At just 16 years old, Naviyd Raymond has made a striking entrance into the music scene with the release of his debut single, “Smooth Blues.” Demonstrating impressive independence, Naviyd took full control of the track’s production and creative direction, overseeing everything from writing and producing the song to managing its styling and cover art. In support of his son’s new venture, R&B star Usher joined Naviyd in a TikTok video, both dancing to the song’s pulsing groove—a moment that resonated deeply with fans, showcasing the strong bond between father and son.
Naviyd purposely kept his song under wraps prior to its release, intentionally not sharing it even with his closest friends or his famous father. Explaining this decision, he told VIBE that he wanted listeners, including his parents, to hear the track for the first time upon its public debut, thus preserving his authentic creative vision. “I didn’t show my parents; I barely showed my best friend. I wanted them to hear it with everyone else and then give their opinion, because then at that point, I can’t change it, and then it’s stuck like how I wanted it,” Naviyd said. While always open to improvement, he felt that outside opinions might compromise the integrity of his first project, preferring to present the song in its raw, original form.
The result is a soulful performance that blends Naviyd’s vocals with a jazzy, house-infused sound—one that clearly won the approval of his father, a music icon in his own right. Usher, whose unwavering support for his children is well known, demonstrated his pride by publicly celebrating his son’s achievement. Naviyd and his brother, Usher “Cinco” Raymond V, are the sons of Usher and his ex-wife Tameka Foster. With this debut, it appears Naviyd is set to carve out his own space in music, hinting at more releases to come in the future.