Lyrical emcee Roxanne Smith, better known by her stage name Jettapayne, has become an inspirational hip-hop voice as a result of her experiences with life’s challenges. Jettapayne, a Las Vegas-based artist originally from Dayton, Ohio, blends unadulterated storytelling with a polished, radio-ready sound. Built Different, her most recent album, which was released on August 22, 2025, makes a strong statement about individualism, resiliency, and eschewing labels that others attempt to impose.
With its powerful drums, ominous piano melodies, and assured flow, the song exudes unadulterated energy and effectively conveys the annoyance and resolve of defying expectations. The song is kid-friendly but has enough impact to appeal to a broad audience thanks to the well-written lyrics, which strike a balance between authenticity and accessibility. It’s a relatable anthem of strength and defiance that speaks to anyone who has ever felt undervalued, judged, or mischaracterized.
Jettapayne’s musical journey is incredibly intimate. She made her debut in 2022 with the single “Meant That Shìt.” She later released an EP of the same name in remembrance of her late mother, Sherry Payne, a well-known Dayton singer who was tragically murdered forty years earlier. What started out as a tribute swiftly turned into a passion. By 2024, Jettapayne had further solidified her style and self-assurance as an artist with the release of Broke Bitch and its music video. She released Code Blue, a poignant song about surviving domestic abuse, after a near-death experience that left her in a coma.
Watch the music video here
Jettapayne’s artistry is characterized by raw emotion and energy, which are captured in the video’s dope flow, hard-hitting drums, and dark piano melody. This track demonstrates why Jettapayne is, in fact, constructed differently by combining accessibility and grit.
