The new millennium has been beckoning for the girl of the future, one that combines talent, intellect, and beauty. Well, Epic’s newest recording artist Jhene possesses all these qualities and more.

Born in Los Angeles, the world of music is no stranger to Jhene. She is one of five children, two brothers and two sisters, each in their own right musically inclined. Their father, a physician, also had a love for singing and built a studio in their home so all could pursue their musical interest. Their mother co-manages the careers of her talented extraordinary children. In addition to her immediate musical family, she is cousin to Lil Fizz, a member of Epic Recording artists B2K – one of the most exciting groups to hit the country.

Jhene’s mother discovered that she had a talent for writing songs before she could actually write. Her mother recounts that Jhene was 3 years old when she first asked her mother to write down rhymes for her! Her love of writing has not diminished; she continues to write both music and poems and is currently writing songs for her debut album.

If asked who her favorite singers are, she will quickly tell you her sisters– Thats who I listen to every day! However, she also admits to listening to Brandy at least 4-5 times a day, followed by B2K, Usher and India Arie.

This petite size-one will wow you over with her high level of sophistication and bubbling personality. She is multi-talented and is involved in all aspects of her career from the music to choosing her outfits. In addition to recording, she also loves to draw and has a keen interest in sports and water activities.

Jhene has always had a knack for making music. At age five, the pint-sized performer penned her first song by reciting a rap she’d written in her living room. “I didn’t know how to write yet,” she recalls. “So I told my mom, ‘I’m going to tell you something and you write it down for me.’

This first sign of talent provoked her mom Tina, to enroll Jhene in a professional dance troupe run by a family friend. “I started when I was three,” says the L.A. native, who took ballet, jazz, and tap with her older sisters, Miyoko and Jamila. Jhene remained a part of the troupe for several years before departing to pursue other interests.

While dancing was temporarily put aside, it didn’t take long for the budding star’s peers to notice her powerful pipes. “In first grade, my best friend and I sang 702′s song, ‘Steelo’ in the school talent show,” she says. “I was really nervous and I didn’t want to do it. But, when we were done, everybody was coming up to me saying things like, ‘You were great!’ It made me really popular, “she laughs.

Jhene always rises to the occasion. For example, the first single from her debut album, “No Love,” was written by former Naughty by Nature DJ, Kay Gee. Despite his gritty hip-hop background, Jhene felt their styles ‘blended perfectly’ and the tune turned out just like she had hoped. “No L.O.V.E. is a special song to me,” says Jhene of the girl-powered anthem. “It’s something I would say if a guy did something wrong. No exceptions. If I make up my mind, that’s it. Sometimes you have to stay strong and I totally agree with that kind of attitude.”

It’s a message that she thinks will go over well with fans. “Everybody can relate to it,” says the longtime fan of such artists as Brandy and Justin Timberlake. “Girls can say, ‘I went through that’ or ‘I’m going through that.’ And guys can say, ‘Oh, my girl went through the same thing.’” Universal themes prevail on Jhene’s ambitious debut, turning up on tunes like “Wanna Be,” an infectious track about playing games in relationships, and “Boy,” a mid-tempo ballad about missing the object of her heart’s desire.

Making her songs accessible has always been one of Jhene’s top priorities. “I want fans to be able to put on one of my songs and have them help with whatever it is they’re going through,” says Jhene. “It’s incredible how people are influenced by music. I just want to be one of those artists that helps people.”