R&B newcomer October London’s smooth and authentic vocals have generated huge comparisons to past legends. Signed to Snoop Dogg and Jazze Pha’s Cadillac Music label, the R&B/Soul singer & songwriter have been creating quite the buzz with the release of his new EP, Colorblind: Love, his new holiday album, Christmas In October, and his appearance on Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party and FOX’s White Hot Holidays Christmas Special.
The South Bend, Indiana native’s stock began rising after opening for Flo-Rida in Miami, which led him to sign with Snoop. With musical influences like Luther Vandross, Rick James, and Zapp and Roger, October is poised to make his impact felt in today’s R&B landscape.
October’s new EP, Color Blind: Love, is the first installment of a three-part collection, while his holiday album is a FREE give for fans. The 8-songs ‘Christmas In October’ set includes his latest single, “Santa Drop Me Some Loot,” featuring Walter West, plus guest verses and passages from Kirk Franklin, T.Krazy, and Tripp Caimbridge.
Singersroom caught up with October recently, and he enlighten us about his journey in music.
How did you get involved in music as a child?
Well, I was really young when I got intrigued about music. I used to sit around my family during family reunions or family get-togethers. I always enjoyed the vibes around people getting together playing instruments and singing.
How did Snoop Dogg and Jazze Pha discover/sign you?
A friend of mine knew of someone who knew Jazze and gave me his number on the low; That person shall remain nameless of course (lol). Anyway, I text Jazze, asked him for his contact information to send him a few joints for the future and after a couple of hours went by, he text me back his email address. Later on that night, he called me, told me he loved the songs and wanted to hear more. I sent him about 10 songs of all different genres that I do and he loved them all. He replied with…”They’re all HIT RECORDS.” I was kind of amazed, but honestly, I sent him some of my best work. Of course, I didn’t want to send him any half ass work I had done. Anyway, He called me around 2 am, and we talked for an hour or so and he said he would sleep on them for a little bit and that he had someone in mind that could take me even further than where he could. Needless to say, it was Snoop Dogg. Snoop called me the night before this past super bowl and said he was a fan and wanted to fly me out to LA. On March 18th, I arrived in LA, and in 4 days I had the ‘Color Blind’ album done. A total of 23 songs.
That’s Fascinating! Tell us about the raw, emotional video for your single, “Black Man in America.”
I did “Black Man In America” because it was simply needed. If I’m going to allow myself to have as many fans as I do now and counting, then I need to not only give them great music but try to show them how I feel about what’s going on in the urban community; things no one really likes to talk about. We see it on the news and on social media, but then a week later, it’s on to the next thing. I wanted to make it clear on how and what I stand for. I stand for peace and unity in this world. PERIOD. I refuse to hate someone for their skin color, gender, race or religion. I LOVE EVERYONE, and I insist that everyone else follow suit.
Tell us about your project ‘Color Blind: Love.’
‘Color Blind: Love’ is an old school themed album that I wrote and co-produced in Snoop Dogg’s studio in LA. It’s an album that I love because it was how I felt at the time. The month of March seemed like black and white to me. It felt old school, so I went with it. I just wanted to pay homage to all of those artists that came before my time. I love Marvin [Gaye], Teddy [Pendergrass], Al Green [Green], The O’Jays, The Isley Brothers, Luther Vandross and more. I owe them a major thank you! Because of them, I know how to make GREAT MUSIC!
Snoop Dogg produced the visual EP for ‘Colorblind: Love’ which features appearances from Snoop, Mike Epps and more. What can you tell us about the short film?
The Short Film “Colorblind” is just a film that gives you accurate visuals to the album in front of it. We wanted to reach out to the audience in every single way that we could. Not just in Mp3’s but in front of the faces that have a love for the kind of music that is being brought to the table.
How was it performing on Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party and FOX’s White Hot Holidays Christmas Special?
Performing on Martha Stewart and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party was pretty crazy. It was well worth it! It was more funny than anything. Both of them two together are simply a joy to be around. Martha will go really business on you and then tell you to take a shot right after to take the edge off. Snoop is Snoop though. That man is a businessman by heart, but he makes sure the pleasure stays close by.
You’ve been compared to Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke. How does that make you feel?
Being compared to those two brilliant minds are amazing to me. It’s really overwhelming because those guys have made a mark in history that is unmatched by many. You can try to emulate them and do runs like them and try to sell as many records, but deep down, if you’re not a fool at heart, you know those gentlemen made music for the masses. Those guys moved mountains that a lot of artists nowadays can’t fathom. Name one song right now that you honestly will be interested in listening to 50 years from now. Don’t worry…I’ll wait. Until we as musicians realize that we’re more than just musicians, that’s when we’ll leave a legacy like artists such as Marvin and Sam Cooke.
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.
