MORE THAN A LABEL
Exploring the Layers of Being Queer
JUNE 2025
Portrait Series: Part of "The Colors of Us" Exhibition PXRPLE JAZZ
“More Than Visibility”
PXRPLE JAZZ is a radiant performer, vocalist, and multidisciplinary artist based in Almere. Known for her hypnotic blend of R&B, pop, and Latina-infused rhythms, she’s performed on celebrated stages like Melkweg and Milkshake Festival. Through her music, visual storytelling, and unapologetic presence, she represents a vibrant voice within both the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.
When Jazz speaks about queerness, she doesn’t treat it as a fixed point—but as a layered experience that flows between public presence and private truth. “Queerness,” she says, “is about expression, freedom, community, love, identity.” These five words pulse through her creative and personal life, shaping how she moves through the world.
As a performer, Jazz embodies boldness. Her music and stage presence light up a room. But she also describes herself as deeply introverted offstage, choosing softness and subtlety in how she lives day-to-day. This duality—the powerful and the tender—is central to her story.
“Queerness for me is about expression, freedom, community, love, identity.”
Living Loud, Loving Softly
“Outside of that I’m a big introvert… my expressions are more subtle.”
Beyond Representation:
A Call to Reimagine Inclusion
Visibility plays a recurring role in Jazz’s journey, but not always in the way we imagine it. She values being seen, yes—but as she puts it, “visibility means being seen as an equal. Not as a ‘negative’ difference, but as a ‘positive’ difference.”
Representation isn’t just about appearances—it’s about depth. It’s about showing up in all your complexity and being understood, not reduced. And in a world that often tokenizes queer creatives, her push for nuanced visibility is powerful.
“There are so many unwritten rules, or actual rules, that are harmful to our community and so unnecessary.”
For Jazz, being visible is about creating space not only for herself, but for others—for those who’ve been made to feel they don’t belong.
“Queer to stand up for queer rights!”
— Pxrple Jazz
The Sacred Work of Self-Love
Self-love, to Jazz, is not just a personal act—it’s political. In her words, “even if you aren’t queer, self-love matters to everyone.” But for those who are rarely represented or affirmed, this practice becomes urgent, revolutionary even.
"If you aren’t accepted in certain spaces, it’s even more important to work on self-love, confidence and mental health. Because at the end of the day, we all want love. We all want to be heard, understood.”
In what ways has being queer shaped your values or worldview
“I’ve always been vocal about being yourself, celebrate yourself everyday."
Her music, presence, and performances are wrapped in this ethos. There’s power in being loud—but there’s also power in being still, in being exactly as you are. As she reminds us, there is no singular way to be queer. There is no mold to fit into.
“Queerness and self-love don’t always have to be loud, it can be subtle, gentle as well—and both are beautiful because there is not just one way.”
Dreaming of a Queer Future
What kind of world does Jazz dream of? It’s one where people listen more than they judge. A world free of unsolicited opinions and harmful projections. A world where queer and women's lives are not up for debate—but celebrated as they are.
“A world where people would listen more instead of sharing their unsolicited opinions. A world that is free from oppression and brainwashing. A Womxn and Queer friendly / safe world where people can just BE.”“But yeah… we’ll see about the future lol.”
Her message lingers: optimistic, self-aware, and human. Through her work and her words, PXRPLE JAZZ reminds us that visibility without authenticity is hollow—but when you show up as your whole self, you not only empower others, you expand what’s possible.