Jada (group)
| Company type | Vocal ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | American pop and R&B music |
Jada was a female vocal ensemble from Boston, Massachusetts, specializing in American pop and R&B. Their signature sound fused elements of pop, soul, dance, and R&B, enriched with gospel-inspired harmonies. In October 2006, they secured a contract with Universal Motown Records under the leadership of president Sylvia Rhone. At the 2008 Boston Music Awards, Jada earned the accolade for "Outstanding Pop/R&B Music Act of the Year" and were represented by Laura Poulin Management/Bristol Entertainment.
Under the Universal Motown label, Jada debuted their major single "American Cowboy" in spring 2009, a track penned and produced by Akon and RedOne. This was succeeded by "Break Up Song" in fall 2009, crafted by producers and writers Wayne Wilkins, Andrew Frampton, and Savan Kotecha. Their song "Model That" gained exposure through MTV's The City, while "American Cowboy" was featured on Fox’s drama House.
On October 4, 2011, Jada unveiled the single and accompanying music video for "This Party's on Fire," written and produced by Rio with direction by Vassili Shields. Their most recent EP, Supersonique, released January 24, 2011, included five original tracks alongside two remixes. The collection featured songs such as "Supersonique," "This Party's on Fire," "Mercy Killing," "Can't Let Go," and "Goodbye."
Life and career
Jada has since disbanded.
Early years
In January 2006, Jada collaborated in New York with Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter Toby Gad—recognized for work with Fergie, Beyoncé, and Natasha Bedingfield—to co-write the ballad "Is It Love". The group engaged with top-tier producers across the country including RedOne, Akon, Danja, Wyclef Jean, Swizz Beatz, and J.R. Rotem. Additionally, they teamed up with Jordan Omley of The Jam (known for Leona Lewis and Jennifer Hudson) on tracks such as "The Problem with Love" and "Hold On". UK-based producers Wayne Wilkins, Andrew Frampton, and Savan Kotecha contributed to songs like "Break Up Song" and "Play a Playa," while Sturken & Rodgers—who have worked with Christina Aguilera and Rihanna—produced the track "Shattered". Later in their career, Jada co-wrote "Can't Let Go" alongside Ric Poulin. The group signed with Universal Motown in 2006.
Their track "I'm That Chick," produced by J.R. Rotem, appeared on the soundtrack for Bring It On: In It to Win It in late 2007. In 2008, they shared the stage with R&B artist JoJo at the Ultimate Prom event. That same year saw The Clutch and producer Danja create the song "Denial," which Jada performed live on NECN.
At the 2008 Boston Music Awards, Jada received recognition as the "Outstanding Pop/R&B Music Act of the Year." The Boston Phoenix commended them as genuine artists who surpassed manufactured groups like Destiny's Child.
In 2008, working with producer RedOne at their Bristol Recording Studios located in Boston, they recorded "Model That" along with their debut single "American Cowboy," co-written and produced by Akon. Released digitally via iTunes on March 31, this single was supported by a nationwide Top 40 radio promotional tour. The music video directed by Ray Kay (noted for Lady Gaga’s videos) premiered on April 25. Their follow-up single "Break Up Song," crafted by Wayne Wilkins, Andrew Frampton, and Savan Kotecha, launched to Top 40 radio stations and digital outlets in September 2009. This same production team was behind the track "Model That," which was featured on MTV’s The City on November 17, 2009.
Throughout their promotional tours for both "American Cowboy" and "Break Up Song," Jada performed visits to prominent Top 40 stations including KIIS LA; WXKS KISS 108 Boston; WKSE Buffalo; WBHT Wilkes-Barre; WIOQ Philadelphia; WKCI KC101.3 New Haven; KWNZ Reno; and WWHT Syracuse.
Recent Activities
In 2010, Jada showcased their talent at the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) conventions held in Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Their track "This Party's on Fire" received airtime on Boston’s Top 40 station KISS 108. Additionally, they performed the national anthem at prominent sporting events such as the 2010 NBA Playoffs featuring the Boston Celtics and the HBO Welterweight Boxing Championship at Madison Square Garden. Their presence was also noted at the Boston Nightlife Awards and during the Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony.
That same year, their song "American Cowboy" was featured in an episode of Fox's House aired in April. Jada also appeared live at the widely broadcast wedding of Cynthia Bailey and Peter Thomas from Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta season 3.
In 2011, Jada took on roles as celebrity judges for Hard Rock Cafe’s Battle of the Bands, an event supporting Ernie Boch Jr.'s Music Drives Us Foundation. They performed at the New England Urban Music Awards and made a live appearance on Fox Providence’s program "The Rhode Show." October of that year saw the release of a fresh single accompanied by a music video for "This Party's on Fire."
January 2012 marked the debut of their five-track EP Supersonique, which included songs like "Supersonique," "This Party's on Fire," along with remixed versions. Later that year, in November, Jada contributed "Stop My Heart" to Jay Dabhi’s album The WeekEND, released through Soltrenz Records/Strictly Rhythm.
