Cd - Ariel J. - CLOSE TO THE SUN (CD) - Numbered edition
Tracklist
Description
CLOSE TO THE SUN𖤓 is a trip through a metaphysical labyrinth, where reality is fluid, and the path to salvation or understanding is uncertain. It's a blend of spiritual searching, social commentary, and the internal battle between despair and hope. I hope that this album serves as a reminder to each listener that you were born free, magical, brilliant, powerful, loving, and imperfectly human. I love you, and thank you for listening.
Ariel J. was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on August 31, 2000. She grew up surrounded by music, singing at home with her family, in church, and at school. By 13, she had become a church musician and choir director, developing her skills as a leader and performer. At 17, she began teaching herself to write songs, and soon after, she started releasing music under the name Ariel J.
Determined to shape her own sound, she taught herself to mix through trial and error, recording cover songs in her bedroom and gradually honing her craft. In 2019, she stepped away from the church and fully embraced R&B. Her debut full-length project, PLAY TO WIN, arrived in 2022 but initially went under the radar. That changed in 2024 when her song glow88 caught fire, earning the support of Erykah Badu, which reignited interest in her earlier work.
Now gaining momentum as both an artist and a songwriter, Ariel J. remains independent, with her talent catching the attention of SZA, Alex Elle, Erykah Badu, Tank Bell, Muni Long, and others. With each release, she continues carving out her space in the industry, proving that persistence and passion always find their moment.