Twenty-seven-year-old pop singer from Olathe, KS Broderick Jones is featured on the new show “American Song Contest” hosted by Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson.
The show, which premiered last week, features 56 contestants, one representing each state in the country, plus one from five territories and the nation’s capital in a bracket-style showdown that will air over the course of the next six weeks. Jones represents Kansas.
After the first five elimination rounds, 22 people advance to the two-week semi-finals with 10 artists advancing to the finals, where a combination of jury and fan votes will determine the winner.
Jones performed his song “Tell Me” earlier this week and will find out if he advances to the semi-finals on the Mon., April 4 episode at 8 p.m.
Check out Jones’ performance on American Song Contest.
Jones, known for his smooth vocals and perfect blend of pop, R&B and rap, released his debut “Cuddle” in 2014 and quickly grew his local popularity. In 2016, he was featured on It’s Different’s song “Pokemon U” that was viewed more than one million times in less than 24 hours.
Since then, Jones has been featured on other successful works that have racked up more than 34 million views on YouTube alone.
You can stream episodes of “American Song Contest” on Peacock or Hulu.
We sat down with Jones to hear more about him and his experience on the show:
Broderick Jones (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images)
The Voice: How did you hear about “American Song Contest” and later become a contestant?
Jones: Someone reached out to me and said it would be worthwhile auditioning for the show. I dug into it and did it and now I’m here.
The Voice: What was it like being on stage and performing on national television?
Jones: It’s everything I could have dreamed of. As a kid, I always imagined myself being on stage at the Grammys or at the Super Bowl halftime show, so I felt like home honestly. I was very calm and collected. Imagining being on stage as a kid and doing that in my living room for years and years felt like another day. I was mostly focused on not falling down the stairs.
The Voice: What inspired you to become an artist?
Jones: I was watching American Idol in sixth grade and I thought it was so dope. I wanted to be up there too. But when I first started singing, I was really horrible and my mom told me I wasn’t allowed to sing anymore. So, I gave up on it for a while and picked it back up after high school.
The Voice: Name some artists that inspire your music?
Jones: Drake, Gavin DeGraw, Michael Bolton and One Direction. And a lot of the DIY kids that are painting their fingernails and aren’t afraid to be experimental.
The Voice: What would you say sets you apart from the other performers on the show and makes you unique?
Jones: Everyone on the show is so amazing. I really love all kinds of music. On the show, I did more of a pop, EDM, R&B song, but I love rap music and I love all types of music. I could have done any type of genre, but I chose this one.
The Voice: What do you love most about the song you performed on “American Song Contest” called “Tell Me”?
Jones: I love that the beat drop is sneaky. It starts off and you think it’s a ballad and then all of a sudden it goes into a drop and you’re like, “where did that come from?”
The Voice: Where are some of your favorite venues to perform in the KC-metro and do you have any upcoming performances?
Jones: I will be performing at the Kansas State Fair in September.
Being an artist that doesn’t have a big following, it was hard to get shows at venues, so we’d put on our own shows in the streets at the Plaza and the Plaza Art Fair.
The Voice: What’s next for you?
Jones: Come home to Kansas and drop a new song and music video. Then, getting some shows and hopefully by fall, announce a tour.
The Voice: What else should we know about you?
Jones: I’m a truth teller and I’m a voice for the kids that are up next and who are overlooked. Anything is possible.
Jones’ song “Tell Me” can be streamed on Spotify.