JENNIE stops by our studios in Los Angeles to talk with Bru about the making of ‘Ruby,’ her upcoming Coachella performance, and more.
Category
🎵
MusicTranscript
00:00You trained six years to be in Blackpink and now putting out your first solo project.
00:05How was the preparation different for you this time around?
00:09Wow, if it's easier, like nothing was the same.
00:15I felt like I was learning everything for the first time.
00:18But really, it's the responsibility of understanding that everything is on you and this is you sharing yourself.
00:30Hello, Jenny. It is so nice to meet you.
00:34Hello, hello. Welcome to the studio.
00:36Thank you for stopping by and congratulations on all the news, the announcements.
00:41Congrats on Ruby.
00:44Coachella.
00:45Coachella?
00:46Sorry, it's the L.A. accent. It's wearing on me.
00:50So many fun things happening and I can't wait to dive into a bunch of it with you.
00:54Gotta start with like Jenny.
00:56Everyone wants to be like Jenny.
00:57No.
00:58Yeah.
00:59It's like, no.
01:00Has that been such a surprise to see how like massive it's gotten just right when your album comes out?
01:05It's crazy.
01:06I was just saying even today, I was like, wow, I'm just so amazed at how the song is doing and how everyone's reacting to the song.
01:14It's definitely not what I expected.
01:16I didn't probably know what to expect, but yeah, I'm glad.
01:21Because when you put it out, you're not thinking like, oh, I think that song is going to do well or that song is.
01:25It's just kind of nice to see the fans, you know, blow it up.
01:28When you scroll on social media, are you seeing like your own song?
01:32Is it coming up?
01:32I am.
01:33I am.
01:34Is that trippy?
01:35Yeah, I don't enjoy it.
01:37No?
01:37I mean, it's cool.
01:40But then like if it keeps happening, it's like you hear yourself so many times and you're like, ah.
01:45If I hear myself, my voice, oh, it's the same thing.
01:48I know exactly what you're talking about.
01:50And your rapping is so good.
01:53It's been so fun to see like your journey and development.
01:56How do you think your sounds evolved in like your own project for the first time as well?
02:01Um, I've noticed that I didn't realize how many genres and different type of sounds that I wanted to tap into before I worked on this album.
02:16And, you know, I'm finding myself really as I'm going, I'm learning how to rap for the first time almost, how to sing for the first time.
02:25Because I've never, like in a good way, I've never been able to really focus on only on myself.
02:34I've always had the girls with me, you know, I've always had other things happening around me.
02:39But for this, for this album, I got to really sit down and explore different voices and sounds.
02:47Um, and it was great.
02:49So I'm looking into, I'm going to look into it and find out more about who and what kind of sound that I want to like hold on to.
02:59So you're getting to experiment a little bit.
03:02Is your confidence and like comfort level at like an all time high for making music?
03:05No, I feel like I need more time in the studio for me to feel that way.
03:11But I think it was a great start.
03:13And I've met so many amazing people on the way to and they've inspired me in a way that I was able to finish this album.
03:24So I can't wait to get back and, you know, get into it more.
03:29Do you feel like a workaholic a little bit?
03:31Like you just love to keep working?
03:33You know what though?
03:34It's not all work that I love.
03:36So I don't consider myself as an alcoholic.
03:39Wait, do I?
03:41You have to ask for a little bit.
03:44Oh man, well this album, so many fun collabs.
03:46Congratulations on all these friends that are hopping on the project.
03:49I know.
03:50You and Dua Lipa sound so good together.
03:52Our voices though.
03:54I love it too.
03:55I love our voices together.
03:57I loved hearing that song.
03:57I remember it for the first time and it's like a perfect peanut butter jelly sandwich, you know?
04:01Or like when you get the right amount of coffee creamer in your coffee, it's like flows so well together.
04:06Such a sweet compliment.
04:08I appreciate that.
04:08I was so curious about like, you guys have been friends for a little bit too.
04:12What have you learned from just your friendship with her?
04:14She's such a caring person in general and we used to like do dinners and we would meet at parties and every time she's always like making sure if I'm good and happy and healthy is everything good around you.
04:28So she's someone that's always made sure that I feel, you know, I'm feeling good.
04:32So to have her work on a song on this album, she, it's like a great, it's like having a great friend at work with you, you know?
04:43Like what more can I ask for?
04:45She's supportive and she's obviously giving, sharing her beautiful voice with me on this album.
04:53Like, I'm just so happy and it was a great day when we had the shoot.
04:57It felt like we were just out in New York in the cold wearing crazy outfits, just jamming to a song.
05:02That's so fun.
05:03She really is like a comfort human, right?
05:05Like your comfort support human.
05:07She just has that presence about her and she's got to be one of them for you.
05:11But being honored coming up at Billboards, Women in Music, you're one of the global forces for 2025.
05:16That sounds so cool.
05:17So, obviously, you know, your mom is such an important figure in your life.
05:22But what about some other women that have inspired you and helped shape your journey?
05:25On my team, there's so many strong women or I have so many strong women around me that are really in every step of the way that I'm in.
05:37So to have that bond to always kind of shows, taught me a way to respect them.
05:45And I'll always be learning from people around me.
05:51So to be that person for somebody else would be, you know, an honor.
06:00And, you know, I want to do well and take care of this honor.
06:04Of course.
06:05Yeah.
06:05Do you see yourself doing that at all?
06:07Where, like, maybe you'll meet a younger artist and be able to offer that up to them a little bit?
06:11Not just yet.
06:13Not quite.
