A 904-Heavy Playlist and Interview with Jax R&B Singer-Songwriter Ebonique Highlight this Episode of the Jax Music Hour

There’s an awful lot that sets JME Saturday Nights on WJCT News 89.9 FM apart from the other music you’ll hear on other radio stations or your streaming service of choice. Every week, our show hosts—Mr. Al Pete, David Luckin, and myself—handpick hours of music for you, often featuring local artists in the mix. WJCT is the only station in Jacksonville that regularly shines a big, bright light on artists who are writing, recording, and performing music right here in the Bold New City of the South, and we’re very proud of that.

When I was concocting the playlist for the premiere episode of the Jax Music Hour back in January (see the whole episode playlist here), I knew right away that I wanted Ebonique to be the very first Jacksonville artist I would play on my show. Her 2021 debut EP, Edge Control, as well as the 2023 single “Respectfully” had blown me away. To me, the music she was making sounded straight out of the R&B charts, except it was being made by someone who was not only born and raised in Jacksonville but also chose to start her music career here in our shared hometown.

In April, Ebonique released her first full-length album, alterEbo, a triumph of intricate harmonies, clever lyrics, and stunning production. And unlike most musicians—no offense, musicians!—Ebonique is as compelling when she talks about her songs as she is when she sings them. I bet you’ll fall in love with her music as much as I have.

On the air, Ebonique told me about her songwriting process: she writes most of her songs using voice memos on her Apple Watch while driving around the Arlington neighborhood of Jacksonville, where she grew up and lives today. She also shared about her intention of having an eclectic mix of genres represented in her music, letting go of stifling expectations in order to release her songs into the world, and the challenges of simultaneously embracing identities as an artist and an arts educator.

Listen to our conversation, as well as four of Ebonique’s songs, through the player above.

Songs you’ll hear by Ebonique in this episode:

Respectfully

B.O.B

Edge Control

Everafter

Songs streamed here with the artist’s permission.

Full Jax Music Hour playlist for September 21.

Ebonique — “Respectfully”
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Bright Purpel, K.UTIE, Jeremy Ryan — “La La”
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Samara Joy — “Misty”
Stream | Get tickets to see Samara Joy at the Florida Theatre on October 22.

Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men — “One Sweet Day”
Stream | Get tickets to see Boyz II Men at Daily’s Place on October 4.

Ebonique — “B.O.B”

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Ebonique — “Edge Control”
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Aalana — “TADA”
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Cimafunk — “Catalina”
Stream | Get tickets to see Cimafunk at the Bierhall at Intuition Ale Works on October 3.

LPT — “Guerra Guerra”
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Jon B. — “Calling On You”
Stream | Jon B. performed at the Ritz Theatre on September 21. To discover more local concerts happening near you, visit our concert calendar.

Keith Sweat — “Twisted”
Stream | Get tickets to see Keith Sweat at the Florida Theatre on September 28.

Ebonique — “Everafter”

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The Jax Music Hour airs Saturday nights at 8 p.m. on WJCT News 89.9 and re-airs on the Independent 89.9 HD4 on Sundays at 2 p.m.