J Holiday Interview
J Holiday wants to put soul back into music and with his recent success in the US he is likely to become the male version of label mate Rihanna.
The hot single 'Bed' remained at the No.1 position in the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop chart for four weeks and his new album 'Back to My Lac' debuted at No.1. J Holiday is in his home in Washington DC as we chat over the phone, a humble and polite ladies-man who takes great care of his family but is also a star in the making.
First of all congratulations to your recent success!
Thank you so much sweetie.
What are you trying to convey with your music?
Good music and to try to talk about real life situations, and try to get people involved in R&B music again
What is R&B for you?
It's a way of life, honestly. I grew up on music. It's so easy to live life through R&B and that's what I'm trying to do. People who have gone through the same situations that I've been through maybe they can live a little bit for me you know.
How would you describe your sound?
I call it street soul. I call it that just because I try to make sure that I talk about things that people can relate to. It's a soulfulness to talk about music and I definitely try to get that soul across, especially from the hood, you know, there's so much soul people don't even know.
Are you a proper ladies man?
Um, I would think so, I hope so.
How do you cope with your new-found success?
I deal with it, it's different. I don't have much private time any more, it is what it is.
Who would you say influences and inspires you?
First of all it's my mom. I just want to be able to take care of my mom for the rest of my life, that's what inspires me. Also Marvin Gay, and Jodeci…
How would you describe a normal day for you?
Today is pretty cool, I'm at home but I'm doing interviews and such on the phone. A normal day would probably be a 6.30 flight to New York, a full day of promo and press, then probably some kind of after party later that night somewhere I have to stop and show my face, so it's usually 6 in the morning to 2 in the morning.
Would you say that your music is reviving classic soul?
I hope so, I just think that I'm gonna continue to make my type of music hopefully more artists are about to do the same.
What does your family mean for you and your music?
They are very important. I have a little girl and you have to make sure that your family is as close and tight as possible.
How do you think the UK audience reception will be like?
I think that you guys probably will like it a lot more, honestly, these are just things that I've heard that you really like R&B over there. I think it would definitely be appreciated.
What’s in the pipeline for you now?
I'm going on tour with Keisha Cole, that’s next for me right now. That's the biggest thing on my plate right now.
J Holiday's message to the Kiss's listeners:
Keep supporting me and as soon as the album is up over there I hope that everyone picks it up, and just keep racking with me man and hold me down.
J Holiday's debut album 'Back To My Lac' will be available from 29th October. 'Bed' will be released on 3rd December.
Interview: Julia Dinome
J Holiday Interview 
