Jemma Gwynne Griffiths (born May 18, 1975), known professionally as Jem, is a Welsh singer, songwriter, producer and DJ. Her music combines electronic production with pop, rock, trip-hop and folk influences. She became internationally known in the mid-2000s through the singles "They," "Just a Ride" and "Wish I," as well as the album Finally Woken.
Jem was born and raised in Penarth, near Cardiff, Wales. She began writing songs as a teenager and later studied law at the University of Sussex in Brighton. While at university, she became involved in the city's club and dance scene, working as a promoter and DJ. In 1998, she co-founded Marine Parade, a specialist electronic and breakbeat label, with producer Adam Freeland. The label's activities introduced her to the wider club and production community, but Jem eventually decided to concentrate on her own songwriting.
After returning briefly to Wales, she built a mobile recording setup and developed a collection of home demos. She moved to London in 2000, where she began working with managers, writers and producers. Among her early collaborators was Guy Sigsworth, with whom she co-wrote "Nothing Fails." The song was later recorded by Madonna for her 2003 album American Life, giving Jem an important early songwriting credit.
Jem's breakthrough came after she sent a demo of "Finally Woken" to Los Angeles radio station KCRW. The track attracted airplay from influential presenter Nic Harcourt and helped lead to a recording deal with ATO Records. Jem relocated to Los Angeles, where she worked with producers including Yoad Nevo and Ge-Ology.
The EP It All Starts Here... appeared in 2003, followed by her debut album Finally Woken in 2004. Built around Jem's clear, understated vocals and a layered blend of electronic beats, acoustic instruments and orchestral textures, the album established her distinctive sound. "They" became her best-known single, reaching number six on the UK Singles Chart, while "Just a Ride" and "Wish I" also reached the UK Top 40. Finally Woken peaked at number six on the UK Albums Chart and was certified platinum in the United Kingdom. Its songs also gained wide exposure through television programs, films and compilations, particularly in the United States.
Jem's music videos formed an important part of her early visibility. The video for "They," directed by Laurent Briet, used a futuristic, dreamlike concept, while "Just a Ride" and "Wish I" received polished visual treatments that matched the music's mixture of glamour and introspection. Jem later co-directed the video for "It's Amazing" with Saam Gabbay.
Her second album, Down to Earth, was released in 2008 in the United States, Canada and Japan, with European editions following in 2009. The album broadened her sound with more prominent pop, rock and choral elements. "It's Amazing" appeared on the soundtrack to Sex and the City and became the record's most recognizable song, although the album and its subsequent singles did not match the commercial impact of Finally Woken.
Jem continued working in music and related creative fields during the following years. She contributed vocals to soundtracks and collaborative projects, including "Once in Every Lifetime" for Eragon, and worked with her brother Yestyn Griffiths of Glass Pear. She also produced the 2011 charity album Ten Years On, commemorating the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
After a lengthy development period, Jem released her third studio album, Beachwood Canyon, on August 5, 2016. Named after the Los Angeles neighborhood where she had made her home, the album reflected her continuing interest in atmospheric songwriting, independent production and the creative culture of Southern California.