BJ Griffin talks about “Are You Ready”: AfroBeats, soul, and emotions between desire, doubt, and self-love. A powerful and personal anthem.
1. How would you describe your new song to someone who hasn’t heard it yet? What emotions do you want to convey?
“Are You Ready” is a sonic dance between desire and doubt, it lives in that space where someone says they want you, but their actions don’t quite match up. It explores the cat-and-mouse energy of a relationship that feels both exciting and emotionally unsteady. The tension, the chemistry, the longing, it’s all there. But what makes the song special to me is what lies underneath all that: it’s a subtle reclaiming of power. There’s a moment when you stop chasing and start recognizing your worth. That’s what I wanted to bring out through the music. So while it may sound like a vibey, dancey track on the surface, it’s also a self-love anthem, a reminder that, no matter who does or doesn’t choose you, you are more than enough. I want listeners to feel that balance of thrill and clarity, to dance through their doubt and land in their truth.
2. What was the main inspiration for the song? Can you share any personal stories or influences that guided you?
The inspiration for “Are You Ready” started with my songwriting collaborator, Rian Nicole Haley. She has this gift of channeling truth, and when she sent me the original lyrics, it felt like they were taken straight from my own journal. That feeling of being emotionally available, but not fully received, is something I know all too well. It reminded me of relationships where you’re told you’re wanted, but you’re left with more questions than clarity. That contrast of hope and hesitation hit me hard. I’ve learned through those experiences that vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s actually how we reclaim our strength. So when I decided to reinterpret the song, I leaned into that duality: the softness of longing paired with the strength of self-knowing. That emotional contrast is what ultimately inspired my version of the song.
3. How did the song come about? Were there any collaborations?
It was a truly collaborative creation, rooted in trust and shared vision. Rian Nicole Haley wrote the original version and sent it to me, she said she wrote it with my voice in mind. After hearing it, I knew I had to take it and shape it into something that felt like me. I did a small lyric rewrite and reached out to my producer, Daniel Valladares, who I work with in Barcelona and who’s producing my upcoming album. I told him I wanted a completely different vibe, something that still carried emotional depth but made people move. I described an Afrobeats-inspired, rhythmic energy, and Daniel came back with a track that was absolutely fire. That was the moment it transformed. I also added a new middle section that drives home the core message: we are more than enough. That line was non-negotiable for me, it had to be said, loud and clear.
4. Which artists or experiences have influenced your sound?
For “Are You Ready”, I was channeling the energy of artists who embody emotional honesty with rhythm and soul, artists like Tyla and TEMS, who blend vulnerability with groove so effortlessly. They aren’t afraid to let their guard down while still creating music that’s magnetic. Of course, Michael Jackson is always an influence for me, not just musically, but in terms of performance and storytelling. His ability to take personal emotion and translate it into something that can move a stadium is powerful. I’ve always been drawn to that combination: deep feeling paired with undeniable movement. That’s the space I wanted this song to live in.
5. Is there a particular moment during the creation of the song that you remember fondly or with satisfaction?
Yes, and it’s become a bit of a running joke. Rian always tells me she writes songs with me in mind, and somehow, without fail, she sends them to me when I’m in the shower in another country. That happened with SCIFI, and it happened again with “Are You Ready”. I was thousands of miles away, mid-shower, when her message came through. I hit play on the demo, still dripping wet, and instantly felt like, This one’s mine. That connection was immediate. Now, it’s kind of a ritual, when she sends me a song, I literally call her from the shower just to keep the streak alive. It’s funny, but it also speaks to the intuitive magic in our creative partnership. That moment when I first heard the song, feeling seen, inspired, and already envisioning the final version, was unforgettable
6. What emotions do you hope to convey to the public?
I want people to feel that it’s okay to be in the messy middle. It’s okay to want someone and still wonder if they truly want you back. It’s okay to question things. But I also want them to feel empowered, to know that clarity often comes through the dance of confusion. There’s power in choosing yourself, even when it hurts. This song invites listeners to move through longing, step into self-awareness, and rise with confidence. I hope it encourages people to trust their instincts, honor their hearts, and find joy, even in the questions.
7. What can we expect from the future? Do you have any news coming?
Absolutely. Are You Ready is just the beginning of the journey leading up to my new album, ELEMENZ, which drops in September. The name reflects the core of what I’m offering in this project, each track is a different “element” of who I am artistically and emotionally. Whether it’s love, heartbreak, healing, joy, or self-discovery, every song captures a distinct piece of that puzzle. It’s a continuation of the story I began with my first album, but this time with deeper clarity and a more global sound. I’m releasing a new single every five weeks until the full album drops, so each release gives you a new emotional and sonic layer. It’s not just music, it’s a slow unveiling of my evolution.
8. What message would you like to give to your fans or to those discovering you for the first time?
If you’re just finding my music now, thank you for being here. Whether you’ve been on this journey with me since the beginning or you just pressed play for the first time, know that you’re welcome here, fully, exactly as you are. My music is about transformation, healing, and truth. It’s about facing the hard questions and still choosing joy. I hope you find something in these songs that reflects your own story, and I hope they remind you that you are already whole. You are already worthy. You don’t need to chase anything to prove your value, just feel, breathe, and be. And if you can dance through it too? Even better.
Thanks to BJ Griffin for taking us behind the scenes of “Are You Ready” and sharing their artistic journey with us. Be sure to listen to the single and follow BJ Griffin on social media to stay up to date on the news!
