Josia is the artist you should know this year. He creates music that blends an immersive emotional experience. Blending dark R&B with moody, ambient melodies and deep storytelling, his sound is raw, haunting, and deeply personal. Influenced by The Weeknd and shaped by his own life experiences, Josia has crafted a style that resonates with those who find solace in music’s darker shades.
“I’ve always really connected to dark R&B,” he shares with Remixd Magazine. “It’s the best way for me to portray my emotions and talk about my experiences. It took time to get to this point where I can confidently say I’ve found my own sound, but I’m very happy with how it turned out. Especially knowing that there are people out there who relate to my music.”
The Weeknd’s influence runs deep in Josia’s artistry. “His music got me through the lowest and darkest times of my life,” Josia explains. “The way he expresses pain and struggle while singing so angelically over haunting instrumentals has always fascinated me. You can definitely hear his influence in my music, but I’m also pushing myself to create something unique.”
For Josia, music serves as an outlet. His lyrics are deeply personal, a reflection of his thoughts and emotions. “I feel comfortable putting my emotions into my music, even when I struggle to talk about them in person,” he admits. “Sometimes I question whether I should really put myself out there like that, especially with unreleased music. But I know there are people who can relate, and that’s the beauty of music.”
Growing up in Germany with Ethiopian and Eritrean roots, Josia’s cultural background has shaped him in many ways. “I grew up in a Habesha household, which will always influence me,” he says. “We have a rich and beautiful culture, and my upbringing has made me who I am today, so it definitely impacts my music.”
Navigating the music industry as an independent artist comes with both challenges and freedom. “I’m lucky to have friends in the underground scene who help me on my journey,” he shares. “Nowadays, making music and having a great marketing strategy go hand in hand, which is tough because, as an artist, I just want to focus on the music. That’s one of the hardest parts of being independent.” Still, Josia remains grateful for his progress. “Looking back even a year ago, I see how far I’ve come. And we’re just getting started.”
Dark R&B continues to evolve, and while the genre’s boundaries are shifting, Josia remains focused on staying true to his artistry. “The genre has had so many outside influences that it’s becoming harder to classify certain songs as dark R&B or even alternative R&B,” he explains. “I don’t know where it’s heading, but I don’t want to box myself in. At the end of the day, I just make the music that I love.”
For those listening to his music for the first time, Josia hopes they feel something real. “I hope they enjoy it. And if they’re going through similar situations, I want them to know they’re not alone,” he says. “Making music helps me heal, and I hope it does the same for others.”
Follow Josia on Instagram @josia.va and Twitter @josia.xo. Stream his latest single below.
