Member Since: 10/5/2006
Band Members: The Story .
Born of two Korean-American immigrants, Jinna seemed like just another member of the generation falling avictim to clashing cultures. Attempting to assimilate into American culture in Norfolk, Virginia was not as easy when the culture at home was so predominant. However, Jinna grew up defacing the typical definition of stereotypical, especially in her own culture.
"I was never the pretty girl growing up. Pretty in the Korean culture was being thin with long, straight black hair, pale skin and big eyes. I never had that. I'm still not that. I tried so hard trying to fit into my own culture, but was always told I needed to change. I finally woke up one morning and said, 'f-ck it! I like me, and I don't care what anyone thinks.'"
When one examines the movers and shakers in societies who made their own way in history, they were usually just that- different.
Following in the footsteps of the great, Jinna is truly an icon in the making. After all, it's not that hard when one automatically stands out from the crowd.
"I've always been different. It was hard when I was younger because I never had a group to belong to. Everyone told me I was trying to be someone else, when I was actually being myself."
This early independence only paved the way to become comfortable leading the masses instead of following the rest.
Her passion for music was discovered at a young age. She began playing the piano at the young age of five, becoming heavily trained in classical music. Being a free spirit, her love of singing pushed her to pull away from the rigid routine. She dabbled in other instruments including the guitar, drums and violin, but it was her love for hip hop and r&b that led her to discover her own fire and find her true voice.
"It's funny because before I would go on stage, I'd look around at the faces in the audience. People would get up and leave when I'd come on stage because they'd expect some bullsh-t. They'd roll their eyes or go to the bar to re-up on drinks. It's the best feeling when I see their faces after I perform. They switch up so quick, mostly because of surprise and disbelief."
Music is her first love, but Jinna has set out to do more than just that.
"Music is something that I love, but I am going to BRAND myself in every avenue I can. Think Oprah, Trump, Coca-Cola...Q-tip, even. Anything I put my name on will sell. Anything. A CD, magazine, TV show, shower curtain, color, school, whatever. It will sell."
Jinna is currently a junior at Virginia Tech, the school that underwent the massacre two years ago. She is a Communication major concentrating in Public Relations, and minoring in Business Marketing.
"I put people together. I've been doing it all my life. I meet people, build and maintain mutually beneficial business relationships. Public Relations is the bridge of the gap between an organization and its publics, the PEOPLE. I understand people and know what they want. Businesses offer products and services to people, but who run the businesses? It's simple. People are dealing with people, and you have to understand both the businesses owner and the consumer to get far."
A formal education at a prestigious university will only make it easier for Jinna to accomplish her long list of goals. The brand has already grown on the Virginia Tech campus.
While at Virginia Tech, Jinna has performed at numerous student-sponsored events. She performs the national anthem regularly for the ACC sporting events. Jinna had the coveted opportunity to perform for the New York Yankees when they came for a spring exhibition game against the Virginia Tech baseball team, which was broadcasted live on the YES network, on MLB.com and throughout the entire SW region of Virginia on WDBG-Roanoke News.
Jinna has her own entertainment segment on the student-run television show "Cutting Edge." She is a regular anchor, researching and writing her own scripts. Her wit and sly humor shine while she covers the latest and greatest in celebrity news.
She is also a weekly anchor on Virginia Tech's student-run weekly news web Site www.planetblacksburg.com. She researches, writes and edits her own news stories to deliver local and national news to the student body and surrounding residents.
Her immaculate attention to grammatical detail perfects her writing of not only song lyrics, but also scripts, editorials and papers.
"TV is easy for me. Just put me on camera. I'll take care of the rest."
A true personality, reading from a teleprompter won't do Jinna justice. Her personality and charm will spice up any event, DVD feature, or interview.
Jinna has also branded herself as a true FASHIONISTA. She got her first taste as a stylist while helping Bad Boy artists Donnie Klang and Day 26 on the Making The Band Tour.
"Fashion was actually the last thing on my mind. I always thought music, TV, then school. Then people kept telling me to get into fashion. I was kind of like... 'Why not? I guess I style myself everyday anyway...'"
Her style is often imitated but never truly duplicated. Her ability to place pieces together, keep vibrant colors from clashing, while playing with patterns is unparalleled.
"I can step out of some mean stilhettos and into some crazy dunks anyday. I'll still make it work."
The fashion industry is just another avenue that Jinna has yet to take over. She is planning on going to law school to open up her own consulting/PR firm, as well as acting, opening up her own record label, building schools and libraries in lower-income neighborhoods, and becoming a philanthropist to help underpriveleged children.
Jinna can transform a pictureless song into a soundtrack by putting a visual using video-editing software. She taught herself how to record her own music as well as edit using ProTools software. She is also a freelance make-up artist who has done make-up for numerous photo shoots. Her vision and love for photography always ensures a priceless photo.
Her inspiration?
"My family. Everything I do I need to do because I am indebted to them for what they've done to give me the opportunities I have now. My father is the epitome of a HUSTLER. Try making a life for yourself at the age of 17 with no car, no house, no friends, no job, no source of income, and two parents to care for who can't speak a lick of the hardest language in the world.
Struggle sustained his strength; THE STREETS MADE HIM A SCHOLAR.
I could never repay my grandparents & my father for what he went through to raise and protect me. They spent the majority of their life struggling so I could have a better one. My plans for prosperity are built for their ease.
Before my eminence supplies my Bentley Coupe and diamond tennis chains, my grandparents will be on a yacht sipping on iced Coronas in the Caribbean. My father and his angel for a wife will become full-time tourists fastened to first-class seats. My brother will be the end of Tiger Woods. My baby stepsister will relish the incomparable ecstasy of having a devoted mother.
I grind so my family won't have to."
Influences: The Sound .
"I'm a young girl with an old soul."
This soultry voice can't be compared with any other singer in history. This is not only because of the lyrical flow and soulful emotion, but also because of this kind of sound coming out of the mouth of a young Korean girl from Virginia.
Jinna's sound can range from neo-soul, r&b, blues, jazz, lyrical all the way to ballad and acoustic.
Sounds Like: For collaboration contact, please e-mail [email protected]
Type of Label: None