Jessy Blakemore possesses one of those voices that’s just meant to be famous. The rapper Russ seemed to recognize this when he heavily sampled one of her songs for his 2025 single “Recognize.” On that track, her song “shiloh type beat” is sped up to match the tempo of his flow but the nuance, crackles, and warmth of her voice remains. With the song now at over six million streams, that one move effectively plucked the Reading singer-songwriter out of obscurity and into the limelight.
Blakemore is now building a proper career off her soon-to-be classic voice and softly vulnerable songwriting. She just finished a run of dates supporting OVO first lady Naomi Sharon in the U.K. And in October, she released her first EP, if you need me, i’m a few missed calls away. It’s filled with lovely, acoustic dispatches meant to be listened to in the middle of the night, like “burna” and “fone sex,” anchored by that luminous voice of hers.
Ahead, get to know the London singer as she shares exclusive photos from tour, and talks astrology, being a day-one Leona Lewis fan, and cooking up new music (including something that sounds like a “moody Sade/Mk.gee-type track,” she says).
What’s your sun, moon, and rising sign, and which is the most accurate?
Aries sun, Libra moon, and Scorpio rising, I think… I’m a Pisces through and through, and feel very aligned with that. I’m very sensitive, emotional and sometimes kind of moody, and feel caught between worlds I’m imagining and reality. I feel everything even when it’s not mine. My dreams are super vivid and I get déjà vu a lot, if that has anything to do with it.
Describe the first show you ever went to.
The first show I ever went to was a Leona Lewis concert when I was in year 5. I was obsessed with her while she was on the X Factor and watched every weekend with my mum and sister.
I got picked up early from my school in Reading to travel into London with my school friend. I’d never been to a concert in a big arena like the O2 before so everything was big and new and extremely loud. We were up in the nosebleeds and I couldn’t even see her but I couldn’t stop screaming lol. “Bleeding Love” had to be my most played song of all time between the ages of 6-10.
What was the last movie you watched, and give a short review.
School of Rock (one of my favourite films ever). It’s always good to be reminded everyone has potential to be great, your parents don’t always know best, and most importantly to stick it to the man!!!!
What’s a motto that you think everyone should live by?
Be kind and always try to be a better person !!!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
What you bury, grows.
What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received?
“What’s meant for you will always come back.” It really won’t !! Go chase those opportunities, we won’t be here forever.
What’s your favorite song to play live right now and why?
My fave released song to play live is “shiloh type beat” just because lots of people know the words. It kind of gives me a breather whilst on stage and is nice to share a more lucid moment with the crowd and let them lead the direction of the song.
I’ve been trying out some unreleased songs that’ll be on my next EP, there’s one called “Altitude” that I played with my band at my headline show. It’s a kind of moody Sade/Mk.gee-type track, I really can’t wait for it to be recorded.
Describe the best show you’ve played this year so far.
Best show so far this year had to be my first-ever headline show. Was the first time I’d played with a full band and they were amazing, it brought my acoustic songs to life in a new way. The tickets also sold out in under a week which I did not expect! I wasn’t super happy with my vocal performance, but learnt soooo much about managing nerves and what to expect from more important shows.
What’s the best thing you’ve bought yourself recently and why?
A bottle of rosé. It’s been a long week!!!!!
What was the last creative idea you had that made you ask, “Can we do that?”
Not directly creative, but trying to get on the road to support Naomi Sharon on her EU tour. Finding the support to get on the road requires creative solutions and crazy budgeting skills (more than I imagined). Shout out my team for making it all possible.
