Interview: The Houston Duo 3Bubble & J. Gray

Labeled as the “New Outkast” by multiple publications, including the Huffington Post, 3Bubble & J. Gray are transforming a 90’s vibe into a fresh modern musical experience. The Houston duo has been bringing their energetic performance style to audiences since 2014. Empathy evoking melodies delivered by J. Gray combined with powerfully honest wordplay by 3Bubble, gives their sound an ever-evolving tone which translates to a wide variety of listeners.

Their album, LFTP Season, Vol. 1 Reloaded is being released on May 31st and is available for pre-orders now on iTunes, Apple Music, Google and an exclusive Tee/Digital Download bundle on their website www.LFTP.LimitedRun.com

How long have you been in the music business and how did you get started in the first place?

3Bubble: I’ve been in the business since 2008. I’ve always known I had the gift of gab. My cousin “KB” pushed me to take making music more seriously and so I did.

Gray: I’ve been in the music business since 2014 when 3 and I released Live From The Pentagon. I started singing in the church, and got into rapping in high school. I didn’t know I was cold until people started deleting my sessions at studios. 3 was the first person who acknowledged my talent, and saved my sessions…Lol!!!

Who were your first and strongest musical influences that you can remember?

3Bubble: Michael Jackson and Lil Keke.

Gray: My first was Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. My strongest was Musiq Soulchild and Project Pat.

Which artists are you currently listening to?

3Bubble: Daniel Caesar, Emily King, and Jay Z

Gray: H.E.R., KING, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, and Daniel Caesar

What do you feel are the key elements people should be getting out of your music?

3Bubble: I want people to appreciate me being an open book. Imagine having a diary and allowing the whole world to read it. I want people to feel what I feel and connect to me and my ups and downs.

Gray: We create music with the intention of it being timeless. Our delivery is unplanned and based on vibes. This allows whoever is listening to sit in on our creative process. That, mixed with our attention to melody and intricately threaded raps, is the key to our sound.

What do you think separates you from the massive crowd of artists emerging right now?

3Bubble: The fact that we connect to almost every genre creatively separates us from most artists.

Gray: I don’t think anything separates us from other artists. If you are making music that you believe in, regardless of genre, we are all untied. We have a different sound and a different reason why we create the way we do. But hell, that’s music.

Do you currently have a preferred song in your catalog, and why is it special to you?

3Bubble: Yes. “Grace & Mercy” … It feels good.

Gray: Yes. “Never Thought” … I was actually allowed to speak the truth of what I didn’t do while my grandmother was alive.

Are your lyrics predominantly based on real events and personal experiences, or are they drawn from your creative storytelling skills?

3Bubble: Definitely based on real events.

Gray: Same.

What would you consider a successful, proud or high point in your career so far?

3Bubble: Performing for the Mayor of Houston, TX.

Gray: Playing the Los Magnificos car show!

What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music so far?

3Bubble: Balancing parenthood, marriage, and being an artist.

Gray: The question is too loaded to answer in a sentence. Just know, life is hard. As far as music, nothing has been hard. We are built for this.

What key ingredients do you always try and infuse into your songs, regardless of style or tempo?

3Bubble: Current events and life circumstances.

Gray: Lyrics that mean something to me. Also, a constant remembrance of sonnet style writing and harmonies.

Do you produce the beats and write all the lyrics on your songs or do you collaborate with outside sources in any of these cases?

3Bubble: We write all of the lyrics. We produce and collaborate on the production of the music.

Gray: Same

Tell us which of you does what in this duo?

3Bubble: He writes, sings, raps, arranges, mixes and masters.

Gray: He masters, mixes, arranges, raps, sings, and writes.

Which aspect of being an independent artist and the music making process excites you most and which aspect discourages you most?

3Bubble: Being in creative control of the music making process is a blessing. Not having the capital and resources that come from being with a major label is sometimes discouraging.

Gray: It’s exciting that we don’t have to answer to nobody. It’s discouraging that most don’t truly support until the machine supports you.

If you had the opportunity to change one thing about how the music business works right now, what would that be?

3Bubble: Same as below.

Gray: I wouldn’t change a thing. Independent is independent, and label is label.

If someone has never heard your music, which keywords would you personally use to describe your overall sound and style?

3Bubble: Smart, Soulful, Hood, Honest, and Amazing.

Gray: Soulful, Honest, and Intelligent.

Do you consider Internet and all the social media websites as fundamental in building a career in music today, and what is your personal relationship with the new technology at hand?

3Bubble: Yes absolutely! Technology has bridged the gap between us as a group and our fans abroad. Technology has made the world small literally.

Gray: As owners social media and technology are extremely prevalent. As artists we make music with the sole purpose of being remembered in time.

Tell us something about your latest release and where fans can find it.

3Bubble/J.Gray: LFTP Season Vol. 1 Reloaded was originally designed to be a mixtape/album. None of the songs were created with the thought that they’ll be on the same project. The album can be found on itunes, google play, and every online store.

What is your relationship with visual media? Do you think videos are important for your music? Do you have a video you would recommend fans checkout so they can get in to what you’re doing?

3Bubble/J. Gray: Visual media and videos are extremely important to us. We’ve taught ourselves how to shoot, and edit videos. We encourage all artists to be involved in the video and visual creating process. Please go watch the “Vogue” video!

Do you prefer working and creating in a studio environment, or performing live in front of an audience?

3Bubble/J. Gray: Both! We love the studio. Just being in the studio is therapeutic for us both but performing live in front of an audience is a great feeling that’s unexplainable.