STANDOUT UK ARTIST JAMES VICKERY DROPS BRAND NEW SINGLE “BUTTER” OUT NOW ON RED BULL RECORDS
STANDOUT UK ARTIST JAMES VICKERY DROPS BRAND NEW SINGLE “BUTTER” OUT NOW ON RED BULL RECORDS
STREAM HERE | WATCH THE VISUALISER HERE
Standout South-London artist James Vickery serves up a second impressive new single in “Butter” - out now on Red Bull Records. Originally written by James with the intention of pitching it to other artists, his label soon persuaded him that he had to sing it himself - and the results are stunning.
Influenced by the likes of Frank Ocean and 6lack, “Butter” is a melting blend of keys and captivating rhythms, exploring the delicate line between fantasy and reality. “Wishing it wasn’t a fairytale… ‘cos with every hour that passes I’m wishing that I could be yours” - it’s a track steeped in sensuality and raw emotion. Listen here and watch the visualiser here.
“There was this person at the time I was thinking about a lot – so this song was written about that kind of yearning,” James recalls, with a bashful grin.
“Butter” follows James’s recent stunning comeback with first single "Hotel Lobby", that received praise across the board with support from BBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra & KISS, The Independent branding it "a glorious bossa nova-influenced number", and James sat down with BBC London TV at his hometown club of Crystal Palace for an interview HERE.
James is completely deaf in one ear due to a life-threatening cholesteatoma diagnosed at the age of eight. A vocal coach, initially brought in to help him with his speech, soon discovered his astonishing singing ability. His documentary Louder offered a candid glimpse into his experiences, shedding light on his identity and heritage as the son of a Welsh father and South African mother.
“Something I realised a while ago was that a lot of people didn’t necessarily understand where the music comes from,” Vickery shares. “I had a story that I was always a little bit ashamed of, which is sad in a way, but there was never much representation for people with my condition in the music industry.”
James has built an impressive career to date. His breakthrough COLORS SHOW has racked up nearly 40 million views, and collaborations with Kojey Radical, Musiq Soulchild, Kenny Beats, EARTHGANG & SG Lewis, as well as support from BBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra, The Fader, Clash & Complex, has cemented his reputation as a standout voice in UK R&B. Once driven by a need for acceptance, James has now embraced his truth.
“Butter” arrives as the second offering this year from a larger body of work. His voice, his story, and his passion continue to set him apart, proving that he is an artist with both depth and staying power.
“I don’t want to be a sad story,” Vickery affirms. “I’m very proud of going through what I have and coming out the other side.”
About James Vickery
James Vickery is ready to bare his soul to the world. His journey has been anything but ordinary—one marked by resilience, self-discovery, and an unwavering passion for music.
“Something I realised a while ago was that a lot of people didn’t necessarily understand where the music comes from,” the South London artist says. “I had a story that I was always a little bit ashamed of, which is sad in a way, but there was never much representation for people with my condition in the music industry.”
Vickery is completely deaf in one ear. At eight years old, he was diagnosed with a non-cancerous growth of skin cells called a cholesteatoma, which was in his ear and growing toward his brain. Without surgery, he might have died within two months. The operation saved his life, and a vocal coach brought in to help him with his speech soon discovered his astonishing singing abilities.
He opened up about his journey in the moving 2021 documentary, Louder, which also explored his fascinating heritage. Born to a Welsh father and South African mother, Vickery, who is white-passing, has occasionally struggled with misconceptions from strangers.
“I think my whole career, I was really trying to be accepted by different communities while being afraid that they would reject me,” he says. “I would make music to try and impress people without realising it.” Somewhere along the road, though, he found an inner peace—one that allowed him to fully embrace himself and his artistry.
Vickery has built an impressive career, with a back catalogue most artists twice his age would envy. His breakthrough COLORS performance racked up tens of millions of views, and his collaborations with R&B legends and hip-hop innovators cemented his reputation as a standout voice in UK R&B. But for him, music has never been about fitting into a box—it’s about growth, evolution, and telling his own truth.
“I don’t want to be a sad story,” he says. “I’m very proud of going through what I have and coming out the other side.” His journey is a testament to resilience, and his music reflects that euphoria—an artist fully stepping into his own, without fear or hesitation.
One thing is certain: Vickery is never afraid to step outside his comfort zone. His voice, his story, and his passion continue to set him apart, proving that he is an artist with both depth and staying power.