Individual members have also ventured into solo endeavors: Jacyn performs with Venus Mars Project, a rock duo based in Salem. April launched her single "Believe" in March 2015, followed by her album Electric Love in March 2017, and currently lends her vocals to Northeastern country band Sage and Whiskey.
Musical Style and Inspirations
Jada is celebrated for their fusion of pop, soul, dance, and R&B enriched with gospel-inspired vocal harmonies. Each member contributes unique influences: Jacyn leans toward pop and rock artists such as Pink and Paramore; April integrates hip-hop and urban elements influenced by T.I. and Timbaland; Lauren draws inspiration from Philadelphia’s neo-soul scene including artists like Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild; Elle’s musical tastes cover a spectrum from Rascal Flatts and John Legend to Lady Gaga.
Live Performances
Jada has an extensive performance history across fairs, festivals, concerts, college venues, and televised programs nationwide. They have shared stages with prominent acts including The Black Eyed Peas, Ciara, Akon, Sean Kingston, Boyz II Men, JoJo, Ashanti, Flo Rida, All American Rejects, Plain White T's, Jesse McCartney, Soulja Boy, Hall and Oates, Susan Tedeschi, and The Rascals. Their touring experience encompasses Simon Mall’s D'Tour Live, the Radio Disney Summer Concert Series, as well as multiple national radio concert tours throughout 2009.
Among their distinguished performances are renditions of the national anthem at Gillette Stadium for New England Patriots games; Fenway Park during Boston Red Sox events; TD Garden for Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs from 2008 to 2010; Boston Bruins matches; and the 2010 HBO Welterweight Boxing Championship at Madison Square Garden. Additional appearances include engagements at Teen Vogue and Seventeen Magazine events, Disney Pleasure Island attractions, Six Flags parks, Hersheypark festivities, Hard Rock Cafe venues, Radio Disney shows, Boston Nightlife Awards, Boston Music Awards ceremonies, Miami Winter Music Conference gatherings, the Viper Room during Grammy Awards’ Open House Parties, NACA conferences, and Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta (season 3).
Media appearances
- Fox Broadcasting Company's series House (TV Series)
Jada's initial single, "American Cowboy," composed and produced by Akon and RedOne, was showcased in the April 27, 2010 installment of Fox's House Season 5, Episode 22 titled 'House Divided,' approximately half an hour into the episode.
- MTV's program The City (MTV series)
The track "Model That" was featured during the November 17, 2009 episode of MTV's The City, Season 1, Episode 121 entitled 'Forget About Boys.'
- John Garabedian's "Open House Party"
Jada delivered a live performance at The Viper Room coinciding with the 47th Annual Grammy Awards for John Garabedian's radio show, "Open House Party."
- Interviews and appearances on Top 40 radio stations:
Stations in the East region include WXKS KISS108 (Boston), WFHN (New Bedford), WKCI (New Haven), WFLY, WKKF (Albany), WWHT (Syracuse), WPXY, WKGS (Rochester), WKSE (Buffalo), WBHT, WKRZ (Wilkes-Barre), WHKF (Harrisburg), and WSTW (Wilmington).
Western stations encompass KIIS (Los Angeles), KDND (Sacramento), KSXY (Santa Rosa), KWYL 102.9 (Reno), KHOP 95.1 (Modesto), KWNZ 93.7 (Reno), KHTS (San Diego), KZZP (Phoenix), KRQQ (Tucson), Denver markets (KSME, KKMG, KVUU, KPTT, KONN), and Salt Lake City outlets (KZHT, KYMV, KUDD).
Southern locations include stations such as WFLZ (Tampa), WXXL (Orlando), WBVD (Melbourne), Miami-based stations (WHYI, WPOW), Pittsburgh broadcasters (WBZW, WKST), along with others covering Ohio (WAKS, WNCI) and Kentucky (WDJX, WZKF) territories.
Non-profit organization affiliations
Jada held the distinction of being the inaugural Ambassador for the Music Drives Us Foundation, established by Ernie Boch Jr., serving as a guest judge at the Hard Rock Cafe Battle of the Bands events in both 2010 and 2011.
Singles
- 2007: I'm that Chick
- 2009: American Cowboy
- 2009: Break Up Song
- 2011: This Party's on Fire
- 2012: Supersonique
- 2012: Mercy Killing
- 2012: Can't Let Go
- 2012: Goodbye
Additional tracks
- 2008: Is It Love
- 2008: Denial
- 2008: Girl Just Do Your Thing
- 2008: If You Wanna
- 2008: Kiss and Tell
- 2009: Play a Playa
- 2009: Shattered
- 2009: Model That
- 2009: The Problem with Love
Music videos
| Year | Song | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | American Cowboy | Ray Kay |
| 2011 | This Party's On Fire | Vassili Shields |
Awards
| Year | Presenter | Award | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Boston Music Awards | Outstanding Pop/R&B Act Of The Year | Won |