October London, the South Bend, Ind., native and Death Row Records signee, has been making waves in the R&B world with his velvet tone and inspired artistry. From topping the Billboard Adult R&B charts with “Back to Your Place” to crafting cinematic albums like The Rebirth of Marvin and October Nights, London is bringing grown folk R&B back to the forefront.
Now he’s hitting the road for the October Nights, Calling All Lovers Tour alongside Tamar Braxton and Ro James. We sat down with the soulful crooner to discuss his musical influences, creative process, and vision for the future of R&B.
What’s your inspiration behind your latest album, October Nights?
October Nights was really made to be a transitional album, because Rebirth of Marvin — everyone knows by now that I wasn’t trying to be Marvin [Gaye]. I wasn’t trying to be the new Marvin, but I still wanted to pay homage that way, and I feel like I did exactly what I was supposed to do.
The objective was kept. It was done. And now I think I was like, I want to show more side of me. So in October Nights you get a little bit of the Marvin to kind of whisked off of that Rebirth of Marvin. But you also get me towards the middle, and to the end with songs like “Kill Shot” and “Third Shift” and “Time,” and those type of records. I just want to do something different and wanted to channel me.
A lot of the R&B these days is in name alone — it’s a lot of singing over rap production. When I’m listening to your music, your production seems extremely purposeful. Why did you decide that route?
I just like to do what I feel, and I think. The best part about being on Death Row Records is because Snoop allows me to do exactly what I want to do, feel how I feel. I pride myself on being a multi-genre artist. I’m always just trying to break new boundaries with music. So, you’re gonna hear whether it’s pop, R&B, reggaeton, you’re going to hear all these inflections on this music. I just try to be me as much as possible.
What can people expect from the October Nights Calling All Lovers Tour?
You can expect just real love for one another as far as the camaraderie when it comes to me and Tamar and Ro James and Joe Leone. Joe Leone opens up for the show. I think he’s actually Eric Benet’s, an artist. You’re just gonna see that difference. You’re gonna see a lot of love. We’re going to bring love to the stage. We’re all R&B artists. So, we’re going to do the best that we can to capture just not only the love that we have for each other, but just showing that love for people in the audience, and just the love for our craft. That’s what we’re bringing to the table.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the next phase of your career?
My goals in this next phase which starts at towards the end of this year is really giving all my multi-genre, my alter ego giving them their shot. I think I’m gonna take a break a step back from R&B for a little bit, go in a little bit harder on the push on Sam Nash, because it’s country, the EDM, House world, because that’s my alter ego, Dirty Chai. I just want to give them their shot, and go out and do that, and then write for some other people as well.
The October Nights, Calling All Lovers Tour powered by the Black Promoters Collective run until May 31, 2025. Don’t miss your chance to experience this soulful evening.
