"There's only one Luke James," says the two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, model, and actor. Raised by a NASA employee with eclectic music tastes, his single mother had him listening to everyone from Alabama to Sinead O'Connor and Donny Hathaway from a young age. This led to his diverse musical interests and influences, which range from R&B to jazz and gospel. Though singing wasn't his initial pursuit, James has always known he wanted to be an entertainer. Writing songs for significant recording stars such as Britney Spears and Justin Bieber and singing background vocals for American R&B artist Tyrese led to James being signed to Def Jam Records as a solo artist in 2011. Since then, he has produced two Grammy-nominated songs, the single I Want You in 2013 and Options in 2015. He has also broadened his reach, acting in film and T.V. and modeling for campaigns and music videos. With every new project and life experience, James gets closer to completing his bucket list. Luke is perhaps known for his unparalleled musical talent, where he draws on inspiration from both the past and present to create an R&B sound with the perfect blend of new and old soul and powerhouse vocals. He debuted a brand-new R&B album, To Feel love/d, this winter and recently announced an eight-city promotional U.S. tour to accompany the release. The album and tour include sounds and performances that serve as "an intimate voyage to feel love(d) during the month of love." The new album marks Luke's much-awaited return to his widely successful music career, following a hiatus in which he focused on his acting work. His two newly released singles from the album go girl ft. B.J. The Chicago Kid and Ro James and All of Your Love have taken the music streaming platforms by force, including features on massive playlists, including Spotify's New Music Friday, A&B, and rotation on Amazon's Global R&B platform. Luke also recently performed a medley of both singles on B.E.T.'s 2019 Soul Train Awards, broadcast live in five countries. Luke has also written songs for Snoh Aalegra, Justin Bieber, and Britney Spears throughout his career.
Luke has also performed alongside the late Prince and is one of the few artists to open for Beyoncé during her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. In 2012, he received his first Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance for his hit song I Want You (from his first mix-tape "#Luke") and received his second Grammy nomination in 2015 for Best R&B Song for Options ft. Rick Ross (from his self-titled debut album Luke James). Raised by a single mother in New Orleans, LA, Luke was exposed to the city's rich musical heritage at an early age, even taking up the saxophone for several years. As a child, various artists heavily influenced him, from Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin to Miles Davis and D'Angelo. It was after seeing D'Angelo in concert at age 11 that Luke decided on music as his career path. Showtime drama series, The Chi. Created by Lena Waithe, the series follows the lives of a group of people in the South Side neighborhood of Chicago after a fateful turn of events sends shock waves through the community but also connects them in unexpected ways. The series is set to return to Showtime in 2020. Luke also recently starred in the smash hit Universal Pictures' comedy Little, opposite Issa Rae, Regina Hall, and Marsai Martin. He is well known for his starring role in the musical drama series Star on FOX, created and helmed by Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels. Additional acting credits for Luke include recurring arcs on HBO's Insecure, U.S.A.'s Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G., and his role as R&B singer Johnny Gill on B.E.T.'s The Bobby Brown Story.
Mago __ Hi Luke, I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview with me. Please feel free to share anything so our viewers get to know you on a deeper musical and creative level. First, is there anything you want to tell us? What are you currently working on?
Luke James __ Well, my latest independent venture is a new project coming out at the end of this month, To Feel Loved. That’s the most important thing I am thrilled about right now.
M __ Tell our readers about this project and what we can expect.
LJ __ It’s an album of music I’ve worked on and put together over five years. After my first album’s debut release with Island Def Jam, I just wanted to take some time before putting the body of work out. I wanted to take my time exploring and creating music and honestly getting to a place of loving what I do.
M __ How did you get into that zone of returning to the good vibes?
LJ __ Well, it initially started with locking myself in the recording studio in Miami. I also invited friends I love to collaborate with and experimented with new ideas, creating some dope things out of thin air, you know? Just experimenting.
M __ I think that’s important as an artist; experimenting helps you break the molds and be an individual. What makes you stand out from other artists in your genre?
LJ __ I think there’s only one Luke James. I feel that my songs do not sound like anyone else’s does. I don’t particularly fancy remakes, to be honest with you.
M __ Yeah, I’m feeling your eclectic sound! So, how do you get inspired? How does the rhythm come to you?
