Born in Toronto, Robert Ball is a multi-faceted singer/songwriter with a soulful voice and jazz sensibilities. Inspired by everything from Broadway, pop and world music, to R&B and country, Ball has toured the world, performing in over 60 countries as a featured vocalist and a headliner with Royal Caribbean International. His velvet tones and smooth, hypnotic delivery are reminiscent of Luther Vandross, D’Angelo and Erykah Badu.
His latest single “I Need A Man” narrates wanting a deep soul connection with someone. The song talks of wanting the real deal, not just a short term fix, with Ball sharing, “I wrote this song about being fatigued of people only desiring sex and “something casual” rather than truly desiring a deeper connection with someone who knows your pain and will hold you and stay with you.”
Tell us about the story of this project
I was alone in my cabin on a cruise ship I was performing on and the refrain came to me, this was about 5 years ago. I am a fan of Jill Scott and I honestly thought if I was lucky I could pitch the song to her.
I got to where I am now with a lot of hustle, by being entrepreneurial and investing in my self and my artistry. Also being willing to jump when I am afraid, take risks, be willing to learn and go where the gig is, mmmkay!!
How would you describe the highs and lows of being an artist?
The lows can be very low, feeling unseen, not feeling good enough or worthy. Not always knowing where or when the next gig is – feeling undervalued. But the highs… there is nothing in this world like when you’re on stage everything is right and the magic hits – it’s transcendent, that’s the moment I live for. And undoubtedly every time I’m over it or in my feelings wondering if my time is up – I get a call for a gig, someone sends me a message, stops me on the street, waits by the stage door to tell me how moved they were and changed they are because of my performance, that’s ultimately what it’s all about.
What’s a musical guilty pleasure of yours?
Uh, I have so many… I play house music when I am cooking and have solo dance parties. If I am out with friends and reggae comes on or also house I lose my mind. I occasionally put on a Beyonce playlist and sing at the top of my lungs, sometimes with choreography.
What are some sources of inspiration for you?
Human interactions of all kinds though I mostly write about the romantic kind. Live music, live music, live music…nature and our environment including the cities we live in – I walk a lot and often end up writing when I walk. Spirituality – meditation – the divine – God…
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
Jill Scott, Jill Scott, Jill Scott & Durand Bernarr
Favorite activity to blow off some steam?
Go listen to live music, Travel, brunch with friends, cook and listen to music (ideally cooking for people)
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
In 2020/21 I began writing a musical that I have been conceptualizing for a little while and I went back to this song I started writing about 5 years ago as a song for one of the characters. After working on it I said to my collaborator Eric Lundgren, I think I want this to be my next single – and here we are. The musical is set during the Harlem Renaissance so I had to re-adapt the song in a bit of a more contemporary lens while staying true to its development.
What are some things you do to deal with anxiety and creative blocks?
I meditate and pray, spirituality is the key to my balance and sanity and reducing anxiety. Creative blocks are cured by late night walks with my thoughts or music playing. A glass of wine and a sappy movie of some sort lol.
What’s the future looking like for you?
Different that what I may have envisioned but everything life has been preparing me for. The merging of advocacy – activism and the arts. More music, more acting – I’ll be appearing in my first principal role in a movie coming this Christmas.
What inspires your visuals, videos, looks etc?
I have always had a love for fashion and have worked as a model so a lot of my visuals reflect that. When I perform I always know it’s the right choice if I am just a little bit nervous about it – trust my first mind. I like unique pieces, whether simple or grand.
What is the most embarrassing memory and most proud moment of your career so far ?
Well, lyrics sometimes elude me lol that’s always embarrassing, but the moment that comes to mind is my voice cracking majorly during a show in front of a Hip-Hop trailblazer I was opening for…
The proud moment is many moments, it’s when I reflect and realize (though it may look different than I’d anticipated) I have accomplished so much of what I’ve set out to and dreamed; traveled to over 60 countries, released my own music, worked with, opened for icons in the industry. Worked in musical theatre, worked in TV and Film … and knowing there’s so much more!
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Trust the work you’ve put in…
Where do you think the music and entertainment industry is headed after this past year?
I think people and certainly performers are itching to get back to in person concerts and performances. I think a lot of artists and promoters are going to stick to the more acoustic live performances like people have been doing at home and on small virtual stages.
I think there is very likely going to be livestream and virtual components to concerts and tours.
I think there will be a lot of content coming out because people have been on an unprecedented hiatus. I think a lot of artists are going to be more intentional about what they put out and what they want to say as creatives with platforms and influence – as Nina Simone said “An Artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.”
