By: John Glover (MBA)
HeIsTheArtist, an award-winning and chart-topping Christian R&B singer-songwriter from New York, has captivated audiences worldwide with his soul-stirring music. His latest EP, “Dreaming In Emerald City (Wicked Deluxe Edition),” released in February, has further solidified his status as a rising star in the music industry. In a recent interview, HeIsTheArtist opened up about his inspirations, musical journey, and the profound role of faith in his art.
An Homage to Classic Musicals
The inspiration behind “Dreaming In Emerald City (Wicked Deluxe Edition)” stems from HeIsTheArtist’s love for classic musicals, specifically “The Wizard of Oz” and “West Side Story.” He shares, “The Wizard of Oz and West Side Story are two of my favorite musicals. My covers, such as ‘I’m Always Chasing Rainbows,’ pay homage to ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ and my Latin original song ‘Mi Amor’ pays homage to ‘West Side Story.'” These musicals’ themes of self-love and empathy naturally influenced the EP’s songwriting process, creating a heartfelt and nostalgic collection of tracks.
Blending Genres with Ease
HeIsTheArtist’s unique sound is a seamless blend of Broadway-style vocals and neo-soul elements. His background in musical theater vocal lessons and summer camps made this fusion effortless. “As a kid, I took musical theater vocal lessons and went to musical theater summer camps, so the blending of the two was pretty easy because I’m well-versed in both genres,” he explains. This versatility allows him to create music that resonates deeply with listeners, regardless of genre boundaries.
A New Interpretation of a Classic
The EP opens with a cover of Judy Garland’s “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows.” HeIsTheArtist was drawn to this classic song because of its natural fit into the nostalgic lo-fi genre. “Lo-fi music is very popular now, and the song naturally fits into that genre. I didn’t have to do much except sing it in my vocal range,” he notes. This approach breathes new life into the timeless tune while maintaining its original charm.
Celebrating Love Through Covers
“Dreaming In Emerald City (Wicked Deluxe Edition)” features covers of songs by Minnie Riperton, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, and India.Arie. These selections were easy for HeIsTheArtist, as they are songs he grew up loving. “All of the covers on my EP were songs that I already loved to listen to growing up. Those four songs are naturally the epitome of love songs, in my opinion,” he says. Each cover contributes to the EP’s overarching narrative of love and empathy, resonating with listeners on a profound level.
Global Success and Managerial Support
HeIsTheArtist’s music has found a global audience, with singles like “Mi Amor” reaching #2 on the UK iTunes R&B charts and “I Believe in You and Me” hitting #9. He attributes this success to his dedicated management team. “It feels great to know that people are resonating with my music on a global scale. I would mostly have to thank my great manager, Michael Stover at MTS Management, for the increasing global success of my music,” he acknowledges.
https://open.spotify.com/track/4VTghFqAQAhBJrrTuS6Ncq?si=ea18e3125aee433c
Exciting Upcoming Projects
Looking ahead, HeIsTheArtist has several exciting projects in the pipeline, including “Sympathy Sonata (Rock Rhapsody)” and a full-length rock EP. He describes these upcoming releases as his most raw and edgy works to date. “Both are definitely my most raw projects to date. They can definitely expect that both projects are going to be very exciting, raw, and edgy, while still maintaining the message of God in between the lines,” he reveals.
Faith at the Core
Faith plays a central role in HeIsTheArtist’s music and life. His journey as a Christian R&B artist has seen his musical themes expand while remaining rooted in biblical messages. “Over time, the musical themes I have explored as a Christian artist have expanded. However, all of my themes are taken straight from the Bible, from themes of love to themes of forgiveness taken straight from God’s glorious mouth,” he explains.
A Vision for the Future
HeIsTheArtist’s goals and aspirations for his music career are deeply intertwined with his faith. He hopes to spread the gospel through his music and convey deeper biblical messages as his career progresses. “I hope to spread the gospel through my music to as many people as possible around the world and also convey deeper biblical messages as my career progresses,” he shares.
With his soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and unwavering faith, HeIsTheArtist is poised to continue making a significant impact in the world of Christian R&B. His music not only entertains but also inspires and uplifts, spreading messages of love, empathy, and faith to a global audience.
Published by: Holy Minoza
