One word to describe R&B singer Jarvis is "fighter." Signing his first record deal at 15 years old with Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Imprint, then moving on to Ludacris' DTP to his new home at Capitol Records, the "Make a Little Room" hitmaker had never wavered when his career was rocky. An artist who always put music first, Jarvis has used his growth as a man and real life experiences to become the artist he is today. With a duty to be creative with his art, Jarvis chats with Singersroom about his career from 15 years old until present, staying inspired through the ups and downs, giving music all his love, and more.
A New Beginning: Life is great…going on a real roller coaster, but I'm excited about it, excited about the music, excited about the video, excited about Heartache mixtape, excited about the single "Make A Little Room,"…just excited to really live this journey.
Watch the music video to Jarvis' "Make A Little Room"
Overcoming Career Struggles: I'm going to be honest, the ups and downs and the struggle, they made me the artist that I am today. That's part of why I called the mixtape Heartache, you put so much love and passion into anything, and It don't go the way you wanted it to…it's like that, it's like a heartache. It's like something you love so much and so passionate about, and in a way it doesn't show in the return, that feeling is one of the most hurtful feelings ever…Although I'm considered a new artist, I've been through a lot, I've been doing this for a minute, got my first record deal at 15, signed to Jermaine Dupri…I've paid my dues.
Growing and Staying Inspired: Between my first deal when I was 15 to now, I've been able to grow so much and actually live life a little bit. When I first got into the game I was a kid, I didn't know what I wanted to sing about, I just know I wanted to sing…Over time being able to just live life, learn, figure out who I wanted to be, what I wanted my sound to be…All of that attributed to the artist I am today. In a way, I'm thankful for how it all went…everything happens for a reason.
Betting It All On Music: I never had a plan B…I have other interest, I'm a big time sports fanatic…I'm a sneaker head…I really never had any other thought. When me and Jermaine split, I was about to turn 18, coming into my own, about to be a man and figure out what I wanted to do. At that moment I was like, I don't have anything anymore…even in that very moment, I wasn't like let me go and do something other than music…it always was 'ok let me just get back in the studio.'
The Return: This past year (2012)…everything was just right and it felt that way. This journey has definitely been one with ups and downs, but where I am today, I have no regrets.
Being Creative on Upcoming Album: I feel like the creation process, when it comes to creating an album, the art has been lost, it's watered down; people chase a single. I feel like, now more than ever, especially in R&B, we need to start chasing ideas again, full cohesive bodies of work, storylines, and that's what I want to get back to. There's a few great artist out there doing it right now, Miguel and Frank Ocean, even Kendrick Lamar, who is a rapper…I just want to put passion and emotion back into music.
When it comes to music, Jarvis is a force to be reckoned with. The singer-songwriter has written and performed many hits that have captivated audiences around the world. But what’s even more impressive than his success in the music industry is how he continues to stay inspired despite facing numerous career struggles throughout his life. In this article, we hear from Jarvis himself as he reflects on his journey through adversity, banking on music for stability, and being creative as an artist.
Jarvis’ story starts in childhood; growing up without much money or access to resources forced him to get creative if he wanted something done right. He’d never let anything stop him from achieving greatness—not lack of money, not doubters, and certainly not fear of failure. Instead of giving into these obstacles, Jarvis used them as fuel for newfound creativity which eventually led him down the path of songwriting.
His passion for music kept growing until one day it became a reality: Jarvis was able to make a living off writing songs about real-life experiences such as heartbreak and hardship. Today, he’s still going strong despite all the challenges along the way. In this interview, we learn firsthand how he stays motivated even when things seem impossible and why creating art gives him hope for a better future.
Overcoming Challenges In The Music Industry
Navigating the music industry can be a daunting task. The competition is fierce and success isn’t always guaranteed. Jarvis, an up-and-coming artist, has faced his share of struggles to make it in the music business. Despite these challenges, he’s managed to stay focused and motivated by setting attainable goals for himself.
Jarvis credits building relationships with other artists as one of the keys to staying inspired. He understands that collaboration is essential for growth in any creative field, so he’s made it a priority to network with others who are passionate about music too. By having connections within the industry, Jarvis has been able to get feedback on his work from pros as well as build camaraderie with like-minded people.
At the same time, Jarvis puts all his efforts into creating quality content that stands out from the rest. He knows if he wants to remain competitive, he must take risks and think outside of the box when producing new material. As such, Jarvis focuses on pushing boundaries and experimenting with different genres while also utilizing modern technology to enhance his soundscape.
Leveraging Creativity For Success
In order to stay ahead in the music industry, Jarvis has had to be creative with his approach. He believes that reinventing himself is essential for success and staying relevant. As such, he’s constantly looking for new ways to express himself musically. Whether it’s incorporating different elements into his sound or experimenting with various production techniques, Jarvis is always pushing boundaries and honing his craft.
Jarvis also understands the importance of diversifying his income streams. In addition to producing original music, he makes an effort to explore other avenues like writing songs for others, creating beats for commercial use, teaching virtual classes on music-making software, etc. By doing this, Jarvis has been able to make money from multiple sources which helps him sustain a steady career in the music business.
Ultimately though, Jarvis knows that hard work is key if he wants to achieve long-term success as an artist. With each step forward though comes challenges that need to be overcome; however these struggles are all part of the process and help keep him motivated as he continues further down his musical journey.
Conclusion
I’m so inspired by Jarvis’ story and his determination to make it in the music industry. Despite all of the obstacles he faced, he never gave up on his dreams or lost sight of what was important – creativity and staying true to himself. He has shown that with hard work, dedication, and believing in yourself, you can achieve anything.
As a musician myself, I take away two key lessons from this experience: firstly, that adversity is part of life but that doesn’t mean we should give up; secondly, if something isn’t working out then don’t be afraid to try something new. This may involve taking risks but they’re often necessary for success.
Jarvis’s journey serves as an example of how pursuing your passion can lead to great things. It’s uplifting to see someone who had such uncertainty in their career ultimately find the courage and strength to make their dreams come true.
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.
