Soul Roots and a Sound Reborn
In an era where R&B constantly bends to the tides of modern sound, October London dares to take it back—way back—to the heart, the harmony, and the heat of soul music’s golden age. With a voice that conjures comparisons to Marvin Gaye and a style that bridges retro elegance with contemporary edge, he’s quickly emerging as the genre’s most compelling torchbearer.
From the modest neighborhoods of South Bend, Indiana, to the hallowed halls of Death Row Records, October London is proving that the soul revival is not just nostalgia—it’s a movement. And he’s leading the charge, one velvet note at a time.
Early Echoes: A Soul Stirred in South Bend
Before the chart-topping singles and Grammy buzz, he was Jared Samuel Erskine—a curious, musically inclined kid raised in a home where melodies filled the air like incense. His mother had a singer’s gift. His father strummed guitar. Family gatherings weren’t complete without impromptu jam sessions, especially during the holidays. Music, for young Jared, was less a pastime and more a pulse.
By kindergarten, he was fiddling with piano keys. By adolescence, he was recording songs on a boombox, teaching himself harmony by ear since he never learned to read sheet music. His fascination with sound was visceral. Even though he once dreamed of being a storm chaser, a trucker, or even an actor, fate kept pulling him back to the beat.
His first official step into music came in the early 2000s with the group First Fam. But the hunger for something more personal, more soulful, persisted. He briefly performed under the name Sam London before embracing a stage name that matched his essence—October London, a tribute to his birth month and the rich, introspective vibes of autumn.
Finding His Lane Through Pain and Protest
October’s true breakthrough arrived in 2016 with “Black Man in America,” a stirring anthem that tackled police brutality and systemic injustice. At a time when the country reeled from racial tension, October’s voice offered both lament and strength. The song was a declaration: he wasn’t here just to sing—he was here to say something.
That message carried far enough to reach the ears of producer Jazze Pha, who shared October’s demo “Color Blind” with none other than Snoop Dogg. Snoop’s response? “I gotta have him.” A phone call followed, and by March 2016, October London was the first artist signed to Cadillac Music, a joint venture between Snoop and Jazze.
After Cadillac folded, October didn’t flinch. Instead, he stepped deeper into Snoop’s camp, signing with the revived Death Row Records. The iconic label, once synonymous with gangsta rap, was now home to a smooth soul singer with a throwback voice and modern ambition.
From Revival to Renaissance
Homage and Heat: The Rebirth of Marvin
In 2023, October London released what many consider his magnum opus to date—The Rebirth of Marvin. As the title suggests, it was a loving nod to the late Marvin Gaye, but not without its own bold identity. The album, released under the Death Row banner, oozed old-school elegance with a fresh twist.
The lead single “Back to Your Place” wasn’t just a hit—it dominated the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart for nine weeks. It was the kind of track that made you want to dim the lights, pour something smooth, and let the record spin. Critics raved. Fans swooned. The comparisons to Marvin Gaye intensified, with even Gaye’s sister, Zeola, weighing in on the uncanny vocal resemblance. Still, not everyone welcomed the title. Some questioned whether it blurred the line between homage and imitation.
But for October, the project was less about mimicry and more about preserving a tradition. “This is soul music,” he explained in interviews. “And soul should never die.”
The album earned three Soul Train Award nominations and launched a national tour in 2024. The Rebirth of Marvin wasn’t just a project—it was a movement.
Evolution in Real Time: October Nights
October London didn’t stop there. Later in 2024, he dropped his sophomore album, October Nights, a statement piece signaling artistic growth. If Rebirth was a nod to the past, Nights was a vision of the future.
Collaborating with artists like Tyrese, Ledisi, and Boney James, October pushed the sonic envelope—blending contemporary R&B with traces of funk, electronic grooves, and 90s slow jam nostalgia. Tracks like “She Keeps Calling” and “A Beautiful Woman” resonated with fans old and new, combining timeless lyricism with modern production.
This time, October wasn’t leaning on legends—he was becoming one. Critics praised his maturing sound. Audiences grew. His fan base broadened across generations.
On the Road: From Opening Acts to Headliner
Touring became another avenue for growth. From his early days shadowing Snoop Dogg on the Mount Kushmore and High Road tours to co-headlining the October Nights: Calling All Lovers Tour with Tamar Braxton and Ro James, October transformed from student to master of the stage.
