Introduction:
Jamal Roberts Honors His Roots With Soulful Debut Single “Mississippi”
Just a few months after winning American Idol season 23, Jamal Roberts is proving he’s more than just a TV talent show success story. The 28-year-old singer from Meridian, Mississippi has officially launched his recording career with his debut single, “Mississippi,” released on July 25, 2025 — and it’s already capturing hearts across the country.
Sitting in a Nashville café surrounded by the hum of guitars and conversation, Roberts reflects on the whirlwind that brought him here. “Releasing Mississippi feels like putting my journal out there for everyone to read,” he says with a warm laugh and his signature Southern drawl. “It’s deeply personal — a love letter to where I come from.”
The song blends R&B rhythms with country soul, a combination that perfectly matches Roberts’ unique musical DNA. Co-written and produced with Nashville heavyweights, Mississippi pays tribute to his roots, weaving stories of family, faith, and resilience. “It’s about that pull,” he explains. “The red clay on your shoes, the hot summers, the people who lift you up when life knocks you down.”
Raised in a working-class home in Meridian — a town rich in railroad history and civil rights heritage — Roberts grew up surrounded by music. His father played records by Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, while his mother directed the church choir. “Music was the heartbeat of our house,” he says. “Mississippi comes straight from that.”
The lyrics paint vivid imagery of his upbringing:
Down by the river where the willows weep / From delta blues to pine tree hills / Mississippi runs through my veins still.
Roberts says the song captures both the “beauty and pain” of his Southern identity. “I’ve seen hardship, but also strength,” he adds. “This song celebrates that balance.”
The official music video, filmed in Meridian and released on August 1, showcases the authenticity at the heart of Roberts’ artistry. It features cameos from locals and shots of places that shaped him — the train tracks where he used to dream and the church where he sang his first solo. “It’s real, no Hollywood polish,” he says. “Just home.”
Next up, Roberts will join Brandy, Monica, Kelly Rowland, and Muni Long on The Boy Is Mine Tour, kicking off in late September. “Performing alongside those legends is surreal,” he admits. “When I was a kid, The Boy Is Mine played nonstop in my house. Now I get to share the stage with them.”
Despite his fast rise, Roberts remains grounded. His former students still call him “Mr. Roberts” — a nod to his days as a high school teacher before Idol. “Teaching taught me patience and passion,” he says. “Now my classroom is the stage.”
Looking ahead, Roberts is working on his debut album, River Runs Deep, which he says will explore themes of love, loss, faith, and home. “Mississippi is my goodbye letter — and my thank-you note,” he reflects softly. “It’s me carrying a piece of my hometown everywhere I go.”
With heartfelt lyrics and a voice that blends soul and sincerity, Jamal Roberts isn’t just singing about Mississippi — he’s bringing its spirit to the world.