Jem’s platinum debut album, Finally Woken, is hitting its 20th anniversary this year. The album, featuring the hit track “They,” has sold over a million copies worldwide, racked up millions of YouTube views, and had its songs featured in a wide range of films, trailers, TV shows, and commercials—including Grey’s Anatomy, Orange Is the New Black, Sex and the City: The Movie, Gossip Girl, The O.C., Desperate Housewives, Six Feet Under, Dancing With the Stars, and even the original theme song for Celebrity Love Island. To mark this two-decade milestone, Jem is dropping the remastered album on all streaming platforms this Friday, August 23rd.
Today, Jem is also releasing “They 2.0 (Jem’s Carnival Remix),” a fresh summer remix that throws back to her DJ roots. “’They’ holds a special place in my heart, and I had a blast making this remix,” says Jem. “I started out in the dance world as a club promoter and DJ, so it’s been great to revisit that. I wanted to give it a summer carnival feel and went all out with the drums in my studio!” The remix comes with a music video that feels like a full-circle moment for Jem: “My kids are featured in the ‘They 2.0’ video (and on the single cover), and fun fact—I met my husband on the set of ‘Wish I,’ where he played my love interest. That song was the original theme for Celebrity Love Island, which is now seeing a big resurgence!”
Jem, originally from Wales, earned a law degree while DJing and helping shape Brighton’s early Drum ‘n’ Bass scene. She started by running a breakbeat record label and assisting at a club night that played a key role in launching Fatboy Slim’s DJ career.
Her first big break came when she co-wrote “Nothing Fails” for Madonna’s American Life album. Later, she dropped off a self-made demo at KCRW, LA’s iconic radio station, and it quickly became the station’s No.1 listener request.
Jem has performed at stadium shows opening for the Dave Matthews Band and shared stages with the likes of Kanye, The Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, the Pixies, P!nk, and Ray LaMontagne, to name a few. Her music has even been covered in Cantonese and Mandarin by Chinese pop star Karen Mok, Taiwan’s Jolin Tsai, and the Hong Kong Cantopop duo Twins.
To further celebrate the 20th anniversary, Jem is launching a new music-inspired podcast called IT’S AMAZING. The podcast will celebrate the magic of music and the powerful, sometimes crazy memories it brings. Expect uplifting conversations and new music discoveries, with interviews featuring acclaimed artists and celebrity guests discussing the songs that have shaped them, especially during key moments in their personal and professional lives.
