The year 1994 served up much in the way of now-classic hits; one of the notable being TLC‘s ‘Creep’. Lifted from the ladies’ monster-selling ‘CrazySexyCool’ LP, the song and its accompanying video were not only successful (standing as the group’s first #1 on the Hot 100), they went some way in establishing T-Boz, Left-Eye, and Chilli as the original pioneers of the now mainstream ‘Independent Women’ M-O.
Indeed it was gender-progressive hits such as this and ‘No Scrubs’, as well as more socially-concious releases such as ‘Waterfalls’, which helped to establish TLC as the biggest selling female group of all time. A group which the likes of Destiny’s Child owe a significant amount of their success to. TLC, we salute you.
VH1 aired their hotly anticipated ‘Behind The Music’ episode on Usher a few hours ago. In what is one insightful watch, the R&B star opens up about his ill-fated marriage to ex Tameka Foster, Diddy giving him swag, yet nearly ruining his career, rocky relationship with his mother, cheating on Chilli and much more.
A must see, check out Usher’s ‘Behind The Music’ after the jump…
The official trailer for Christina Aguilera‘s latest video ‘You Lost Me’ surfaced today. Check out the chilling clip below ahead of the video’s full debut this Thursday.
That Grape Juice were fortunate enough to catch up with Grammy-nominated R&B star Fantasia Barrino recently. The 25 year old, whose new VH1 reality series ‘Fantasia For Real’ has been a hit with viewers, spoke candidly with That Grape Juice in a 40 minute long conversation about many a topic. Areas discussed include how ‘real’ the show actually is, her new album, the rumours which threatened to destroy her career, her romantic life (yes, we asked about Antwaun Cook!), industry politics and so much more. As ever, we asked the questions you really want answers to…and answer them Fantasia did. A lengthy, yet great read; this is Fantasia for real….Enjoy!
In a recent interview with Sister2Sister magazine, R&B singer Omarion refuted claims that he is marrying or involved bisexual stripper, in the process taking a swipe at Kanye West’s bisexual girlfriend Amber Rose and bisexual girls more generally:
The “Ice Box” hitmaker, 24, was rumored to have secretly married a bisexual stripper earlier this year, but he has laughed off the reports and claims he is not even dating. And the idea of romancing a woman like model Rose – who has openly admitted to kissing women – doesn’t appeal to the former B2K singer.
He tells Sister 2 Sister magazine, “No disrespect, but no Amber Rose for me. Everybody has their past – and don’t get me wrong, I’m not judgemental at all – but I do like a certain amount of class.”
And Omarion wants to set the record straight about his relationship status once and for all: “I’m not married. I’m chilling. At this moment I’m not (dating). I have friends that I converse with, and I have that male-female camaraderie, but there’s no girlfriend at the moment.” {Source}
It kinda goes without saying, but I’d imagine a lot of folk will be saying “erm…but Omarion aren’t…”? LOL. Jokes aside, ol’ Omari needs pipe down on the controversial comments and focus on his career, as the last time I checked…yeah.
Usher’s eagerly awaited new single ‘Papers’ premiered literally moments ago…literally. If you were thinking the Sean Garrett penned cut was going to detail the drama his relationship with ex Tameka Foster, then boy were you right. The piano driven track is largely engaging due to its lyrical content; with a chorus which sings ‘Damn near lost my mother, done been through so much drama, turned into the man I never thought I’d be, I’m ready to sign them papers’.
While I’m sure the song, which is pretty decent, will get tongues wagging because of its lyrical content, I’m a little on the fence as to my take on Usher airing out private life on record. On the one hand, it’s an open door into what was apparently his reality over the last year or so…a very, very vivid account. However, having gone the same route and pimping out his relationship with TLC’s Chilli during his ‘Confessions’ project, I’m wondering whether it’s been done in good taste. Who am I fooling, though, this really does make for an interesting listen and sure does make Usher that much more noteworthy this go round!
‘Papers’ is lifted from Usher’s forthcoming LP ‘Raymond vs Raymond’ (formerly ‘Monster’), which hits stores in December.
Reports surfaced yesterday suggesting that R&B star Usher has filed for divorce from wife of 2 years Tameka Foster. Today, the speculation was confirmed, with the court divorce filing hitting the net also. Peep the report and the filing below:
ATLANTA (AP) — R&B singer Usher filed for divorce Friday from Tameka Foster Raymond, less than two years after their glitzy wedding at a Georgia resort.
