Stacey Jackson has never been afraid to color outside the lines. From her early days as a chart-topping dance artist to her candid takes on motherhood and ambition, she’s built a career defined by reinvention. Now, with the release of How a Gangsta Rapper Made Me a Better Mom (Integrated Musical Edition), Jackson is blending literature, music, and technology into one groundbreaking experience — a musical novel that dares to be heard as much as read.
“The title came from a moment of total chaos and comedy in my real life — juggling my kids, my career, and all the curveballs in between,” Jackson says. “At the point I found myself working with an actual ‘gangsta rapper’, and the clash of worlds was so surreal, my son blurted out ‘Mom, how about calling the book How A Gangsta Rapper Made Me a Better Mom?’ And it just stuck with me.” What began as a family joke quickly evolved into something deeper. “The phrase may have started as a bit of a joke… but the more I thought about it, the more I realised how true it was. That experience (and the people I met along the way) genuinely changed how I parent, how I view and teach my kids about drive and ambition, and how I navigate life as a woman trying to do it all. So the title is cheeky, yes — but it’s also honest.
For Jackson, music and storytelling have always been intertwined. “Honestly? I’ve always seen life like one big music video — scenes, moods, characters — and music has always been the emotional thread that ties it all together for me,” she explains. “So when I started writing this story, I couldn’t not hear the songs that went with it. I thought, what if the characters in the book had their own voices — literally — through music? That’s when it hit me: what if a novel could be heard as much as read? The result is what we believe is the first fictionalised novel with a fully original soundtrack that enhances the storytelling at every beat.”
This cross-medium innovation is more than a gimmick — it’s a carefully crafted experience that unfolds across print, digital, and audio formats. “For the paperback we’ve included QR codes throughout the story where the song appears (direct links to all music platforms on an e-book) — so that readers can instantly listen to the tracks that align with certain scenes or characters,” she explains. “For the audiobook, we took it a step further: the music is actually woven into the narration. The tracks are part of the whole immersive experience — much like a film score or a musical. And to top it off, the original soundtrack is available as a standalone album on all streaming platforms — so even if you haven’t read the book, you can enjoy the music on its own. But when you experience them together? That’s where the magic happens.”
Working with major artists in the past, including Snoop Dogg, has left a lasting mark on her creative process. “Working with someone like Snoop was a game-changer,” Jackson recalls. “It showed me what it meant to blend worlds, to find common ground through music even when you come from totally different backgrounds. That spirit of collaboration — and that sense of humour and grit — absolutely influenced the tone of the story. You’ll see it in the character of ‘The Most Famous Rapper in the World’ — he’s not based on Snoop, but let’s just say I borrowed some of that larger-than-life charisma.”
Jackson’s dual identities as writer and musician shaped the project’s rhythm. “I actually started with the story — I had the scenes in my head, and I knew where music would naturally come in. So I’d write a chapter and immediately hear the kind of song that belonged there,” she says. “Each character has their own genre, their own musical identity. The challenge — and the fun — was making sure the music reflected their emotional journey, not just the plot.”
The story’s heart, however, beats with universal themes. “At its core, it’s about second chances, finding your voice, and refusing to let age, motherhood, or society box you in,” she says. “It’s also about grief, resilience, and the beauty of reinventing yourself — and doing it with humour and heart. I want people to laugh, cry, and feel seen. And maybe blast the soundtrack in the car while pretending they’re in a movie about their own comeback story.”
Of the album’s eighteen original songs, a few already stand out. “Bombshell is definitely one I’m excited about — it kicks off the whole story and captures that feeling of stepping into the spotlight, owning your truth,” she says. “I’m also proud of Better Day (Reprise) — it’s a reimagined version of a track performed by the rapper in the story, but now featuring Star Roberts, the lead character (sung as a collaboration by me with the sensational talent of hip hop artist Gravity) and it represents her growth and confidence.”
Creating something so multi-dimensional wasn’t without its hurdles. “Syncing the timing of the book release with the music production was a bit like conducting an orchestra while tap dancing,” she admits. “Then there were the logistics — making sure QR codes worked… and that the audiobook format allowed music integration without disrupting the listening experience. But I had an amazing team, and we just kept pushing boundaries until it all came together. Plus, on another note, I am also narrating the audiobook and it was my first time ever doing it. So that in itself was an experience.”
While How a Gangsta Rapper Made Me a Better Mom may be fiction, Jackson acknowledges just how much of herself made its way into the pages. “While the plot is fictional, the emotional heart of it is deeply personal,” she says. “Like Stephanie Bloom, I’ve had to juggle a million roles — mom, wife, performer, businesswoman — all while chasing dreams that sometimes felt a bit… delusional.”
As for what’s next, Jackson isn’t slowing down. “I really do feel that audiences today want more than just a book or an album — they want experiences,” she says. “For me, this is just the beginning. I’d love to explore sequels, spin-offs, or even adapt this into a TV show where the music and story evolve together. And yes — I’ve already got a few new ideas cooking.”
