Nessa Barrett

Janesa Jaida "Nessa" Barrett (born August 6, 2002) is an American singer. She has released one EP, ''Pretty Poison'' (2021), and one studio album, ''Young Forever'' (2022).

Early life

Barrett is of Puerto Rican descent and was born and grew up in Galloway Township, New Jersey, where she struggled as being the only Puerto Rican and one of the few students living in an apartment with a single mother after her parents divorced. Her father, Drew Barrett (born 1980), is a rapper, actor, and motivational speaker, who had a music studio at home. She has a younger brother named Julian.

Barrett said she was writing songs "since hecould walk and talk".

Career

2019–2021: Career beginnings and ''Pretty Poison''

In 2019, Barrett began posting videos on TikTok which led to a recording contract from Warner Records. In July 2020, she released her piano-based ballad debut single "Pain".

In October 2020, she released her second single, "If U Love Me". In December 2020, Barrett released a dark interpretation of "Santa Baby". In February 2021, Barrett released the track " La Di Die", which explores the downfalls of fame with fellow alt-pop artist Jxdn, produced by Travis Barker. Barrett and collaborator Jxdn, along with Barker, performed the single live for the first time on the April 7, 2021, episode of '' Jimmy Kimmel Live!'' and performed the song again on ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show'' on April 12, 2021.

On June 25, 2021, Barrett released "Counting Crimes", a song said by Barrett to be "about moving on from something toxic with an empowering bad bitch energy. Admitting that you have made mistakes, but the other person has done worse than you and understanding who really is the bad guy in the situation." Barrett confirmed on the ''Zach Sang Show'' in July 2021 that her debut EP would be titled ''Pretty Poison''. The EP contains seven new tracks and was released on September 10, 2021. This date coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day, which Barrett states is "to show that there's faith behind everything and that everyone is able to be happy whenever it's right for them." Barrett earned her first entry on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in August 2021, when her song " I Hope Ur Miserable Until Ur Dead" debuted at number 88.

2022–present: ''Young Forever''

Barrett released "Dying on the Inside" as a stand-alone single in February 2022. In June 2022, Barrett released "Die First" as the lead single from her debut studio album. The song is dedicated to her best friend, Cooper Noriega, who had recently died of an accidental drug overdose. In the track, Barrett sings about hoping to never go through the pain of losing her mom, praying that she will be the first to die out of the two of them. "Madhouse" served as the second single, being released on September 9, 2022. The song speaks about mental health problems along with slut shaming and bullying.

In October 2022, "Tired of California" was released as the third single and "Young Forever" (stylized in all lowercase), her debut studio album, was released.

In December 2022, she announced her Young Forever Tour featuring Isabel LaRosa, playing twenty shows starting in February 2023.

Artistry

Barrett cites Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, Melanie Martinez, and The Neighbourhood as influences on both her sound and her aesthetic as a musician.

Personal life

Barrett has been open about her mental health issues, including depression, bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts, and eating disorders. She started therapy at age 6 and made her first suicide attempt at age 14 by overdosing on a analgesic, after which she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. When she was 17 years old, she ran away from home to live in Los Angeles. When she was 18, she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. She attempted suicide after her best friend, Cooper Noriega, died of an accidental drug overdose.

In an interview with Zach Sang, Barrett proclaimed her faith in Christianity helped her through her mental health issues and the death of her friend.

Barrett is 4 feet, 11 inches tall and has insecurity about her height.

Barrett identifies as bisexual. She started dated fellow TikTok star Josh Richards in November 2019, but broke up in March 2021. She then dated Jaden Hossler (Jxdn) but broke up in May 2022.

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

Awards and nominations

Barrett was named to Billboard's "21 Under 21" and was featured on Ones to Watch's list of "25 Artists to Watch in 2022", Uproxx's "Next Hitmakers List" and ''Peoples Emerging Artist List.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barrett, Nessa
Living people
People from Galloway Township, New Jersey
Singers from New Jersey
Songwriters from New Jersey
Warner Records artists
People with borderline personality disorder
2002 births