The 30-year-old Grammy-winning artist, whose real name is Usher Raymond IV, filed the petition in Superior Court in Atlanta. Records posted to the court’s Web site did not give any details about the split between the R&B star and his wife, who were married in August 2007.
About 200 people attended the wedding between the two at resort built in the style of a 16th-century-style French chateau on 3,500 hilly acres outside Atlanta.
They have two young sons, 1 1/2-year-old Usher Raymond V and 6-month-old Naviyd Ely Raymond. His wife has three children from a previous marriage.
E-mail and telephone messages to Usher’s publicist were not immediately returned.
In a May 2008 interview with The Associated Press, Usher addressed negative feedback from bloggers over his relationship with his wife, who’s 8 years older than him and was once his stylist.
“People are so attracted to drama. That’s easier to take than a story of righteousness,” Usher said at the time.
“I decided to marry this woman, then I decide to be a father to my child,” he said. “… It’s not like I got caught with a gram of coke in my car or speeding or was caught for murder, so why would I be ridiculed, that’s why I don’t understand – that’s the part that is mind boggling. Why would I be ridiculed for that, even a year later.”
Prior to the marriage, Usher had a string of public romances, most notably his three-year relationship with Chilli from TLC. {Source}
Another one bites the dust. Sad. I see a lot of folk rejoicing and suggesting Usher’s career will hit sky high because of this, yet since when should someone else’s sadness or heartbreak be a good thing in the eyes of others?
Check out Usher’s court filing for the divorce below:
Our very good friend, Jawn Murray, over at AOL Black Voices, caught up with Tionne Watkins, known by most as TLC’s T-Boz. The 38 year old spoke candidly about many a topic, including a possible TLC movie, Beyonce being ‘favourite’ in Destiny’s Child, performing with Alicia Keys at the BET Awards and more. Check out extracts from the interview below:
On TLC Movie:
Jawn: I hear you and Chilli have been approached about a TLC movie. Monique Coleman from ‘High School Musical’ says it’s her dream to play Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in a film.
T-Boz: That’s awesome to hear. I am interested now whereas I wasn’t before. I actually do want to pursue making this movie. We’re talking to companies now so right now it’s just talk. People are actively pursuing it and that’s a great thing.
Jawn: What actress would you like to play you in the film?
T-Boz: It would have to be a girl who has a lot of cool personality like a prissy tomboy. She has to look good with blond hair, because she must swag out the blond. I love Kyla Pratt. She has a lot of personality and a lot of spunk. I think Meagan Good can do it, too. I like both of them. In ‘ATL,’ Lauren London played me and she did a great job. ‘ATL’ was about Dallas Austin and my experience growing up in the skating rink. The only difference was that we [were not in a relationship]. That was part of the movie. I executive produced it, and it was a part of my life. That was really my story.
Jawn: What actress should play Chilli? I pick Keshia Knight Pulliam or Tatyana Ali or anyone else who can brush down their baby hair.
T-Boz: Those are two good picks. Keshia still has that valley girl in her and so does Tatyana, so they make great looks, but they have to get rid of the valley girl part, because Rozanda has no valley girl in her at all. You can buy the lace-front weave and anybody can have her hair. All you got to do is call up Tyra Banks and ask her where she gets her wigs from.
On Performing With Alicia Keys:
Jawn: Alicia Keys got you and Chilli to reunite and perform on last year’s BET Awards. How did it make you feel that a singer who wasn’t even in a girl group professionally wanted to celebrate TLC, SWV and En Vogue like that?
T-Boz: I love Alicia and that was the only reason I did it. We’ve never said yes to perform with anybody, ever. She is one of those people that you respect and feel honored to be asked and that’s why we said yes. I don’t count the BET Awards as a real TLC performance. That was just a mess altogether. That was a terrible day for me. It wasn’t a regular TLC show anyway. At a real TLC show, we run things and are energetic and dance. That was just a hot mess. I’m very excited to do what we do, and I’ll be back in my element. That sure wasn’t my element. I’m happy to be back, and we’ll be doing it the way that we do it.
On Destiny’s Child / Beyonce / Kelly:
Jawn: When you hear stories about what’s going on with Destiny’s Child and Kelly Rowland having to fire Matthew Knowles to finally get attention, what are your thoughts?
