I ASCEND

Creatively Experimental

Ms. Jazz Anderson is a bright rising force to be reckoned with. She is the daughter of the former NBA All-Star Kenny Anderson and Mrs. Tami Roman-Youngbloodan actress and television personality.

I Ascend:Please tell us who Jazz Anderson is.

Jazz:I think a great way to put it is, I’m just a student of the game no matter what game I’m in. Some people know me from playing college basketball. Some from being a reality TV, and television personality. Now people know me as being a co-host, and others know me as being a rapper and a lyricist. So really, I’m just a student in whatever craft I choose to go after.

I Ascend:Tell us about your entrepreneurial endeavors, what have been your ascending moments?

Jazz:When it comes to being anentrepreneur, I would say, once again, it goes back to just learning what I’m doing. In expanding my brand, I still have to be a student of the game and learn. Even when it comes to being a co-host, that opportunity came about two years ago, during the pandemic. When ourshow “The Mix” on Fox soul was created,I had never been a co-hostbefore, and I was so worried because you know we are in cancel-culture.I had to be mindful of how I said things I had to learn, that is a part ofascending. If you want to be great at something, you have to learn about it and you can’t be scared.

I Ascend:What would you say to those who are looking to break the mold, others have created for them?

Jazz:I dealt with that a lot. When I first started rapping, everybody thought, Okay, this is just another celebrity kid trying to eat off her mom. So even though she had created a great platform for me, I still had to stay true to who I was while putting out content.I had to keep believing in myself so that others could believe in me too. So, at first, I was like, I love my mom, it’s a pro that she can get me in some of these rooms because she’s very much respected in the game. But then it’s acon that they may not take me seriously. So,oncethey actually got to see me in a roomthen they’re like, okay, her talent is what’s keeping her in the room. So, for anybody who wants to break that mold, I would say, just continue to do it. Just continue to go after what you want and be true to yourself and it’ll eventually pay off.

I Ascend:You made mention of “The Mix”how do you like being a co-host on the program?

Jazz:Wehave returnedfor our second season and well, you know, it’s been great for me.  I’m on the show with Romeo Miller,ZonniquePullins and Jamie DuBose. I must say, before being on this show, and voicing my opinion on thingsI saw things the way I saw them. The show has really helped me to diversify my viewpoint. It really did and like Romeo always says, it’s like a melting pot full of different ideas. So being on “The Mix” really has helped me to see that my perspective maybe my perspective, but I should also be able to embrace other people’s perspectives or agree to disagree.I feel like I needed that a lot and I’ll take that with me throughout my life now.

I Ascend:That’s a great takeaway. I understand youcredit your mother’s honesty with causing you to work hard at your craft?

Jazz:Yeah, I was about 14- or 15- years- old at the time. I tell this story because it’s so crazy, but I had put a rap video on my Facebook page. When I woke up the next morning it was on WorldStar Hip Hop. It wasno longer just my friend group. Now I was opened up to so many other critics. I remember some people saying it was trash and others saying it was good, I had potential.It really didn’t matter to me until I got my mom’s opinion on it. She was like, this is a little babyish. You know, you are Kenny Anderson’s daughter, you are my daughter. So, they’re going to pick up and watch what you do. She was like, if you really want to take this seriously, go read the dictionary, expand your vocabulary,that’s food for the brain.When you’re reading,familiarize yourself with different topics that other 14- and 15-year-olds aren’t even worried about right now. Be a storyteller. So, she definitely helped a lot at the time.When I look at where I’m at now, I have to give a big thanks to her for telling me to tighten up.

That is how my mom has always been. People see her on television and always ask me if she is like that in real life. I’m like, yes, growing up with her she has always been brutally honest. I know it isalways for a good cause. Even when I played basketballshe would say,you’re really strong with your right. Now you have towork to be stronger on your left.She always wants to better me at whatever I do. So, I definitely have to thank her for getting me to where I’m at today with my career.

I Ascend:You mentionedearlier that somepeople are familiar with you from playing basketball, what was it like playing foraHBCU? (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)

Jazz:I have always known I was going to college for basketball. It was not even a question. It all just boiled down to where I was going to go and really plant my grassroots. I lovedmy experience at Prairie View A&M University but before I went to anHBCU, a lot of people didnot know I was in Beverly Hills High and Calabasas Middle Schools.These were predominantly white schools in California. I had the opportunity to go to great schools because my parents worked hard to get me the best education.I loved these schools but at the same time, I always yearned to know more about my culture.I am thankful that I picked Prairie View A&M University.

I Ascend:In trying to remove yourself from the shadows of your mom and your dad. What have been the painful steps and what have been the positive steps?

