Jasley: "I try to bring authenticity to the Italian urban scene" Interview with the singer of "+252"

With +252, Jasley returns to explore the most intimate territory of her identity, weaving roots, memory, and voice into an act of subtraction that becomes revelation. A track that seeks the essential line through which to name what remains, what calls, what returns: here’s everything she revealed to us in this interview.

Interview with Jasley

Your new single is titled "+252". Why did you choose "+252" as the title? What symbolic value does this prefix hold in your personal story?

+252 is the country code of Somalia, the land of my origins. Even though I was born and raised in Milan, that number represents my roots, the part of me that has never detached from our history. I chose it because, for me, it is a symbol of belonging: a bridge between my life here and everything that shaped me, even from a distance.

"+252" directly references your Somali roots. What does this prefix mean to you? Is it a call to someone, to a place, or to a part of yourself?

For me, +252 is a call to all of that: to a place, to a person, and to a part of me that I do not want to lose. Within that number lies my mother’s dream: she always wished to have a home there, to return to her roots in a concrete way, not just through memories. Every time I think of +252, I imagine the day I can call her directly at that code, from our home in Somalia. That moment would mean much more than a phone call: it would be proof that her dream came true and that, despite everything, we managed to close the circle. So yes, +252 is a call. But above all, it is a return.

Do you remember the first musical gesture that made you feel "on the creator’s side": a live performance, a home recording, a track uploaded online?

Yes, it was when I found the courage to post my first videos on social media, where I experimented with arrangements and ideas in my own way. It was all very spontaneous, but for me, it meant truly putting myself out there. Then came the first live shows. I remember the feeling of seeing people appreciate, react, connect with what I was doing. In those moments, I realized I was beginning to create my path, to build my own voice.

Which voices or albums shaped your emotional formation even before your artistic one? Is there anyone you consider a root of your sound?

As a child, I watched MTV, and when Rihanna came on, my mom would braid my hair: I watched her and thought that when I grew up I wanted to be like her because I felt truly represented. Growing up, I connected deeply with David Bowie, who accompanied me through my darkest moments, so much so that I tattooed Heroes on my arm. Rihanna and Bowie are my emotional roots: her strength and completeness, his depth and resilience.

Is there a recent moment in your life that you feel decisively influenced the creation of this track?

Yes, there was a moment when I felt the need to be truly honest with my audience, to share who I am and the difficulties I have experienced. I knew that out there someone had gone through stories similar to mine, and I wanted to build a bridge with them. +252 comes from that desire for authenticity: sharing my roots, my promises, and my hopes so that someone might feel less alone listening to it.

How do you view your current position within the Italian urban scene, in light of your journey and your imagination?

I see myself as someone who tries to bring authenticity to the Italian urban scene. My journey and my roots deeply influence my music: I tell real-life stories, struggles, dreams, and belonging, without filters. I believe my space in the scene today is for those who attempt to merge contemporary sounds with real emotions, making listeners feel recognized and represented.

What trace would you like "+252" to leave on listeners, beyond the biographical references and geographical coordinates?

I would like +252 to make listeners feel less alone, to convey hope and strength. It’s not just my story; it’s also the story of those who have faced similar difficulties, who had dreams that seemed far away or promises to keep. I hope listeners feel the courage to stay true to themselves, to remember their roots, and to believe that even from the hardest moments, something beautiful and authentic can emerge.

Usually in interviews, people talk only about successes, rarely about mistakes. I am fascinated by mistakes because they often reveal more than anything else. Is there a mistake, a creative or personal stumble, that over time you’ve recognized as necessary for your artistic growth?

I’ve learned a lot from the moments when I was afraid to put myself out there or hesitated to show my music. At first, I tried to please others or adapt to what I thought the audience wanted to hear, instead of truly following my own voice. Over time, I realized that those doubts and mistakes were essential: they taught me to trust myself, to be honest, and to transform my experiences into authentic music. Without those stumbles, +252 probably wouldn’t have been born the way it is today.