For Just Rae, music has never been something she simply discovered later in life. It has been part of her story since she was a child. Growing up on the North Side of Chicago with her older sister, Just Rae was shaped by the people, culture, and energy around her, especially in Evanston, or “the Town” as she calls it.
Evanston played a major role in shaping both the person and artist she is today. Growing up in such a diverse community exposed her to different cultures, personalities, styles, and sounds. Those experiences became part of her foundation and continue to show up in her music.
Her connection to music started as early as three years old when she began singing in church. Some of her earliest memories are connected to music and performing onstage, giving her a love for singing that would continue to grow as she did.
By the time she was 10, Just Rae was already stepping onto larger stages. She became the runner-up in the “Showtime at the Apollo” competition at Navy Pier in Chicago, an experience that gave her an early taste of performing in front of a larger audience and showed her just how much she enjoyed connecting with people through music.
What started as something she loved eventually became much more than that. As Just Rae got older, music became one of her main forms of expression. It became a way to communicate feelings, experiences, and different sides of herself that words alone couldn’t always capture.
Growing up, she listened to a wide range of artists who helped shape her understanding of music. Lauryn Hill, Xscape, Brandy, Luther Vandross, India Arie, Christina Aguilera, Michael Jackson, New Edition, Dolly Parton, and Teena Marie were all part of her musical upbringing.
Each artist brought something different to the table, but they all had one thing in common: a distinct identity. Soul, emotion, storytelling, and real vocals were at the center of the music she gravitated toward. Being exposed to so many different sounds helped Just Rae understand early on that she didn’t have to fit herself into one specific box.
That mindset continues to define her artistry today.
Just Rae describes her sound as soulful and versatile, with influences from different cultures and musical styles. Growing up around Chicago exposed her to everything from R&B and soul to old-school sounds, and she carries those influences with her while continuing to develop her own identity.
She wants the freedom to experiment and evolve without losing the qualities that make her Just Rae. No matter where the music takes her, there will always be a little Chicago flavor in what she creates.
While she has recorded in different places throughout her journey, she has more recently been creating and recording in Atlanta. Still, Evanston remains the foundation of her musical story. It’s where the experiences that helped shape her creatively first took place.
Some of her favorite memories from growing up include spending time at Robert Crown and Penny Park. But for Just Rae, it was never necessarily about one specific location. A lot of her childhood was simply about being outside, being around people, and experiencing everything Evanston had to offer.
The Town has its own culture and personality, and growing up in that environment gave her memories and experiences she still carries with her today.
Now, Just Rae is entering another chapter with her latest release, “Come Get It.”
The record taps into a nostalgic R&B feeling while still bringing her own personality and sound to the music. It’s a feel-good record made for different settings — whether you’re riding in the car, at the club, at a party, at a BBQ, or simply looking for something to vibe to.
For Just Rae, “Come Get It” represents where she is right now as an artist. She’s embracing the sounds that influenced her while continuing to discover exactly what her own sound can become.
And she’s not stopping there.
With more music already on the way, Just Rae is exploring new sounds and ideas that will allow listeners to hear even more sides of her artistry. “Come Get It” is only a glimpse of what she has coming next.
Through every chapter, Just Rae remains grateful for the people who have helped her along the way. First and foremost, she gives all glory to God, whose presence and direction have become an even bigger part of her life and journey.
She also gives love to her family and close friends who have supported her, encouraged her, shared her music, and continued to believe in what she is building.