He also joined the Serenade Tour alongside Maxwell and Jazmine Sullivan, captivating thousands in arenas across the country. His live performances are known for intimacy, humor, and power—he shares personal stories, invites crowd interaction, and commands the stage like a seasoned showman. What began as a nostalgic sound became a live experience rooted in present-day excellence.
A Voice Unbound by Genre
Collaborations and Crossroads
One of October’s strengths is his collaborative spirit. His work with Snoop Dogg is legendary—songs like “Mulholland Drive,” “Revolution,” and “Put You On” blend soul and West Coast cool. He’s also made waves alongside jazz saxophonist Boney James, R&B crooners like Tyrese, and even gospel and funk legends.
But he’s not confined to genre or expectation. He recently unveiled “Sam Nash,” an alter ego for his upcoming country music journey. Yes, country. October plans to tour and release music in that genre as well, citing inspirations from artists like Charlie Wilson and even John Mayer. He’s also expressed interest in EDM and reggae.
That eclectic range shows one thing clearly—October London isn’t just here to revive R&B. He’s here to redefine what it means to be a Black artist in music today.
Beyond the Music
As his star rises, October has begun building his brand outside the booth. He’s launched a limited-edition bourbon with Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon, expanding his appeal into lifestyle markets. With a growing social media presence and signature debonair style, he’s becoming a fashion muse and influencer in his own right.
Television appearances on The Voice, the Soul Train Music Awards, and BET Talks have introduced him to mainstream audiences, while his YouTube and TikTok visuals keep younger fans engaged.
He doesn’t just dress the part—he embodies it. Class, charisma, and consistency are his calling cards.
What’s Next? A King in the Making
With whispers of upcoming collaborations with legends like Stevie Wonder and plans for his country project in motion, October’s plate is full. Yet he remains grounded. “I almost quit music before Snoop called,” he said in one interview. “I was ready to graduate from truck driving school.”
It’s that honesty—raw and relatable—that keeps fans connected. October London represents possibility. He’s proof that dreams deferred can still bloom. That a classic voice still has power. That soul is not just sound, but substance.
In the ever-shifting landscape of modern music, where authenticity is rare and gimmicks rule the charts, October London is a welcome throwback—and a necessary evolution. He’s Marvin with a twist. Smokey with swagger. Teddy P with tattoos. But more importantly, he’s himself.
Final Notes: A Legacy in Progress
October London’s rise feels like the return of something lost—an echo from soul’s heyday, repackaged for now. But to reduce him to a Marvin Gaye clone would be to miss the point entirely.
He’s a student of history, yes, but also a craftsman of the future. With his blend of reverence and innovation, he’s lighting a path not just for himself, but for soul music itself. And the genre is better for it.
October isn’t just a month on the calendar anymore—it’s a mood, a voice, a movement.
And October London? He’s its soundtrack.
This Month’s Featured Articles
The Studio Museum in Harlem, long a global epicenter for artists of African descent—reopens in 2025 with a groundbreaking new home that redefines what a cultural institution can be. From its radical 1968 loft origins to Sir David Adjaye’s “inverted stoop,” the museum remains Harlem’s beacon of Black creativity, community, and future-making.
Kelly Rowland’s relationship with Harlem runs deeper than red carpets and photo ops. From the Apollo Theater to Harlem Hospital, Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO), and local Black-owned restaurants, she blends star power with street-level service. In Harlem, Rowland isn’t visiting—she’s investing, uplifting, and rewriting what celebrity commitment looks like.
The National Urban League’s return to Harlem with its $242 million Empowerment Center marks a bold new era of Black economic sovereignty. Combining affordable housing, a civil rights museum, workforce development, and a self-sustaining headquarters, the center reclaims Harlem’s legacy while shaping the future of social and economic justice.
Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson’s story isn’t just about Hollywood greatness, it’s about a lifelong commitment to building, protecting, and funding Black institutions. From Harlem’s stages to Spelman’s arts center and the new Urban Civil Rights Museum, the Jacksons have spent decades transforming activism into infrastructure and legacy into community power.
FeaturedHarlem - The Most Soulful Place On Earth™
Walking Into the Heart of Harlem’s Holiday Spirit. On the evening of November 18th, Harlem did what Harlem does best — it shined.
FeaturedHarlemBusinessHarlemEmpowerment
Your dollar has power. Make it work for the culture. Read our guide to global Black-owned businesses you can support today.