T-Boz: They get mad when I say this, but I don’t give a damn. It was all about Beyonce anyway. She was my favorite, too, but come on. Her parents are over everything. Who do you think they were going for? It’s always Beyonce. It was supposed to be exactly the way it is now, Bey is on top. I love Beyonce, and I am a fan of hers. She was my favorite in the group even before they were Destiny’s Child and they were the Baby Dolls. She was so cute and pretty. I like all of them, and I wish Kelly the best. When you’re in a girl group, you have differences, and you have to learn how to respectfully agree to disagree. There are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes that people don’t know about. Some girl groups have girls trying to steal other girls’ boyfriends and that’s the ultimate no-no. You have situations like the Kelly thing and Beyonce’s parents. You can say that I’m out for everybody, but if Lisa was to bring somebody in that’s her boyfriend, then I’m gonna feel like you got Lisa’s back more than mine, and that’s gonna be a no-no. I just think that brings a conflict of interest in the beginning. That would have been a hard group for me to be in, because I would have been like your mommy and daddy are running things and they’re gonna have you at heart the most. That’s just how I feel.
Wow…she really went there LOL. I must say, I’m really liking T-Boz’s blunt and frank delivery.
*Apologies for the delay guys. Rest assured it won’t be happening again. An end the ‘Sam roasting’? LOL*
In part 2 of our look into the demise of Danity Kane, we caught up with former member Dawn Richard. As a big supporter of That Grape Juice, Dawn was keen to use the site as a platform to set the record straight about a number of things, including the rumours of a solo deal, being Diddy’s ‘favourite’, the future of Danity Kane, her romance with Day26’s Qwannel and much much more. As ever, we ask the questions you really want answers to – no beating about any bushes. A great read, if I must say so myself LOL. Enjoy.
Interview by: Sam – That Grape Juice // Transcription: Bisi Kade
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Dawn Richard Shouts Out That Grape Juice
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Sam: Hey Dawn, how are you?
Dawn: I’m good, how are you? I’m great thank you.
Sam: It’s great to finally speak with you. How are you doing?
Dawn: I’m good, working in the studio as we speak.
Sam: What are you working on?
Dawn: I’m just writing. I’m doing a lot of writing for a couple of albums out right now, including my independent one for my soundtrack that I have with my comic book – Danity Kane comics. So (I’ve) been busy, doing a lot of writing.
Sam: With the whirlwind that has been the drama surrounding Danity Kane, you recently confirmed that the group has indeed parted ways…
Dawn: I didn’t confirm that we parted ways. I think everybody got it confused. I never confirmed it, I just told what happened, as regards when we had to show up for the recording of the new season of Making The Band. But I never confirmed whether or not we’re together or not. Because I’m still in touch with Aundrea; she and I are still moving forward with our work and stuff. So I just told the truth, as pertains to what happened in the show.
Sam: In terms of like public opinion and public perception a lot of people seem to think the whole case of like Danity Kane is like a… they didn’t see that as being resolved. What is your take on the whole apparent demise of Danity Kane?
Dawn: I don’t think of it as a demise, I think of it as ‘everything happens for a reason’. (What went down) is not at all I wanted. I wanted to walk away (from the ‘final meeting’) with all my girls because that was a formula that worked for us. That was giving us an opportunity to live our dreams. But that didn’t happen and that’s ok. And whatever happens for everybody I wish them well. You just have to move forward. You can’t keep looking in the past. So for me now I’m just looking forward and just trying to be positive in the situation I’m in.
Sam: The media and fans alike have been debating, since the climatic season finale last year, the reason for the breakup of what many looked at as one of the most promising girl collectives to emerge in recent years. What would you say was the root cause of DK split?
Dawn: I think we all made it very clear what we thought was the reason for us separating. I think the fans and a lot of people just tend to just want to believe in their head what they feel it is. And that’s totally fine and that’s totally fine because that’s opinion. But I think we told everyone that it wasn’t just one thing, it wasn’t a person who broke up Danity Kane. There were a lot of situations that happened and that we were fighting with. Whether it was bad management, people being unhappy, or you know…there was more than one thing. It wasn’t just one person it was over a period of time that it happened. But I think fans and people in general just want to have a specific answer, when a situation happens. So, when they don’t get one they tend to choose an answer for themselves.
Sam: How do you feel that the spilt could have been prevented?
Dawn: I really don’t know. I mean a lot of things in life could have been prevented, If we choose the ‘shudda coulda woulda’ way of looking at things. I mean in this case, it doesn’t really help anything. I think at the end of the day it happened and do I wish a lot of things were different. However, life happens like that, not just with our situation, but generally. The biggest thing I wish is that we didn’t have the fans so separated and segregated. I wish we didn’t have to make people pick and choose who they like, who they’re gonna follow, what story there gonna stick to and believe that story. I wish we never had to do that to our fans; that’s my biggest gripe. (Because) I really wish they could just support us no matter what and not really pick a side, as it’s really hard for us to watch fans do that.
