JNR WILLIAMS: POWER UP Music Creator
Short Bio: Born and raised in East London to Caribbean parents, JNR Williams grew up in a creative household. From an early age, his life was filled with music—the soulful sounds of R&B and the rich jazz heritage passed down from his grandmother. Inspired by legends like Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington, and Nina Simone, alongside contemporary artists such as Frank Ocean, Tyler the Creator, Nick Hakim, and James Blake, JNR developed a unique blend of jazz, soul, and experimental sounds, with gospel-layered vocals at its heart. In 2017, his reworking of Washington’s jazz classic “What A Difference a Day Makes” caught the attention of Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1’s Future Sounds. This led to a deal with Insanity Records, where he released two acclaimed EPs—Where We Start and Withers On The Vine—showcasing his fearless fusion of genres. The track “What A Difference” was named BBC Introducing Track of the Week and MistaJam’s Jam Hot on BBC Radio 1Xtra. Following a European support tour, JNR sold out four headline shows, establishing himself as a rising UK star. He has collaborated with Celeste, Jungle, Theophilus London, Joy Crookes, MJ Cole, Loyle Carner, Kojey Radical, Swindle, Kay Young, Olivia Dean, Anais, and Anushka. His featured songs include Loyle Carner’s “Homerton” on Hugo, Jungle’s “Good at Breaking Hearts” on Volcano, and Swindle’s “Lost” on New World. Currently working on his debut album, JNR Williams continues to push boundaries and carve his place as one of the most exciting voices of his generation.
Concise Description of activity: Funding supports mixing, mastering, and an album launch event with live band, visual artists, and technical crew to celebrate my music and community.