Jazlyn Martin reflects on her debut EP, Identity Crisis. Gets candid about the challenges of growing up between two cultures. “I feel like I’ve been fighting with my identity,” she shares. “I had a strong sense of self as a child, but as I grew older, I questioned who I was. Being of mixed heritage, I often felt pressured to choose one world over the other.”
Growing up, Jazlyn faced many challenges in embracing her identity. “I wasn’t involved with my Mexican side. I didn’t speak Spanish or even make traditional Mexican food. The world saw me as a Black girl. Which I am proud to be. That struggle made me question my worth—feeling like I wasn't enough for either side.”
I wanted to be very intentional with my project. A lot of times, the most vulnerable things you don’t want to share are what people can relate to.Jazlyn Martin
Reflecting on the EP, she explains how Identity Crisis came about: “The project was birthed from conversations about what story I wanted to tell. I realized I didn’t want to put out music just for the sake of being catchy; I wanted it to be intentional and relatable, capturing those vulnerable feelings that we often shy away from sharing.”
Through her EP, Jazlyn processes her various emotions, revealing the depth of her journey. “When life hit me, I was ready to share my struggles. I realized my identity was something I needed to explore—balancing my backgrounds and figuring out where I fit in the world.”
Growing up, I had a strong sense of my identity, being very strong, joyful, and driven. I was a fearless child. As you get older, you become more social and more aware. I went through things that made me question who I was and question my morality. Should I make myself smaller? That is where ‘Identity Crisis’ birthed, and also coming from a mixed background – you don’t know which world you fit in. You try to have both feet in both places. But the world forces you to choose one.Jazlyn Martin
Despite the difficulties, Jazlyn finds strength in her faith. “There’s a quote I live by: ‘He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.’ My purpose fuels me, even when faced with rejection or challenges in the industry.”
Jazlyn also speaks about the importance of balance in her life. “I try to take it day by day. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially in this fast-paced industry. I remind myself to celebrate the small wins and pour into myself—whether through family or little self-dates.”
I think similarly to everyone it has been a journey. I have always been independent and always knew how to pour into myself. I must admit that I still struggle with balancing. In the sense of pouring into myself vs pouring into my career. You get so wrapped up in your career – like this is happening, you’ve got to go here and do this. You are so hyper-fixated on the goal that you sometimes lose yourself. It’s been a journey for me to figure out that balance, and I am still learning – especially in this industry where everything is just so fast-paced. It is very easy to forget about yourself.Jazlyn Martin
As she discusses her creative process, Jazlyn shares her musical influences. “My dad is a musician, and he introduced me to artists like D'Angelo, Prince, and Michael Jackson. Those early influences shaped my desire to perform. I fell in love with Neo Soul through Jill Scott, which led me to jazz-influenced records.”
Jazlyn acknowledges the evolving landscape of RNB music, expressing her desire to push boundaries. “RNB is constantly changing, with so many subgenres now. I want to incorporate more Jazz, Gospel, Pop, and Hip-Hop into my music. RNB will always be my foundation, but I don’t want to confine myself to just one genre.”
She elaborates on the specific songs from her EP, highlighting her favourites and their meanings. “’Lead Me to Love’ serves as an outro for the project, emphasizing the ongoing journey of self-acceptance. And ‘Deep Water’ holds a hidden spiritual meaning—it’s about the conflict of following the world versus following God, portraying a conversation between me and God.”
Deep Water, I wrote from the perspective of God talking to me. That song is about the conflict of Do I follow the world or do I follow God? I say the fire tries to silence me, which is the world. The world tries to silence God. He is pulling me into the water. Holy water – you know that water is just so symbolic in the Bible. I just wanted to write a song about God having a conversation with me. I see you. I see all of your ugliness – I love it. Just come and surrender to me. I wanted the meaning to be hidden, and once you find out what the real meaning is, then you’re like, oh wow—this is God talking to me! Jazlyn Martin
Shifting between her music and acting careers, Jazlyn reflects on the challenges of balancing both worlds. “The industries are drastically different. Acting has a defined structure, but music requires you to be busy all the time. It can be overwhelming, but I’m learning to appreciate both the creative and business sides of music.”
As the interview concludes, Jazlyn offers advice to her younger self. “I would tell her to be unapologetically herself and not to dim her fire. People might be intimidated by your fire, but that’s what makes you shine. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community is vital, especially when faced with environments that may not feel welcoming.”