Josh Levi Delivers the Perfect Quarantine Video With New Single, “If The World!”

Josh Levi preps us for his highly anticipated debut album with new single, “If The World!”

Triple threat Josh Levi is treating his fans to a prelude for his forthcoming EP with a new single, “If The World,” a song he wrote in response to the current state of the world. Like many of his peers, Levi turned inward to cope with the new realities before us and took pen to paper to unveil a brilliant Pop/R&B track that teases his forthcoming project. Hailing from Houston, TX, 21-year old singer, songwriter, dancer and actor Josh Levi received his first major break alongside Michael B. Jordan in the Emmy-winning series “Friday Night Lights,” during its final two seasons. But it was his ever-present passion for music that pushed him toward an audition for “X-Factor,” where he became a finalist during the season hosted by Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell. That widespread attention ultimately landed him a record deal with Island Records as part of the group Citizen Four, though after a few years, the multi-hyphenate decided to switch course and pursue a solo career.

Josh opens up about his new single, the quarantined life and upcoming EP!

How are you?

Josh Levi: I’m doing great. Staying safe, healthy, inspired and creative. I’m taking it day by day to be honest.

Your latest video, “If The World,” is based on being quarantined. Do you feel most creative during these times?

Josh Levi: “If The World,” the song that I just put out with the video, it’s so relevant to where we are right now in humanity. In terms of what inspired that, that definitely pertains to where we are today, what’s happening and what everyone is feeling and going through.

The video is very secluded and to yourself as well. Where did you film it?

Josh Levi: That was in my room (laughing). That was shot in my room. I remained isolated, remained quarantined. I wanted to create something that still had an aesthetic that was authentic to who I am, so that’s why I was inspired by like early 2000’s and 90’s vintage vibes. So, it was still me, but it was still current and hopefully relatable to everyone in terms of being stuck in my room.

You are an actor, dancer and musician. What got you into music?

Josh Levi: I started singing in a church choir in church in Houston. H-Town, my roots my hood. And I basically did everything I could do there. I sang locally and from what I have been told, I couldn’t stay off stage since like 5-years old. I was trying to jump on stage at church and sing. My dad was a singer. And I just grew up loving music, and the more that I learn about it, the more I wanted to do. I found all these rock stars later in my life because I only listened to gospel since I was 9-years old. So, I was 9-years old before I started hearing everything else. Then I found all of these rock stars and I decided I wanted to be one.

As I mentioned, you did some acting, you were on, “X-Factor,” how did the experience from those things help you to be where you are today?

Josh Levi: I think a lot of people wish that they could alter certain things in their past, as do I sometimes, but I really do appreciate how everything played out. Because when I look at the person in the mirror now, I think it was a combination of all those things, made me who I’m proud of today. Every aspect and every detail; “X-Factor” acting and starting really young. Having a lot of pressure at a young age. Fighting for myself and trying to define my sound and my identity at a young age, definitely helps you with your confidence as a 21-year old in 2020 in a world full of craziness. Most definitely I played a huge role in my identity, my confidence and my belief in who I am and my sound.

I love to hear young artists create their own sound and not sound like the norm or what’s hot. You have mastered that.

Josh Levi: Thank you, man. I’m a firm believer in being you even if that means breaking the rules. I’m not one thing, so sonically, I love pop music, I love R&B music, I love rock. I love so much music. I am all those things, so for me, I more so want to create a lane where I can check off all these different boxes and break the rules and not fit in one thing. And inspire people to do the same. We’re all walking around here not one category. Not one box and not one thing. Just because the world tells you that you have to choose or be one thing doesn’t mean that you have to. My favorite artists are people that defy categories and titles. I think that we can definitely use more of that in today’s generation, my generation in the future.

You recently did a Michael Jackson cover on Instagram and nailed it. I’m sure, “The King of Pop” served as some sort of inspiration for you.

Josh Levi: I don’t know if you can be an artist and not… minimum respect Michael. Even if you don’t love his music, I think if you are a musician or an artist in some way, you have to appreciate his genius. He’s definitely someone that I have been inspired by and respected lately. I think Beyoncé is the female version of him. That’s how I see her in my mind. And like I said, I love rock stars. I love, Lenny Kravitz, I love Prince, I love Aaliyah, Pharrell. Geniuses. I love people that just decided to be their best self. Those are the types of artists that I love. Stevie Wonder, and the list goes on.

You are a singer, actor and dancer. Is it strategic which one you want to pursue at a given moment or totally random?

Josh Levi: It’s hard to choose. Music is what I’m most passionate about. That’s something that I can see myself doing for the rest of my life and it’s something that makes me happy every day. With the other, they are also gifts, right and I try to give my best at everything that I do, and it may even enhance the music, maybe it pushes the music, maybe it inspires the music. I would say music is the forefront, but I definitely still actively pursue everything and kind of see where it takes me. I don’t wanna sit on gifts.

If, “If The World,” (quarantine video) is a prelude of what’s to come, the world is in for a treat. Is that what fans can expect from Josh Levi? “If The World,” vibes?

Josh Levi: I kind of want to just take people that watch and listen, on a journey. It has taken a minute to kind of define what Josh Levi looks and sounds like, and I feel like with this project, I may have gotten closer to that than ever in my career. That’s what can be expected, sonically a journey. What music sounds like in my brain; I feel like I was able to articulate with this album. My story, what I don’t like, what I do like, what bothers me, who I am in love with, and visuals. I am a very visual artist. Obviously, I’m limited being in quarantine and with the pandemic and the confines of the pandemic. But I plan to do a visual for each song on my project. That can be expected.

What hurdles have been placed in front of you trying to create a finished product during these times?

Josh Levi: There is a certain level of surrender, right. There are some walls that you are met with that you simply can’t go through. I think as artist in these times you have to asks yourself what’s important. Is it important for me to have that hottest product or is it important to just be putting out music that I really believe in and that I feel that people need to hear and can relate to? I have chosen the second one of the two because to me, I’m just trying to exercise the power of now. And I created a lot of music before we were shut down. So, that worked in my favor. With the visuals, that is a little bit difficult because I do have high concept ideas. I have million-dollar ideas, but not the million dollars yet. So, I have to be super creative. I’m blessed to have my sister who I consult with on everything, here with me. She lives in New York, but she’s been here quarantining with me. So, I have somewhat of a partner to help me brainstorm in the sun.

I can’t wait for the project. Good luck to you and we will talk soon, for sure. Anything else you want to add?

Josh Levi: Thank you so much, Percy. I appreciate it. I feel the love. Thanks for checking out the song and the video and I can’t wait for you to hear the EP also.

Check out Josh Levi’s “If The World” (quarantine video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICCJYaKYBUs