Alex Harris: Authentic Soul

Alex Harris

Alex Harris has been grinding in the soul and R&B game for years, and it shows in every note he sings. Growing up in Manchester, Georgia, touring with a band as a kid, he learned early that nothing comes easy. He’s shared stages with legends, hit the Billboard charts, and built a following by keeping it real. In this interview, Harris talks about the hustle, the music that shaped him, and why he refuses to hold back.

Q: Let’s hop into this single, “Better,” featuring Conya Doss — How did this particular track come to fruition?

A: I wrote “Better” with my brother and producer, D. Arcelious “Swagg” Harris, and songwriter / artist Nafsica Gavrilaki while I was in New York. I wanted to capture the idea that life isn’t always our “best day”—we all face challenges—but what if each of us made one small choice to lift someone else up? Whether it’s a smile, holding the door, or offering a kind word, those gestures create a ripple effect. That spirit of making life better for one another is at the heart of the song.

Q: How does “Better” compare to or differ from your previous songs?

A: Every song I write is its own snapshot of self-discovery. “Better” reflects what it means to become the best version of ourselves through love and intentional kindness. It connects to my past work because love and hope are always my foundation, but it stands apart in the way it speaks to our collective responsibility to make life better together.

Q: As a songwriter, where do you draw inspiration from?

A: Honestly, from everything. It could be a stoplight, a conversation on the subway, or even the silence in between moments. I try to stay open and listen to what the universe is saying. I believe God designed me to reflect love, hope, and inspiration in my writing and performances—so whatever I observe, I turn into a message meant to uplift.

Q: You just hit the road — For someone who’s never seen you live, what should they expect?

A: Expect a good time. I’m just a country boy from Manchester, Georgia, who grew up in my parents’ church where hand-clapping and foot-stomping were the norm. That energy is in my DNA. My shows are like a revival of soul—raw, heartfelt, and meant to leave you lighter than when you walked in.

Q: Tell me about your musical beginnings. When did this journey start for you?

A: My very first memory of singing publicly was when I was about 3 or 4 years old, leading a Gospel call-and-response: “I get joy when I think about what He’s done for me.” That moment lit the spark. From there, it’s been an evolution, but the church was the foundation, and I celebrate it because it shaped who I am as an artist and person.

Q: Growing up in the ‘Peach State,’ who were some of your biggest influences?

A: My influences run deep in Gospel and Soul. Groups like Willie Neal Johnson & the Gospel Keynotes, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Shirley Caesar, and then Soul legends like Otis Redding and Al Green. All of them had the church in their core. For me, Soul music isn’t just a genre—it’s lived experience. You can’t fake it.

Q: How do you define your style?

A: I’d describe it as authentic Soul—what some frame today as Americana or American Roots. It’s grounded in lived experience and raw emotion.

Q: How did your relationship with Shanachie Entertainment come about?

A: It wasn’t really a “string of events,” more like alignment. Randall Grass at Shanachie heard my music through my friend Myron Ruffin—who I like to call the new Black Godfather—and one introduction led to another. Now, we’re making history together.

Alex Harris | Better

Q: What do you hope people take away from your music?

A: I want people to walk away inspired to love more deeply, to hold on to hope, and to remember that we’re built for connection. Music is the heartbeat of humanity—we are, in essence, the love song.

Q: Dream collaboration — who would it be?

A: If I could’ve, I would have loved to work with Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, or Otis Redding. Among today’s artists, I’d love to collaborate with Beyoncé, Adele, Alicia Keys, Brittany Howard, or the Black Pumas—artists who are unique and authentic in their artistry.

Q: If you could play any venue in the world, where would it be?

A: Wembley Stadium or the O2 Arena. There’s just something about the energy, history, and scale of those stages that would make it unforgettable.

Q: How do you feel about the current state of R&B?

A: I love that it’s always evolving. R&B has gone from race music, to rhythm and blues, to what it is now. Genres shift, but artistry is timeless. As long as artists stay authentic to who they are, the music will thrive.

Q: What’s the key to your longevity?

A: Humility, authenticity, and the willingness to evolve without losing my own voice or experiences.

Q: Beyond music, what else do you want to do?

A: I’d love to expand into television, Broadway, and film—mostly behind the scenes, but I’m open to the stage or screen, too. And, I’m writing a book that dives deeper into my journey and vision.

Q: Biggest career moments so far?

A: There are so many, but a few highlights: meeting and opening for Lionel Richie, the late great Aretha Franklin, and Al Green; performing at Fenway Stadium; and touring in South Korea. Those experiences stay with me.

Q: What’s an average day like for you?

A: I’m up around 6 a.m. for prayer, meditation, and the gym. Then I help my wife with our toddler before diving into meetings for my nonprofit, the Arts Conservatory for Teens, and my music projects. On the road, the schedule shifts, but I try to stay grounded in that same rhythm.

Q: How do you interact with your fans?

A: With gratitude—always. I am because they support me. We’re one.

Q: Favorite and least favorite parts of this work?

A: My favorite part is that I get to do what I love and feel called to do. Least favorite? The tiny details. I’m a big-picture dreamer, and while details matter, I’d snap my fingers to skip the paperwork if I could. Still, it’s all part of the process.

Q: What advice would you give to someone following in your footsteps?

A: Be patient with the process. Don’t quit when it gets tough. Quitting guarantees you’ll never know what could’ve been, but persistence always leaves room for possibility. Dreams do come true.

Q: Five to ten years from now, where do you see yourself?

A: Continuing to evolve, leveraging my platform for good, and enjoying my family even more each day.

Q: What’s next for Alex Harris? Tell me about the forthcoming LP.

A: I’m really excited about this new LP, dropping Q1 2026. It’s a blend of original songs and reinterpretations of classics—songs people may know, but filtered through my lens and lived experience. My hope is that listeners walk away feeling love, hope, inspiration—and ready to come see it live.

Q: Any parting words for our readers?

A: Thank you for taking the time to listen to the music and the message. Stay hopeful, stay loving, and know that the best is always yet to come. God bless—and keep an ear out for the new LP in 2026!

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