Sam: During last season’s finale of Making The Band, it was expressed by other members of the group that they felt you were receiving preferential treatment from Diddy and was being groomed for a solo deal…
Dawn:…I think if people know Puff…like Puff does not treat people preferentially. I’ve never known him to ever treat someone preferentially. I’ve seen him treat his businesses preferentially (laughs), but not a person. And I think that if I was treated preferentially, I feel that the girls maybe would have seen me laced in new things, you know what I mean? Let’s just all be honest and real, you know. I’m real on things. If I was treated in a certain way, I would have been like ‘I’m being treated in a certain way’, you know. But I wasn’t. Puff was all for DK [Danity Kane] and I feel like till this day, he will be for DK. For people who choose to believe that, I appreciate that and people who don’t, that is there opinion. But I can’t keep trying to tell people, I don’t know how many times I can say that is not true. If people are not gonna believe me then there just not gonna believe me.
Sam: Most [loyal] fans do believe that all of the members, including youself, had a hand in the demise of DK, but how does it feel when certain people make it seem like it was 100% your fault? There was talk of a solo deal for and you being groomed for a solo deal. What would you say to those saying such things?
Dawn: It’s hurting, it’s hurting but like I said I can’t force people to believe me. But it is hurting because you know I just I went through the process. Those who really know and those who were really there know where my heart has always been. It is very frustrating when you have different things like a TV show surrounding your situation, which kinda forces people to see a certain thing and that’s the whole picture – when in reality it’s not. So I can’t be mad at the people for feeling a certain way because if they were given a perception. That said, I can be hurt because I know what it is and what it was. You know, I think if anybody else was in the situation I’m in now, and had to live it and see it, they would be feeling a little bad. You have to live it to understand it.
Sam: What was your personal take on Diddy’s initial ousting of D. Woods and Aubrey? How did you deal with their departing from the group?
Dawn: I felt awful. That’s like you having a formula that works for you, you’ve been in the situation where you’ve had a dream that’s come true for you, then you see that same dream being demolished in a second.
Just because you don’t get along with people in your life and in your work, doesn’t mean…What I’m saying is that you don’t, for example, always have the best business partners. Yet, that doesn’t mean you want to get rid of something that’s working for you and your company. That’s the person I am. We don’t have to get along at the end of the day, but at the end of the day I wouldn’t have anybody else working with me because these people are the reason why my dream is coming true. So I was devastated because those were the girls that helped me get to my dreams. People can chose whether they want to be believe that, but I know in my heart that’s the reality of how I felt.
Sam: Were recruiting new members something ever discussed?
Dawn: On the show I did mention that to Drea [Aundrea] but she said she felt uncomfortable about that and Diddy said he would address that in the next meeting. So everyone has to watch the show. It’s on tomorrow Thursday at 9pm. Check it out and see what happens!
Sam: With making the band being such an integral part of the Danity Kane movement, what do you feel was left out from the show which would have conveyed ‘the reality of Danity Kane’ to your fans, particularly in light of the recent situation – as it has come as a surprise to many. With many believing it to be a publicity stunt initially.
Dawn: Well you guys didn’t see us when we were on the road, you didn’t see the moments when you know our business manager was indicted (laughs). You didn’t see, you know (laughs), those big moments where we lost our manager twice; you know you guys didn’t see those things. So you didn’t see us at our worst moments when we had to try and pick up the pieces, sewing our own outfits on tour. You guys didn’t see those moments. So you guys didn’t see how hard it was for us to try and make it work when we had so many odds against us.
Like honestly, honestly I don’t know, I don’t know. Because I feel like if the whole thing would have been shown they (the public) still would have made the interpretation the way they wanted to make it. Like I don’t know what, because I thought that from what people saw they would get it quite easily and they didn’t (laughs). I’m getting emails the next day like ‘I hope you die’. I mean I thought it was quite clear, that it was quite obvious. I think if you were a true fan and you followed Danity Kane, you saw events and you saw how the situation went down. I don’t know, I don’t know! What else could have been seen? I think at the end people found it hard to understand what was going on, hence pledged allegiances to the members they loved most and came to their own conclusions.
Sam: You say on the current season trailer, when talking to Day26, that Danity Kane fought physically. Could you elaborate on that?
Dawn: We had arguments; of course everybody has had arguments. I meant we fought like that and that didn’t get us anywhere, so (I was telling Day26) ‘please don’t do that’. That’s what I meant.
