For the artists willing to pour their emotions into their music there will always be an audience. Listeners yearn to connect with an artist and know that the feelings they have are shared with others. Our recent discovery Wavy James is brave enough to share his stories and the fans are latching on.
We had the chance to catch up with the rising R&B star to get a little deeper into his music and soul. Enjoy the interview here:
First off, tell us about how the name Wavy James came to be?
The name Wavy James goes back to around 2014. “Wavy” always represented a vibe to me, something smooth, emotional, and different from everything else. “James” is my real name, so putting it together felt authentic. It wasn’t something forced, it just stuck over time and became my identity across everything I do.
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How would you describe your sound?
I’d describe my sound as emotional, late night R&B. It’s rooted in real experiences, especially love and heartbreak. It has that dark, melodic feel that pulls you in, but at the same time it’s very personal. I want people to actually feel something when they hear my music.
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Which artists have had the biggest influence on you?
Artists like Bryson Tiller, Drake, and PARTYNEXTDOOR had a huge influence on me. That era of music really showed me how to blend emotion with modern production. I also grew up on a lot of 90s and early 2000s R&B, so that foundation plays a big role in how I approach my sound today.
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How does a song come together for you? What is your songwriting process?
For me, it always starts with emotion. I treat music like therapy. If I’m going through something, I’ll sit with it and start writing from a real place. With “Jasmyn Interlude,” it came from a real heartbreak. I tapped into that feeling, listened to darker R&B sounds for inspiration, and just let the words come naturally. I don’t try to force anything, it’s all based on what I actually feel.
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What makes Wavy James stand out in the currently cluttered music scene?
I think what separates me is authenticity. A lot of music today feels temporary, here today and gone tomorrow. I’m focused on making music that lasts, music people can feel and come back to. I’m not chasing trends, I’m bringing real emotion back into R&B.
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Your new single “Jasmyn Interlude” seems to have some real emotion in it. What can you share about the backstory?
“Jasmyn Interlude” is about my first love and the heartbreak that came with it. It’s one of the most personal records I’ve made. I was dealing with a lot, and instead of holding it in, I put everything into the music. It touches on love, regret, and realizing things too late. That’s why it hits the way it does, because it’s real.
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How do you hope to connect with the listeners of your songs?
I just want people to feel understood. Whether they’ve been through heartbreak or are going through something right now, I want my music to feel relatable. Like they’re not the only one dealing with those emotions. If someone can play my song late at night and feel something, then I’ve done my job.
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Give us a look at the future for Wavy James.
Right now I’m focused on building momentum. I’m going to keep dropping singles and visuals consistently and growing my catalog. I’m also working toward releasing a mixtape later this year. The main goal is to keep evolving and really establish my sound while bringing that emotional feel back into modern R&B.
