His latest single “Can I Be Him” is gaining momentum on the radio airwaves in New York City. “Wicked!” he said. “That’s great. I’m really proud of that song. I think it’s going to take time to get on the way of ‘Say You Won’t Let Go,’ but even if it gets half of the traction of ‘Say You Won’t Let Go,’ I will be a very happy man.”
His musical influences include the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson, Prince, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Boyz II Men, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Nirvana and Bryan Adams. “I’ve had so many influences. As I grew older, I got into hip-hop and contemporary music,” he said.
Arthur noted that he stays connected with his fans through social media. “Social media has been instrumental in that. I get to speak to my fans via my social networks. I do a lot of Q&As with them. I like it to keep it down-to-earth and humble, and speak to them as much as I can,” he said.
He praised his record label, Columbia Records, for being “the best label in the world.” “C’mon. I’m on the same label as Beyonce, Adele and Barbra Streisand. It’s crazy. The who’s who of legends is on this label, and I’m just happy to be a part of it,” he said.
Arthur defined the word success as “being able to support his family and focusing on his music with no pressure.” “I’m hungry and I’m still striving, but success is validated by you and how you define it. I define it by doing my job to a standard where I am able to support my family, and where I’m happy and enjoying it. That’s where I am at. I think I’ve got the success that I need. I don’t need any more validation than that,” he said.
The British singing sensation shared that he is ambassador for the mental health organization, SANE, in the U.K. “We basically encourage anybody who is struggling with mental health issues to speak out, and speak about what they are going through, because that is the best medicine,” he said.
For his fans, he concluded about his tour, “Look forward to a diverse set with a lot of energy. There is soul, hip-hop, R&B and gospel. The whole spectrum. We’ve got it. It is going to be a lot of energy and good vibes.”
To learn more about James Arthur, check out his official homepage.
Read More: James Arthur chatted with Digital Journal about his smash single “Say You Won’t Let Go” and his concert at the Jones Beach Theater on Long Island.
