dam Emil – The New Prince of R&B

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

The year is 2015. R&B is in the air, and a new star is about to be born. Legendary group Color Me Badd, riding high on the waves of nostalgia, discovers a raw talent, a diamond in the rough… Our Classic Man Adam Emil.

For years, he toured with them, learning the ropes, honing his craft. Then, in 2018, the group disbanded, but for Adam, this wasn’t the end. It was just the beginning.

Combining raw vocal power with electrifying showmanship, Adam ignited stages across the country. His energy was infectious, his presence captivating. Word of mouth spread like wildfire: This wasn’t just a performer; this was an experience. Sharing the stage with giants of music, from hip-hop royalty to pop sensations, Adam proved he belonged. He’s now nominated for four Independent Singer Songwriter Association Awards and a Top 5 finalist for the Elite Music Awards’ Breakout Artist of the Year.

Remember “One and Only”? The track that took the independent music scene by storm? The one that won B.E.T.’s “YA HEARD” competition and earned love from top radio DJs? The one that landed a Vh1 Soul music video premiere? Yeah, that Adam Emil. He’s not just a flash in the pan. He’s the real deal.

Adam Emil is back, and he’s bringing the heat with his new track “Enough,” featuring Kordy Blakka. This isn’t just a song; it’s a whole vibe. “Enough” is set to ignite late-night playlists and spark some serious chemistry. Think sultry R&B meets the warmth of tropical melodies, all underpinned by the irresistible pulse of African beats.

From the first note, “Enough” pulls you into a world of passion and undeniable longing. Emil’s smooth vocals weave a tale of love so potent; it lingers long after the music fades. The infectious groove and evocative lyrics paint a vivid picture of a connection you just can’t shake. This isn’t just a catchy tune; it’s a story, raw and emotionally charged, that connects on a deeper level.

Inspired by legends like: Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Bob Marley, Adam crafts music that honours the great. “Enough” proves it. This isn’t just a song; it’s a testament to Adam’s artistry, his passion, and his dedication to creating music that resonates.

I had a chance to catch up with Adam, and it was during our dialogue that I truly learned the fullness of this creative genius…

“I was born in San Benito County, California and moved to Chicago at three years old,” Adam tells me. “I remember that I was very little in the back seat of the car. I saw an airplane go by, and I said, ‘that isn’t the way to Chicago, that’s the way to Chicago.’ We had a lot of family in the area, so it made sense. My family lived on the southside of Chicago for two, or three years, and then in the suburbs of Chicago. What sticks out to me most is just being a kid. It was a different time. I played a lot of sports. I was entrenched in the community. I remember finding glass, and telling someone it was diamonds. It was just having fun.”

Adam shares with me where his love for writing began. “I used to always write love letters. I knew I had skills when my friends asked me to write love letters for their girls. I also played piano along with my sister. I didn’t write my first song until I was 18, but it was easy, because I was always writing poetry.”

Adam explained how the energy of Chicago contributed to his creativity, and what makes it such a special place for him as an artist.

“When you go to the southside of Chicago, or the westside of Chicago you see fire hydrants with the tops off. People are just outside. As soon as you get off at 87 Street, you will see people selling things right off the ramp.”

“Chicago is very raw. It is hard to impress people in Chicago; I have to admit, it made my skin thicker. It makes you tougher as an artist. When you go to other places, you are always received better. They call artists from Chicago the meat grinders.”

Adam has diverse musical influences, which have influenced the unique sound of his music, and he lays out how it all comes together when he is creating. “Hip Hop would be the drums and heavy bass. R&B goes back to that poetry writing I did: the harmony, ins and outs of the vocal. The Classic Rock element is the songwriting, the story telling. Reggae is the rhythm, the carefreeness of how the vocals are delivered. I borrow a little bit from all genres.”

“I work with more writers now than I ever had in my career. I used to write with my partner Chris G. ‘Trust the process,’ he would tell me. It is not just about the hit. For me it’s: candles, dim lights, and I vibe out. Enter into that place of solitude and peace. You want the most high to take over. It is a rigorous experience. A verse will beat you up, and then you hear something, or feel something. I take my time with the process. It is why my songs are still viable, till this day.”

“Joining Color Me Badd sounds like an incredible experience. What were the biggest lessons you learned from that chapter in your career,” I asked?

“Don’t get too comfortable.” Adam replied. “Being light skinned, Black, and from Chicago, I think at times self-sabotage is a real thing. I see artists enter the industry, their cockiness gets in the way, their ego, and then it’s done. To keep me centered, I would talk to Chris G and my family. There were challenges. Once I got to three years, my spirit said to me three is the point of completion. It was time to move on.”

“Your song ‘Enough’ seems to be a powerful statement. What message do you hope listeners take away from it, and how does this song reflect your own personal journey of self-discovery?”

“I worked with Toxic, and I worked with Tia Williams. I heard the beat, the repetitiveness of the chorus and that was it. It was a vibe. I have a very mature sound, so the song suited me. I loved the lyrics; it is about love.”

At the end of our sit down, Adam shared with me his perspective on music and how the industry has changed since he first started pursuing his career.

“Music is still something we can’t live without. It is the soundtrack of our minds. It communicates with us. Music is a part of who we are. There are people who want to be a part of it but have not opened up their history books. People need to do their research and find appreciation for music.”

From the streets of Chicago to the world stage, Adam Emil, “The New Prince of R&B,” is ready to claim his throne.