LJ __ Sometimes things just come to me. It can start with just hum or heartbeat sound that I’m making with my mouth, and I start from there and build on that, adding sounds like doo-wop. The technology today is incredible. You can transpose a pitch and move things around digitally until it feels like the right balance that fits your style.
M __ Did you go to school for music?
LJ __ Yes and no. I started out playing saxophone. I didn’t go too serious with it, though. In New Orleans, we have a school called NOCCA, a performing arts school. I went there a couple of times, which got me motivated. It was like being at a Jazz camp. Christian Scott, Trumbo Shorty, and John Baptiste all went to the same camp. New Orleans is a very unique Town. It is very musical, so you can’t help but be in some ways influenced by all the different sounds you experience there.
M __ Do you feel like that musical community and your neighborhood inspired you and have an influence on your music?
LJ __ Yes. I moved to LA to jump on the hustle of just getting my song placements on the radio. So, I started designing songs for the radio. I got stuck in that realm for a bit, and it took some time to get out of it, which is one of the reasons why I took a four-year hiatus. That was to get me out of a place of creating music from a business standpoint rather than feeling absolute true honesty. The city is very emotional; jazz music and blues are emotional, influencing me greatly.
M __ So, let’s talk about young Luke. Explain where this rich brew as an entertainer came to be in your childhood influence. Seems like it’s in your bones.
LJ __ Yeah. I’m an only child. So, being an only child and growing up in the late 90s, crime was high, and I didn’t have that many safe outlets to go to, so I was very isolated. My mother had endless vinyls before Katrina, and I would play records and listen to those records and dive into all of that music, which influenced me.
M __ What are a few records from that collection that would stand out to you if you were to pick three off the top of your head?
LJ __ Three albums, hm... Sinead O’Connor, I think “Nothing Compares” was on that album. Donny Hathaway, But of course, you had on He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother songs like that. Then the third record got, to be honest, ‘Alabama.’
M __ What a collection your mother had, that’s cool! Have you started singing professionally as a background singer after being in a musical group? How was it to first hit the stage? What was the first experience that you had with butterflies in your stomach? The moment you’re like, “This is happening in my career”?
LJ __ I did not get butterflies from the singing background. Background singing was depressing. Although coming straight out of high school and going on tour with Tyrese and singing background for someone like that at the time was fun. Touring the world, making money, and all that stuff was exciting at that time, but I later wanted something more, and the facade quickly disappeared. I had to find my way to the foreground where I needed to be.
M __ how did you break away as a solo artist?
LJ __ I started songwriting, which allowed me to create relationships with others. This gave me a way to see what gets people going, which allowed me to showcase what I can do. After a while, people would say, "Who is that?" And I go, "That's me." They say, "Oh, sh*t, you can sing!" I'm like, "Yeah, I do that. I do lots of things on top of it." I got my break this way.
M __ You're a jack of all trades. You've said in 2015 to Teen Vogue that you had a bucket list. What are three things on your list?
LJ __ I guess seeing more of the world is one of them. It has been so long since I touched on that topic; I'm trying to think. I must review that buckle list again and get back to you.
M __ Okay, I will hold you to that one. I know that you've touched on TV and other things. Could you share a little bit about that experience with our readers?
LJ __ I was in a comedy last year called Little, which starred Marsai Martin, who produced it and is the youngest producer in history. Issa Rae and Regina Hall starred in the movie, and I play the love interest in that, which is fantastic. It was my first comedy role, and being a part of it was exciting. Also, I did two TV movies. One is called the New Edition Story, based on the New Edition group. A short biopic and update that I played Johnny Gill in that group. I also starred in a limited series called "Unsolved," based on the Biggie and Tupac Murders. I play Sean Puffy Combs.
M __ I have to check out every movie you have starred in now. So, jumping off topic, what about love?
LJ __ I think that love is inside of happiness. Love will be the title of the list. (Laugh)
M __ Do you have a love interest right now? How is it for you to maintain a relationship with your busy schedule that you have? How do you tend to your personal life?
LJ __ Well, I'm being "loving." I am in a loving place, which is fantastic. I wasn't always in a "loving" place, but now I found comfort in
M __ That's so nice; it's good always to keep love in your heart. It's been a pleasure speaking with you, Luke. Thank you!
LJ __ Thank you. Thank you so much.
Photography Kevin Sinclair Styling Paco Lampecinado Grooming Koji Ichikawa Talent Luke James