Will: The Soulful Voice of Modern R&B

Will is a British R&B singer and songwriter known for his smooth vocals and emotive songwriting. Hailing from London, his major label debut album achieved gold certification in the UK, cementing his place in the contemporary soul scene.

Early career

Born William Johnson in 1990, Will grew up in South London immersed in a mix of UK garage and American soul. He began uploading homemade acoustic covers to YouTube in his late teens, which caught the attention of independent label Soulful Echoes. This led to his first official release, the 2012 EP "First Light," which introduced his signature blend of classic R&B and modern production.

Breakthrough

Will's breakthrough arrived in 2015 with the single "Stay Awhile," which peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. The success propelled his debut album, "Midnight Conversations," released later that year on major label imprint Blue Note Records. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 5 and was eventually certified gold, selling over 100,000 copies.

Key tracks

Stay Awhile — This platinum-selling single was Will's first Top 20 hit and defined his early sound.

Midnight Conversations — The title track from his debut album showcased his deeper songwriting and earned critical praise.

Fading Echoes — A collaboration with producer Kaytranada that expanded his audience into electronic music circles.

Better Days — This 2018 single marked a more mature, soul-pop direction and reached the Top 40.

Closer (feat. Mahalia) — A standout duet from his second album that highlighted his skill in collaborative R&B.

Following his initial success, Will's second album, "The Distance" (2019), explored more experimental production while maintaining his soul core. He has since collaborated with artists like Tom Misch and Sinead Harnett, further solidifying his network within the UK's R&B and jazz-funk revival. His music continues to evolve, with recent singles receiving consistent play on curated streaming playlists and radio.

Fans of Will's style often appreciate the work of similar UK-based artists. Tom Misch shares a fusion of jazz instrumentation and modern R&B grooves. Sinead Harnett offers a comparable blend of heartfelt lyricism and smooth vocal delivery. Jordan Rakei explores a similar space where soul music meets intricate production. Greentea Peng brings a parallel vibe of psychedelic-infused soul from the London scene.

Will's music is a staple on the playlist of contemporary R&B and soul radio stations featured on this website. His hits and deeper album cuts receive regular airplay on dedicated soul FM stations, online R&B radio streams, and independent music radio stations focusing on modern vocalists.

The music of Will can be heard across various radio stations featured on our platform. Listeners can discover his soulful R&B catalog by tuning into the radio stations available on onairium.com.