Ju-Lion The Voice rooted his latest album, The Boy & The Voice, in calling, faith, growth, and the deeper meaning behind a gift that has followed him since childhood. In this interview, he opens up about the spiritual weight behind the title, the connection between the boy and the voice, and how music became a vessel for purpose rather than surface-level attention. He also reflects on family, military life, fatherhood, ministry, early influences from Michael Jackson, Phil Collins and Wu-Tang Clan, and the moment he realised his voice could command a room with more than melody.
Welcome to A&R Factory, Ju-Lion The Voice, we’re hyped to have you here and to open up the world behind The Boy & The Voice.
There’s a whole world of spiritual weight behind the title The Boy & The Voice Who is “the boy”, who is “the voice”, and what part of you did this album finally give language to?
Great Question, it is definitely a lot of spiritual weight as the album highlights the manifested growth of the gift I was given and how I changed perspectively over time with it….so the “Boy” is me but it’s also anyone from small who was given the ability, the gift to do something great….and so, the voice is that gift. That talent. That one thing you have been blessed beyond measure to do. Mine happened to revolve around my voice. So this album acknowledges that and speaks to that developed understanding.
Before we step into the album, who is Ju-Lion The Voice at the core, away from the releases, the visuals, the studio, and the public-facing version of the artist?
So, this might sound crazy, especially in today’s industry….but who you see and hear is the same person. In fact, Ju-Lion is my spiritual name. I actually get called that in everyday life. So I am that old school, positive-minded, spiritual person. There is no split personality; we are one and the same. The added parts if anything is apart from music, I’m a husband, a dad, an older sibling, a pastor, a podcaster and a military vet lol.
What first pulled you towards music, and when did you realise your voice could carry something heavier than melody alone?
I’ve been drawn to music since birth…mom would play it….family was musically inclined…dj’s…some knowing people in the industry….so I was always around music…but the bug to make it?…that was influenced by legends like Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Wu Tang Clan from across many genres…I always loved to sing and write, but knowing when my voice carried more weight. School showed signs, and even when I started working. I would always have a way of when I spoke, people listened….and not just those my age but all ages. The military was where it clicked when I spoke and 500 people got quiet…and just listened. Intently.
You’ve said the album is about a calling placed on you, using your voice to send a message. What brought this project into focus, and was there a specific moment when you knew this had to become a full body of work?
Where I’m at in my music career and life in general has brought that focus. I’m always imparting a word to someone, having a conversation. Spiritually engaging with a person. So at first this project was supposed to be a prequel to an album I was doing…and as it pieced together it got bigger, it spoke louder to me and I realized. I never told this story, I never revealed this truth about me. People have always talked about my voice but don’t know the true background behind it. So I finally, stopped and felt in my heart. In my soul. This is the story I want to share.
The album encourages others to trust the calling or purpose they have been spiritually gifted with. How do you personally separate fear from guidance when you’re trying to move in alignment with that purpose?
By understanding the God doesn’t make you operate from a place of fear, and the guidance fulfills the purpose. The alignment is confirmation of that purpose. So as long as I move according to my spirit, I will be driven by the right factors and ultimately achieve what I was called to do. That has never failed. The fear creeps in from distractions and things that have no purpose. Like how much money can I make from this album? Will everyone like it? Am I following the same strategy as everyone else to ensure this album is successful? All those things is not the point. They can be an outcome. Like this album could resonate with a lot of people. Does it have to? No and I’m perfectly OK with that, I’m at peace with it.
For listeners coming to The Boy & The Voice after hearing your previous releases, what makes this album feel different in its writing, sound, message, or emotional temperature?
Everything in my music originates from my first songs in the Mike files. It focused on growth, pain, discovery and so forth…but lately, EP’s like “I Bet You Won’t Listen” or “A Way Foward” have been pulling even further in a conversational direction. Pulling more from inward and really exposing it out to people in a ….do you ever feel like this? kind of way….The Boy & The Voice fully taps into to that…two conversations playing parallel to each other. My story of growth with a gift I didn’t understand at first, and my encouragement to those still trying to figure out how to tap into theirs. Which has really pushed my writing on this album, along with the Musicality and my overall thought process. It has been a deep experience. Deeper than I have ever gone. Which is why it’s core is incredibly spiritual.
Looking across your discography so far, which earlier song or project feels like it planted the first seed for this album, even if you only recognised that connection later?
You could say the in the deepend album series planted it…but honestly, the songs that really had a hand was “After your gone” from in the deepend 3 and “One Day” on the EP “I Bet You Won’t Listen ” ….they built the question of what do I truly want the music to do? What do I want to impact? What is the impact? And that led to thinking about my gift…the chain reaction led to this album.
When people read this, what do you hope people understand about you, your faith, your purpose, and your music after spending time with The Boy & The Voice?
Music always has been unbalanced lately and you can see the effect…I’m not trying to eradicate other forms of music…but damn, I just want to offer people a music alternative you can relate to….that speaks to you, and resonates more with everyday life. Music you can use for all kinds of occasions, that doesn’t grow stale and the meaning of how it applies to your life changes with you bringing a fresh perspective everytime. To know my faith is real, now superficial…this isn’t religion. I live this…my purpose is feeding people with music that heals and fuels, not adds to the struggle life already brings. Be an example for my kids as well as other youths…and finally, when this album drops…and you hear it…I hope it drives you to know that no matter where you are in life, you have the ability to make a difference.
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Interview by Amelia Vandergast
