If you’re reading this, I hope you know that R&B is far from dead.
With the CandyDrip tour kicking off at the Roseland Theater in Portland, Oregon on March 18th, I had the chance to catch up with Joyce Wrice on March 22nd, right before she hit the stage at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco at 8 pm. Just 6 months ago, I was able to see Joyce rock the Illumination Stage in her Convertible Double Knee Pants 2.0 by TOMBOGO at H.E.R.’s annual “Lights On Festival” at the Concord Pavillion. Now, she’s caressing the stage in her custom pink ombre two-piece set by Busybdy, with so many more accomplishments to celebrate.
Sydney Welch: Hi, Joyce. How are you? Welcome back to the Bay Area!
Joyce Wrice: I’m great! How are you?
I’m doing great too! Just happy to be here and be able to continue to see you thrive especially during Women’s History Month. Before we get started, I just want to tell you congratulations on everything you’ve done these last 6 months and everything you continue to do in the present moment.
May I also add that on March 19th, you celebrated the one year anniversary of your debut album, Overgrown, featuring Lucky Daye, Freddie Gibbs, Esta, Kaytranada, Umi and more. This is an album that changed your life. It’s literally your baby. How does this all feel to you?
It feels amazing. I know it’s such a typical word, but it truly feels incredible. I’ve dreamt of being in this position, so to even experience all of these things happening after, even having the album out, it’s just so beautiful and surreal. I’m really appreciative to Lucky Daye’s team and my team for continuing to allow me to have all these opportunities.
This is what you deserve. I feel like they see and understand the talent that you have and it’s nothing better than having people around you that believe in you and want to help you succeed. You are living proof that anything is possible.
Wrice was able to celebrate with her team by performing at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia on March 19th.
Now moving forward to a question I’m very excited to ask, what was the entire process like for you getting the opportunity to sing the reimagined theme song for the classic series, The Proud Family Louder and Prouder?
That was also another surreal moment for me because I grew up watching the show. I love the original theme song, so to be in the position to reimagine it, just felt very surreal to me. This was a huge milestone for me, and I’m constantly reminding myself that this is going down in history.
I had a session with James Fauntleroy, and he said his kids keep listening to it on Spotify. You know what I mean? It’s so incredible. If I’m being honest, it’s all still sinking in.
I could only imagine! It’s all still very fresh. I remember you released the clip on Instagram back in January revealing this legendary moment and now we finally get to hear the magic.
You’re so right. I had to keep it under wraps for months, but I knew about it the summer before. It’s totally insane. To be on a Disney show, and not just any Disney show, but a Black animated series, it feels different.
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As you’re preparing to go on stage soon, I’m curious to know, what are your favorite songs to perform?
I would say “Chandler” because that’s really one of my favorite songs off of the album. I love the production, the melodies and the cadence of my lyrics. I really like “Iced Tea” with Kaytranada, which just dropped on March 16th. I have choreo to it and it’s just so much fun.
I can’t wait to see it.
Yeah, that one is really dope. I really like “Must Be Nice” because the choreo for that, but also the live band arrangements makes it so different. I’m such a huge fan of live instrumentation ship.
Me and you both. Having those live instruments, especially at shows, really adds to the overall energy of the show. I just love how the crowd can feel it and it encourages them to express their energy through dancing or singing their hearts out. A beautiful experience indeed.
I know you’ve only been on tour for about 5 days, but what is your daily routine like on tour now?
To be honest, leading up to this tour, my life was crazy. It was hectic. I couldn’t even let my mind breathe. Now that I’m here, I’m very happy to be doing what we’ve been working so hard towards, but when I’m not performing, I’m literally doing nothing.
As you should! The most important thing you can do is to listen to your body and get as much rest as possible.
I also find myself reading in my free time. I’m reading this book by James Baldwin called “Giovanni’s Room” that I’m really enjoying. I’ll listen to music of course, I’ll sleep, rest my voice, practice choreography with the girls, and just bond as a family. Some of us already know each other pretty well, and there’s an additional group of us where it’s our first time we’re clicking like this. It’s definitely a rare experience and I’m happy it’s been easy and that I’m really enjoying the process too. I’m definitely trying to find good food whenever I can.
I was just about to ask, were any of you successful in eating some good food today?
Wrice proceeds to answer this with disappointment written all over her face.
I ordered Indian food and it was not.
I hate that for you. I definitely would have suggested some spots for you and the team.
Damn, well next time for sure! Pretty much my routine right now has mostly been sleep, get the f*ck up, rehearse, get to the bus, rest, try to eat healthy, stretch, exercise, drink lots of water, drink tea, and really rest my eyes. I also practice Buddhism, so I keep up with my chanting and spirituality. I haven’t had much time, but I’m hoping to catch up with friends and family on the phone.
Do you know if your friends and family are planning to support you at any of your upcoming shows?
Yes, I’m from San Diego and we have our San Diego on Thursday. Tomorrow is a travel day to SD which means we get to sleep out there and my dad is going to grill for everybody.
That’s so sweet. I know you all are going to have a blast bonding over good food, music, memories and laughter. I have a feeling that this isn’t your first time in the Bay Area, but what are you most excited about for your show tonight?
I’ve actually performed in San Francisco a few times, but I’m really excited for this one in particular because being on a tour like this is new for me. In addition to having an album out, with my own set, is also new for me, and with choreography too, it’s just all so new. We’re ready to bring new sh*t to everyone and I think they’re going to love it.
If you know me, you know that I’m an advocate for Bay Area artists. With that being said, have you thought about working with any Bay Area artists? I’m just going to put it out there that I can see you working with P-lo, Larren Wong, Kehlani and H.E.R.
I love P-lo! We were just talking about him, so I definitely want to work with him in the near future. Larren Wong and I have worked together before on songwriting.
I can’t stress enough how much I can really see you and Kehlani coming together to make some beautiful music together. I’m definitely manifesting that for you.
Yes, I’ve been wanting that for so long, please continue to manifest that for me.
With showtime almost here, we can’t end this interview without asking what else can we expect from Joyce Wrice this year?
New music, new videos, new shows, new merchandise and more. I have a lot of new things on the way.
That’s what we love to hear! Thank you for your time today. I’m wishing you and the team a great show and the rest of the tour. Now go ahead and do it for the Yay Area!
