By Scout Nicholson / The Jambar
Canton-based artist Royce Anthony released his second album titled “Velvet Attitude” on March 17. This album comprises 12 tracks, characterized with a soulful, R&B sound.
Since learning guitar in the fourth grade, Anthony’s years of experience have influenced his work today. He started to produce his music at 15 years old, and since then, he has released nine singles and two albums.
Anthony said he typically creates alternative R&B music, but he doesn’t like to confine himself to genre. He said his performances have something for everyone.
“We just like a big spread so that way if someone’s there and they’re like, ‘Oh I don’t really like R&B.’ Just give me a minute, you’ll like something,” Anthony said.
Anthony’s first album, “CULTIST,” was released in 2023. He said he wanted the album to sound like a mix of underground but mellow.
“Cultist is very rough around the edges in both sound and presentation,” Anthony said. “I kind of wanted to go with a dark inner imagery for the album, either way, but it wasn’t until I wrote the song ‘222’ and the song ‘CULTIST’ in the same day that I was like, ‘Oh my god. I have something coming together here.’ I wanted ‘CULTIST’ to feel genuinely underground, but I wanted it to be sweet too.”
Anthony then released “CULTIST: RITUAL EDITION” in 2024, which was a continuation of the album featuring collaborations with musicians such as Presley Smith and October Tuesday.
Anthony’s latest album takes a more focused approach to his music following a key theme of love. Anthony said this album is a compilation of everything that has happened to him in the past year.
“Most of the songs I write have an undertone or overtone, [or] it could just be like completely about it. But, most of the songs I write are infused with the idea of love,” Anthony said. “There is no genre that better fits that in my opinion than R&B.”
Anthony composes all his work by himself. However, when he performs live, he plays alongside drummer Zade Adkins, keyboardist and guitarist Trevor Hawkins and bassist Garret “Petey” Trimmer.
Anthony said though he’s from Canton, he performs in Youngstown often.
“We had a couple shows last year in Youngstown and we kind of just fell in love with the scene in the venues [such as] Westside Bowl. We went to [Federal Frenzy] last year,” Anthony said. “It seems like there’s an active young scene of people who want to listen to my music. I don’t have stuff like that back home.”
Anthony said his live performances tend to be more interactive with a relaxing vibe.
“[The performances are] like a jazz club but more interactive. It’s a lot more chill. I really like interacting with people when they’re out in the crowd. We like to switch up our setlists a lot, so we’ll go from playing R&B to playing some funk,” Anthony said.
Anthony will perform June 6 at Flow Fest in Wilmington. He will also perform at Westside Bowl on July 11.
Those interested in Anthony can stream his music on Spotify and Apple Music.