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Luke James Talks Prime Video's Series 'Them' Season 2 & Fatherhood + Freestyle | SWAY’S UNIVERSE
Apr 22, 2024
🌟 Dive into the incredible journey of Luke James from the vibrant club scenes of lower Manhattan to the grand stages of the Grammys! 🎤 In this captivating video, Luke shares his early days, networking in New York's iconic club scene, and how those experiences paved the way for his nominations and roles on shows like 'The Shy' and 'Star.' Witness how connections with legends like Maxwell and influential figures in the industry played a role in his rise to fame. 🌆
From candid tales of his club days with personalities like Ro James to the profound advice received from industry giants, Luke James opens up about the lessons learned and the real grind behind the glamour. 🎭
🚀 Subscribe for more inspiring stories and exclusive interviews from Sway's Universe. Don't miss out on the unique insights from your favorite artists and entertainers. Check out more videos and stay tuned for fresh content that brings you closer to the heart of music and culture. Follow us on social media to keep up with the latest happenings in the universe of music! 🌍✨
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CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
0:50 - Luke James Networking Insights
6:00 - Luke James Acting Challenges
9:06 - New Edition Movie Impact
12:21 - Prince Tribute by Luke James
14:08 - Future Plans of Luke James
18:11 - Them: Season 2 Overview
19:20 - Luke James Parenthood Journey
21:33 - Luke James Performs “Grateful”
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
Yes, sir
0:01
We got one of our family members who went on the road. He finally came home
0:07
Ladies and gentlemen, get this man a round of applause. What an amazing journey he has been on
0:16
We met him in the club scene. This is way before the Grammy nominations
0:22
This is way before he was on The Chi. This is way before he was on Star
0:28
This is way before he was on Broadway. It was way before the Grammy nominations for, what's the name of the album
0:37
To Feel Love. To Feel Love. To Feel Love. Yes. It was way before that
0:43
He was partying in Lower Manhattan with DB. DB. We got the one and only Luke James is back
0:51
Home sweet home. Home sweet home. Man called me the other day, Heather
0:56
which I love about Luke. We used to bump into each other a lot
1:00
where I used to live too, Luke. You hung out with everybody, bro
1:04
Yes, yes, man. You know how you gotta be in any way
1:10
Yes. In the mix. Did the hangout help bring opportunities? Absolutely. Really
1:15
Absolutely. It also helped elevate my, just how I thought about life
1:21
and anything I ever wanted to be in. Entertainment, fashion, anything, anything cultural
1:27
especially living here, New York. Especially living in New York. But you were hanging with people like
1:33
Roe James. My brother. Come on. Roe James! Just together last night
1:38
Sarah. Sarah Damon. It was like everybody. Because that was a time when you still had to go out
1:47
and network and meet people and actually present yourself. Hey, I'm Luke. I sing
1:51
You know what I mean? And all of us were doing that at the same time, like trying to get our breaking moment in the clubs
1:56
So we would just hang out there and have fun if nothing happened. Look at DB. He's a producer of a national syndicated morning show
2:03
Let's get it. Let me tell you, the blessings keep on blessing. You stay in it, though
2:07
You know? You stay prayed up and you stay after it. You know
2:11
I mean, everything, you know, shit comes in waves and that's okay, but you got to get back on that board and get out there, right? Yeah
2:16
So do you feel like hanging out with people, like Legendary Damon is a cultural pillar
2:21
of the club scene here. in New York. Is it almost like it's auditioning before the auditioning
2:28
the grooming before being groomed? Yeah, in a sense. I mean, Damon took to me early, right from the get
2:36
And, I mean, so many people, Damaris, I mean, everybody, they kind of just brought me in there, and it was love from the get
2:44
I didn't feel any pressure. Yeah. I mean, at all. It just was like, oh, this is family
2:51
This is who you connect with. Through Damon, I met everybody. Maxwell
2:55
I mean, through him, he introduced me to so many people. Just being in the room with him
3:01
And it was always love. It never felt like an audition. It always felt like, oh, you extended
3:07
Here we go. Was Maxwell Maxwell at the time you met him? He was Maxwell
3:11
He was Maxwell for a long time. I don't party with Maxwell for years
3:15
He was Maxwell, Maxwell, Maxwell. But in those circumstances, do you go, hey, man, I sing too
3:23
Oh, you know what's crazy? I came, when we first met, of course, I came, of course, with the humbleness
3:29
because, I mean, that's who I always watched. Yeah. You know, and just to be able to meet him
3:36
the very first thing he told me, first time meeting at Mr. H
3:41