Soul Roots and a Sound Reborn
In an era where R&B constantly bends to the tides of modern sound, October London dares to take it back—way back—to the heart, the harmony, and the heat of soul music’s golden age. With a voice that conjures comparisons to Marvin Gaye and a style that bridges retro elegance with contemporary edge, he’s quickly emerging as the genre’s most compelling torchbearer.
From the modest neighborhoods of South Bend, Indiana, to the hallowed halls of Death Row Records, October London is proving that the soul revival is not just nostalgia—it’s a movement. And he’s leading the charge, one velvet note at a time.
Early Echoes: A Soul Stirred in South Bend
Before the chart-topping singles and Grammy buzz, he was Jared Samuel Erskine—a curious, musically inclined kid raised in a home where melodies filled the air like incense. His mother had a singer’s gift. His father strummed guitar. Family gatherings weren’t complete without impromptu jam sessions, especially during the holidays. Music, for young Jared, was less a pastime and more a pulse.
By kindergarten, he was fiddling with piano keys. By adolescence, he was recording songs on a boombox, teaching himself harmony by ear since he never learned to read sheet music. His fascination with sound was visceral. Even though he once dreamed of being a storm chaser, a trucker, or even an actor, fate kept pulling him back to the beat.
His first official step into music came in the early 2000s with the group First Fam. But the hunger for something more personal, more soulful, persisted. He briefly performed under the name Sam London before embracing a stage name that matched his essence—October London, a tribute to his birth month and the rich, introspective vibes of autumn.
Finding His Lane Through Pain and Protest
October’s true breakthrough arrived in 2016 with “Black Man in America,” a stirring anthem that tackled police brutality and systemic injustice. At a time when the country reeled from racial tension, October’s voice offered both lament and strength. The song was a declaration: he wasn’t here just to sing—he was here to say something.
That message carried far enough to reach the ears of producer Jazze Pha, who shared October’s demo “Color Blind” with none other than Snoop Dogg. Snoop’s response? “I gotta have him.” A phone call followed, and by March 2016, October London was the first artist signed to Cadillac Music, a joint venture between Snoop and Jazze.
After Cadillac folded, October didn’t flinch. Instead, he stepped deeper into Snoop’s camp, signing with the revived Death Row Records. The iconic label, once synonymous with gangsta rap, was now home to a smooth soul singer with a throwback voice and modern ambition.
From Revival to Renaissance
Homage and Heat: The Rebirth of Marvin
In 2023, October London released what many consider his magnum opus to date—The Rebirth of Marvin. As the title suggests, it was a loving nod to the late Marvin Gaye, but not without its own bold identity. The album, released under the Death Row banner, oozed old-school elegance with a fresh twist.
The lead single “Back to Your Place” wasn’t just a hit—it dominated the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart for nine weeks. It was the kind of track that made you want to dim the lights, pour something smooth, and let the record spin. Critics raved. Fans swooned. The comparisons to Marvin Gaye intensified, with even Gaye’s sister, Zeola, weighing in on the uncanny vocal resemblance. Still, not everyone welcomed the title. Some questioned whether it blurred the line between homage and imitation.
But for October, the project was less about mimicry and more about preserving a tradition. “This is soul music,” he explained in interviews. “And soul should never die.”
The album earned three Soul Train Award nominations and launched a national tour in 2024. The Rebirth of Marvin wasn’t just a project—it was a movement.
Evolution in Real Time: October Nights
October London didn’t stop there. Later in 2024, he dropped his sophomore album, October Nights, a statement piece signaling artistic growth. If Rebirth was a nod to the past, Nights was a vision of the future.
Collaborating with artists like Tyrese, Ledisi, and Boney James, October pushed the sonic envelope—blending contemporary R&B with traces of funk, electronic grooves, and 90s slow jam nostalgia. Tracks like “She Keeps Calling” and “A Beautiful Woman” resonated with fans old and new, combining timeless lyricism with modern production.
This time, October wasn’t leaning on legends—he was becoming one. Critics praised his maturing sound. Audiences grew. His fan base broadened across generations.
On the Road: From Opening Acts to Headliner
Touring became another avenue for growth. From his early days shadowing Snoop Dogg on the Mount Kushmore and High Road tours to co-headlining the October Nights: Calling All Lovers Tour with Tamar Braxton and Ro James, October transformed from student to master of the stage.
