also set to star in the new Pedro Penduko adaptation of Viva Films, which was based on the re-imagined version written by Regene Estolatan under Epik Studios. Reid, however, decided to withdraw from the project after sustaining a spinal injury during training. In 2019, Reid decided to leave Viva Artists Agency, with his father Robert Malcolm Reid taking over as his manager. Transitioning to an independent artist, Reid said he would take a break from acting to focus on his music career and working on Careless. 2020—present: Transparent Arts label, Lovescene, and North American Tour In 2020, Reid was slated to perform at the Overpass Music Festival which was to be held at Oak Canyon Park in Orange County. However, the festival was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In August, it was announced that the Overpass Music Festival was going to be held as a virtual concert. On May 30, Reid participated in Our Identity: ProjectBlue Marble, an online musical event which also served as a global fundraising effort in the fight against COVID-19 and to combat xenophobia affecting Asian communities. In October 2020, Reid signed with Far East Movement's Transparent Arts label, which is based on Los Angeles. In September 2022, Reid released "u & i" as a single off his second studio album, lovescene:, which was released in October of the same year. In December 2022, Reid announced his first North American Tour which will start in January 2023 to promote his Lovescene album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/13/22/james-reid-to-go-on-north-american-tour-for-new-album|title=James Reid to go on North American tour for album lovescene'’|website=ABS-CBN News|date=December 13, 2022|access-date=December 17, 2022}}</ref> Artistry Influences Reid is an avid listener of R&B music, he cites Chris Brown as an early influence for him. After his stint in the Pinoy Big Brother house, Reid signed with Star Magic and would often perform in mall shows. He would sing pop rock and alternative pop songs. He has mentioned that he likes to listen to Maroon 5 and The Script and often sang their songs in his live performances. Reid also cited Sam Concepcion and Gary Valenciano as some of his local musical inspirations. Discussing Concepcion, Reid has said, "Watched him live, he blows my mind away. I’m so jealous. Not even sure if I idolize him, I’m just jealous." He has also mentioned being influenced by Thyro Alfaro, Yumi Lacsamana, who wrote most of Reid's tracks from his LP and EP releases