[Artist Watch] London Gets ‘Higher,’ Talks Three W’s of Inspiration, Oakland’s R&B Legacy, More

Not to be confused with the capitol city in the United Kingdom, Bay Area’s London invites you to his creative jurisdiction Londonland for an R&B stay.

After catching the ears of industry heavyweights Ron "Neef-U" Feemster, Mike City, and Ne-Yo with his unique style, he collaborated with them to form a demo sent to Universal/London A&R, who signed him to the label. Unfortunately, his project was shelved. But not to be defeated, London broke away from the label and is now independently readying his upcoming project Welcome To Londonland, coming this fall. Headed by the first single “Higher,” a futuristic slow jam, London is prepared to finally unleash his sound that has label heads buzzing.

The singer-songwriter participated in a short Q&A with Singersroom about the concept behind the video for “Higher” (see below), the three “W’s” of his inspiration, his list of faves, and more. Get acquainted with London below:

Singersroom: What’s the concept behind the “Higher” video?

London: The visuals are a little different from what you would expect from an R&B artist coming outta Oakland, but the video is simply different levels of elevation and going "Higher."

Singersroom: What makes your sound unique?

London: I think all the Sunny D I drank as a kid gave me solar energy and its now coming through in my music.

Singersroom: Other than your voice, do you play any instruments?

London: The voice is an instrument…I play vocal cords.

Singersroom: Who are your musical influences?

London: Women, weed, weather, and some of the classic R&B greats before my time. There's many, so all of them who had an impact on the R&B game.

Singersroom: What's the concept behind Welcome to Londonland?

London: It's an intro to everything London, and a welcome back to classic R&B songs that have been missing.

Singersroom: Oakland has a strong R&B history (Keyshia Cole, Goapele, En Vogue, The Pointer Sisters, Sly Stone, etc). What’s your take on the current R&B scene in Oakland?

London: You forgot Tony Toni Tone, who was one of the biggest R&B influences from Oakland and what they did in the game, but the Oakland music scene is alive and well. With new talent like myself, ROD, Adrian Marcel, 1-O.A.K, and a few others on the male R&B side, we're lookin good. Also to name a few females, with new comer Takiyah Suhail, Netta B, Mara Hruby, and a few others, I'd say Oakland is holding it down on the R&B scene.

Singersroom: You’ve worked with Ne-Yo, Rodney Jerkins, James Fauntleroy. Who else would you like to work with?

London: To be honest, I really don't care to work with many others cause at this point I would like to brand my own sound with my favorite producer and good friend Shonuff, who is also a native of Oakland. But if I had a chance to work with Pharrell, I'd fasho do that.

Singersroom: What’s next for London?

London: Making a name for myself and creating a long lasting music career amongst the greatest to every do it.

Favorites:

Celeb Crush: Every beautiful single lady out there that's tryna choose up on skinny mac'n lol. I want em all.

Current song: "All my shit" meaning all my music

Sport/Team: Raiders/Warriors

Past Time/Hobby: Basketball/Bowling/Ping Pong

TV Show: TV sucks

City: Oakland

Drink: Hennessy

Quote: ACTION!!!/OLE'!!!

Watch the music video for London's "Higher"

Are you looking for some fresh inspiration in the music industry? Look no further than Higher, a rising star from London who is shaking up the scene with their unique blend of R&B and neo-soul.

In a recent interview, Higher delved into their new project ‘Three W’s’ which explores the themes of wisdom, wealth, and women. As an artist who values storytelling and authenticity, Higher draws on personal experiences to create powerful lyrics that resonate with listeners. Their passion for exploring different themes in their music is evident in the ‘Three W’s’ project, which seeks to highlight the complexities of these topics through soulful melodies and thought-provoking lyrics.

But that’s not all – Higher also gives credit where credit is due by acknowledging the impact of Oakland’s R&B legacy on their own sound. Keep reading to learn more about Higher’s journey as an artist and how they are making waves in the industry.

Higher’s ‘Three W’s’ Project: Exploring Wisdom, Wealth, and Women

Let’s dive into Higher’s ‘Three W’s’ project, where they explore the themes of wisdom, wealth, and women in a way that’s thought-provoking and inspiring.

Firstly, the theme of wisdom is explored through the art of storytelling. Higher believes that sharing stories can teach valuable lessons and lead to personal growth. They encourage individuals to reflect on their own experiences and share them with others. This way, everyone can learn from each other and gain a deeper understanding of life.

Secondly, wealth isn’t just about money but also about abundance in all aspects of life. According to Higher, it’s important to recognize the blessings in our lives and be grateful for them. They suggest practicing gratitude every day by acknowledging even the smallest things we have – like having access to clean water or being able to breathe fresh air.

Lastly, women are celebrated as powerful beings who play important roles in society. Higher aims to challenge gender stereotypes by showcasing women who break barriers in different fields such as music, art, business, and science. By doing so, they hope to inspire young girls and promote gender equality.

Higher’s ‘Three W’s’ project offers a refreshing perspective on what truly matters in life: gaining wisdom through storytelling, recognizing abundance beyond just material possessions, and celebrating women as equals. It encourages us all to reflect on our own lives and make positive changes for ourselves and those around us.

The Importance of Oakland’s R&B Legacy in Higher’s Music

You can’t fully appreciate Higher’s music without acknowledging the importance of Oakland’s rich R&B legacy. The city has produced some of the greatest R&B acts of all time, such as En Vogue and Tony! Toni! Toné!. Their smooth and soulful sounds have undoubtedly influenced Higher’s music, particularly in his use of layered harmonies and melodic arrangements.

Higher has made it clear that he’s proud to be from Oakland and pays homage to the city’s musical heritage in his work. He often incorporates samples from classic R&B songs into his tracks, adding a nostalgic flair to his modern sound. In doing so, he not only honors those who came before him but also brings their music to a new generation of listeners.

The influence of Oakland’s R&B legacy on Higher’s music extends beyond just its sound. It also reflects the values and spirit of the community that birthed it. As an artist, Higher strives to create meaningful and uplifting content that speaks to people on a personal level. This commitment to authenticity is something he shares with many of Oakland’s legendary R&B artists, who used their platform to address social issues and inspire change through their music.

Conclusion

So there you have it, you’ve just read an in-depth interview with London-based artist Higher.

You’ve learned about his latest project exploring the three W’s of wisdom, wealth, and women, as well as the significance of Oakland’s R&B legacy on his music.

Higher brings a unique perspective to the world of music, blending genres and drawing inspiration from a variety of sources.

His commitment to authenticity and innovation is evident in all aspects of his work, making him an artist to keep an eye on in the years to come.

If you haven’t already checked out his music or followed him on social media, now’s the time to do so – you won’t be disappointed!

Elle Breezy