Interview: James Worthy Shares Track-By-Track Review For 'Blu Leisure"

Last year, ‘RnB Junkie Official’ had the opportunity of interviewing Grammy-award winning songwriter, producer, and Billboard charting artist James Worthy. Today, James Worthy is back to discuss the release of his debut EP ‘Blu Leisure,’ with a track-by-track review. Check out our interview with James Worthy below!

”Blu Leisure” your official debut project as an artist released today. How does it feel?  

It feels great! It feels like a long time coming. Of course, it's a debut project, but I've been working on it for at least a year and a half now, so it feels good to finally get it out and see what the response will be. 

What would you say has been the most fulfilling part about creating this project?

Umm. Just actually collaborating with artists that I am a fan of, for one. Number two, just being able to express myself as an R&B act. You know, it's not an easy genre, nor an easy business to be in; I'm just happy that I am able to do it now. 

Here, James Worthy shares a track-by-track review of every song, from their meaning, collaborations, and how they were purposely crafted to create the overall concept for the project. 

1. "Blu"
So with "Blu," that's the intro to the project, and basically, it's just something dark, something melodic, and something uptempo to start off the project. I named it "Blu" because of course the name of the project is called "Blu Leisure," so it's self-entitled. It's just a different style and a different sound. [I'm] playing around with my voice, something to get you interested and sort of in your face to start off the project for you to flow into the rest of it. 

2. "How Many Times (Feat. Tony Terry)"
"How Many Times," that song is probably one of the most interesting, but difficult songs I've done for this project. I say that because on that song it kind of tested my range vocally. Also, I had a chance to work with an R&B legend who is Tony Terry. If anybody knows who Tony Terry is, "With You" which is probably one of the most famous R&B songs. It was just an honor for me to do that and I just wanted to make something straight for R&B. 

3. "Luv & High Levels"

"Luv & High Levels," is basically about you wanting to reach higher levels in life, but it's personal for me because this is another level for me in my chapter and I am going to keep growing. Also, it speaks about different levels in love. The way you think about it is if you're in a relationship, or love in general people perceiving you a certain way, people enjoying what you do in life. That's another form of it, so that's what the song is about. It's more of a mid-tempo, 808, bounce to it. I just wanted to put all of the three together and just kind of make something different. 

4. "Glow"

"Glow," straight R&B, that's probably one of my favorite songs. It's really one of them feel-good laid back R&B songs that get you to think. "Glow," the meaning of it is, I'm with somebody, and I want them to see the glow up. I want them to see, "hey you know we're moving up in life." Whether it be musically, business-wise, socially, personally, [or] whatever that song is about the glow up. 

5. "Call On Me (Feat. Sonna Rele)"

With "Call On Me," shout out to Sonna Rele. If you know who that is, she is an amazing vocalist who's signed to Motown Records. She blessed me with this feature; it's actually a duet. Technically on this record, it's just about if you're feeling lonely or want some company, don't hesitate to call on me. It's one of those feel-good songs too, but a little bit more in tempo, faster. It's just a dope record. 

6. "Oceans (Feat. Kalenna)"

"Oceans," this is probably, I don't want to say my favorite song off the project, but it's definitely up there in the numbers. Shout out to Kalenna from Dirty Money. This song was actually really really easy to make. Ironically, I didn't think it would be easy at all. "Oceans" is just one of those dark, slower, midtempo records, but it's really melodic. Kalenna kind of gave me a different ear of how to approach this because initially, she recorded her vocals before I recorded mine, she kind of gave me the blueprint. With this song, you know whenever you're trying to seek positive energy or positive vibes, for me personally I think about an ocean, or I'm thinking about a sunset. I'm thinking about some tranquility environment, and that's what this song is about. It's about tranquility. 

7. "Move (Feat. Ecstasy)

So, "Move" is the last song on the project, which is actually the single I released last year mid of 2018. The song features Ecstasy from the legendary Whodini, the group. It's an uptempo, Hip-Hop, R&B, [and] Caribbean influence vibe. It's something for clubs, something for the summer. Shout out to Ecstasy he blessed me with his verse which was amazing, honored to have him on the project and that song. It's about you moving, your body moving, you're moving through life. I'm with somebody that I really dig, and we're moving to a whole different level, so that's what this song is about as well. 

What's one thing you would want listeners to walk away with after listening to this project?

I want them to walk away with a different mindset of who James Worthy is as an artist. I want people to understand where I am going musically. Pass that I want people to understand the message that I bring with this project. This is a concept project, it's a storyline, and this is setting up for the next project. I want people to understand what I am talking about. It's some real stuff I am talking about in these songs, and I just want people to realize that R&B is still alive, it's still here, and we're just gonna keep thriving. 

Can you tell our readers where they can find “Blu Leisure” and how they can reach you on social media?

Yes, you can find me on social media @kingjamesworthy. That's on every social media platform. "Blu Leisure" is available on all streaming platform Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon, [and] anywhere you can get music it will be available.

On behalf of ‘RnB Junkie Official,’ we would like to wish you much success on “Blu Leisure,” and thank you for your time.  

Thank you so much for having me.

Interview: Grammy Award Producer & Recording Artist James Worthy Talks Transitioning In Music & New Project "Blu Leisure"

Grammy-award winning songwriter, producer, and Billboard charting artist James Worthy is one of the most influential and prominent musicians currently in music. He has worked with artists such as Men At Large, Silk, Future, 112, Fetty Wap, T-Pain, Lil Zane, 6lack, Blac Yongsta, J'honnie Blaze, Asian Doll, Justin Bieber, Bobby Brown, and Whitney Houston to name a few. Last year James Worthy and his group duo Kings X2 scored an instant hit with their single "Wine For Me," which debuted at #10 on the 'Billboard Hot Singles Chart.' After disbanding, Worthy set out to pursue a solo career with the release of his debut solo single "Blu Sunsets' this past spring, followed by his latest single "Move"  featuring Ecstacy of the legendary rap group Whodini. 'RnB Junkie Official' had the pleasure of interviewing James Worthy. We discussed his background, transition in music, having humility, his forthcoming album 'Blu Leisure,' plus more. Check out our interview with James Worthy below!