he told me, yeah. Well, what's Mr. H? That's a club. You took it back, don't you? Yeah. Yeah
3:48
Wow. Yeah. Legendary Damon had that locked up. And that's where I met everybody
3:53
I mean, I saw Prince Party there. You know, it's like, but the first thing he told me, he said, man, as long as you got
3:58
the people, you have everything. Yeah, that's the shit I say. Wow
4:02
You got the people. You got everything. You don't need the headlines. You don't need the industry backing
4:07
You got the people. Yeah. You got everything. I can keep coming. I can keep coming out and doing tours because I got the people
4:15
Most important. So what would you say, Luke, for like a network 101
4:19
Because there are a lot of people who feel uncomfortable making connections
4:23
They'll tell themselves a story that they're being opportunistic. They'll say that this is a form of sucking dick
4:29
Right. What is this? Keep it raw. Word. This is how people describe it to like justify their discomfort and stay within their bubble
4:41
Understood. So what are some strategies for authentic networking? First of all, if you're thinking of it that way, get out of your way
4:51
You're in your way. Because you have to network. That's the way this thing goes
4:56
You have to network. You have to be likable in a sense
5:03
And if you're an honest person, then that's a no-brainer. If you're a good person, then it's going to be all right
5:11
Don't try to cut no corners because it just never ends well
5:15
You know, it's never a good foundation. For me, it's always been love first
5:19
Yeah. And I can't even do it the other way. I try. Yeah
5:23
We all try. Uh-huh. It's a fake and then we're like, oh, I'm depressed. So that means I'm wearing something
5:28
I'm being something I'm not really. It's depleting. And you're around people that don't love you, truly
5:33
So, you know, I think you really got to put your best foot forward
5:38
And if you really want this, then you're going to open your mouth and go forward because nobody's going to just give it to you
5:43
Mm-hmm. You got to go asking. you got to go telling people and showing people what you're about and what you can do and then
5:48
do the work yes if you do the work then everything else works its way out you but if you ain't know
5:54
if you don't do the work then you might get lucky yeah but you got no foundation to stand on
5:59
longevity you know do you know i i look at luke james uh hb and i and i we we always
6:08
known you been an amazing vocalist thank you that that just not a question like anybody who questions that I questioning them But what I seeing as an actor Thank you man Give this man a round of applause
6:24
Thank you. You playing some perplexed roles. They ain't giving you no lob balls
6:31
You got some nuanced roles that you play. What's been the most biggest challenge in the roles you played so far
6:38
Wow, you know, being okay with, like truly being okay with messing up
6:45
See, the thing with me as far as singing, I've been doing that all my life
6:49
And I've surpassed the point of I'm okay with messing up. I'm okay with fumbling in front of anyone because I know how to keep going, you know
6:59
And in acting, you know, it's for me a fairly new art form for me
7:04
it's that the matter of just letting go and being okay with messing up and and the the awkwardness
7:11
like this feels wrong but usually that's the right place the uncomfortable is the right place
7:18
right singing I could just close my eyes in the uncomfortability and just and and and I dive deeper
7:24
into that uncomfortable place but it's a a soulful release I think you know it's just a matter of
7:30
seeing it the same way. That's been the challenge. But it's been fun
7:36
I've been surrounded by beautiful people who have created safe spaces for me
7:41
to explore the unknown and to go as far as I can go
7:46
in a healthy way. So, I mean, from the shy to, right now, them
7:52
the scare, I mean, I've... And even from Broadway. Yeah. It was a circle
7:57
You were a dope. You were a Broadway, bro. It was dope. That's the scariest thing. There's no teleprompter on Broadway
8:02
And there's no do-over, there's no cut No, no, 90 minutes of you going
8:07
And the audience don't owe you nothing Yeah That's another thing Because coming from as a performer, as a singer
8:13
You're like that gratification But theater, they don't owe you nothing I'm just going to sit here and watch you do the thing
8:20
So you can feel a pin drop You were excellent though Thank you Excellent
8:24
Thank you I remember seeing him on Broadway I didn't realize Do we go together
8:29
No because you were busy. You were busy, man. Stop. Because Luke did invite me
8:35
No, I went with Dana. Of course I invited you. He invited you
8:39
but I went with Dana and we called him afterwards just to
8:43
you were captivating. You literally stepped out and took that audience that, like you said
8:49
who's there to almost be critical, I think, a lot of times in Broadway
8:53
They're looking for what's wrong. Right. And you stepped out there and snatched the audience
8:59
