Hey guys. I am so excited to share this Q&A with you. I was lucky enough to interview up and coming R&B artist: Jarell Perry. I am in love with all his songs and he’s worked with talent from Usher, Diplo, Rusko to Fat Joe and also has collaborated with Cadence Weapon, Torae, Cormega, Nacho Picasso and Locksmith. Jarell's set to release his forthcoming album, Simple Things on March 18th and we discussed about his inspiration, what we can expect from the album among other things. Check it out below!

1. What made you want to follow music? When did you realize this was what you wanted to do for a living?

I was 15 when I got in the studio for the first time. I was supposed to record a solo for my church choir's Christmas album, and I remember it was ironic because this Hollywood studio we were at was grimey as hell. Shag carpet up the walls, skulls + crosses, this gothic throne chair-thing...Ozzy Osbourne swag. But something clicked for me when I was behind that mic doing takes of "Go Tell It." This was what I wanted to do.

2. What are your musical influences? Which artists inspired you the most?
I'm inspired by every kind of music, neo-soul to house to indie rock and folk. My #1 inspiration has always been Stevie Wonder.

3. Was R&B your #1 choice of music genre to focus on?
I can't help it - I was born into a deep tradition of soul/gospel and R&B music. While I'm always trying new things to break away, I will always be considered an R&B artist.

4. What song - out of the ones you already released/written -means the most to you? Why?
They all mean something and have all meant the most at a certain time in my life. Right now "Getaway" is the closest, it has multiple meanings. Lyrically it sums up the past, present, and future and musically it's very thematic. I'm living the most vivid times of my life right now.

5. What inspires you to make music?
What doesn't inspire me to make music? That's a better question.

6. Are you planning any collaborations/duets?
I want to work with as many dope artists as possible as I'm coming up - I have features coming with rapper Cormega, Cadence Weapon, and plenty of others I can't talk about just yet.

7. How is it working with Hassan Johnson? Will you continue working with him? 
Hassan is an absolute beast and the chemistry we have as a team creatively is just crazy. Really, it takes years and years to find someone who gets all of your ideas, has the same taste, and the same drive. So yeah Hassan and I will be working for a long time. Til we're grumpy old men.

8. What can we expect from your Simple Things EP?
Expect the unexpected. Lots of new sounds and experimentation with the music, classic songwriting, and vocals. Lots of vocals.

9. With whom would you love to work with and why?
I'd love to work with Kanye West right now not just for his lyrical and musical genius but because I feel like he's the perfect antithesis of me. He's a wild character with all the attention and I'm generally so laid back, would love to catch that energy from him.

10. This new decade has been dominated by rising R&B stars such as Miguel, Frank Ocean, Trey Songz, etc. Do you think R&B is making a comeback to the mainstream audience?
I think the world is ready to hear something new from R&B, and people are excited about it. It's a great time for music in general.

11. Where would you most like to perform?
Glastonbury.

12. If you were given the chance to pick one artist to tour with which one would it be and why?
Coldplay - I've been to their arena show and the energy they create is wild. They've had a lot of influence on my music but at the same time I know it would be unexpected to see me on the same bill. I love that element of surprise. 

13. What advice do you have for people who want to make it in this business?
Never stop. There's no "making it" unless you make and re-make and create your opportunities a million times over.

14. What artist are you listening to on your iPod?
 Rhye, and Ryan Hemsworth
 15. If you weren't singing, what would you be doing?
 Dying a slow death.

 16. If you could only listen to one artist the rest of your life, who would it be?
Michael Jackson.

17. Trey Songz or Frank Ocean?
Frank.

18. What are the five things you can’t live without?
Family, coffee, sunlight, prayer, and my iPhone 5.
19. Name your favourite song of 2013 so far?
Started From The Bottom by Drake. I'm sure that'll change. LOL. That and Ryan Hemsworth's remix of Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey.

20. Ten years from now you will be….
Taking it all in.