Can you tell us about your background and how you got your start in the music industry?

Well, initially I started as a ghost producer and ghostwriter. I was writing and producing for different acts whether it be major or indie. More so on the back end side of things, until I started placing with more notable artists getting more recognition in the industry which turned into me actually getting credited. You know, receiving publishing and all that good stuff. So, that’s how it started.

You’re a Grammy award-winning songwriter, producer, artist, and actor. Are there any aspects of the entertainment industry that you would like to tap into that you haven’t yet?

You know right now, I’m really perfecting every genre, so to speak of the entertainment industry. Just by whatever I feel. For example, I’m always trying to perfect music. I'm always trying to perfect production and writing. I’m always trying to perfect acting roles, whether it be television or film whatever the case is. So, it’s really nothing that I haven’t done, but it’s just all about perfecting everything.

You have accomplished things other songwriters and producers aspire to achieve, how do you remain humble?

Well, that’s just me. I’ve grown up a very humble child. I’ve had the support of my parents, whose definitely music lovers, so that really helped me out a lot. I have never been the one to be in everyone’s face and trying to get attention from everyone. I was always the quiet one or the laid-back one, so I think that had something to do with me just letting the music and product speak for its self.

What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?

The biggest lesson [pauses]. Just like you said remaining humble, but also knowing who you are. Knowing what you want to be in life and never altering that. What I mean by that is you really have to have a strong mind and believe in yourself that much to know that you are worth it. [To know] that you bring something to the table that no one else does, and are just as good as anyone else. Once you have that mindset, you can do anything you want.

Do you find it hard transiting between artist and producer?

No, not really. I say that because coming from the production side of things and the writing side I’ve had time to sit back and really see how a record is made. Seeing how things are done behind the scenes whether it be mixing, mastering, writing, arrangements, crafting, production. You know, just everything that actually goes into making a record I’ve been in that process, so that was easy for me to implicate that into my own because I’ve done it for so long.

Earlier this year you released your debut solo single ‘Blu Sunsets,’ and recently released your follow up single ‘Move’ featuring Ecstasy from the legendary rap group Whodini. Can you talk a little about the concepts of each song and how they came about?

“Blu Sunsets” was just a debut single that I wanted to put out to show all the fans and the world that I can bring something to the table, as far as R&B is concerned. Anybody that knows my production [knows] R&B is my core. I thought that “Blu Sunsets” was just more of that uptempo, feel good, nostalgic vibe that I think we need in the R&B world now. The concept was more so just feeling good with the person you’re with no matter whatever you guys been through or whatever the case is. Anybody knows when you see a sunset it’s always that positive energy, that positive vibe, so I called it “Blu Sunset” because blue is a tranquil color. Blue is my favorite color also, and the two just go well together, so I called it “Blue Sunset,” which actually transitioned into “Move.” “Move” is more so a feel good nostalgic vibe too, more so maybe an island vibe in the production aspect. I just wanted to switch it up a little bit, and I just want people to feel good dance and move, which is why I called the song “Move,” something good for the summer time. I had to put Ecstasy on there because he’s just one of those legends. I grew up listening to Whodini, and I was just blessed enough for him to bless me with his verse.

You will be releasing your first album ”Blu Leisure.” How does it feel?

It feels amazing! This is my first go around releasing a body of work, so this is my way of introducing myself to the world as a solo artist, and it feels good. Anytime you really do something that you love, and you put your blood sweat and tears into, you always want it to be perceived well. The singles have been received well, so I am excited about putting out this project.

Is there a release date in mind yet?

We don’t have a release date yet, but it will be some time January 2019.

What can we expect to hear on your album as far as sounds, lyrics, and energy?

You can definitely hear a lot of arrangements. A lot of island, R&B, and Hip-Hop influences. It’s more so an infusion of sounds, just different vibes you’re going to find on there. The core of it, of course, is R&B, but it’s just good music, feel-good music. A lot of great melodies within the records. I really feel strongly that people will connect with.

Can you tell us where your music can be found and how fans can reach you on social media?

You can definitely reach me on social media via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @kingjamesworthy. You can also go to my website at kingjamesworthy.com, and also we're everywhere streaming platform base Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, Tidal. Everywhere you can stream music, buy, download, and all that good stuff we’re there.

I want to thank you again for this interview. I really appreciate it.

Thank you for having me.

New Music: James Worthy (Featuring Ecstacy of Whodini) - Move

Grammy Award Producer and R&B recording artist James Worthy who is behind some of the biggest names in music just released his second anticipated solo single “Move” which features Ecstacy of the Legendary Hip Hop Group Whodini. The song gives an Island/Hip Hop and R&B vibe with smooth delivery.

“Move” is available on all distributional outlets where music is purchased.

Follow James Worthy:

Instagram & Twitter @kingjamesworthy

New Music: James Worthy - Blu Sunsets

R&B sensation & Grammy producer James Worthy who produced hits for Jhonni Blaze, Jaden Smith, Truth Hurts & many others, releases his new long anticipated single “Blu Sunsets”, which is produced by Frisktrackz.

The song is an uptempo R&B/Soul vibe speaking on feeling free with the one you’re with but letting them know you want them. The record will be on iTunes & all distribution outlets.

Follow James Worthy:

Instagram & Twitter @kingjamesworthy