Because your playlist should include musicians with disabilities.
Em Jordan’s new single “Don’t Give Up On Me” has all the makings of a chart-topper. While her song, which was co-written with Shaelee Sheppard, is filled with nothing short of soulful vocals and a memorable guitar riff, it’s lyrics like “I’ll show the world how great life can be,” that prove the singer-songwriter is a force to be reckoned with.
For Em, who was born with spina bifida, music has always been an outlet to express herself—while also challenging assumptions about having a disability.
“Sometimes it’s hard for me to explain things,” says Em. “That’s why I like writing songs, because I can put what I want to say in a song.”
Off-stage, Em listens to everything from Brett Young and Luke Bryan to the Goo Goo Dolls, Ed Sheeran and Whitney Houston. Despite this range of musical influences, Em still feels disability isn’t recognized in the industry.
“You don’t really see a lot of singers and dancers with disabilities on stages or in concerts,” she says. But Em is determined to change that one track at a time.
“That’s something I’ve always wanted to do. There’s not a lot of people with disabilities that are famous. Seeing other people that have disabilities doing the same thing that you do just makes you feel like you’re not alone.”