Sam: Ok. Prior to the season which saw Danity Kane return to Making The Band, you announced via your Myspace that D.woods and Aubrey had chosen to leave the group and the remaining three members would continue as Danity Kane. Since then we saw all five girls return. Many are keen to find out what exactly was the situation behind this?
Dawn: No I never said that. I know exactly what you’re talking about No! When D and Aubrey were rumoured to being going solo (as well as leaving the group), we didn’t want people to think that was true. We hadn’t talked to each other, so we said, and I’m quoting exactly what we said, ‘we support any endeavours that D. Woods and Aubrey embark on. Meanwhile, while they’re doing them, we will continue to hold down the fort.’ And everybody was like ‘Dawn has confirmed…’ You see what I’m saying… how people… I’m still learning in this business how to say things because I’m just so real, I’ll just say the reality of things, but people will take it and twist it. Then I get in trouble and I’m like ‘that’s not what I was saying’ and people start going ‘she said…’ It’s like I never said they were gone, I never said that. I said that ‘I was supporting any endeavour they embark on’. We were trying to make right for all them bad rumours that were coming up, so we were trying to ensure people that Danity Kane were still together, and that even though they were doing solo ventures we still were supporting them. But people was like ‘Dawn’s confirmed it’ and it just made me so mad. I can’t win.
Sam: I hear you. What’s your take on the handling of the group as well as the group’s success in the short while you were together?
Dawn: You know, I think it’s just not Bad Boy. I think people have it twisted, because they see certain things and just tend to put things on one label. All labels and all artist go through the same thing. I can name a couple of artist that have had first singles and the second singles take forever (to be released) and it dies out or the promotion isn’t as big on the second single and they die out. I can name a whole bunch of artists that this has happened to. That’s just the reality of this business. It’s a recession right now. Labels are losing money, artist are losing money. It’s political. There’s a lot of politics in this business. We can have a great first single then maybe for some reason another artist comes out on the label and they become top priority, so then our single is pushed to the side. That’s business. It’s just not our label, that’s every label. You know, I think people get it confused with just ours. That’s just dealing with the label it’s competitive and that’s just what you have to deal with.
Sam: Do you feel the fact you were made on a reality show impacted your credibility i.e. in the way of radio play, awards? I ask as many hail ‘Welcome To The Dollhouse’ as a great album, yet you all got very little back in the way of awards or nominations?
Dawn: Of course. We’re taken for as a joke. Our peers don’t really respect us as musicians. We had to totally fight every 5 seconds to make people believe that we did deserve to be in this industry. Our fans were amazing, we had great fans. But our peers and people that worked in the industry didn’t want to work with us, didn’t want to put us in those categories, and didn’t want to nominate us for things. I mean ‘Damaged’ did so well, yet we never got nominated for anything with that record. I mean we did get that one MTV nomination [2008 MTV Best Pop Video] and we lost to it. But it was like one of the biggest records of the summer. We just couldn’t win. It was like, no matter how much we try, how many steps we take up with our writing skills or our music, we just take 10 steps back because of the show. No, our peers don’t take us seriously at all.
Sam: Is that something you felt frustrated about or did you just feel you needed to continue striving to earn your credibility?
Dawn: I’ve learned that I’m I don’t feel frustrated about those things. I just continuously try keep walking in the light. I felt like ‘if you don’t respect my artistry now, you will eventually’. And I’ll just work for you to get it, I’m not going to be waiting for people to get it. I’m just gonna make myself better until they get it. That’s how I felt like we needed to be and I still feel like that now about myself, about the group. Some of us didn’t handle it that way, some of us did.
Sam: What’s your current status with each of the girls?
Dawn: My current status with Danity Kane is I wish them nothing but the best. And that’s for the record. I wish them nothing but the best in anything that they do cause they’ll be great in it.
Sam: Your take on Aubrey’s playboy spread?
Dawn: I’m glad she’s doing what she does. I’m glad she’s happy, I’m glad she’s doing what she loves. As long as she’s happy, I’m supportive.
Sam: You’ve gone on record to say you felt certain parts of Aubrey’s image weren’t inline with what the group were trying to perpetuate to your young audience. Yet we have songs such as ‘Bad Girl’, ‘Striptease’ and ‘Ecstacy’ from ‘Welcome To The Dollhouse’, which arguably also aren’t for that audience. Your take on this?
