Jensen McRae is a “wordgirl”. “Everything I do is about, and in service of, words and stories”, explains the 27-year- old LA Native. As a bi- racial, black and Jewish woman growing up in predominantly white spaces, McRae’s music explores all aspects of identity from race and gender to issues of depression and unrequited love. Inspired by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Alicia Keys, and James Taylor, McRae started her musical journey writing in her bedroom, to then playing the local songwriting circuit in Los Angeles. Attending Grammy Camp as a high schooler, McRae received a full-ride scholarship to USC Thornton School of Music where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Popular Music in 2019. While finishing her senior year, her unique voice and songwriting caught the attention of her now-manager, who connected the young artist with Grammy award-winning producer Rahki (Eminem, Kendrick Lamar). The two were in the studio weekly working on her debut album. In late 2019, she went on to release her first single, “White Boy,” recounting her struggles with racial microaggressions. The following year she released “Wolves,” a stripped-down song that weaves together vivid vignettes about sexual assault. In early 2021, McRae took to Twitter to post a short video clip performing “a preemptive cover” of a song inspired by Phoebe Bridgers that acquiredover 2.5M views and even caught the attention of Bridgers herself. Due to the wide attention and praise, the short clip was later released as a single titled “Immune”. She has earned praise from Wonderland, Pitchfork, and Fader, amongst others and was named NPR Slingshot's 2021 Artists To Watch. McRae released her debut album “Are You Happy Now?” on March 22, 2022, which landed at #1 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter chart and peaked at #50 on iTunes All Genres Chart. McRae spent the remainder of 2022 on the road opening for Amos Lee, Corinne Bailey Rae, and MUNA, finishing off the year with back to back sold out headline shows at the Rockwood Music Hall in NYC, followed by a final sold out show at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. She spent a good portion of 2024 on the road with Noah Kahan on his sold-out world tour and is currently in the studio working on new music for her sophomore project due out early 2025.
