RISING SOUL ARTIST EJ JONES RELEASES NEW SINGLE AND VISUALIZER FOR “NEED IT BAD” OUT NOW VIA QUALITY CONTROL
Rising soul powerhouse EJ Jones unveils his latest single, “Need It Bad,” out now via Quality Control. Self-produced by Jones, the record moves through lush chords, shifting rhythms, and the rasp in his voice, turning a need for release into something you can feel in the music itself. Nodding to the warmth of Sister Sledge’s “Thinking of You”, the song moves between soulful melodies and a stripped-back a cappella moment, giving Jones space to stretch his voice and follow the feeling wherever it leads. “Need It Bad” channels the urge to get something out of your system, whether that means clearing your head, letting loose, or giving in to the moment. An accompanying visualizer is set for premiere later today at 2 PM EST, watch HERE.
The release follows “Luh Mo’ Love,” continuing a growing catalog shaped by EJ’s relationship with Southern soul, R&B, and the music that raised him. Growing up in Memphis, Jones developed an ear for music with a deep sense of history, carrying those influences into a sound shaped equally by his own instincts and generation.
Driven by viral renditions of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” and Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do for Love,” Jones’ rise has accelerated quickly. His breakout single, “Gas Station Love,” has surpassed 30 million streams while reaching the Top 15 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs, Adult R&B Airplay, and Rhythmic Airplay charts, contributing to more than 30 million global streams across his catalog since the song’s release in September 2025. The track’s video has also surpassed 5 million views, while Jones’ smooth, passionate vocals have earned him No. 3 on Shazam’s Discovery Chart and No. 23 on Shazam’s Top 200. BigXThePlug later joined him on the remix, which has accumulated more than 5 million Spotify streams.
Jones’ rise began with a spontaneous performance of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” which quickly went viral and eventually reached Quality Control founder and COO Kevin “Coach K” Lee through his barber, leading to Jones’ signing with the label. Since then, his new approach to soul has drawn recognition across the industry. Billboard named him a 2026 One’s to Watch and previously selected him as the Freshest Find, praising his “soulful timbre far beyond his years.” Complex selected him as a 2026 Artist to Watch, noting his vocals create a “head-turning time capsule effect,” while NME included EJ in their NME 100 and Yams Magazine spotlighted him as an artist poised to “bring soul music back to the forefront.” EJ Jones has also been named a Pandora 2026 Artist to Watch and YouTube Trending Artist on the Rise, with standout performances on From The Block and The Cadillac Chronicles. His growing presence has also included an appearance in the film Unexpected Christmas through his song “Cold Day.” Earlier this spring, Jones brought that momentum to the Blues Is Alright Tour, sharing the stage with soul luminaries King George, Tucka, and Lenny Williams.
From viral covers to “Gas Station Love” and now “Need It Bad,” EJ Jones is building a career rooted in soul while giving the genre new places to go. With a voice shaped by Memphis and an instinct that reaches beyond tradition, he’s creating music that honors where he comes from without being confined by it.
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