I had the pleasure of interviewing the incredible up-and-coming R&B star, DRYX. The Beyhive-approved chaunter has a silky smooth voice and an acute sense of lyrics and harmonies that make for glorious music. Let's get to know him a bit:

1. Where did the inspiration for your stage name come from? How did you come up with it?

My stage name is an abbreviation of my first name Lendryx (pronounced like Hendrix). I always felt connected to music because of the similarity to [Jimi] Hendrix.

2. When is your second album coming out? Have you started working on it yet?

I just started working on my next project and I'd love to have it completed and out January at the latest. It's seeming to be a bit darker than what I've put out recently.

3. Are you going to continue the indie route or are you actively searching for a record deal?

I'd love to get signed under the right conditions. Being indie especially from a hometown like a small city, like Enterprise, Alabama is hard because everyone is on the go or simply not into supporting local talent, unless it's football.

4. There are nods to 90s R&B in your vocal inflections on the album, talk a bit about the different influences on this album

Player 3, at its roots, is my best album since I started recording 10 years ago. My influences stemmed from Tyrese, Jhené Aiko, Omarion, Beyoncé & Destiny's Child, Marques Houston, Future & Drake, etc. I would say the majority of my influences come from '00s R&B, but what I'm most proud of is that it doesn't sound complacent. I don't want to be the "2017 version" of any artist I just named.

5. What inspired you to get into music? Who are your biggest influences musically? Visually?

I first got into music in the 3rd grade, like I think most people did playing the recorder, [laughs] but it was definitely more of a passion for me even then when compared to the others around me. Recorder transitioned to trumpet, then I dove into music theory as a freshman in high school, writing arrangements and original compositions with my friend Jamie Watson. But, once I got into sophomore year, I joined a hip-hop & R&B group named EPC, a Christian Rock band named Breath of Life, and then a few years later a gospel group named Beyond the Veil & another R&B group 2KSoul. I would say each interaction in those groups is my biggest influence right now in my opinion.

6. To you, what is the importance of music today?

Music is like laughter. It's like prayer. It's like energy. It can bring people together like no other. The big thing today is how we're so "divided..." Go to a concert, different story. Everyone under one roof, identities aside, for the moment.

7. How, if at all, does your race/gender/sexuality influence your music?

I would say right now my race/gender/sexuality doesn't affect anything right now but that can and probably will change especially with this next project.

8. Was "Backseat" based on a fantasy and was "Friend Zone" based on a real story?

"Backseat" is definitely a fantasy that's still very much unfulfilled [laughs]. A lot of the songs on my albums are experiences I've seen or want to have. The best songs, in my opinion, are my personal experiences like "Scared of Love," "Faded," and "Real."

9. Who are your dream collaborators, describe what the songs would be like?

I've always wanted to work with Big Sean, he's such an inspiration to me. It would have to be something uplifting! I always wanted to work with Ciara as well, an upbeat bop for sure. Kendrick Lamar is another big dream collab. I would love to have him in the room with me as I create my next album because he's such a visionary. All of his albums are excellent, I've never seen a streak of greatness that high.

10. What are your thoughts on streaming?

Streaming is a great way for artists like myself to get plays from people who won't invest in your music otherwise. The only downside is that they still don't invest. You can make a good living as a streaming artist but it's still so new and we're still figuring it out. Thank God for Tidal for compensating appropriately.

11. What do you do outside of your music?

Right now I'm a Security Control Assessor for the Air Force. Been in 5 years, getting out in April of 2017 to go back to school for music. I enjoy the Air Force and I'd stay in, but I love music way too much and it's killing me not to be doing it as much as I could be.

Buy DRYX's Player 3 here

Stream DRYX's Player 3 on... Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music

Watch the official videos for "Scared of Love," "My Name Is," and "Faded"

Photo Credits: Jeffery Martonez (@retrojeff3)