From Student to Star: Jae Stephens Returns to Judge SoCal Beat Battle V
Jae Stephens is a star on the rise. She’s one of the judges for the Vocalist Category in the 5th Annual SoCal Beat Battle.
Jae Stephens and I met in 2015 when I started teaching the music technology class at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA). She made an immediate impression on me as a quintuple threat: she writes great songs, has an amazing voice, produces her own tracks, she’s a performer, and she’s really funny. I didn’t know at the time that she was Tumblr famous. Under the name “beyoncebeytwice,” she posted jokes, Beyonce stan content, and song covers, amassing over 200K followers. I only knew her as the already-bad-ass artist sitting in the back of the class making great music.
We all got a sneak peek of the star Jae was to become during Techworks, our music technology showcase. She commanded the stage singing an original production, bringing an electricity, vocal dexterity, and joy that lit up the room. I only taught her for one semester as I took over the class in January, but even just a day with Jae was enough to know that her powerful creative vision and wit were going to take her far.
Jae Stephens on stage in 2015 at LACHSA.
After graduating from LACHSA, Jae threw herself into music full-time, releasing her own stuff and writing for major artists including Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Sinéad Harnett, Jihyo, and many more. After years of sharing her talents with other artists, Jae made the brave decision to focus on herself, going all in on her career as an artist.
It’s worth noting as we’re in the heat of 5th Annual SoCal Beat Battle that Jae’s big break also came through a competition, the 2022 creator campaign for Issa Rae’s record label Raedio, in partnership with Google. She was one of two artists to win, leading to a joint signing with Raedio and Def Jam Recordings.
Jae with fellow Raedio signee Josh Levi and Issa Rae, the founder of Raedio.
Over the last two years, Jae has put out eight singles, two EPs, an album, and five music videos, she’s gone on her first tour, launched a podcast, and developed a loyal fanbase that follows her every move, dances to her music on TikTok, and buys her merch immediately. Safe to say, she is a star on the rise. She’s putting in serious work, but doing it with joy and jest. Her music is catchy, dancey, fun, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The songwriting is always rock-solid, the lyrics are clever and sing-a-long-ready, and the production immaculate.
Sellout II
The second installment of the Sellout EP series released in 2024 and 2025.
We are so lucky to have her back as a judge for the vocal category in the 5th Annual SoCal Beat Battle. As the competition heats up, we wanted to check in with her and profile this amazing YPG alum on the rise. Jae graciously took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions:
Lawrence Grey: What’s one thing students should know about starting a music career?
Jae Stephens: Always know who you are and what you stand for! Your identity and sense of self are so important, not just creatively but within the business as well. Remaining steadfast in your sound and your own vision for yourself will prevent you from being easily swayed in such a noisy industry. Never be afraid to reinvent yourself, but make sure it’s coming from you!
When you have the confidence to stand behind your choices as an artist, people that align with your vision will naturally find you.
LG: How do you protect your creativity while navigating the business side of being an artist?
JS: I think it’s important to A) educate yourself on the business as much as you can and B) never take the business side personally. You have to use both sides of your brain which can be hard as a creative, but it helps if you always remember to keep your best interests at heart; create freely to your own desires, and stay informed to protect yourself/your art.
Also important: if you’re not having fun, stop doing it!
LG: What are you looking for as a judge for the SoCal Beat Battle Vocalist Category?
JS: I’m listening for confidence! I want to hear artists with a fresh, original sound that invites me into their world and gives me a strong sense of who they are.
So there you have it, beat battlers: be true to yourself, learn as much as you can, and have fun doing it! Create a world that we want to step into, like Jae has done. If you do it with a clear vision, confidence, and consistency, you might win this year’s Beat Battle and find your big break too.
Click here for the SoCal Beat Battle V submission form. The submission window closes at are open until April 17, 2026 at 11:59pm. Rules, regulations, and resources can be found on the SoCal Beat Battle homepage.
Jae Stephens crowning Molly Sierra as the first place winner of the Vocalist Category in the 2023 SoCal Beat Battle.
We see her knowing and believing in herself in this quote from a Paper Magazine interview:
“My version of pop is always going to have a sprinkle of R&B in it, because that's what I grew up on. I think my voice lends itself to that very well. The beauty of being a Black girl is that we can pull off both. There is a world where you can have both. I feel like we are encouraged to pursue one more than the other. This is me kind of stepping over that line.”
Jae is an authentic artist and entertainer. No matter whether she’s writing, singing, producing, or performing a song, she does so in a way that is uniquely her own: tongue-in-cheek and full of spirit.
Her fans call themselves Jae Baes. Click through on the links below and you too shall soon become a Jae Bae.
Music | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
If Southern California students want their music heard by the great Jae Stephens, all they need to do is submit music to the Vocalist Category for the SoCal Beat Battle before 11:59pm on April 17, 2026.
