Playwright William Shakespeare wrote, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” So much is true for upcoming R&B talent who just happens to bear the name Rose.

Jenelle “Nelle Rose” Dunkley, born in Mount Vernon, NY and raised in Freehold, NJ, comes from a Jamaican family who migrated to The Bronx in the 1980s. At the tender age of five, under the direction of her mother, she began her musical journey by singing in the church choir. At the age of 14, she began to explore her talents deeper by recording original materials and joining an indie gospel group known as J. Michael & W2 (Without Walls). After leaving the group, she began to perform under the moniker Au’Janae and continued her solo endeavors.

Influenced by the likes of Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, India. Arie, Jill Scott, Kierra Sheard, and Brandy, set out to add her name to a group of artists who march to the beat of their own drums. Exemplifying simplicity in her vocal talents provides texture to what has become an unarguably ambiguous genre. She integrates mystique and raw emotions into her music and stage performances.

As an artist, she enjoys captivating audiences with simple yet authoritative vocals; leaving many spectators in shock because of her stature. The rush of performing live leaves her in a state of euphoria. The reactions she receives from the audience remind her to continue to live in the moment—a lesson she learned from her great-grandmother and mentor.

She has been working the underground circuit for several years while earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Africana Studies from Rutgers University but is now ready to step into the spotlight. With an appearance on The Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night in 2012, performing at numerous showcases in the tri-state area, and singing background vocals for known artists and events on her resume, she is focused on continuing to master her craft.

In her career thus far, she has generously learned about sacrifice and creating her own path. She plans to continue to build momentum for her livelihood, let her authenticity capture her audiences, and follow the advice of living in the moment. She has adopted a “now or never” mindset: living to fulfill her purpose of touching the world with her gift. She released her debut project in April 2017 and has been performing at various venues on both the east and west coast ever since. In early 2018, she faced many health challenges that impacted her voice. Upon her full recovery, she decided to give up her possessions and relocate to Los Angeles to further pursue her dreams. She is currently a member of the Sunday Service Choir that travels and performs with Kanye West.

For all updates and news about Nelle Rose’s performances and music please follow her official social media accounts.