Jessica Johnson has a sound that deserves your ears attention. She's hot to, so take a good long look and remember her face. I have a feeling that you'll be seeing and hearing her for years to come.

Her vocals have been compared to R&B great Teena Marie... (Funny cause she kind of favors a young Teena Marie)

 Jessica didn't just pop into the music scene in DC.  She's been on her grind now for sometime.  Check the resume:

 WAMA Award nominee

Mercedes Benz Mix tape Artist

Billboard World Song Honorable Mention

National Anthem Performances for the Redskins

and countless interviews including WPGC95.5 & Pure Style Magazine

 I recently caught up with Jessica and had a chance to ask her a few questions about her music and her outlook on the DC music scene. 

DCMM: So Jessica, you've been at this music thing for a while now and I'm sure you have a story to tell.  But I have to ask you this first.  Who do you think should be President?

JJ: I don't care who it is, I just want someone who genuinely has the country's best interest at heart. 

 DCMM: I have to ask you: Indie or Mainstream, which is your focus?

JJ: MAINSTREAM

 DCMM: Speaking of mainstream, what record label is like your dream label to sign on with or do you have one in mind?

JJ: I don't really have a dream label.  I've had some very positive meetings with a few major labels, but I have to say that I got the best vibes from A&R's I met with at Universal and Hollywood.

 DCMM: What do you feel about the DC music scene

JJ: I think it's trying to get noticed and doing a good job, but the fact of the matter is that DC is the nation's capitol and it will always be known for politics more than music.

 DCMM: What songs of yours get the most feedback?

JJ: Definitely "Why?" and "Tell Me".  "Why?" was on the Mercedes Benz mixedtape and "Tell Me" is what landed my radio interview with WPGC, which in turn sparked all of the Teena Marie comparisons.

  DCMM: Do you perform live? and if so do you have a band or use background music?

JJ: I love performing live and with a band!  Nothing can compare to the energy and intensity of a band!  I have performed in the past to backing tracks, but it's just not the same!  I do shows here and there whenever they come up.  Right now I'm pretty focused on recording material to shop in hopes of landing a deal.  I always try to put my shows up my myspace though, so you just have to keep checking in on me!

  DCMM: Are there any new projects we should be on the lookout for?

JJ: Oh yes, I am working on some amazing music with a couple of people....Marquiesse who is an amazing songwriter, Quincy "Q" who is a ridiculous producer, Mario of PMG who has some great ears for harmony, Imotep who is another amazing producer, Kasey Bentley does a lot of my promotion and website design.....I have a great team of people supporting me!  I'm working with these people on some material that I've composed and written, as well as material from other writers and composers.  So far it's all sounding HOT!  Also, I'll have some music in rotation on the Mercedes Benz podcast on iTunes this fall.  I'm very excited about that!

 DCMM: So besides music what do you do for fun?

JJ: What is there besides music?  haha  I am very relaxed person, so fun for me is hanging out, having a glass of wine with friends and just enjoying life.

 DCMM: I read in your blog that people compared you to Teena Marie, but you didn't even know who she was until you got the comparison...lol....How do you feel about being compared to her?

JJ: Well, after doing my homework ;)I quickly realized that she is a musical legend and to be compared to her is a tremendous honor! 

DCMM: Have you ever been compared to anyone else in the business?

JJ: I've heard it all....Billie Holiday, Christina Aguilera, Ella Fitzgerald, Celine Dion, Heather Headley...haha!  It depends on what they hear me sing.  When I performed with the Washington Talent Agency I would sing a lot of Celine Dion and people often said that they thought I had a very similar tone....but only when I would sing her songs.  When you sing in a cover band, you become very good at manipulating your voice so that it can resemble the artist that you're singing....since that's what the people want to hear. 

DCMM: Okay so tell me, what’s your own self-prediction on where Jessica Johnson will be music-wise career wise in 2010?

JJ: Oh boy....pressure!!  Well, I HOPE that in 2010 DC Music and Models will have an autographed poster of me hanging on their wall and everyone will be saying...."We knew her before she made it so BIG!!!"  haha  :)

 DCMM: What advice do you have for other artists as far as getting into the music business?

JJ: My advice would be to educate yourself.  Talent alone is not enough, looks alone are not enough.  Not only do you have to be the "full package", you also have to know how to market yourself and the hardest part....wait your turn.  There's a long long line of people all trying to do the same thing that have been on the grind even longer then you!  Some are maybe not as talented, some perhaps more talented, but regardless, they are waiting for their moment to shine.  You have to prepare yourself in every way possible, mentally and physically, so that when your number finally does get pulled, you're ready!  This business is so incredibly difficult to break into and even when you do break in, you're still not guaranteed to succeed!  You just have to believe in your talent and pray!  Also, be aware of what you are getting yourself into.  As hard as I've worked already, I'm fully prepared to have to work a million times harder when I finally do get my deal!

 DCMM: You mentioned that you feel that most Labels are looking for artists that are pretty much ready to go; there really is no more “artist development”.  How does that affect you?

JJ: It means that I have to be an aggressive shameless marketing mogul, a hot body and pretty face with amazing photos, a ridiculous 4.5 octave voice and an articulate poet.  Then, I have to be a business mind on top of all that!  It's very hard.  I've had some many things fall through because I can't afford to pay a band to play a gig for me or lay a song down in the studio, or fly out to LA to work with Kelly Clarkson's songwriters.  It feels like I'm running in circles sometimes!  But, I know it will all come together.  I can feel everything starting to fall into place....thank God!  haha

Support Jessica, visit her site at www.jessicajohnson.net