By: Kat Harlton
Soulful pop artist Tim Johnson Jr. got into the holiday spirit this past December with a special 3-song EP, “Christmas With U“. Johnson Jr. took on two holiday classics, “Silent Night” and “Silver Bells”, and highlighted his songwriting skills with an original single, “Snow Day”. Tim brings his soulful vocals and the essence of R&B to each of the tracks reinventing some timeless classics.
Tim Johnson Jr. recently appeared on the Fox breakout music competition show, The Four: Battle for Stardom, where he finished as a Semifinalist. Since then, he has been working on original music.
Although we’re a little late to the party on this one, we had the chance to catch up with Johnson Jr and talk music, family connections and what’s next.
Kat: Can you share some of the inspiration behind your EP “Hey U”?
Tim: My EP Hey U was inspired by the sounds of my life; the music that I grew up listening to mixed with the music I listen to now. I wanted to give a feel good vibe, that everyone could jam too. My father/ co- producer and I just started piecing together the puzzle, and this is how Hey U came to be.
Kat: Do you have any musical artists, role models or sounds that either inspire your music, or you personally? If so, who?
Tim: Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone, are the greatest artists of all time to me, because they evoke emotion on another level. My goal with my art is to make others feel deeply.
Kat:Who would you like to do a collaboration with?
Tim: I would love to collab with Chloe X Halle (they are amazing), Pj Morton, Leon Bridges, Chance The Rapper, and Childish Gambino . There are so many more, but these five came to mind.
Kat: What’s on your playlist?
Tim: I been listening to some Jackson 5 lately, Childish Gambino’s album “Awaken, My Love!”, and Pj Morton’s album Gumbo. I’m an album guy!
Kat: What did you learn from your experience on Fox’s TV show “The Four: Battle for Stardom”?
Tim: The greatest thing I learned from The Four is to truly be yourself. This gives me the confidence to create the music I want to create. I bring that lesson with me in all facets of my life. Be you!
Kat: What’s next?
Tim: I am currently a co-star in season two of the Hulu series Future Man. I will also be in two movies this year, one called The House Next Door. I will be continuing to do what drives me, and that is creating. Also, more music will definitely be coming soon!
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