Next Wave: Jade Forest 

Jade Forest doesn’t just make music, but she embodies it. A Black multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and sonic poet, Jade is creating a legacy through her art, blending deep emotion with raw authenticity. Read more about this month’s Next Wave artist, curating vibes for the people and leading as a vessel for art, love and authenticity.

“I turn love into sonic poetry. I turn life into movies. I’m a lover of people and expression,” she shares. For Women’s History Month, Black Soundwave celebrates her as an artist shaping history in real-time, using her voice to inspire, create, and challenge norms.

Born in New Orleans but raised on the “Soufside” of Riverdale, GA, Jade’s artistry is shaped by the duality of her roots. She’s making art that will last, which she accurately describes as gumbo music. 

“Being a Soufsider keeps me rooted with southern rap influences. Being a New Orleans native gives me versatility,” she says. “I take my time. I’m not a microwave artist. I make gumbo meaning that these ingredients need to sit in this pot for a while before it tastes good.”

Jade’s sound is an intersection of lo-fi textures, 808s, and live instrumentation. She draws her inspiration from neo-soul greats like Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Jill Scott, as well as lyricists like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. More than just sonics, Jade focuses on feeling like the greats she admires. 

“With some of their songs, you can tell they cried before and/or after creating,” she says. “Being an artist is publicly bearing your soul.” Her work reflects deep introspection, growth, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity—she is the girl playing Rihanna, King Von, and Marvin Gaye back-to-back on the way to the club, unapologetically embracing all facets of herself.

Forest’s artistic journey started early. She practiced rewriting popular Drake and Lil Wayne songs as a kid, crafting her own poetry, and recording one-take tracks in her bedroom. Though her early work no longer exists online (RIP to Lemon Water and Green Tea), she honed her sound at Atlanta’s Patchwerk Studios, where she found mentorship and deeper artistic confidence. 

Through loss, grief, and self-discovery, she has emerged with a refined voice and a mission. She recalls her experiences from 2017 to 2022, when she released her last EP Reign Forest. After losing her mother and the loss of significant relationships, she discovered the most about herself.

“Recognizing yourself is the best feeling for an artist,” she says. 

Some of her most memorable career milestones include going on her first tour and making impactful connections. Jade expresses immense gratitude to several people who made it possible. From DJ Waffles, Brother Rome, Leigh and Tabius for helping her musically to Adama, DJ Henhouse, K. Bey with Grind City Media, DJ Thematics, Kay Nate, Scott Morris who she met along the way. 

She highlights moments from the journey where she performed at Morris Brown’s Homecoming, which was an affirming time in her career. 

“It was surreal for me because I have a cousin who is a drummer and we watched Drumline every day for a summer almost,” Forest shared. “I also got a random text from one of my sisters in this music shit and she sent over a bunch of beats that our angel friend, JC, sent her and she passed them to me.” 

Jade talks about how this emotional time dealing with her own personal battles of homelessness and grief catapulted her feelings of creativity to another level. These experiences led her to a Stankonia Writing Camp, where she had an opportunity to secure sync placements. It’s also helped her reach her biggest accomplishment today two full rebrands later with her own creative agency. 

Jade is not only an artist but a visionary. She runs her own creative agency, A Forest for My Trees, LLC, blending branding and music together. She is also launching a new performance platform called, Welcome to The Forest Mic Sessions, which prioritizes positive and introspective music. 

“I love all types of music, but I saw a need for this as we are constantly being fed things that lack positive, spirit-feeding wavelengths,” she explains. “There is a time and place for everything, but I don’t think I’m alone when I say that I need my spirit fed more often than not.”

Just one day after International Women’s Day, Jade drops the first episode of Welcome to The Forest Mic Sessions on March 9. Similarly, her last single “You’re My Baby” was released last year on March 8. 

For Jade, Women’s History Month is a moment, but the impact of her and other women’s contributions to the world is a constant. 

“Being a woman, being courageous, and breaking the societal norm of being ‘seen and not heard’ is important,” she asserts. “Quiet women rarely make history.” Her mission is clear: to tell stories that reflect the complexities of Black womanhood, whether or not the world is ready to listen. “If I can’t change the entire world, I have the power, impact, and responsibility to change MY world. That’s historic for me.”

Jade’s work is a testament to resilience, creativity, and unwavering self-belief. Whether through music, visuals, or community-building, she is carving out space for herself and others, making history in every note. With a growing legacy and an undying love for art, Jade Forest is not just riding the wave—she’s creating her own.