, I don’t fear what’s on the brink / Take it as it comes and just breathe,” Stephens sings.
“What’s A Monday” came with an accompanying music video. It features her getting dolled up for a photo shoot and flashes of candid moments with friends and industry giants such as 15x Grammy-winner Alicia Keys.
Stephens is getting the works as a winner of the Raedio Creator Program, a collaboration with Google to support underrepresented independent artists. She’ll receive funding to cover studio time, producer and marketing costs for a capsule EP that comprises three to five tracks. In working on the project, she can take guidance from the Raedio team, primarily composed of people of color or women.
Raedio will release Stephen’s untitled project and include it in their library for pitching and sync opportunities. Google is responsible for the costs of one music video. Stephens is one of two emerging women in music to receive backing through the Raedio Creator Program supported by Google. Two composers were awarded an alternative deal.
“At Raedio, we take pride in providing our artists with master ownership – a feat typically unheard of in the industry. This allows them to build something that over time gives them a real stake in their art. We’re excited to partner with Google to continue this mission in providing artists, specifically women of color, with the opportunity to build real estate in the industry in as many ways as possible,” shared Benoni Taego, president of Raedio.
Elle Roth-Brunet, Google’s Entertainment Partnerships Lead added, “We are proud to create these four grants in partnership with Raedio with a goal of underscoring the importance in providing access and opportunity for women of color pursuing audio careers within the entertainment industry.”
“This program is an extension of Google’s dedication to championing diversity within the entertainment industry and we look forward to hearing the artistic contributions of all who participate.”
Last year Stephens released the three-pack EP And Friends. It featured the VanJess-assisted “Already On It” and “What You Need” with THEY., plus a collaboration with Parisalexa. And Friends marked Stephens’ first music collection since 2019’s F**k it I’ll Do it Myself.
Stephens appeared on Xavier Omär’s 2020 album if You Feel on the track “All Our Time.” Upon its release, Rated R&B’s Antwane Folk declared the collaboration a “subtle summer jam.” The Bizness Boi-produced song arrived with a lyric video.
Listen to “What’s A Monday” by Jae Stephens below.