06:13Because also I'm a very shy person.
06:16But I think, like, over time I'll get used to, you know, sharing whatever I've learned and experienced over the years with anyone who has questions or who wants to just talk.
06:28Absolutely.
06:29There's so many statements in this album.
06:31But what would you say is, like, a motto you're living by right now?
06:35So to be present, like, that's what I tell myself every day.
06:41To just enjoy what's in front of you and see what's in front of you, not something that was in your past or something that's going to happen.
06:51Just, like, try to embrace everything that goes around in your day.
06:56And it could be, like, the smallest things, too.
06:58So to live in the present.
07:00Yeah.
07:01I mean, that's a good one.
07:01That's tough, too.
07:02Yeah, and it really, yeah, you've got to put some effort into it.
07:06Yeah, and time just flies, you know?
07:08I mean, you trained six years to be in Blackpink.
07:11And now putting out your first solo project, how was the preparation different for you this time around?
07:17Wow.
07:18If it's easier, like, nothing was the same.
07:23I felt like I was learning everything for the first time.
07:26But really, it's the responsibility of, like, understanding that everything is on you and this is you sharing yourself.
07:37So really having that in the back of your mind all the time is, that was a different work process for me from before.
07:46Absolutely.
07:46Well, we're looking forward to Coachella.
07:48I'm so excited to see you.
07:49I'll be out there.
07:50Oh, really?
07:50You're getting ready for your, yeah, your first solo debut, which has got to be so exciting.
07:54What are the feelings?
07:55Like, what's going on internally?
07:57Internally, only excitement.
07:59Pure joy.
08:00Of course.
08:00And in the physical world, there's still a lot that I need to get done before it.
08:07But, you know, really, for the first time, I'm just excited.
08:12Excited.
08:13And I feel I'm going to have a great time.
08:16So I hope to anyone who comes to watch my show will have a great time, too.
08:21I'm sure they will.
08:22Can't wait to see it.
08:23And you're obviously a fashion icon.
08:24I think I can say that.
08:26Aw, thank you.
08:26Yeah, I was going to say it.
08:28Take cameras.
08:29Um, let's build the perfect festival outfit.
08:32Like, have you gone to some and enjoyed?
08:33Like, what should people, the vision for Coachella?
08:36And if you're at your set, what should they be rocking?
08:39I'm, like, a comfort person.
08:42So I need, like, comfortable pants and shoes to begin with.
08:47Shoes are huge.
08:48Yeah.
08:49And for me, it's always about wearing something cute on top to make it a little bit more Coachella-esque.
08:56Which is, like, something that I normally wouldn't wear because I'm never in that weather, first of all.
09:02Yeah.
09:03I'm never always in the desert.
09:05So, um, yeah.
09:06It's been changing over time, too.
09:09But I think just throw on some packaging and a cute top.
09:13Yeah.
09:13It's about the memes.
09:14It's not always about the fit.
09:15Because I see some people, you walk a marathon, basically, and they're in heels.
09:19Exactly.
09:20Exactly.
09:21Those people are the toughest people in America.
09:22I don't know how they do it.
09:23Give them all the credit.
09:24I'm wearing hokas just trying to make it through.
09:26But, well, Jenny Ruby Jane is such a fun name.
09:29This rolls right off the tongue.
09:31Yes.
09:31It's just fun to say.
09:34And I'm curious, when it comes to names like that, like, are you a creative person in terms
09:38of, in your phone, having a list of names for, like, future pets, songs, album stuff?
09:44Yes.
09:44Are you?
09:44I think I'm, like, an over-note person.
09:52Yeah.
09:52So, I just write a lot of things down.
09:55And I've realized that it helps in time.
09:57Like, you know, I didn't realize the things that I've written in my notes were going to
10:02be a part of this album.
10:03Like, I wrote something probably, like, years ago feeling stupid.
10:08And, you know, I look back and I'm like, oh, I remember the time I did this.
10:11And then it becomes one of your work, like, art and the whole circle.
10:16So, I always like to write things down and note everything in case.
10:21Well, in case I forget.
10:23But it helps in time.
10:25Yeah.
10:25Are you a big to-do list person?
10:27You've got to write it out to make sure you have checklist stuff to come that way, too?
10:31Yes and no.
10:32Like, I get super lazy when I'm working a lot.
10:38But, so, these days I'm not really a to-do person.
10:42I don't keep a list and I don't want to know what I have to do in a day.
10:47It's daunting, you know?
10:48And you feel bad if you don't check it off.
10:50Exactly.
10:50And you're like, oh, it's too much.
10:51Too much pressure on the notes app.
10:53But, well, one of my last questions for you about the album is zen.
10:57It really feels like the core of the project.
10:59Especially, you know, the lyric, in the dark I grew.
11:01What to you, though, are you most proud of from this project?
11:04Like, it's literally the line that you said.
11:07Like, I feel like I grew in the dark.
11:11So, to be able to have broken through that wall of my fear and everything that was keeping me on the other side,
11:21I finally opened my curtains and I'm out there.
11:24So, that's got to be the most proudest thing.
11:28I love it.
11:29I'm happy for you.
11:30Congratulations on all the success.
11:32Thank you so much.
11:32Love the music.
11:33So fun to have you here in person.
11:35Can't wait to see a Coachella.
11:37And I don't know why I keep saying it like that.
11:39It's going to be in my ears.
11:41There you go.
11:42Right in the notes app.
11:43Jenny, thank you so much for the time and for stopping by.
11:45I really appreciate it.
11:46Thank you for having me.