About Me
Jeanine Strong aka JiJi’s first and only piano teacher put it best when she said: “My other students will always be good, but Jeanine~ she has the music in her!†That was 15 years ago in Van Nuys, California when Jeanine was just a child. She could only afford piano lessons for 2 years and was unable to get formal vocal training, but she loved to sing and play music anyway. Jeanine definitely inherited the creative gene from her Grandmother, who is an amazing singer, pianist, and painter.
Even though music has always been Jeanine’s ultimate passion in life, she thought it was important to receive a college education before pursuing her music career, so she decided to go to design school. Jeanine attended 3 colleges and received a Certificate in Fashion Design, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. During her college years, Jeanine could not avoid the music; it followed her wherever she went. She formed her first all-girl band at the age of 19. The all-girl band, Clover, consisted of five, 19 year old girls who harmonized over two acoustic guitars. This experience only added to Jeanine’s ambition and drive to tour the world as a famous singer, but realizing how difficult it was too keep a band together at that age, the band broke up.
Jeanine continued with her college courses and was fortunate to meet her producer & partner Mike Corvington (aka DJ Leviathan) during their last year of school in 2004. Together they made a great team with Mike writing and producing all the music and Jeanine writing all the lyrics and melodies. Together they were able to create the unique sound that is Jeanine Strong's signature style: Urban Melodic Soul. Mike is a talented musician who plays everything from the guitar, keys, bass, and drums to turn tables as well.
Urban Melodic Soul is a mixture of all of Jeanine's major influences starting from Motown and Oldies like The Supremes and Marvin Gaye, to Classic Rock like Janis Joplin, The Mamas and the Papas, and The Doors, to her childhood idols like Madonna, Blondie, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston, and today with artists like Sade, Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Norah Jones, Gwen Stefani, Fergie, and Nelly Furtado.
Jeanine is considered a triple threat of talent, beauty, and intelligence ready to take on the world as the next music/fashion icon. Jeanine is an extraordinary singer/songwriter that will be known worldwide for her unique voice. Her message is positive, uplifting, and means something to everyone. People of all ages, young and old, love her music because she pours her heart and soul into her lyrics and sings with sincerity, strength, and wisdom beyond her years. It seems as if all along Jeanine's life she has been cosmically pushed in the direction of music. She is only truly happy when singing and performing. Jeanine's ultimate goal is to SAVE THE WORLD THRU MUSIC, by sharing her message and spreading truth, love, and light across the globe. She is also committed to supporting charities and valuable causes for women's and children's rights, animal rights, and environmental/world issues.
In the Summer of 2006, after writing and recording new material, Jeanine started performing live at well-known venues all over Los Angeles. Her most successful performance at BB Kings Universal was filmed and broadcast live to 71 countries around the world. Jeanine is keeping up with the momentum of performing live and building her fan base both nationally and internationally. Currently she is focusing on the pre-production of her first album "Peacock Daze", while building a strong team to take her music to the next level.
Listen to the dynamic and vibrant songs that comprise "Peacock Daze"~ from the very personal and heartfelt "Hope You Know" to the carefree and catchy first single "Move On". The playful dance track "Don't Be a Fool" and edgy remix of "On My Way", are just a taste of whats to come. Jeanine can be seen performing live every Friday night at “Urban Underground†located at the Airliner (2419 N Broadway LA CA 90031).
JEANINE STRONG aka JIJI IS CO-OWNER OF URBAN BEAT PRODUCTIONS(UBP), AN L.A. BASED MULTI-FACETED PRODUCTION COMPANY FOCUSED ON AMPLIFYING LIFE THRU MUSIC, ART, AND PERFORMANCE.
UBP PROVIDES ARTISTS WITH A WELL-ESTABLISHED PRODUCER, A STUDIO TO WRITE & RECORD IN, PRESS KIT PRODUCTION, ADVERTISING & PROMOTIONS, VENUES TO PERFORM AT, FILM & MUSIC VIDEO PRODUCTION, AND MERCHANDISE.
JIJI IS URBAN BEAT'S DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & PROMOTIONS. SHE ORGANIZES AND RUNS UBP'S WEEKLY "URBAN UNDERGROUND" EVENT, BOOKING ALL THE ARTISTS AND CO-HOSTING EACH EVENT. "URBAN UNDERGROUND" IS A WEEKLY INVASION OF URBAN MUSIC AND ART FEATURING 2 STAGES OF SOUND IN THE GENRES OF HIP-HOP, RAP, REGGAE, FUNK, AND SOUL ALONG WITH RESIDENT DJS: LEVIATHAN, DJ LORD RON, DJ SOUL LIFE & AC THE PD SPINNING AN ECLECTIC MIX OF HIP-HOP, DANCEHALL, DUB, ROOTS, JUNGLE, AND MORE
"URBAN UNDERGROUND" IS SPONSORED BY TEMPLE EFFECTIVES CLOTHING, PROVIDING FASHION SHOWS AND FREE GIVEAWAYS. THIS EVENT ALSO INCLUDES VISUAL ART DISPLAYS BY LOCAL ARTISTS, B BOY BATTLES, MC BATTLES, AND OPEN MIC FOR ASPIRING MCs.
"URBAN UNDERGROUND" GOES DOWN EACH AND EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE AIRLINER (LOCATED AT 2419 N BROADWAY AVE LA CA 90031) $15 AT THE DOOR, $10 PRESALE. 18 & OVER WITH VALID I.D. ONLY!!! DOORS AT 8PM. OPEN MIC SIGN UP AT 8PM SHARP!!
PRESALE TIX CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE AT http://www.groovetickets.com
5.6.06 @ The Mint
