The latest digital cover of ESSENCE magazine has been revealed and it features the chart-topping rap sensation and Miami native JT. Despite the well-documented highs and lows of her career, JT fearlessly delves into the impact of her personal decisions as she forges her path as a solo artist, transitioning from a successful rap duo and overcoming a period of incarceration.

During the intimate conversation with ESSENCE, JT candidly reflected on her evolution and self-acceptance following the launch of her debut solo project, City Cinderella. 

She proclaimed, “There shouldn’t be any boundaries on successful Black women.” She continued by sharing her experiences of the fashion industry initially overlooking her as she experimented with her style. However, a TikTok video from a young woman acknowledging JT as an inspiration for brown-skinned women profoundly impacts the femcee, likening her fashion sense to that of the renowned rapper Foxy Brown, which gave her chills.

JT went on to speak on to highlight the part of her career that she regrets the most and how being granted a second chance is something she is grateful for.

“This is my thing. The most regrettable era of my career was me just pretending to be. I have been to prison, and to be able to represent my people in the best light as a second chance is so real. And I said some sh-t. But it’s like, I’m now being able to be that girl and keep it clean. I haven’t fully got to that stage yet—but they’re going to see how we can present ourselves like anybody else and earn the respect. I’m like, “Oh my God, I’m viral for being pretty.”

The 31 year-old also gave advice to any women who wanted to stand out in their industries and create a brand for themselves.

“Be new, and be you. You have to be both. I hear people telling people all the time, “All you’ve got to do is be yourself.” But in this market, you have to stand out. What’s so special about you, that makes you deserving of people’s attention? And when you get in that position, you’ve got to fight to stay in that position. You’ve got to come in with your head on strong. You can’t look around and see that it’s working for her, so you’re going to go, and you’re going to do what she’s doing. And—whether they like it or not. People might hate something, but if that’s you, they’re going to be able to identify it. [Still], just being yourself isn’t enough in this industry—because there are so many of us, and it’s so oversaturated. You’ve got to be authentic and new. Invent yourself in a way that takes your authenticity and mixes it with something that’s going to make you stand out, no matter what it is. Then you apply your talent to that, and create your brand.”

You can read the full interview here and in the September/October Issue, which is on newsstands today. Also, check out JT’s captivating photos above. She was styled by the talented Ron Hartleben, as she made fearless fashion statements donning creations from Max Donahue, Ferragamo, Alexander Wang, and more. Congrats to the City Cinderella cover girl, JT!