Meet Miss Jacqui: Disabled Poet, Songwriter and Musician

To celebrate Disability History Month’s theme of Disability, Livelihood and Employment, we’ve been speaking with disabled people working across various industries, reflecting on their career journeys, what motivates them and getting some advice on how other people with disabilities can get involved in their chosen field.

Sharing her experience of a career in music as a disabled woman, we had the privilege of sitting down and chatting to the super talented Miss Jacqui.

Based in East London, Miss Jacqui is a full-time powerchair user who makes thoughtful and powerful music that incorporates spoken word poetry.

Passion, Doubts and Discovery

Reflecting on where her passion for music came from, Jacqui tells us she grew up around music and holds fond memories of sitting around the family dinner table discussing the latest releases and cheekily recording her favourite songs on the radio with cassette tapes.

Despite her passion, the lack of disabled artists in the mainstream music industry left Miss Jacqui with some doubts.

“I always thought I couldn’t be in music because I didn’t see any disabled people in music. So, I was just like maybe it’s not a career path for me and I can just be a fan and enjoy it.”

However, after pursuing a degree in Music Production and Business, Jacqui began helping friends record their music and soon felt she could do what they were doing. So, in 2018 she made a choice:

“I was like maybe if I just put out one song like how hard could it be? And it went out and people said  ‘oh you should do this more!’ and I’ve never looked back.”

Finding a Place of Content

Two EP’s and a single later, we talked with Miss Jacqui about the purpose of her music and her creative process.

“I think for me, my music is a way to shine a light on stories or communities that don’t often get that platform and I love telling stories.”

She continues: “I’m a poet first so I will write an entire poem essentially and then I will start finding melodies and harmonies.”

Once Miss Jacqui gets the lyrics down, she begins building her music around them until she reaches a place of content.

“I don’t strive for perfection, especially creatively because then I would never release music. So, I really strive for contentment, to be happy with it to go into the world.”

Being Yourself

Thinking about the ways in which her experience of disability has impacted her career journey, Miss Jacqui notes:

“I think I’ve been impacted by other people’s prejudices and their attitudes of what they think disabled people are, or could be, or not be. So, I think it has impacted my career, but I also think that’s a societal thing and how people see disabled people.”

Despite the challenges she has faced within the industry, Miss Jacqui continues to put out music with her latest EP Notes to Self being fully independent and self-funded. She notes this achievement, and her authenticity, as a great source of pride:

“My greatest achievement I think would be despite all the challenges, I am the artist I wish I saw when I was a kid in that I don’t try to be perfect; I am who I am and that’s not to say I am a role model or want to be a role model. I’m just authentically me and that’s the thing I’m proud of.” 

Disability History Month and Visibility

Reflecting on what Disability History Month means to her, Miss Jacqui talks about the importance of visibility and representation.

“There are all these people who are disabled in different careers and just being able to learn about them, you might see yourself in someone and go ‘they’re doing something I’ve always wanted to do’ and if not, be the first.”

She continues: “I think if I had Disability History Month when I was a kid, maybe I would have found disabled musicians sooner and then found a career path that I love sooner.”

“So, yeah, it means a lot to me and I hope it continues to mean a lot to other people, disabled and non-disabled,” she concludes.

Want a Career in Music?

Miss Jacqui’s advice is simple; “Just start.”

“Mistakes will be made along the way but ask your questions, trust your natural instinct and know that that will guide you.”

She adds: “My DMs are always open if people want to ask questions. I’ve had mentors that have helped me and I always want to make sure that I can be that for other people. I’m not saying I can take you under my wing and be like Yoda, but I will always answer a question and try to make myself as available as I can.”

Find Out More

You can find Miss Jacqui on Spotify under Miss Jacqui and social media with the handle @iAmMissJacqui or visit her website here.

Science more your thing? Read last week’s Disability History Month entry with research fellow and scientist at the University of Manchester, Dr Hamied Haroon here.