Joshua ‘Showtime’ Williams’ “Slow Jam” draws on the slow R&B tradition that shaped his musical influences, bringing a nostalgic perspective to the focused single from his March 2026 album “This Is Me.”
Boyz II Men, Jodeci, H-Town, and Levert are among those influences, but Friday afternoons after school, trips to the skating rink, and time spent with friends also helped shape the track. He wanted to recapture the sense of closeness he associated with that music.
The idea began with a Jamie Foxx performance. Williams heard him sing “Slow Jam” during a stand-up show and wanted to find the original recording. His search first led him to Usher and Monica’s version, then to Midnight Star’s. Instead of recording another version, he decided to write his own song and incorporate the elements he liked about those ballads.
That story helps explain Williams’ approach to the single. His inspiration goes beyond a song; it lies in the relationship between music and the everyday moments that stay with us.
Joshua describes R&B as “a warm hug.” It is a simple image that captures what he wanted to convey with “Slow Jam,” bringing together familiarity, affection, and the memory of a time that felt simpler.
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The track combines contemporary R&B and neo-soul with references to nineties ballads. The slow rhythm, layers of synthesizers and keyboards, and a warm bassline create an intimate atmosphere. Williams alternates falsetto passages and subtle vocal flourishes with an intimate delivery that suits lyrics about romance, seduction, and how a song can bring back memories.
He wrote the song with Drew Mantia, a longtime collaborator who also handled the mixing and mastering. The track relies on live instrumentation and a vocal performance conceived as a tribute to the voices Williams grew up with. Mantia is also credited with guitar and production.
“Slow Jam” reveals a specific part of Joshua "Showtime" Williams’ musical identity, the songs that shaped him and the memories he still associates with them. The starting point is personal. Williams takes the music that accompanied his teenage years as a reason to keep writing his own.
Connect with Joshua “Showtime” Williams on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
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