GET TO KNOW J. HOLIDAY

We’ve been talking about him and now you can learn more about this new hot artist. I recently got the chance to chat with J. Holiday and he’s a really cool dude.

Keep your eyes out on the latest and hottest talent from D.C, with his debut album “Back Of My Lac” due out in the fall…

Tianna: First I want to thank you for taking the time to speak to me today. Let’s start off by just tell everybody who J.Holiday is since you kind of new in the game?
J. Holiday: I would like to think I’m the new face of r&b. I go by the name J. Holiday and I’m hear to stay, you know what I mean? I’m from Washington, DC , I’m 23, I’m left-handed, Sagittarius…single…what else you want to know? (laughs)
Tianna: (laughs)
J. Holiday: They say I got an old soul, so you I like old school music…
Tianna: Okay, how long have you been singing?
J. Holiday: Pretty much as long as I can remember. I decided to get really serious about it when I turned 14, when I was in the ninth grade. But for long as I can remember, I’ve been singing.

Tianna: When did you realize that singing was your gift?
J. Holiday: When I was younger, about 11 or 12 – my cousins use to have me singing for their girlfriends and stuff. So I guess that would be the time, I didn’t really think of it as a talent – it was just something that I just did. I didn’t know at the time that I sounded good because you know, they always say all kids sound good when they sing (laughs).
Tianna: (laughs) Right. I was initially excited to speak with you being from the area myself. We’ve had a lot of successful male artists come from DC, like Ginuwine and Tank. But, it seems like with your music – you have that smooth element they bring but, with that DC street edge. What are some of your influences for your music, whether it be the city or just other artists?
J. Holiday: First and foremost, my Mom’s a preacher so as far as me being positive with my music, that plays a big part in it because she laid a big foundation with that.
Tianna: right…
J. Holiday: Just as far as my influences, yea I think that me coming from DC plays a part of that, just from the things that I saw, the people I hung out with. And musical artists, I love Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Sam Cooke, Jodeci, Tupac Shakur, I listen to the Fugees. So I listen to a bit of everything and those are the people that influence me, and they always have a positive messages in their songs so I think that has a lot to do with it too.

Tianna: Let’s talk a little bit about your new album, “Back Of My Lac”, now what made you name it that?
J. Holiday: Actually, I have a song on my album called “Back Of My Lac”. That song is basically the biggest insight into my life. Its kind of like who I am, and what kind of makes me - and the song is just basically a song about when people are kind of down and out, might be stressin’ or strugglin’ about a situation and you really don’t want to be bothered with people. So you just want to go off and be by yourself for a hot second – I personally just like to go out and drive and listen to some music, you know what I’m sayin’? I might go get some drinks or something but, it all just plays a part of me just chillin’ in the back of my lac because I just want to be alone at that point in time…
Tianna: Mhmmm…
J.Holiday: So you know, it just kind of lets you know where I’m coming from.
Tianna: Who are some of the people you worked with on your album?
J.Holiday: I worked with Rodney Jerkins, I worked with Justin B, Costars, Kwane out in LA – my homeboy Quincy in DC did the track Back Of My Lac…
Tianna: Cool. How was it like working with Rodney on your first single?
J. Holiday: Aww man, that was like the best thing that could possibly happen to me as a new artist. It was a learning experience for me to sit down and see somebody that has made so many hit records. And to know that he actually wanted to work with me? It was just a privilege.
Tianna: Yea, and you guys filmed the video here? Because I remember seeing Ben’s Chili bowl up in the video?
J. Holiday: Yea we shot the whole video for “Be With Me” in DC, right uptown off of 14 street. It was almost a 24 hour shoot.

Tianna: What will make your album different from male artists who are out now? What makes J. Holiday different from the rest? We have so may talented young male r&b artists & performers out – so, what sets you apart from the rest?
J. Holiday: What sets me apart from the rest – especially what sets my album apart from the rest, is I think that all the way through, my album has a lot of good songs you know, great songs that a lot of people can relate to versus people have a bunch of albums out with three good singles, ya know what I mean? We have a problem picking singles sometimes because there are so many good songs on the album and I think that is going to set us apart, especially with me being a new artist. I think it’s going to be a breathe of fresh air…

Tianna: And when is the album going to be released?
J. Holiday: Right now, we’re shooting for October 2nd.

Tianna: Great. Now we’re going to play a little game. I just want you to finish off the sentences for me with the best answer…ok. Currently in my cd player or ipod is…
J. Holiday: Marvin Gaye
Tianna: If I wasn’t singing, I’d be…
J.Holiday: singing (both laughs)
Tianna: It you wasn’t singing?! C’mon!…
J. Holiday: But nah! If I wasn’t singing, I don’t know what I would be doing honestly (laughs)
Tianna: okay. My favorite place to do when I’m off is..
J. Holiday: Bed…sleep!
Tianna: One singer I would love to collaborate with is…
J. Holiday: Aww man, well the people I would love to collaborate with honestly are Wyclef – I’d love to collaborate with Lil Wayne, Nelly, and T.I…Beyonce.
Tianna: The first time I heard my song on the radio, I…
J. Holiday: started laughing!
Tianna: In five years, I see myself…
J. Holiday: still making good music
Tianna: Ok, Concreteloop we really support you. We’ve been kind of putting you out there on the website and you have a fanbase that is growing on there, so can you quickly give the people a shoutout?
J. Holiday: Oh fa sho, *does shoutout*
Tianna: And let me also mention that one of your cousins hold you down as well…I’m a good friend of hers…(laughs)
J. holiday: Yea it was crazy! Because when my Mom hit me about Concreteloop must be like…crazy! (laughs)
Tianna: It must be if your Mom reads it too (laughs)! Wow!…When are you going to be in the area again?
J. Holiday: I’m not sure, but I will definitely let ya’ll know because I really appreciate everything you all have been doing over there.
Tianna: No problem, we support you…you’re making good music.
J. Holiday: Ok, and I hope this won’t be the last time we talk.
Tianna: Oh trust, it won’t – Iknow your family. (both laughs)