Dawn: I never, once again… I can’t stand this (laughs). I never had a problem with Aubrey’s status or what Aubrey does. Someone asked me ‘why did Aubrey get kicked out of Danity Kane?’ and I said what was quoted from the show! I didn’t say ‘I don’t like what she wore!’ I said ‘the reason why she was put out was because of what Puff said in the interview,’ and I wasn’t making anything up, I was just saying what was said on the show. And people said that I said it and that I was it’s like I can’t win. I didn’t ever have a problem with Aubrey… I love my group. I know who my group are – individually. I don’t have a problem with anyone. My issues were laid with the brand of the group. As long as the brand was taken care of and we were doing the right things, then I was cool. If we had an issue with our brand, that’s when I had something to say about it. Now, people ask me questions and I say exactly what was said from the man who did it and all of a sudden it was me who said it! I don’t have an issue with her in doing that. If that’s what she wants to do, then she’ll be great at what she does and that’s it.
Sam: Thanks for clearing that up.
You have evidently been blessed with an abundance of talent. What does the future hold for you? Solo deal, writing for others etc?
Dawn: Well, right now I’m working on an independent comic book soundtrack. And I have a single for it called ‘Falls Away’, which is on MySpace right now and it’s doing extremely well. It has almost 500,000 hits and I’m really excited about that. The fans have been really supportive. The follow-up leaked, a track called ‘If I Could’ and it’s amazing. The producer called ‘The Zamp’ did the track. It’s amazing. I’m really happy to just do something independent, something just my own. Nothing ‘solo’, as such; it’s not anything like that. It’s just something for me, ‘cause I write the comic book and not a lot of people do soundtracks for comic books. I love music and it’s just an opportunity to branch out and give the fans some great. I’m not putting a label on it, its nothing like that; it’s nothing like a solo career. Please, people do not get me in trouble every time I say something!
I’m writing a lot. I’m learning as a song-writer. Song writing and publishing is where you get your money and learn most from. So for me, it could be a small artist or a big artist, it’s a pay check. What’s more, it’s something that is helping me learn everyday, so I’m very happy that I get an opportunity to do it because it doesn’t feel like work. It feels like fun and I just get paid for it, so like it’s a great opportunity to learn and you never know what the future holds for me. I have a really strong work ethic. I will not stop. I have not slept in months. But it’s okay ‘cause I feel like that day when I lay my head down, that day when I get that *good good* sleep, it will be worth it because I worked so hard to get where I want to get. That’s where I’m at right now.
Sam: While Bad Boy has been a force in the past, we cannot shy away from a certain pattern that has emerged. A lot of people have followed Diddy’s career and track record. It’s no surprise that most of his artists, especially solo ones, aren’t as successful as they should be. What would be your terms & conditions to him, if he was to give you a solo deal [if he hasn’t already]?
Dawn: I don’t have any terms or conditions. I don’t know those things; I don’t know those things until I get to it. What I will say is that I don’t look at things, names and labels and all that. I just look at talent. Like I said, it’s a recession; a lot of people (including established artists) are falling with CD sales and stuff. It’s not just this label; a lot of people haven’t been doing as great as they could be doing right now because it’s a slow economy at present. Saying that, there’s always a first time or a new time for something and I feel like I have been blessed with the opportunity to have my dreams come true more than one time.
Sam: Cool. You’ve probably been asked several times, but do you feel like there is a possibility for you guys to ever get back together?
Dawn: You never know, you never know. I would never say no to that…
Sam: We’ve seen your relationship with Day26’s Qwanell blossom on television. Tell us 3 things you find special about Q.
Dawn: I think the biggest thing with him is that I am still extremely attracted to him. Like the first day I met him I still look at him sometimes and find myself like ‘dang he’s a good catch!’ I still get that as if it’s the first time we saw each other. And you’re like ‘dang ooh’… I still get that feeling with him, and it’s a good feeling. I think the second thing is, he’s my homie…like that’s my best friend. We have the best times just laughing and goofing around; we can’t separate the two. One day we’ll be all ‘lovey dovey’ and the next day it’s all about just homies day out. It’s like two friends going out and chilling you know. We just have that different dynamic. We have different elements of our relationship which I think is amazing. The third thing is you know we don’t sweat the small things. We’re very open with our relationship. We understand each others inside out, so we don’t ever let little small things affect how great we are as a team. It makes it work great. I have never had so fun much knowing someone or being with someone that I have with Q.
Sam: How do you manage to maintain your relationship with the constant cameras?
