On Christian Paul’s upcoming single “Chapter,” he sings like a seasoned soul-R&B artist. The 20-year-old singer/songwriter endured many obstacles to get here, but as he readies his 2020 debut EP, Christian is geared to maintain authenticity while entering the next chapter in his career. Since signing to 12Tone Music, Christian has released three singles: “When Love Don’t Love You Back,” “Strong,” and “Rewind,”all showing the soulful angles of his musical personality, though for Christian he simply wasn’t connecting to his own peers.
Raised on the likes of Curtis Mayfield, Otis Redding, and D’Angelo, Christian had the soul in him, yet he struggled with crafting music that could effectively connect to today’s popular audience. “It got to a point where I had to be a little introspective and ask myself that even though I’m playing this music for friends and they’re like ‘it’s great,’ if I wasn’t friends with these people, would they still put me on their playlist?” he asked. “I felt like the answer was no.” He took it back to the drawing board, aligning with songwriters/producers Bibi Bourelly, Daecolm, Ebenezer, and Glashaus to uncover a new sound within him. “Any artist who wants to succeed while also maintaining artistic integrity...they’re gonna pivot,” Christian advises. “I had to figure out a way to stay true to what makes me me, while also relating to my peers.”
The culmination of that discovery is his upcoming EP, starting with the release of “Chapter.” The song is harmoniously rooted in love, as Christian coos, “you’re my favorite page in this chapter, I go over and over again.” It’s an open book of romance, grounding the airy production with soulful, tangible vocals that travel along a vein of love and affection, while still showcasing the dawn of a rising star who finally has his chance to shine. Christian Paul is ready for the road ahead, with one clear mission to bring the old school and the new school together. “I had to marry those two worlds,” he says, “and while it took a little bit of time, we’ve finally accomplished that.”
