Jessi Malay, a talented, passionate urban-pop singer and dancer from Los Angeles, may be a newcomer to most, but she's actually a veteran performer who began dancing at 2, joined a professional ballet company at 6, started singing at 9, entertained the crowds at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, at 12, had a hit single with her all-female teen-pop group No Secrets by 14, and now, at 19, is recording tracks for her solo debut album.

You've got to be made of pretty tough stuff to keep your composure through all that craziness. Luckily Malay, who works a playfully provocative blend of sultry R&B vocal stylings, hip-hop edginess, and indelible pop smarts, is one female who knows the importance of staying strong. Think Janet Jackson, one of Malay's idols, circa That's the Way Love Goes: confident, sexy, and while we're at it: thoroughly in control. "Janet is one of the few female artists who has gotten the message out that you can be a commanding woman without losing your femininity and sexuality," Malay says. You can have both. That empowering message is boldly conveyed on the songs Malay is currently recording for her album. She even references Jackson on the club-friendly "Gimme," quoting its the principle of pleasure in the intro. Then there's the compelling "King," a potent answer-back anthem aimed at guys with attitude. Check this for the opening verse: How strange your life would be / If you were on you knees / If I was your lord and you called me Majesty / Next, if I took off all your clothes / Would you feel just like a ho / Standing oh so naked there in front of me. Then, Malay delivers the defiant kiss-off: Repeat after me: I am king / Kiss my ring! Okay, that is a total girl power song! Malay says, with a laugh. On another, the flirty Topsy-Turvy, Malay warns her male listeners that girls can be moody but, "this is how we are, so take it or leave it," she says. She switches gears on "The Whole 9," proving her versatility with a love-struck ballad that encourages girls to hold out for a guy who treats her right. Then there's the mesmerizing, naughty club track "Hypnotiq," which Malay describes as a guilty pleasure. "Girls want to be taken seriously," she says, "but they also want a night out where they can have fun and get crazy."

Since signing to Reprise, its been a whirlwind of writing and recording. Malay, who helped co-write 4 of the current tracks (including lead track "Gimme," featuring G-Unit protégé Lil Scrappy), blends classic R&B / pop styles with the fresh beats and sounds of some of today's hottest young producing talents. "So much of todays music takes from the hits of yesterday. I love that about music right now, but I also wanted to craft something totally my own," Malay insists. For old school inspiration, Malay collaborated with legendary hit-makers Bruce Roberts and Andy Goldmark -- who have written and produced for such mega artists as Donna Summer, Whitney Houston, The Pointer Sisters, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. She then enlisted white-hot young talents Jonathan "JR" Rotem (Snoop Dogg, Rhianna) and 50 Cent producer Stiles of Dangerous, LLC to round out her sound. Adding more heat to the sizzling debut, the release features guest appearances by such fresh new talents as Trey Songz, and East Coast rapper Gravy. One of her main focuses now is rehearsing for her live show with white-hot choreographer Mikey Minden (Pussycat Dolls). "I think people will get what I do when they see me perform," says Malay of her live show. "I have two female dancers and it's a really good balance of smooth, urban hip-hop choreography and sexy, seductive moves that suit me really well. I want people to get that strong female message from me, but I also want them to have fun with my music." Get ready for Jessi Malay, coming at you soon!