Dawn: We don’t even see them, we don’t even see them anymore. Some people say that’s a scary thing because living your relationship in public could potentially ruin it. We know that and that’s a scary thing; but are we supposed to fake it and whatnot or close up when the cameras come? That wouldn’t be us. We’re real people, it wouldn’t be us if we tried to pretend like ‘okay I’m not going to touch you when the camera comes’ because that’s just wack. It’s not real; so for us we don’t see them (the cameras). The way we are together, is the way we are together on camera.
Sam: What can we expect in the current season of making the band. Surprise appearances? Your role?
Dawn: You have to watch, there’s a lot of things that’s gonna happen with these last couple of episodes. So Thursday 9pm, stay glued to the TV because you you’ll be surprised!
Sam: With the entertainment industry being so cut-throat and ruthless, how does Dawn plan on lasting the distance
Dawn: That’s a great question. I do think this industry is extremely cut throat. For me, though, I just will not accept failure and I will not expect quitting. So if it means more hours extra hours, and what not, for this person right here, I’m gonna be the person that comes in early and leaves late. And that’s just the way it is. I’ll be damned if I see it (success) go away. Because I know what the other side is like, I’ve been homeless, I’ve seen what it’s like to be in that environment and I refuse to be there, because I worked extremely hard to get where I am. So, for me, in order to be great, you have to put in the work for it. So I’m going to make sure I know this industry back and forth, as well as my craft. Make sure I know where the snakes fly and know how to step over them, move over and get to where I need to go.
Sam: Tell us a bit about Danity Kane comics?
Dawn: Yes, the first issue is out on www.danitykane.com. The second issue will be done in the fourth quarter which is around December of this year. The soundtrack will be out at the end of March of this year 2009. I’m really excited; it will be available at www.dkcomics.com.
Sam: That’s great. Wrapping up now, which Danity Kane song is your favourite?
Dawn: That’s a hard one – I like so many. ‘Sucka for Love’…
Sam: Could you give us an acapella of ‘Sucka for Love’, please?
Dawn: OK (laughs)…
…Danity Kane… the great thing about us was that we had five leads, so I’m just trying to overlap and sing at the same time (laughs)
Sam: It’s cool (laughs).
It has been recently been announced that Michael Jackson will be returning to the stage; I don’t know if you know about that. A lot of the British press have been very cynical as to whether Michael Jackson still has ‘It.’ Do you think…
Dawn: Of course! Michael can do no wrong when it comes to music. He can just moonwalk across the stage and it just makes me smile. Even if Michael Jackson doesn’t have ‘it’, he still has ‘it’. It’s Michael, come on now (laughs).
Sam: Most definitely!
What songs or albums do you have on constant rotation at the minute?
Dawn: I just got hip to ‘Chair Lift’ and I’m really liking them. I just bought The Dream’s album. Love it. Amazing. Who else has been on heavy rotation? ‘Ryan Leslie’ his album has been on rotation and love the ‘Sheen’s’ and ‘Vampire Weekend’.
Sam: Dawn I would like to say a very big thank you for your time and it’s very much appreciated
Dawn: No worries. I enjoyed speaking with you. I love love love the site!
It seems it really is ‘K.O’ for Aubrey O’Day and Danity Kane. Remember that announcement O’ Day said she had for the 14th January? Turns out she will be announcing she has indeed posed for Playboy magazine’s March issue – and, yes, it will be featured nude:
“I’ve done the cover of Playboy,” she said late in December. “You know, I think that Playboy for me was one of the most liberating things that I’ve done as a woman.”
Scanning the pics on her Macbook laptop while chilling in Costa Mesa, California, O’Day showed off the results of her session with photographer Markus Klinko, who has done portraits of Mariah Carey and Pamela Anderson in the past and who shot the cover of Beyoncé’s 2003 album, Dangerously In Love.
Taken amid sessions for her solo debut, O’Day said she was surprised at the negative repercussions from her earlier, revealing shoot for Complex magazine, which is reported to have played a role in Diddy’s decision to drop O’Day from the group. {Source}
I’m sorry, but I must take a moment to pop my damn collar! Some of you may remember I predicted Aubrey’s whole ‘it’s empowering /liberating’ nonsense talk from the moment the rumours started gathering steam. Granted she’s grown and can do as she chooses, I’m kinda thinking this was either a) an act of rebellion to the whole Diddy/Making The Band situation or b) too good a pay cheque (reportedly $500,000) to turn down. I’m guessing it’s probably both. How she plans on launching a legitimate singing career after this, I’d itching to see…
This new track from TLC’s T-Boz surfaced earlier today. It’s currently unknown whether ‘You Got Me Open’ is from her forthcoming Universal/SRC debut. For her sake I hope not; it’s not that the song is bad, it’s just that such material simply isn’t good enough to be able to stand a chance of competing in the contemporary music industry. I must say though, that, as with Chilli, I’m kinda perplexed as to why each didn’t strike while the iron was hot (during the height of TLC’s popularity)to drop solo records. I mean, is there actually still an audience for them?
