Coming straight outta The Gateway to the South, twin brothers Marion and A.T., along with their cousin Dre, make up ascending R&B trio Citilimitz.
Let’s hop right into this double single, "The Most" and "If They Only Knew" — Tell me about these particular compositions; how did they actually come to fruition?
"The Most" and "If They Only Knew" are two songs that really speak to who we are right now as artists. "The Most" is about giving your all to someone and not holding back, while "If They Only Knew" touches on the emotions of being misunderstood and wanting people to see your heart. Both songs came from real-life experiences we’ve had, and working with producers like Hitmaka made the process smooth and creative. We spent hours in the studio crafting these songs to make sure they resonate not just with us, but with anyone who listens.
How then do "The Most" and "If They Only Knew" either differ and/or compare to previous Citilimitz selections?
These songs definitely show our growth. With "Wherever You Like," we were experimenting with creating something fun and fresh. With these two singles, we’ve dug a little deeper emotionally and sonically. They have a more mature sound, while still staying true to our R&B roots and keeping that authentic vibe people love from us.
As songwriters, when you all sit down to pen your lyrics, where do you all draw your inspiration from?
Inspiration comes from everywhere — our lives, relationships, and even stories our friends or family share with us. We want our music to feel personal and relatable, so we tap into emotions that everyone can connect with; whether it's love, heartbreak, or self-discovery.
Tell me your whole inception into music -- When did you all first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Citilimitz?
Music has been a part of our lives since day one. Growing up in Chattanooga, our grandfather was a preacher and part of a gospel quartet, and our dad filled the house with classic soul records. We started harmonizing as kids, just messing around after school, and realized we had something special. Over time, it became more than just fun — it became our passion and our purpose.
Now where exactly do you all hail from? And growing up there, who all did/do you all consider to be your strongest musical influences?
We’re from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the music scene here is so rich in soul and gospel. Our biggest influences growing up were artists like The Winans, Sam Cooke and Boyz II Men. As we got older, we also looked up to newer acts like Usher and Ne-Yo, who showed us how to blend smooth vocals with modern R&B production.
Now from an individual standpoint, what do each of you bring to the table both personality-wise and creatively?
Marion brings the energy and is always ready to hype everyone up, whether it’s in the studio or on stage. A.T. is the perfectionist; he’s all about making sure every note and lyric is exactly where it needs to be. Dre is the visionary; he’s always thinking three steps ahead about how to make our music and message connect with the world.
That said, how do you all classify your overall sound and/or style?
We like to call it “future soul.” It’s a blend of classic R&B and gospel influences with modern, fresh production that reflects where music is going today. It’s emotional, real, and timeless.
Where does the group’s moniker originally derive from?
Citilimitz represents breaking barriers and not being confined by limits. We wanted a name that shows we’re here to make an impact beyond just one genre, one city, or one audience.
What particular string of events led your signing to / with TRC / Press Play Records / Vydia?
Our journey started going viral with an a cappella video that landed us on The Ellen Show. From there, the momentum built, and we caught the attention of Press Play Records. Their team believed in us as much as we believe in ourselves, and we knew it was the right fit.
What do you all want people to get from your music?
We want people to feel something real. Whether it’s love, heartbreak, joy, or even just inspiration to keep going, we want our music to be the soundtrack to people’s lives.
If you all could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
There are so many! But if we had to pick one, it’d be Sam Cooke. He had a way of blending soul and storytelling that’s timeless. We’d love to capture even a fraction of that magic.
If you all could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Madison Square Garden is the dream. It’s iconic, and performing there means you’ve made it to the big leagues.
Are you all happy with the current state of R&B? And, why don’t we see more groups like in, say, the '90s?
R&B is definitely evolving, and there’s so much talent out there. But we think groups are missing because it’s harder to manage multiple personalities in today’s music industry. We hope to inspire a resurgence of the group dynamic because it’s such a powerful way to tell stories and create harmonies.
Do you all have any other outside/additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
We all have a love for community work and mentorship. Whether it’s through music or other ventures, we want to inspire the next generation to dream big.
To date, what has been your greatest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
Performing on The Ellen Show was a surreal moment for us. It put us on the map and gave us the confidence to keep pushing forward.
What’s an average day like for you all?
It’s a nonstop hustle. We’re either in the studio, rehearsing, or working on ways to connect with our fans. Every day is different, but it’s always focused on growth.
Please discuss how you all interact with and respond to fans...
We love connecting with our fans on social media and at shows. Their energy fuels us, and we always try to make them feel like part of the journey.
What’s your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And why?
The best part is performing and seeing people’s reactions to our music. The hardest part is the long hours and being away from family, but it’s all worth it.
What advice would you all have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Stay true to yourself and never stop working on your craft. Hard work and authenticity always shine through.
You all recently returned from being out on the road supporting the It’s Complicated Tour alongside Trevor Jackson -- Overall, how was this experience for you all?
It’s been incredible. Touring with Trevor has been a learning experience and a lot of fun. We’re connecting with so many new fans, inspiring us to keep leveling up.
What’s next for Citilimitz?
We just dropped our new singles! Plus, we’ve got our debut EP coming, and we’re just getting started. More music, tours, and opportunities to connect with fans are all on the way.
Any "closing" thought(s) for our readers?
Thank you for riding with us! This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to show you what’s next.
Follow Citilimitz Journey:
Website: CitiLimitzOfficial.com
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