It’s been a decade since Ro James took the music world by storm with arguably one of the number one records about consent, “Permission.”
Ten years later, so much has transpired when it comes to the evolution of not only James but also his artistry and craftsmanship as a musician, too. His latest endeavor includes a creative hub, which speaks to the current era he’s in.
“My new entity and creative hub is called R8T3D R, so — I’ve been torn at whether to call it that, or to call it something else that kind of speaks to this chapter,” James told Blavity when asked what the title of his forthcoming project will be. “The music that I created, I made it in four EPs, so it’s four different subchapters to get up to the chapter. I’ve just been in a space since, I want to say 2020. I turned in my last album, and after that I realized and knew that I didn’t want to fall in line with corporate structures as far as my creativity. I wanted to actually follow and speak from my heart and speak from what I’m actually going through — and not necessarily have to just write radio songs or a song that I felt was for radio. I wanted people to feel me this time around.”
Making music that embodies his whole essence
As a military kid born in Germany and with a Panamanian background, James has many musical influences, which is why he has always subscribed to the idea of exploring different genres. Whether it’s showcasing his appreciation for country music, rock, soul, jazz, you name it, he’s been inspired by so many sounds of life.
“This time around, I was like, ‘How do I give people me?’ And also, not to mention, I left my label. So now I’m in my complete freedom to be able to do what I want to do and express the way I want to.”
A double Scorpio, thanks to his sun and moon sign, James said new music, like his forthcoming single “Into” — the second from the upcoming body of work — speaks to the intensity of someone born under this zodiac placement. He spoke of the sign’s three stages: Scorpion, Eagle, and Phoenix. For James, it’s all about transformation.
“I think I’ve evolved to the Phoenix, but I went back to remind myself of the Eagle phase so I could not forget,” he explained. “I did a lot of self-work, shadow work, and a lot of healing and calling myself out in the past couple of years. I’m in a great space, creatively, mentally, spiritually, personally; I’m aligned.”
Continuing the legacy of musicians in his family
Although James grew up as a preacher’s kid, the rebel in him shied away from participating in the choir. Still, he could not escape music if he wanted to, with a lineage of musicians and music enthusiasts sprinkled throughout his family, including his aunt Rosie Gaines, a former singer for Prince and a member of his New Power Generation.
He said he has learned many lessons from his aunt and that it’s hard to name just one that has left an indelible mark.
“I think the thing with her that mattered the most to me was watching her do it,” James said. “Watching her — she plays every instrument by the way — so watching her write those songs, travel with them, actually perform, hearing the songs. She was also signed to RCA, which, I was signed to RCA, so it was kind of like, ‘Oh, this is crazy.’”
He added, “I learned a lot about protecting your art and I don’t want to say real estate in music, but your royalties, masters and copyrights, and your trademark to do it the right way. A lot of times, as artists, we’re so excited to just have the opportunity to get in the position to be able to elevate that we forget the business, or we assign it to someone else to handle it for us because it’s overwhelming. It’s a lot going on. It’s rehearsal, writing music, the studio, all these different things, and then it’s real life on top of all of that. I think that the lesson I learned the most was to protect my work, my art, and to tell the truth and never take the love out of my music.”
The post Ro James On Protecting His Art — Just Like His Aunt, Prince Collaborator Rosie Gaines appeared first on Blavity.
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