immediately and i couldn't help but to smile the entire time watching you it was so dope um but
9:06
while you're talking about the work it's interesting my niece was over my house two weekends ago
9:11
and a new edition movie came on wow yeah and she's like oh my gosh he i love him from new edition
9:19
i was like do you know how much stuff luke has done but it's something about that particular
9:25
body of work and I'm wondering do you get that too? Yes. Did you expect that doing a new edition
9:31
film because we were all excited because we grew up. I was
9:35
13 when new edition came out. But for you, you took on this role
9:39
obviously you're familiar with the group and Johnny Gill but it keeps
9:43
it's like the gift that keeps giving. I mean, you know we had a feeling of what this
9:49
was going to be. Obviously I mean all entities were involved to make this thing
9:55
what it is the dream was that you know for it to for what for but the amount of what it's done
10:01
i don't know if everybody expected that for the demographics that you know the the lines
10:06
yeah i mean the kids that were watching it because their parents of of that generation
10:12
so you were watching that because that's their tv and you're not watching nothing else but new
10:17
edition it's right here and especially if you got a five-year-old six-year-old and then they're
10:22
seeing little black boys sing and dance, they're inspired by those other kids
10:27
And then it just keeps going. And I mean, over the years, I mean, it's just
10:32
I've got nothing but love from that. Nothing but love from that
10:36
Even if I'm just on set and somebody just want to say, what up, Johnny? I love you, Johnny
10:40
You'll take that, right? I'll take it. I'll take it. Johnny Gill, every time I see him, he always says
10:45
how does it feel to be me? Eddie Caine Jr. I receive it
10:50
I receive it. I'm grateful for it because that came at a very pinnacle time in my life
10:56
How so? Well, I wasn't in love with music, creating music. I wasn't in love with the business that went into creating music
11:04
and putting it out to the world. And I just didn't see my way out of that
11:09
Because all I had was tunnel vision for music. Okay. And then this opportunity came, thank God, to Elijah Kelly
11:17
He called me because he got a straight to offer, but he was inquisitive for who they were looking at
11:22
and he brought my name up and that's how I got it. Wow. You know what I mean
11:26
And that allowed me to just de-center myself and think about New Edition
11:34
think about Johnny Gill, think about someone else other than myself. Get out your own head
11:39
Get out my own head out of my own way. And I had to learn all of this music
11:44
that I remember growing up listening to, having these conversations with Babyface
11:50
and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis it just reinvigorated me in a whole other way
11:56
that I had never looked at and it just was another avenue
12:00
another part of my brain that I needed to unlock but I had to get to that point
12:05
I guess obviously I had to get to that low point to be able to surrender to it
12:10
Wow Luke James man you hear all these names that's just falling out his mouth
12:16
I was just chilling with Jimmy Jamming. You know, it's crazy. Oh, you know
12:22
Because the late, great Prince once wrote me a letter, y'all. Yes, he did
12:28
Prince wrote him a letter Yeah yeah Like he wrote you a letter Not an email not a text No no no Actually it was an email Okay It was an email because if you know P
12:40
P! You're talking about P? P? That's how he knew. P? Yeah. Is that why you wore the P hat
12:44
Oh, I mean... I guess so. Listen, listen, listen. Listen, listen, man
12:48
So if you know P, so you get an email from Prince..
12:52
And also, that's how you know if people really, really know. Yeah. Like, have had that relationship
12:57
because that's what they called him, P. P? That always lets me know how close you were to him
13:05
You know what I mean? And that's in his space. We weren't close
13:09
Yeah, I called him. A very specific kind of guy. I called him Mr. Prince. Everybody who worked with him, who jammed with him
13:18
who had the opportunity to really be in his grace and explore that avenue of music with him, it was P
13:26
He was P. That's P. I got a chance to sit with him and talk with him and interview with him
13:30
We talk more than we interviewed. You done interviewed everybody, brother. There's a biopic being made of you
13:36
Oh, really? Are you going to play me? Right. I'll do it. Can you make me sing? Let's not push it
13:42
In the biopic, can I sing? You're not going to start singing now. You're not going to start singing now. No, he don't. You ain't got the answers
13:49
I got it, baby. He is looking for a vocal coach. We've been speaking about this for a couple years
13:54
I want to learn how to sing on air. We could turn these mics off right now
13:59
We could do it. It's possible. But you got the imagination and belief in yourself to do it
14:03
