A blessing in disguise: #BlessThisMess makes Jasmine Sokko less lonely during the pandemic
By: Wenting Ang
In the midst of the stressful COVID-19 pandemic, Singaporean electropop singer-songwriter-producer Jasmine Sokko released her uplifting and blunt hit song Mess, giving an alternative look into failure.
Dropping new singles Mess and I LIKE IT during the circuit breaker, the 24-year-old musician sat down over Skype with Yahoo Lifestyle SEA and gave us a glimpse into her stay-home life.
“I am getting used to staying at home, and I can’t really imagine life after this,” the singer laughed. “I’ve been making music and trying to make my own clothes, learning a couple of new things and using more social media to connect with people.”
Famous for wearing masks to conceal part of her face, the pandemic threw a curveball at Jasmine, challenging the musician beyond music.
“One of the greatest achievements (during the pandemic) was filming a music video from home. Suddenly, I had to learn about green screen, camera gears and also begged my family to be part of the music video to help me out.”
Feeling bad for her family who had helped her out with the music video, Jasmine let on that the filming created a once-in-a-lifetime chance for her to work with her family.
“It was the most stressful week but also the greatest achievement.”
One of the most-streamed Singaporean singers on Spotify, in Jasmine’s own words, “Mess is a song that is positive and empowering.”
With over 2.8 million views on TikTok for the #BlessThisMess challenge, the dance was something that Jasmine thought up with her choreographer.
“I worked with my choreographer to make something that everyone can participate and dance together. And then we thought, why don’t we do this on TikTok?”
With the enforced social distancing in place over the past two months, loneliness is a common feeling among Singaporeans.
“I am very encouraged when so many people joined in (the challenge), and I felt less lonely during this pandemic because there’s this community together on TikTok.”
With more than 850,000 views on her latest TikTok video, the electropop starlet shared her love for the platform. “TikTok is a very cool platform where I see other people creating their own visuals to music. It feels like they are creating their little music video to that music, and it’s very expressive.”
Being the first Singaporean artist to win an MTV EMA award for Best Southeast Asia Act, Jasmine is a person that you would associate with success.
“I am really scared of not succeeding, and I know it’s not a healthy thing.”
Somebody had once asked Jasmine what is the definition of failure. “In the past, I’d say it a stepping stone to success or it’s a lesson learned. But now, failure is a failure. It’s a lack of success,” the singer-songwriter-producer shared.
“Sometimes failures don’t mean anything. You don’t learn anything from it. You just have to accept it and move on. Take it as it is, a failure.”
Over the past month, Tik ok had also created the #careforsg challenge where the media company donates $1 for every #careforsg video created.
“A lot of things you see on social media don’t translate to real life. People have very amplified options (on social media) but it doesn’t translate to the kind of responses on the street,” Jasmine shared. “But things like #careforsg, it’s impactful for the society in general.”
“I thought about the things I feel very strongly about, things like women’s rights and education. And some days, I just wish that I could use what I am doing, and contribute to those causes.”
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