Having recently released his debut EP Colorblind: Love as the initial offering of a three-part series that will include Colorblind: Anger and Colorblind: Happiness, R&B/pop singer-songwriter October London has the unique distinction of inspiring two rap legends––Jazze Pha and Snoop Dogg––to create a label (Cadillac Music) to release his incredible and varied output of material. His debut single and video of the politically charged “Black Man In America” has received rave reviews and nearly 75,000 hits on YouTube.
The South Bend, IN native had spent years experiencing progress and setbacks that included a handful of breakthroughs, like opening for Flo-Rida and Rick Ross in Miami. London first approached Jazze Pha via a cold call after receiving his number through a friend of a friend who knew the rapper.
“For a new artist, it’s a can’t lose situation.”
“I thought he would see my Indiana area code on his phone and ignore me,” the singer says. “I literally had 600 songs in different genres, but needed something to hook him. I knew Jazze had been working with (hip- hop artist) Future, and in the message told him that I had some tracks I thought would be perfect for him. He emailed me that he was interested in hearing them, and I was off to the races, rushing to a studio across town to dig up these matching songs!”
Jazze Pha reached out to London, asking him to send more. The singer went into high-gear, sending the rapper a batch of 12 tunes that included pop, country and R&B tunes. Jazze called and the two talked about London’s vision for his career. Jazze said he wanted to sign him to his label, but felt like he needed to partner with “someone else who could help push me further than he could alone.”
That someone turned out to be Snoop, who flew October London out to Los Angeles and set him up in his own studio. London knocked out 23 tracks of old-school soul in four days and signed a deal with the newly formed Cadillac Records that allows him complete creative control.
“For a new artist,” says London, “it’s a can’t lose situation. I love working on tracks back home and sending them to Snoop, knowing he backs me and trusts my judgment. The best part is having an open opportunity to create in different genres of music.”