I believe I could do whatever I set my mind to, just like your life
14:07
There it is. Come on. Look at your life. Look where it started. Look where it is. I'm so grateful
14:11
Can we get back to Prince? Let's do it. What did Prince say to you in that
14:16
Was it grammatically correct? It was. Oh, man. It was. Oh, that's funny you say that
14:21
That's funny because he, if you know him, he types in such a unique way
14:26
Yeah. And, no, he was just really, he emails you through another email
14:31
So it's someone else's email, but it's him writing it. Wow. Wow
14:36
The protection. It's a complete, yeah, and someone's showing you that email
14:42
And, yeah, and I was grateful and blessed enough, oh, my God, Theo
14:51
Thelonius. Oh, my God. Thelonius, mom? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
14:54
I'm so sorry, my brother. I know he's going to be seeing this. I forgot his name so much, but he was his man's, man
15:01
And he got me that email because it was just shown to me. But, you know, after his passing, he sent it to me just for something I could have and always look to
15:11
because this man really wanted me to come and jam with him to see how he created music
15:15
and possibly create a body of work that is cohesive like an opera
15:20
And from that, that inspired me from my last project, A Live Sensation
15:25
Which, in a sense, is a slight homage for that context for him to think that I could do that
15:33
Yeah. In which I had forgotten because I got wrapped up in the music business of things and losing my artistry to be commerce rather than just the artist, right
15:43
And so, yeah. No, man. Yeah, I forever have that. You know, Tracy said to me before you came in and listening to you, I get it now
15:52
Tracy said, it feels like Luke is in a great place. Yes
15:56
In his life and in his career. She started marveling at the way you navigated your career
16:01
I hear what you're saying now. Right? You feel it. You see it
16:06
So Mike and I saw him in the hallway, and I was like, oh, my gosh, good to see you
16:10
How you doing? He said, magical. And I was like, wow. Mike and I were like, that's a great word to describe where you presently are if you truly feel that way
16:19
It's a spiritual space. Even if I'm not. You're magic. Still. It's where you are
16:24
Because the power, right? You have to channel it for yourself. Yeah
16:30
Period. Would I take something strong internally to make that outcome happen, to say magical
16:35
Yeah. I've heard certain people, and I remember every time someone says a unique word to me
16:39
like one time someone said perfect. And I said, that takes a certain type of positioning in your space and energy to say perfect
16:44
But I think for you to say magical, that means you're in your energy zone and space
16:49
And I'm curious. You talked about the freedom. I get freedom from you, honestly
16:53
You talked about opera, which I was really in tune to your last project because I think doing that genre highlights your vocal ability
17:02
I kind of look at you as a vocal acrobat who's not afraid to use it
17:05
so I was really excited for that. Where are you at right now musically in your relationship to music
17:10
in the sense of what do you want to present to the world next? Wow, I am deeply in love
17:16
Deep love affair. It's so deep that it feels like keeping it secret
17:23
because I'm allowing myself to take the journey into the unknown, into even the nostalgia of things that move me
17:32
and not stopping myself, just the output, just letting it out. And being in film gives me the space to be able to do that
17:44
because the financial space to be able to do that. That's being real. A little security here
17:48
Yes, yes, yes. To be able to do that and really not think of nothing else
17:53
but how do I feel? And how do I feel today? And this is what I'm creating today
17:59
You know, I'm deeply in love with it, truly. And I'm so in love with it that I just can't not just give anything
18:09
So it's not a rush for me. And you can catch him on April 25th on Amazon Prime
18:15
starring as Edmund Gaines in the new season of Them, The Scare Season 2
18:20
Who is Edmund Gaines? Man, he's an aspiring, struggling actor. He's just really, really looking for his big break
18:29
He's also, in a sense, a tortured soul. He is really trying to figure out his purpose and find out why he even exists
18:37
Why is he here? And, you know, as actors, you know, it's an opportunity for some
18:43
It an opportunity to not be themselves right And imagine another world a brighter world and whatnot and in a space that for him for him is a safe space that what he knows because to be himself because he doesn know
18:58
who he is so so all he has is what he's seen on tv and what someone has told him so he's trying to
19:04
find that and uh he's a bit of a method actor yeah yeah yeah yeah so but he yeah yeah i'm looking
19:13
forward to it um i'm if i'm not mistaken before before i let you go because we do have your co-star
19:19
yes deborah is here oh my god all right um did you say to me on our last call that you're a father
