Meet Jex Nwalor, Your Next R&B Obsession [Premiere + Q&A]
Little is known about this young talent, and appropriately so as it is his first release, so we reached out to Jex to uncover more of this renaissance man.
Ones to Watch: Who is Jex Nwalor? How is Jex the artist different from you the individual?
Jex Nwalor: My name is Jex Nwalor. I'm an 18-year-old R&B singer/songwriter born in Toronto, Canada. I wouldn't say we are completely different because most of my songs relate to my life but in some ways we are. Jex as an individual is more laidback compared to Jex as an artist who is more expressive through his lyrics.
Tell us about your debut single "Time Goes "Bye"."
"Time Goes "Bye"" is about the fact that we humans have a limited time on earth. In the intro of "Time Goes "Bye,"" I was having a conversation stating time is of the essence and tomorrow is never promised. It's important to live in the now and do what you love.
As a debut single, what do you want your audience to take from this song?
I'm not just a cover artist. It's time for me to introduce my own music and take over like I did in the cover world. I want y'all to know I can write and create timeless music for everyone.
How did TikTok work for you so well? What’s your take on the platform as it relates to artists?
TikTok isn't just an app where people post comedy or dancing vids. It's a place where us artists can express ourselves and our musical ideas no other platform has allowed us to do. It's a marketplace, a place to get discovered, and essentially a label in and of itself. It changed my life.
From the jump my first cover, "Best Part" by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R., hit a million views. From then on, the only way was up. Now I have videos surpassing 35 million views. For me, it's my ukulele playing that sets me apart. There are not a lot of people who look like me that play the ukulele.
You are currently balling out for school, how do you balance sports & music? Do they pair well as a form of recovery?
At first, I didn't think I could do it because practices and games took a toll on my body and I needed time to recover, but I made it work. Whether it was late nights or early mornings, I found time to consistently work on my music. I even brought my ukulele to away games.
Who from the music world would you want to challenge 1 on 1?
Doesn't matter who, I'm down for whatever. I can most definitely take anybody. Bieber, J Cole, Quavo, it doesn't matter.
What’s next for you, what should we look out for?
Stay on the lookout for more music. I have a lot coming at you full speed.
Who are your Ones to Watch?
My guy Brandon Banks. He's working on new music as we speak. He brings a unique tone to R&B.