Jazz:When it comes to my mom, I really can’t say there hasbeen any painful steps. When I did the BET Awards in 2019, I saw that people knew Jazz Anderson. So, you know, ever since then I’ve kind of been on a steady pace to just getting my name out there. Now when it comes to my dad, you know, me and him haven’t always had the best relationship. Some people may notice that in some of my songs, I’ma little bit more honest than some people would like for me to be but that’s my story. It has been a little painful for me to have to speak to him through my music. Ido wish we could have a conversation at times. I wish we could just sit down and talk. But I’ve always used my music as a diary, as a journal. I know I’m not the only young African American girl who does not have her dad in her life and wishes that he were there. So that’s probably the only painful process of this journey when it comes to my dad because I do want that relationship. But when it comes to my mom, we are pretty much like, handin hand.

I Ascend:What about from an industry perspective,many times people only see you one way?

Jazz:People have seen me on reality television for so long since I was about 14- years- old. That is about ten plus years; so people didn’t understandthe change. The first project that I had out was called “Separation Anxiety” which, you know, is pretty much when you can’t distance yourself from something. You get nervous when you see someone wanting to ascend, as we like to say or to grow. So, I called my first project “Separation Anxiety” because I felt like a lot of my viewers, listeners, and fans only saw me as the little girl from television. Instead of understanding Jazz Anderson is 24years old now, allow her to spread her wings.

I Ascend:Tell me about “The Experiment” which is your new project. It is different from what you’ve done in the past.

Jazz:For me, the experiment is exactly that, initially when people saw me performin 2017,on the show“Signed” with Rick Ross, Lenny Santiago and the Dream. When I did that show, these credible guys in the industry called me a lyricist, which I loved. Because that was all I ever aimed for. We go back to when I was a 14-year-old girl and mom said my rap wasbabyish. To nowa 23-year-old woman and I have some of the most credible guys in the industry calling me a lyricist. So, it showed Okay, my hard work paid off. But when I got off that show, it kind of put me in a box where people asked, well, can she make fun music? Can she make club music? Has she made live music? Can she make sexy music? I’m 25 years old now. I am no longer that little girl. Let us have some fun without forgetting this is still me. I am still the same intelligent, bright-minded lyricist. I feel like a lot of young women can relate to that, we have many different facets to us. But still,we want to be remembered for who we are at heart.

I Ascend:As you continue to ascend, what do you want people to remember about you?

Jazz:I just want people to say Jazz never changed. That’s who she was when she came into the game and when she left the game, and by the game, I mean my brand as a whole, whether it’s my wine, whether it’s my television appearances, whether it’s my music, I want people to say she’s always been authentic. I feel like sometimes that is missing in the industry. It’s kind of like, you see people when they start out, and that’s not who they always end up leaving as. You see they have changed whether it was for money, whether it was for a better opportunity, whether it’s so they were more liked. I want people to say Jazz never changed. I think itgoes back to the experiment as well because when people saw the cover, they didn’t really understand. It was like, she is so sexy and provocative, now she’s changing. No, no, no, I’m not changing at all. I’m just showing, hey, I’m a lyricist with a little bit more spice, with a little bit more sass, with a little bit more sexiness. While still staying true to me. You’re still going to get those bars, you’re still going to get that message, and you’re still going to get that lyrical side of me.

I Ascend:How can readers follow you? 

Jazz:I’m on Instagram at Jazz Anderson, where you can always get updates about my music and television appearances and “The Mix” where I’m a Co-Host. You can also follow “The Mix” on Instagram.It comes on every Tuesday on Fox Soul which you can stream on Roku TV or any Smart TV app, whatever you have, you can stream it. Be sure to go stream my project, “The Experiment”, it’s on all streaming platforms, hit me up and let me know your favorite song.

I Ascend:What would you say to our readers to encourage them to continue to Ascend?

Jazz:My call to action would be to just go for it, to just do it. Do not let anything hold you back. Do not let your doubts hold you back. Do not let judgments hold you back. Just go for it and stay true to yourself. I always say I had no idea that I would ever do the BET Cypher in 2019. It was always a big dream of mine. I just put up a video on my Instagram and I said tag this, let them know I need to be in the Cypher this year. It got about two thousand comments, I thoughtit wasjustgoing to stay on my page. Then I got a call about a week later from my publisher saying, hey, they want you on the BET Cypher this year. If I had just said Oh, Instagram is not going to work, this isn’t going to work. I’ll wait till next year; I wouldn’t have done it in 2019. Whatever it is that you want to do—don’t wait, do it now and go after your goals.