Grammy-nominated R&B artist / songwriter / producer Jesse Boykins III announces new album, New Growth, and unveils another single “Honestly I’m A Threat”

The Chicago-born, LA-based artist took a hiatus from music after the release of his acclaimed 2017 album ‘Bartholomew’ and founded a “Creative Sanctuary Agency” named New Growth Creative Activities. This endeavor serves as an incubator for his vast artistic pursuits: including creative directing Masego’s self-titled album and crafting a “A Love Letter To Black Women” with actor Keith Powers for BUMBLE. In addition, Boykins has collaborated with artists including Charlie Puth, Calvin Harris, Kilo Kish, and notably earned a GRAMMY nomination for co-writing Steve Lacy’s single “Playground”.

Jesse reemerged in 2023 with a surprise new single “No Love Without You“. Although the track first premiered during a COLORS session in October 2021, the song officially released in May 2023. With subsequent releases “Kind And Nasty“ and “No Pussy For Losers,” Boykins has set the stage for his musical homecoming and what fans can expect from his album.

Tell us about your new single “Honestly I’m A Threat”?

It’s a song I wrote to remind myself and others of the importance of understanding self-worth and fighting for the space we feel we are deserving of. A call to action that brings motivation and innovation to the forefront of personal growth.

What can we expect from New Growth? What inspired this title? 

Expect the authentic viewpoint from a black man who has opened himself to acknowledging all the unsafe places he would like to bring light to. My upbringing in Jamaica tied in with my high level of curiosity and adaption and what that does in the realm of expression. The title is inspired by the simple visual of something beautiful coming from something when you would think it is dying. A new beginning or awakening in a sense. I understand that my purpose is to create sanctuary through my vulnerability and through my gifts.

Is there a specific track you like best on the record and why? 

I love them all, I connect with “No Love Without You” most because it’s contemporary and classic.

What role does fashion play in your music and upcoming album? 

Fashion and Style is another outlet for me to express my passion for attention to detail, texture and shapes. I believe myself to be a visual artist that makes music, so Fashion helps me make my music tangible by allowing me to be creative in a realm that ultimately feeds back into my music and artistic expression. Especially as a director and creative director most times I am thinking about how something looks and feels before I add a soundtrack to it.

What made you want to take a break from releasing music? 

I had a moment in my life that became unclear based on not fully understanding the music industry as a business. I came across a lot of artists who had been stuck in deals like me and didn’t have the vocabulary to get themselves back to a safe creative space. So after I took the initiative to free myself from uncomfortable business agreements, I took it upon myself to develop and help guide artists creatively but also on the business end. When I felt full safe and clear on my overall intention with releasing music again. I became closer to my purpose and back on the saddle ready to provide in the ways I know I am best at, which is creating.

What’s the best and worst part of working behind the scenes as a producer or creative director? 

Best part about working as a producer, creative director, director is seeing through ideas and creating a team that makes moments together. Worst part would be having to deal with the clients or labels who ask you to be creative but then try to guide you even though most times they don’t know what they want until you complete it. So it’s a give and take, hurry up and wait to get rushed is the business motto. I am just grateful I can continue to express myself and help others do so.

Out of all the artists you’ve worked with, who were the most inspirational for you? 

I would say, Steve Lacy, Calvin Harris and Masego, they all want to win and are clear on how much work it really takes to do so. A level of ambition that is intoxicating but also a level of trust that has to be exercised with who you choose to help you augment your vision. Amongst so many other lessons. Most artists I work with , I believe I attract based on frequency and desire to create something innovative and authentic to them.

What are your tips for emerging artists / producers? 

What advice would you give to them on approaching a new track? Create Freely, Dream big, but keep logic in your pocket. Be unreasonable in the beginning and then execute by bringing clarity to the final phase of the creative process.

Favorite producers of all time? 

Quincy Jones, Kanye West, Brian Eno, Machinedrum, LosHendrix 

Number one artist you’d love to work with? 

Kanye West, Harry Styles, Bon Iver, Kevin Parker, Pharrell

Anything else about your upcoming release you’d like to share? 

It’s for sanctuary, it’s for healing, it’s for being completely real with all the different levels and dimensions of you, we are all just trying to figure it out. Art gives us the emotional landmarks that lead us to spiritual acceptance. New Growth has helped me do just that.