Gabriel Jacoby is on a mission to bring joy back to the dance floor.
The rising R&B artist’s new single “the one” (PULSE Records) is a funk-inspired homage to the South’s roller disco era. With sharp horns, rhythmic guitars, and an irresistibly groovy vibe, it proves that feel-good music still has a place in 2025.
“I wanted to write something happy for everyone to feel good about and love,” Jacoby shared. “Seems like lately no one feels comfortable to groove, so I created this to give the people what they need, a reason to be themselves, no matter who’s watchin’.”
The observe combines a gritty electrical guitar and pounding bassline with Jacoby’s raspy falsetto vocals and soulful background singers riffing and harmonizing to the beat. The lyrics are a assured declaration of admiration for an unnamed lover, however greater than that, it’s a reminder that love songs don’t all the time need to be brooding or understated.
The primary verse units the tone instantly that that is old-school R&B beggin’ music and he’s okay with that.
“I am hangin’ onto you, child
Cannot lie I am used to lettin’ go child
Do not stand too removed from me now, come get invasive
I would like you proper right here with to me to you present you my love for you, lady”
Jacoby’s daring lyrics work to resonate and make you progress. That intention spills over into the observe’s visualizer, filmed at United Skates, a neighborhood Tampa, Florida curler rink.
Between pictures of Jacoby delivering his lyrics straight into the digital camera, the video captures carefree moments of him performing skate methods, hanging with associates, and the vitality of neighborhood. It’s easy however efficient and proves (together with the stacked instrumental and vocalists) that Southern soul music is as a lot about folks as it’s about sound.
Born in Anderson, South Carolina, and raised in Tampa, Florida, the 26-year-old multi-instrumentalist has carved his personal lane via experimentation. Jacoby’s sound is a mix of R&B, soul, and various components infused with funk, blues, hip-hop, people, and hints of Southern nation.
Jacoby performs guitar, bass, and drums, whereas additionally writing, producing, and mixing his tracks. Even his visuals are sometimes self-directed and edited, giving his artistry a cohesiveness that feels each DIY and intentional.
Since his breakout 2022 observe “reptile,” Jacoby has collected co-signs from friends like Shaboozey and Leon Thomas, whereas steadily increasing his fan base with every launch.
In 2025, Jacoby was named certainly one of Shazam’s Quick Ahead Artists, sat down with Travis Mills on Apple Music, co-wrote Shaboozey’s “Chrome (Bonus),” and opened for DWLLRS at their sold-out present at The Echo in Los Angeles. He’s been featured on the quilt of Spotify’s Vanguard, highlighted on Tidal’s R&B: Rising, and landed the #1 spot on a number of Apple Music playlists.
With over 4.3 million streams throughout his catalog, Jacoby is shortly changing into a voice inconceivable to disregard.
Jacoby’s “the one” works to solidify his place within the trade amongst a mosh pit of listeners on the lookout for one thing recent, imaginative, and genuine. If the previous yr is any indication, Jacoby’s upward trajectory is just simply starting.
Within the meantime, he retains proving that relating to making folks transfer, he simply is perhaps the one.