Roy Davis Jr. is Unstoppable

I love Roy Davis Jr. Not just as an artist, but as a really good person. When someone is that humble and genuine, you can see why success is something he owns. Roy’s interviews for 5 Magazine have always been inspiring. His recent diagnosis with MS threw all of us off, but like the fighter he is Roy has used this as a strength not a crutch.

In preparation for the 5 Mag party featuring himself and garage producer MJ Cole this Saturday at Vertigo Sky Lounge in Chicago, I talked to Roy about his life after the news:

So Roy how have you been physically, emotionally and spiritually since your diagnosis and tell us about the move you made to Florida?

Well Czarina, physically I have been doing a lot better since my first diagnosis. My walking has been better but not as sturdy as I would like it to be quite yet, I still perform with a chair behind me just in case for safety purposes. It’s all in due time, with patience and mental strength I can’t really complain about anything I have been blessed!

I would really like to thank Jeff Craven & Brian Tappert, my Large Music Family and Traxsource, for their Go Fundraiser to help me when I was unable to work to get through and make life a lot easier with all of my true friends and family really showing me their support and love. I wouldn’t have made such a quick recovery at all!

I just have to continue to make wiser decisions on what I put into my body… feed my body with life not death! It’s my new motto, along with a lot of prayer to the Utmost High to give me that fighting spirit to not give up!

Also hopefully I can be a good example to those out there with MS that are fighting the good fight to never give in to the negative thoughts that can run through your mind some days when you’re unable to move out of the bed. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Just believe that you can make it and finish the race at your own pace not at anyone else’s, remember life is a marathon not a sprint!

I couldn’t ask for a better situation to be in: your family’s love and the sunshine.

Can you tell us why you moved and what has been going on with you since work wise?

Well, I moved out of Chicago for a couple of reasons: For one thing my entire family is in Florida I am the last one in my family to leave Chicago. And when you’re in a situation like I am, being a person who’s walking capabilities can change on a day to day basis, you really need to be around family or someone who really cares enough to stick it through with you. Getting from A to B is a lot slower than usual for me now.

Also my family runs a medical center in Florida which has already been a huge help for me with MS. You need a lot of Vitamin D from the sun. I couldn’t ask for a better situation to be in: your family’s love and the sunshine.

I was a big raw foodist and vegan advocate for years, still am when I can get my discipline together! When I was I noticed amazing changes to my health. What are some of the good greens you’ve been indulging in?

Tons and tons of kale and spinach is an everyday part of my life from avocado smoothies to salads now, every vegetable possible that I can consume from the morning till nightfall. I eat organic chicken or organic salmon with no salt whenever I need the feeling to eat something heavier to help keep things in line and in order.

Never give in to the negative thoughts that can run through your mind some days when you’re unable to move out of the bed. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

I know much has been said about your song “Gabriel” and its massive influence on the UK Garage scene. Did you know it was going to be such a hit and what were the exact after effects of that song?

I had no idea the record was going to make any noise when it was done. I stayed up for two days mixing down four versions of the record and the Garage mix happened to be the one that hit. Peven and I were excited for what it did at the time – it helped move an entire genre to mainstream in Europe. 

Did you work with a lot of the UKG heads and try to keep going in that direction somewhat?

I just create music how I feel, so whatever comes out comes out. House is House to me, I play and create many different styles from A to Z. I feel comfortable playing and creating all across the board.

Do you still keep in touch with any of them now that it’s experienced a resurgence?

I still work with Zed Bias and have performed on tours with Sticky and Todd Edwards here and there throughout time, which has always been very exciting!

What have you been doing currently in terms of musical projects?

For right now I’m healing but still touring every weekend when I can, trying to squeeze the production of my new album in. But in the meantime I will be dropping a few remixes out there for you and I also have a compilation with a few of my friends in Chicago I grew up with: Brian Harden, Wes Green, Terrence McDonald & Ellery Cowles under the name 312 House Society (not to be confused with Felix Da Housecat and Jamie Principle’s latest single.) We are all one big family anyway.

When it comes to new acts to look for I’m working with check out Joel Culpepper, a soul artist I wrote a song with called “Not Afraid To Be King.” Look out for that one, it’s a slower soulful type of jam with live drums and bass guitar played by all around musician from Phuture & Phuture 303 Lothario Lee on the soul tip. I also featured Joel on the Chicago compilation with a song by the name of “You Changed My Life.” 

It’s amazing how many people look up to you, young and old as a DJ and producer. I always love ending my interviews with you asking for advice, because you give proper ones! What’s a fresh one or two you can bless us with?

You’re so funny I love you girl! 🙂  I just tell it how I see it.

To step outside of the business side of things for a minute. At this particular moment in time we see that America is going through a lot of racial tension, let’s reflect on our role as leaders to continue to treat people how you would like to be treated, with respect. And as one nation we can all move to one atonement together in peace and love and Good House Music! 

Amen!

Roy Davis Jr. will be headlining with the UK’s MJ Cole this Saturday, July 16th at Vertigo Sky Lounge from 6pm-midnight alongside 5 Mag’s Czboogie as well as DJ Sushi. For more info go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1621465224848067/