19:28
now man yes yes congratulations luke james is a dad thank you thank you nine nine months wow you
19:36
a new dad. Wow. Wow. Yes. That's what this is. Yeah. That's the magic
19:43
That's the magic. Yes. You created something. Man. Out of the blue
19:48
Yes. Right? I'm so grateful. What does it feel like? Wow. Purpose
19:53
Yeah. Purposeful. Like truly. Like everything. The way I talk, the way I walk, the way I respond, the way I do anything
20:00
He's watching me. Yeah. And it's something I've always wanted. I always aspired to be a father, and I'm working on it
20:09
and I'm grateful to be able to be his father. He's everything
20:14
I mean, it's wild. It's wild, man, because I could cry about it. So it's like, you know what I mean
20:19
It's crazy, that journey. I've never knew. I mean, I've always wanted to have a child
20:24
but I never knew it felt like this. He's everything, man. I miss him right now
20:30
Just talking about it, it's like, you know? Go ahead and cry, man. That's cool
20:33
Yo, when you finish, put him on this album Because then he could break the record
20:37
You get a Grammy, right? And then he'll break the record for the youngest artist
20:41
To ever receive a Grammy Come on You're not lying Yeah, yeah
20:47
Just have him make a noise on it Wow First words There you go
20:56
I'm so happy for you I've been a part of your life for a long time
21:01
So has DB, man I just texted Sarah. She said to tell you hi
21:05
She's so happy for you. Guys, man. Keep shining. Non-stop. Your energy is illuminating and it's infectious
21:12
Thank you. You came in here. We make people feel good. You made us feel good
21:16
Sincerely. Come on. That's love. I love coming here. It's family, for real
21:20
You family, man. I didn't even ask him to sing today. Normally, I do. And he could
21:24
He's still gonna. Not necessarily. You told already he had a kid
21:28
I mean, you might as well. Sing about your kid, man. Acapella. Oh, my gosh
21:32
Get a new sweeper? Let's get Debra in here. Maybe we get Debra in here. Is she outside? She is
21:37
She's out there. Oh, my God. Debra Ayurinde is here. Ayurinde. And she's the star of them, right
21:45
Yes. Yes. The whole installation. Olivia Lucky Emery. Is she right outside
21:50
Let me see. Let me see. Come on. Let's see. I saw her walk up. Debra
21:55
Debra, come on. Hey, Debra. Debra, come on. We live on the air, Debra
22:00
Debra, come on in. Welcome to the show. Yes. My Bay Area
22:09
Oh, listen. Okay, my Bay Area. We got the Bay up in here
22:13
We got the South Bay up in here. San Jose, Seven Trees, stand up
22:18
McKee Rose, stand up. Uh-huh. Alam Rock, stand up. Which neighborhood is yours
22:24
I'm throwing all kinds of... Listen, I'm from Antioch. Oh, Antioch? Not even really
22:28
It's not cool. Oh, it's not really. Oh. It's not cool. Antioch. She kept real, though
22:35
Antioch. That's not really cool like that. They had a lot of state fairs in Antioch, right
22:41
Shout out to the livestock. Yeah. Antioch. Debra, welcome to the show
22:48
Hi. I didn't want to keep you waiting. So before Luke was going to leave, he was going to do something for us
22:54
I thought you might enjoy it. Okay. All right. Okay. Want to get to it? All right
22:58
Here we go. Oh, he's doing something. What are you doing? is up to something. All right, you ready, Luke
23:02
Yeah. Ooh. Sway in the morning, Shade, 4-5, Heather B, Tracy G, Lonnie Light
23:08
Mike Muse, DB, Torch and Tracy G. I said that. Yeah. 6 a.m. in the morning
23:15
I hear that boy yawning, crying. Get me out. Anybody that can relate
23:21
Got a new boy? You know you don't sleep. Oh, my God
23:24
as cute as a little boy ever. I want to be mad, but man, how could I ever
23:29
That's my son. Look at him. Look at me. Oh, Heather, can you understand? It's the most beautiful thing
23:34
I'm so happy for my girl. Sonny, you did everything. You're my world
23:39
Having a little boy was something I kind of thought I'd never have
23:43
But damn, life be lifing. And I'm so grateful because I couldn't be more proud to be his faithful father, man
23:53
Just letting it flow. There you go, man. I like that. That's my son. His name is Wolf
23:58
Second name, Moon. It's the most amazing thing Because my mama gave that to him
24:02
My nickname was Wolf as a child But now it's really his So I'm Papa Wolf
24:07
I'm the pappy And I'm so grateful Grateful, grateful Oh Wolf Moon
24:18
I know one day you'll see this A strong man, an honest man, a true man Mmm
24:25
Yeah, I like that A protector And I'm grateful for you Oh, I'm so grateful
24:30
Debra, Debra, Debra. You gonna bring him a Sway in the morning? Just sing that
24:34
Say that, Sway in the morning. Debra, we got Debra. You're in there
24:39
Sway in the morning. Sway in the morning. That's Luke James, y'all
24:47
Give it up for Luke James. We gonna come back with Debra on your end day
24:55
From them, Luke James. We love you, brother. Congratulations. We love you, man
25:01
Love you, bro
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