{
  "id": 10512491,
  "title": "Jae Stephens Talks Having the ‘Audacity’ to Blow Up Your Pop Star Expectations: ‘I Take Up as Much Space as I Feel I Deserve’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/jae-stephens-talks-having-the-audacity-to-blow-up-your-pop-star",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-28T19:06:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/features/jae-stephens-talks-audacity-debut-album-interview-pop-music-1236349230/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the music industry, Black women are making waves with their innovative and forward-thinking pop music. Tinashe, RAYE, Tyla, Ayra Starr, girlsweetvoiced, FLO, and Chxrry are just a few of the artists who have made a significant impact in 2026, redefining the pop music landscape. Jae Stephens, a Dallas-born, Pasadena-raised singer-songwriter, is also on this list. Her long-awaited debut studio album, Audacity, dropped on September 25 via Def Jam and Raedio, Issa Rae’s imprint.\n\nA smart and snarky lyricist, Stephens has already worked with notable artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, and Jihyo of TWICE. Her debut album, Audacity, showcases her fully realized pop persona, featuring 11 tracks that blend playful and sardonic lyrics, sometimes with a misandrist undertone. The album features contributions from Dallas Caton, MNEK, and PinkPantheress, among others.\n\nStephens' writing process often leads to honest and true lyrics, even if they sometimes reveal her own flaws or shortcomings. She collaborates closely with Dallas Caton and Lita Caputo and has worked with MNEK and Whitney Phillips, who help her put things into perspective.\n\nAudacity is Stephens' exploration of her lovable, chaotic, and hilarious persona, a blend of Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and Janet Jackson influences. With a Lollapalooza debut under her belt and a support stint on Khalid's European tour on the horizon, Stephens is set to bring her music to larger stages.",
  "summary": "The ascendant pop star talks about how her signature, man-skewering songs triggered a breakup — and inspired her debut album.",
  "key_points": [
    "Jae Stephens, Dallas-born singer-songwriter, debuts album Audacity",
    "Album features playful, sardonic lyrics with misandrist undertones",
    "Stephens collaborates with Dallas Caton and Lita Caputo"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}