Around this time in 2013, the R&B singer from Baton Rouge had just released an EP, Warrior, after another one of his albums hit the charts in Japan. But it was his cover of Katy Perry’s “Roar” on YouTube that attracted the attention of MTV. After hearing his soulful rendition, the network contacted Garner to compete in the new reality show Copycat. He couldn’t refuse.
The show pits contestants against each other, emulating the singing styles of today’s popular artists for a grand prize of $5,000.
“We’re all super fans of some artists,” he says. “It was a lot of fun to be a part of. It’s not like American Idol and The X-Factor. It’s a fun and fresh.”
The series debuts today at 2 p.m. and MTV airs new episodes daily.
Garner can’t reveal whose songs he will perform, but he said the experience was surreal.
“I’m the kind of person where things don’t feel real until after the fact,” he says. “With TV, it was natural. It was just a lot of fun. The atmosphere was very refreshing and put me at ease. The experience was incredible.”
The appearance is part of a string of good news for Garner, whose new EP, 7, shot to No. 1 on iTunes Japan’s R&B sales charts in mid-February.
“One second, [7] was at 30,” he says, chronicling the release’s quick jump up the charts. “Five minutes later, it’s at No. 23. I was thinking to myself, ‘This is moving fast.’ By the middle of the day, it was at No. 1.”
7 remained at the top of the chart for two days and stayed in the top two for another two weeks. Garner was in awe of the Japanese fans who have followed his music—even making choreographed videos and sending the singer fan art daily.
“My success over there is all because of my fans,” he says. “They love great singers. If it sounds great over there, they automatically love it and respect you as an artist.”
Up next for the singer is a tour in Japan, promoting 7. He might even collaborate with Japanese pop star or two. He’s trying to hold it all in, but he can’t hide his excitement.
