Jermarcus Riggins: “our comfort zone is a happy place, but nothing grows there so why not take the opportunity to grow.”
- Greg Lewis
- Apr 4
- 5 min read
By: Greg Lewis @Greg.l.lewis
Published on March 27, 2025,11:00a.m. EST
Jermarcus Riggins is a singer and recording artist from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Riggins attended the University of Oklahoma for Musical Theatre but developed the passion for singing around the age of 7-years-old.
Growing up singing in the church is where he found his calling. Riggins viral presence on the internet has gained him a huge social media following on TikTok and Instagram.
The singer’s original music can also be found on all music platforms including YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music.
Riggins believes that God has called him to bless and inspire his people through the gift of music.
The artist has a background in musical theatre as well and has been casted for some very popular roles including Lola, from Kinky Boots, Levee, from Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Jesus, from Jesus Christ Superstar.
Eager to learn more about his incredible journey with music and his future endeavors, we got a chance to sit down with the singer for a more in-depth conversation about what’s to come.
Q. When did you get into singing and at what point did you realize that this could be a potential career choice for you?
“I realized I could sing at the age of 7 when I was forced to do a solo in church. After singing the crowd went crazy and from then on, I knew I had something special that God had given me.”
Q. Back in 2022 you released “Echoes (Live Version).” Tell us, what inspired this release?
“Echoes was written by James Tony and me. Produced by Plybck Studios.”
“Us both as writers and close friends, we were going through a similar situation at the time when we decided to write this record. It is inspired by a relationship that is hanging by a thread but has no courage to acknowledge that it is toxic and will not work out in the end.”
Q. In 2023 you released your lead single titled “Hit Different.” Tell us, what was the inspiration behind this record and who produced it?
“Hit Different was also a record written by James Tony and myself, Produced by Plybck Studios.”
“Like all my records, they are inspired by actual events in my life. What was once a hook up turned into a relationship, hence why the opening lyrics are ‘this shit hit different’, this could be up for interpretation making it a sexual or romantic point of view.”
“I’m sure we have all had that one person (or multiple) who has exceeded all expectations and has made you reconsider falling in love again. This is what ‘hit different’ represents.”
Q. What are some common misconceptions about you?
“My personality on social media vs my everyday life. I am a very goofy person, but social media takes it to another level. I am the most socially introverted person.”
“ I hop in and out of wanting to be social. If I get over stimulated, then that is when I need that time alone, but people seem to think I’m a social butterfly when I am fighting for my life.”
Q. What obstacles have you faced while pursuing music and how did you overcome them or plan to do so?
“One of the obstacles I’ve had to face with pursuing music so far has been finding my pocket. Being as authentic as I can, being a true vocalist because my mic is ALWAYS on. ain’t no prerecorded vocals on my tracks LIVE and while also trying to be mainstream.”
“I do feel like a lot of the amazing vocalists nowadays that are trying to get ‘put on’ or signed, do not have the records that catch the public eyes or ears unfortunately because people want things that they can sing to.”
“Again, social media has changed the game, and I am trying to find the healthy balance being myself but also giving the people what they want. Being that ‘good’ music is so subjective, I do believe a great record is a ‘timeless’ record. We will forever be listening to all the greats!”
Q. Are you vocally trained or self-taught?
“For the most part I am self-taught, but I also grew up in church and I’ve been around amazing singers all my life so that influence along with listening to some of the greats, that helped shape me as a vocalist.”
“I did go to school for musical theatre which is where Istarted to begin actual voice training and learning how to properly breathe and still to this day, I make sure to sharpen my skills and attend a voice lesson at least once a week with the amazing Emoni Wilkins.”
Q. What’s some of the best vocal training advice you could give to our readers who might be seeking vocal coaching?
“The best advice I could give to my fellow vocalists is to take care of yourselves and your voices, God gave you that gift for a reason and it’s a huge slap in the face to him when you don’t take care of it. Drink more water than the average person because it takes a lot of hydrations to do what we do.”
Q. Who are some artists in the industry… dead or alive, that inspire you creatively?
“I believe that I am a ‘great’ myself and am constantly being inspired by other great vocalists and performers. As far as vocals are concerned, I’m inspired by Whitney Houston, Jazmine Sullivan, Keke Wyatt and John Legend. Performance wise, I am inspired by Beyonce, Michael Jackson and Chris brown.”
Q. What’s your take on artist development… do you believe it’s enough of that going on in the industry now and days or not enough?
“I do believe that artist development is crucial when it comes to not just performing but also with the business side of things.”
“It is important to know as an artist what you are doing on and off the stage. Social media is a gift and a curse at the same time. It allows people to be seen and discovered but for mediocrity.”
“There is a lack of talent nowadays because of popularity over actual talent. I believe that it is now harder for a person who has the full package to get discovered than the person who has a nice look and a viral sound on TikTok. We need to start shifting it back to real music and real talent.”
Q. Are you planning to release an EP or an album anytime this year?
“I am planning to release music this year, possibly a single. I have been doing a lot of musical theatre work and building my resume, but I do plan on getting back in the lab soon.”
“I have tons of music recorded and I can’t wait for the world to hear what I’ve been sitting on. I have some amazing opportunities and things coming up soon and I’m sure the world will be shocked when they see! Stay tuned!”
Q. What other business ventures do you have going on currently outside of music, or would like to take interest in?
“I do musical theatre full-time, and I have been working on building my resume and gaining that experience as a full-time actor/performer. I am hoping to get into film soon because that is also something I have always wanted to do.”
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