Is Joyce Wrice Our New Mariah Carey? She Discusses Inspirations, Style and Classic Collabs
Joyce was heading towards the Sierra Nevada Mountains with friends to go camping. I told her my obsession with waterfalls and hikes and she suggested Altadena Waterfalls around the Pasadena area. Her pure soul shines through the receiver of a phone call. Known for her collaboration ease, our conversation was truly one of a rising soulstress that will forever bless our ears.
(Nia Rice): Being from California, how did you build such a strong international fan base?
(Joyce Wrice): I started putting music on SoundCloud and Youtube. I feel like it was a time where people were just starting to release their own music. I got lucky catching that wave before now where there is so much music... every day. It’s really difficult for people to keep up and discover new stuff. I think that’s what really helps me.
I make classic R&B/Soul music. I started making music with MNDGSN and Stones Throw. He has a pretty good international following, so when I started to make songs with him people were catching on in Japan, Korea, Europe, Australia, New Zealand.
Also, I think those countries really appreciate music whether it’s popular or not. I kind of feel like that’s the difference between America. I feel like they just go based on what feels right to them. They don’t need validation.
(NR): "That's on You" is as relatable as a song gets! I felt it, girl! Is it personal? How did it come about?
(JW): Well I’ve always put out music that’s very personal and based on my life experiences, or at least something I saw or felt the need to express through my love for singing.
For “That’s On You”, I collaborated with a producer named Austin Brown.
We had our first session at the end of last year and he had this beat on his Instagram that I discovered in January 2019. When I pulled up to his studio at the end of last year (December 2019), I asked him if he still had the beat. He said he did, so I just knew that the beat was for me. So he played it and I freestyled the melodies. Literally, wrote gibberish over it. I just pulled out what the beat made me feel.
The beat and the guitar put me in a zone. Trying to get over this person... but I’m down - if they’re down to prioritize me. That’s kind of the vibe I got from the beat and that’s the story I wanted to tell. That’s what I was going through during that time. So that’s how it came about. It’s very vulnerable.
I’m just learning - don’t be afraid to be honest. I’m sure other people have been through it. Based on the feedback, people really relate to the song. People have been telling me they’re literally going through the same thing right now. So I love that... I love that I can support people and encourage people; or at least give them something where they feel like they’re not alone.
Even growing up, the music that I listened to made me feel that way. That’s what I loved when it came to "the Brandy’s" - the classic 90's. Even if I was too young..you can feel it. Feeling it does something to your body, and I want to have that same impact.
(NR): How has it been adjusting to making music during Quarantine?
(JW) I feel like I was really in rhythm with the universe. Right before all this happened, I got my own set up in my room. So fortunately, I don’t have to go to the studio. I mean, I miss physically collaborating.
I’ve been working with D Mile. He’s helping with my album. I'm kind of bummed, but I’m lucky to have a space to record. I still have great producers that send me ideas. I’m just doing my best to be self-sufficient, staying inspired, staying creative.
(NR) Is there an album in the works?
(JW) Yes, there is - I’ve been working on my album for 2 years!
I’m shooting for summer time. Just praying that Corona can figure itself out! So we can recover.
(NR) You seem to fit right in socially with rappers. Hearing you on Westside Gunn's "French Toast" record felt so right. What's the story behind this song?
(JW) Yes! I’m a really big Mariah Carey fan. What I loved about her is that she’s one of the artists that did such great remixes that were completely different from the original.
I love a lot of the records she did with rappers. - Also SWV and Total. So I was inspired by that to allow me to have songs with features like WestSide Gunn, or Dom Kennedy.
Yeah, the way I got connected to WSG was through the Free Nationals. After that, WestSide Gunn, DM'd me on Twitter.
He loved the song that we did - which we did all in person. So I went to Alchemist studio to help him finish “Pray for Paris”. He played the beat with Wale “French Toast”.
He asked me to sing on the hook and the outro. It was really fun, it was so chill. What I love about him is he’s so kind and respectful, and he’s just like, “Do you, whatever you feel, just do that; I Love your music and voice, so I'm cool with whatever you want to do.” I learned a lot from him because he’s been in the game for a long time.
(NR) What’s different from being in the studio with a rapper and an R&B artist?
Hmmm...Some of the studio sessions that I’ve been in with rappers - it’s like a damn party! Crazy! They want their friends there, they got all the drinks and everything.
For me, that’s overwhelming. I feel like with a lot of R&B artists, it’s usually just us and we vibe off each other and it’s pretty peaceful. But It's a few male R&B artists that I’ve been in the studio with that like the stereotypical "rapper vibe".
But me, I don’t need people in the studio - the less the better. But I'm really open, because at the end of the day whatever helps you create what you’re trying to go for, please do everything you need to do that!
(NR) Give me a wishlist of 5 artists you'd love to collab with in the near future:
(JW) James Fauntleroy, Frank Ocean, H.E.R., Jorja Smith, and Blxst I really like his voice and melodies.
(NR) Any additional information?
I have an album coming out and I can’t wait for everybody to hear it. It will be my first full-length project, so it’s very special and very exciting. And yes there will be features, rappers, and singers too!
Stream “That’s on You” and watch the music video!
Sponsored by H2P Management