He also joined the Serenade Tour alongside Maxwell and Jazmine Sullivan, captivating thousands in arenas across the country. His live performances are known for intimacy, humor, and power—he shares personal stories, invites crowd interaction, and commands the stage like a seasoned showman. What began as a nostalgic sound became a live experience rooted in present-day excellence.
A Voice Unbound by Genre
Collaborations and Crossroads
One of October’s strengths is his collaborative spirit. His work with Snoop Dogg is legendary—songs like “Mulholland Drive,” “Revolution,” and “Put You On” blend soul and West Coast cool. He’s also made waves alongside jazz saxophonist Boney James, R&B crooners like Tyrese, and even gospel and funk legends.
But he’s not confined to genre or expectation. He recently unveiled “Sam Nash,” an alter ego for his upcoming country music journey. Yes, country. October plans to tour and release music in that genre as well, citing inspirations from artists like Charlie Wilson and even John Mayer. He’s also expressed interest in EDM and reggae.
That eclectic range shows one thing clearly—October London isn’t just here to revive R&B. He’s here to redefine what it means to be a Black artist in music today.
Beyond the Music
As his star rises, October has begun building his brand outside the booth. He’s launched a limited-edition bourbon with Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon, expanding his appeal into lifestyle markets. With a growing social media presence and signature debonair style, he’s becoming a fashion muse and influencer in his own right.
Television appearances on The Voice, the Soul Train Music Awards, and BET Talks have introduced him to mainstream audiences, while his YouTube and TikTok visuals keep younger fans engaged.
He doesn’t just dress the part—he embodies it. Class, charisma, and consistency are his calling cards.
What’s Next? A King in the Making
With whispers of upcoming collaborations with legends like Stevie Wonder and plans for his country project in motion, October’s plate is full. Yet he remains grounded. “I almost quit music before Snoop called,” he said in one interview. “I was ready to graduate from truck driving school.”
It’s that honesty—raw and relatable—that keeps fans connected. October London represents possibility. He’s proof that dreams deferred can still bloom. That a classic voice still has power. That soul is not just sound, but substance.
In the ever-shifting landscape of modern music, where authenticity is rare and gimmicks rule the charts, October London is a welcome throwback—and a necessary evolution. He’s Marvin with a twist. Smokey with swagger. Teddy P with tattoos. But more importantly, he’s himself.
Final Notes: A Legacy in Progress
October London’s rise feels like the return of something lost—an echo from soul’s heyday, repackaged for now. But to reduce him to a Marvin Gaye clone would be to miss the point entirely.
He’s a student of history, yes, but also a craftsman of the future. With his blend of reverence and innovation, he’s lighting a path not just for himself, but for soul music itself. And the genre is better for it.
October isn’t just a month on the calendar anymore—it’s a mood, a voice, a movement.
And October London? He’s its soundtrack.
This Month’s Featured Articles
The Studio Museum in Harlem, long a global epicenter for artists of African descent—reopens in 2025 with a groundbreaking new home that redefines what a cultural institution can be. From its radical 1968 loft origins to Sir David Adjaye’s “inverted stoop,” the museum remains Harlem’s beacon of Black creativity, community, and future-making.
Kelly Rowland’s relationship with Harlem runs deeper than red carpets and photo ops. From the Apollo Theater to Harlem Hospital, Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO), and local Black-owned restaurants, she blends star power with street-level service. In Harlem, Rowland isn’t visiting—she’s investing, uplifting, and rewriting what celebrity commitment looks like.
The National Urban League’s return to Harlem with its $242 million Empowerment Center marks a bold new era of Black economic sovereignty. Combining affordable housing, a civil rights museum, workforce development, and a self-sustaining headquarters, the center reclaims Harlem’s legacy while shaping the future of social and economic justice.
Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson’s story isn’t just about Hollywood greatness, it’s about a lifelong commitment to building, protecting, and funding Black institutions. From Harlem’s stages to Spelman’s arts center and the new Urban Civil Rights Museum, the Jacksons have spent decades transforming activism into infrastructure and legacy into community power.
FeaturedHarlem - The Most Soulful Place On Earth™
Walking Into the Heart of Harlem’s Holiday Spirit. On the evening of November 18th, Harlem did what Harlem does best — it shined.
FeaturedHarlemBusinessHarlemEmpowerment
Your dollar has power. Make it work for the culture. Read our guide to global Black-owned businesses you can support today.
