For the past four years, Joyce Wrice has been carefully navigating the spotlight. Her 2021 debut album, Overgrown, established the San Diego-born artist as a formidable force in contemporary R&B, following years of collaboration within the Los Angeles hip-hop scene alongside figures like The Alchemist. With Overgrown, Wrice secured her place in the industry, bolstered by a memorable NPR Tiny Desk performance and the infectious, Kaytranada-produced hit “Iced Tea.”
However, as Wrice reflects on her journey during a recent conversation at BMG Studios in Manhattan, she views her latest project, Machiko, as a necessary evolution. “It was time to see what’s next for me,” she explains. “Stepping into womanhood, it’s like, I’m not in my mid-twenties, late twenties anymore. So the album is like a movie, and all the scenes are different times of the last three and a half years.”
A Journey of Self-Discovery
The recording process for Machiko was an intensive period of self-discovery that spanned over 100 songs. Wrice’s path was marked by a transformative solo trip to Brazil and a challenging vocal recovery after dealing with polyps on her vocal cords. This period of forced rest allowed her to refine her technique and approach her craft with newfound maturity. Simultaneously, she navigated a shift in her personal life, moving away from the cycle of heartbreak to focus on her relationship with herself.
Refining the R&B Sound
Despite the personal growth behind the scenes, Machiko remains deeply rooted in the sultry, amorous aesthetic that fans have come to love. Tracks like “Break Me In” and “Crack the Code” showcase a confident artist who is unafraid to explore the complexities of desire. On the J.I.D. collaboration “Catch Me If You Can,” Wrice offers a candid look at her own romantic patterns, admitting, “I guess I like the chase / better than the man.”
“It took me writing that song to really realize, oh my God, that’s your toxic trait,” Wrice says. “That’s one of those songs where I listen to the lyrics like, Oh my God, people know my business – but we’re human.”
Collaborative Energy and Legacy
The album truly coalesced during a 2025 writer’s camp in the Hollywood Hills. Wrice sought a sound that was raw and authentic, leading to collaborations with artists like SALIMATA and a standout feature from Rio Da Yung OG. The inclusion of the Flint rapper on “Rio’s Interlude” highlights Wrice’s desire to push the boundaries of R&B, blending her neo-soul sensibilities with the grit of modern rap.
Ultimately, Machiko—named after her middle name, which translates to “city girl” or “city child”—is a tribute to her mother’s aspirations and her own path toward stardom. “It’s not my alter ego, but it helps me explore that pop star world that I love so much,” Wrice concludes. “I definitely crave that type of showmanship.”
