Rhythm in the stars: how space kid JVCK JAMES is taking soul music to new heights
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When listening to JVCK JAMES’ hypnotic beats and satin vocals, you can’t help but be transported into another galaxy. One far from the puffer-clad bustle of East London where he hails from. At 22-years-old, the singer has unearthed a new musical dimension somewhere between euphoric ‘90s soul and bedroom trap he refers to as “magical R&B.” Much like a wizard, his ability to conjure sentient lyrics has earned him collaborations with heavyweight producers like Dre Skull (behind Drake and Rihanna’s Too Good) before hitting the road with MAHALIA and ELLA MAI on a couple of unforgettable tours. With his latest single, No Drama, out today, plus an old school EP poised to disrupt the pop-flooded music agenda, there’s no stopping this rising star.
James’ debut performance occurred at his grandma’s birthday party when he was just nine. Over a decade, and several lusty Bob Marley covers later, a humble sentiment still rings true: “Everything I do is for my family, that’s what matters to me most.” From rehearsing gospel to raiding his siblings’ reggae CD-racks, fragments of his youth are still traceable on every record he puts out. “Growing up, I always knew I wanted to sing. But I would hide it; I thought of it as a gift that should be protected. I didn't flaunt it in school and nobody knew about my voice.” After some budget beat-making with a laptop and trusty USB-cord microphone, he went on to study at the East London Arts & Music (ELAM) college where his songwriting and social circles grew. His friends are ardent supporters as well as on-off collaborators – Favours being a catchy tribute to those loyal day-ones.
Courtesy of @jvckjames
But behind the twinkling synths and dreamy discography, James’ ascent to stardom hasn’t been an entirely smooth ride. “I feel like making R&B in the UK hasn’t always been the easiest thing,” he recounts, pointing to a post-millennium decline in the genre. As for today’s R&B revival scene, James hypes TIANA MAJOR9 as another emerging talent, praising her jazz-fused flair. “With hard work, consistency and dedication, [young people] are starting to push the boundaries and make a change,” he explains. Prior to his Las Vegas layover, where he went to perform as the first UK artist at BET’s Soul Train Awards, this became all too real: “It was a hard time being a young Black guy wanting to go to America. My mum was scared that I wasn’t going to make it back, she was telling me to be careful because there are a lot of things that are out of our control.”
Control, though, is plentiful in his music. Through a fluid vocal range his feelings pour effortlessly; a sound as flavoursome and fulfilling as hot Jamaican cuisine. Older tracks like Extroverted Lovers and Overseas hit a sensual note, exuding a lights-down-low, Khalid-meets-Marvin-Gaye energy. “Love definitely has some influence. I’m a very conceptual artist so when I go into the studio it’s natural for me to sing about my own life and emotions – or things I’ve heard that people could relate to.” Citing the ‘90s as a constant influence, he notes how “artists made you feel every sense – they weren't scared to sing. In these new decades we’ve lost epic performances; now that it’s easier to put out music people spend less time working on their whole image. I want to bring that back.” Anything else? “I miss the dancing!” he exclaims, spurting a mischievous laugh over the phone. Fashion too plays a role in the singer’s world, citing PYER MOSS as one of his favourite brands. “COLD LAUNDRY is dope… and I’m actually wearing some TELFAR pants in my next video.”
“The best career quote I’ve heard is ‘the cream always rises to the top’ so just make music that you believe in.” For a singer so grounded, James’ affinity with the cosmos – including his nickname – is intriguingly contradictory: “Spacekid just represents my aura, I’m young at heart even though I’m an old soul and fascinated by space. My music is otherworldly, weird yet wonderful.”
When he’s not immersed in a melodic dreamworld, James now spends his time cooking – asserting that he’s “a great chef.” Cooking aside, he’s an avid video-gamer and quite the Monopoly maestro too. But no Mayfair win is more rewarding than the freedom of life after lockdown. “I want to take less for granted and capitalise on being outside, to get people together.” Live shows, meeting fans, and collaborations are all in the post-pandemic game plan.
With the new single, expect buttery-smooth pitch shifts with more shape-pulling beats than ever with the hot-drop, No Drama, produced by Levi Lennox and co-written by Eight9. James’ first short film and second EP, JOYRIDE, are slated for release within the month, with promising bangers eagerly awaiting the festival tent. Until then, he strives to continue “building a legacy and making [his] parents proud.” If that’s not reason enough to stream him, we don’t know what is.
Courtesy of @jvckjames