BLACKPINK’s Jennie Opens Up About Solo Album “Ruby”, Collabs With Doechii, Dominic Fike And More

Jennie of BLACKPINK recently sat down with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 ahead of the release of her debut solo album, “Ruby”. In the in-depth conversation, the K-Pop star shared insights into her creative journey, personal growth, and collaborations with artists such as Dominic Fike, Matt Champion, and Doechii. She also reflected on her relationship with her BLACKPINK bandmates and their upcoming tour.

Finding Herself Through “Ruby”

During the interview, Jennie revealed that creating “Ruby” was a deeply introspective experience.

“I was, first of all, very shocked, and I didn’t realize how much I had been distant from myself throughout the years,” Jennie said. “The greatest part of this solo project for me was that I had time with myself, and I never had time for myself, which was great. So I really got to dig deep inside of who I am.”

She described the creative process as challenging but rewarding. “So many new emotions that I got to learn and throw out… it needed so much energy,” she said. “I didn’t realize walking into the studio was more about knowing what I really want.”

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The Meaning Behind “Ruby”

Jennie shared that the album’s title has roots in her childhood.

“When I was 11, I knew that I wanted to create this identity for myself,” she explained. “Jennie wasn’t doing justice for me. I wanted a longer name. What I didn’t realize over time was that I had almost manifested this throughout my years. I knew who I wanted to be at a very young age.”

She also found inspiration in Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” and used it as a guiding principle while making the album. “I told myself, ‘I’m going to make this album as I like it. I don’t care what anyone else is going to say about it.’”

Writing ‘ZEN’ with Bibi

One of the pivotal moments in creating Ruby came with the song ‘ZEN’, a collaboration with Bibi.

“With ‘ZEN’, that’s when I knew, ‘Oh, my album is “Ruby” and it’s happening.’ That was maybe six months into spending time in the studio every day,” Jennie said. She credited Bibi for helping her navigate the creative process. “She played a very big role in my album. She really opened up to me, and I learned to open myself up to her.”

Her Relationship with BLACKPINK

Jennie also reflected on her role within BLACKPINK, noting that the group doesn’t have an official leader, which is uncommon for K-Pop groups.

“There was a side of me where I thought, ‘I know this so well. I know what to do and I know how to do it,’” she said. “But when it came to roles, I think the four of us complement each other so well.”

She spoke about the protective instincts she feels toward those she cares about, including her bandmates. “The inspiration behind ‘Start a War’ is really about reminding yourself of someone you want to protect,” she explained. “It could be your friend, your family, your love—anything that makes you feel full inside.”

Lessons Learned from “Ruby”

Zane Lowe asked Jennie what the most valuable lesson she learned from making the album was.

“Understanding my value and believing in that,” she said. “Now I’m not afraid to challenge myself. My biggest motivation is accomplishing what I dream of, and that’s the most fun part.”

The Making of ‘F.T.S.’

One of the most striking songs on “Ruby” is ‘F.T.S.’, which came from a late-night conversation with collaborators Carly and BB.

“We were talking about how much work we put into our dreams,” Jennie said. “And at the end, we were just like, ‘You know what? F*** that s***.’ That’s how the song came about.”

She recalled how liberating it felt to record it for the first time. “So good, and I still have fun every single time.”

Collaborations with Dominic Fike, Matt Champion, and Doechii

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Jennie also discussed her collaborations with artists outside of K-Pop. She described working with Dominic Fike as a natural fit.

“To me, Dom is a free spirit, and every time we talk, I have the best time,” she said. “The music part was very organic. I was just happy that he wanted to jump on.”

Her work with Matt Champion also proved fruitful. “We just hung out in the studios for days and came up with so many songs,” she revealed, adding that some tracks haven’t been released yet. One standout is ‘Navy Blue’, which Champion had been eager to release. “I was like, ‘Finally… let’s go.’”

Jennie also spoke highly of Doechii, whom she deeply admires.

“Having her on my album means everything,” Jennie said. “She really inspires me as a human being. She’s empowering and so pure in heart with her craft, and I admire that about her.”

Ahead of their collaboration, Jennie admitted she felt nervous. “I saw her amazing Grammy performance, and you have no idea how nervous I was for the next week before our shoot,” she said. “But we had the best time.”

A New Chapter for Jennie

Reflecting on her growth, Jennie expressed how “Ruby” represents a new phase in her life.

“I’m surprised that all of these changes in my life happened in just one year,” she said. “But maybe it was the right time to start a new chapter for myself.”

As BLACKPINK prepares for their next tour, Jennie stands at a defining moment in her career—one where she is embracing her individuality and creative freedom like never before.