Two years after bidding adieu to Diddy‘s ‘Bad Boy’ and announcing their untimely split, Day 26 tap June 26th for the release of ‘The Return‘, the first body of work since regrouping in 2013.
Only right then, that as they ready the launch of a new LP following the EP’s release, That Grape Juice catches up with the quintet, quizzing them on their new music, touring ventures…and their feelings towards ‘Making The Band’ sisters Danity Kane.
A new ‘Day’ below…
TGJ: As one of R&B’s most celebrated groups, your reunion was welcomed by any who’s followed your journey thus far. Looking back, what would you say prompted the reunion and how easily was it pieced together?
Rob: I just saw that it was time man. I was looking at a lot of our social media pages and we all get a lot of love for our solo work, but the fans always kept asking when we were gonna get back together. When I saw that, I just figured that it was time and I put in the call to everybody and I guess they all felt the same way, and everybody agreed so we just started. It took us a day to get it together.
TGJ: We’re loving your new single ‘Bullshit’, but not everyone has taken to it. Are the cuts on the album similar in sound?
Willie: I feel like we’re testing the waters, so we’re always gonna give you the great harmonies but we wanted to try something new and do something that would touch the clubs and touch other avenues. It’s to see how the fans react to our new sound and to introduce ourselves to a new album, so the album’s gonna be real diverse.
TGJ: Last year, TLC made headlines when they detailed their experiences with manager/mentor Peri ‘Pebbles’ Reid. Looking back, how lucrative has Day 26 been for Day 26, and what would you say the biggest pros and cons of your ‘Bad Boy’ arrangement were.
Rob: I guess the biggest con that we had was that everything we had to do was rushed. We were never given enough time to do stuff, we were always against the clock because of the TV show but that was the only con.Everything else was pretty much positive, getting to travel and do shows, meeting the fans…everything else was a pro from my stand point.
Brian: The group has been lucrative for us because we’ve all been able to keep doing what we do, taking care of our families and taking care of ourselves so Day 26 has been a huge blessing to each and every one of us.
TGJ: Your fans can’t wait for the release of your comeback LP. So, for those of them who are interested in the mechanics behind pushing an album, what are your roll out plans for the release?
Q: Well as you know we’re putting the EP out on June 26th to begin with. You know, we’ve made two R&B albums already, the first CD was straight beast R&B and the second was an evolved R&B sound so a little more Pop. This time we want to stick to the foundation and bring all of our fans back together and see them get influenced by our new R&B sound. Every time we go to the studio our objective is to influence R&B listeners with new R&B heat.
TGJ: We can’t wait to hear it! This year, Danity Kane made quite the splash when they launched their comeback and new single ‘Lemonade’, what do you make of the group’s recent line up changes?
Brian: Danity Kane are like our sisters and we’re all excited about them getting back together. A lot of people think we got back together because they did, but our reunion was already in the making before theirs. They just sorta jumped the gun on it, but we’re very supportive of them. As far as the line-up is concerned, it would have been cool to see the five of them rocking out together like we know they could do, but you know some people have different outlooks on life but at the end of the day we definitely respect some of the decisions they’ve made. They’re sisters. They’re family.
Willie: Definitely, we’re just happy to see them back together because we’re from the same umbrella.
Q: It’s so good. I saw some of their performances and they’re choreography is crazy, they’re definitely going to influence a lot of dancers, so kudos to those girls because they’re doing their thing.
TGJ: Here at TGJ, we love two things. The first, being Day 26 and the second being exclusives. So, for the fans, what is the name of Bullshit‘s follow up?
Michael: Right now, we’re concentrating on finishing ‘The Return‘ EP. For us, that means the return of Day 26 and-not to step on anybody’s toes- but the return of R&B. We feel there’s been a huge void that’s been in R&B since we left, so it’s almost like the return of R&B, the return of greatness and I’ll say it (laughs) I’ll sound cocky….the return of the Kings. So, there’s no official second single yet but the EP will be an amazing body of work.
Rob: It’s out on June 26th so make sure y’all get it.
TGJ: In a perfect world, what would the perfect Day 26 recording contract look like?
Michael: Oooh man!
Brian: Wow. Good question.
Willie: It’s all about control for me. It’s about making bread and splitting it evenly but it’s more about control for me, you know. I run a lot of my own businesses now so the most important part of doing this is that we have full control of what we do. For all of us.
Michael: Yeah man, control would be the issue. We have a lot to offer to the music industry that people haven’t heard because we even though we made great music and worked with great producers, there’s nothing like being able to put your own sound into it. So yeah definitely control.
Willie: Taking our destiny into our hands. The EP will show that, it’ll show just what this group can do when we have full control of what we do.
TGJ: Do any of you still have solo ambitions? If so, how do they tie in to your work with the group?
Q: All of us have solo ambitions but our main focus more than anything is the group. So we don’t really wanna talk about anything solo right now, our focus is Day 26, Day 26, Day 26.
TGJ: Finally, when the dust is settled, how would Day 26 like to remembered once you decided to call it…a day.
Michael & Brian: The greatest of all time! (Laugh)
Willie: Just as one of the greats man. We want people to think of us when they think of Boyz II Men, Jagged Edge, Jodeci and 112. We don’t wanna be left behind in that conversation, so yeah the greatest of all time.
TGJ:. Day 26, it’s been a pleasure!
Day 26: Thank you!
Day 26‘s ‘The Return’ drops June 26th, 2014.
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