OUT NOW ON RED BULL RECORDS
Photo Credit: Olivia Lifungula
May 2nd, 2025 – Standout South-London R&B 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. Fans can listen to the song here and watch the visualizer here.
Exploring the ache of longing for someone just out of reach, “Butter” is a melting blend of keys and captivating rhythms, influenced by the likes of Frank Ocean and 6lack. It navigates the delicate line between fantasy and reality, steeped in sensuality and raw emotion that can be seen through it's lyrics – “Wishing it wasn’t a fairytale… ‘cos with every hour that passes I’m wishing that I could be yours”
“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.
James Vickery - "Butter" (Official Visualizer)
“Butter” follows James’s recent stunning comeback with first single "Hotel Lobby", that received praise across the board with support from various radio stations and media branding it "a glorious bossa nova-influenced number".
James has built an impressive career, from his breakthrough COLORS SHOW—which has garnered nearly 40 million views—to collaborations with the likes of Kojey Radical, Musiq Soulchild, Kenny Beats, EARTHGANG, and SG Lewis. His previous release also saw strong playlist support across Southeast Asia, further solidifying his growing presence in the region. 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.
Stream "Butter" here: https://james-vickery.ffm.to/butter
Watch the visualizer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZlvtmvteYE
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 a back catalogue most artists twice his age would envy. There’s the famous COLORS SHOW that Vickery’s fans tell him soundtracked the conception of at least a dozen babies. His debut album, 'Songs That Make Me Feel' – featuring collaborations with R&B legend Musiq Soulchild and Atlanta hip-hop duo EARTHGANG – saw him hailed as the new face of UK R&B.
“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. With over 200 million overall streams across his career, James is ready show a new side of him in 2025.
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