I caught up with the guys from renown R&B group Jagged Edge this past summer. Alongside promoting their new album ‘Baby Making Project’, the group spoke candidly on a number of things including their relationship with Jermaine Dupri, label drama and tabloid gossip. I, personally, thought they were great sports and the interview came out great. Enough of me rambling, enjoy the interview: )
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Sam: Hey guys, how are you all doing?
Jagged Edge: We’re doing good, just sitting here chilling in the studio.
S: First of all, let me just say that it really is an honour speaking with you guys.
JE: Thank you very much, thank you very much.
S: It’s been a short while since the fans have heard anything from you; how have you been spending your time away from the limelight?
Wingo: Man, away from the limelight is work. Work never stops. We’re in the studio doing what we love. Recording, with our families, eating hanging out…enjoying life. One thing my father said ‘there’s nothing like having a job you enjoy going to everyday’. We go to sleep music, we wake up music. You, know what I’m saying. It is what it is.
S: Since hitting the scene almost a decade ago, you’ve maintained a great working relationship with Jermaine Dupri – recently (re)signing with his So So Def imprint over at Island/Def Jam. How did that come about?
Wingo: Actually, JD and Jagged Edge are brothers, man. He changed our life by giving us a record deal about 8 or 9 years ago. We’re still here and are just very thankful for it. He taught us a lot and we taught him a lot. We’re like a family – you can’t break a good family apart; It’s very hard to. Different obstacles may come in your way but you just knock them down and keeping it moving. There was some contractual stuff that we were dealing with back at Columbia and with Sony that wouldn’t allow us to be with him. So once we were able to leave, we did.
S: Your new album is aptly titled ‘Baby Making Music’ – a collection of ballads. Aside from being renown for your great slow jams, what inspired the concept? Did you have doubts going into this project, after all the group’s up-tempos such as ‘Where The Party At’ have proved equally as popular?
Brian: That’s what we do (ballads). Our fans know us as balladeers. That’s where our heart and soul is. As far as the up-tempos – we do it all, all across the board. Saying that, we have a lot of fans come up to us saying ‘we made our first child to your music’ etc so we wanted to give them what they like us for. A child is a great thing. It’s all about pro-creation its how we keep the world moving. At the end of the day, that’s what we’re doing – keeping the world moving (laughs).
S: The first single from the album, ‘Put A Little Umph’ In It’ featuring Ashanti has been received really well, how did the collabo come about?
Wingo: The twins (Brian and Brandon) did Ashanti’s first demo tape back here in Atlanta and once the idea came up to have her on this record, we were with it. Her work ethic is good. We called her up and asked to be on the record and she sounded good on the record. So it was like ‘Hey, it’s on’.
S: What was it like working with her in the studio?
Wingo: Actually, we didn’t really get a chance to work with her in the studio. They sent the record to her. She did the record and had it sent back.
Brian: She was really easy to work with.
Wingo: She’s good people and done what she was supposed to do.
S: What other guest features and producers are featured on the album?
Brandon: Jagged Edge and Jermaine Dupri – that’s it. That’s another reason why we got back with Jermaine, because he respects our creativeness and we respect his. At the end of the day, we did half the album, he did half the album. We let him know what we wanted going into the project and he respected that. He loves our work just as much as we love his.
S: What have you been doing in-between recording the album and after?
Brian: We’ve been out on the road, doing a little promo, getting our relationship back established with radio, TV and with you guys – it’s going down. We’re here, we ain’t going nowhere.
S: Have any personal favourites emerged from ‘Baby Making Project’?
Wingo: My favourite the first single ‘Put a Little Umph In It’ because it’s straight to the point. You know when you get with that one you love; she ain’t going to be expecting no slacking. You gotta be a man (laughs)..put your back into it.
S: Ten years deep, you’re one of the only active R&B groups still around; what do you think has been the reason for your staying power?
Wingo: Our love for music, our love for what we do. As I said, Jagged Edge, we go to bed music, we wake up to music. That’s it. Everyday of our lives it’s music. When you love what you do, you’re not going to let anything deter you from it. You might get upset about a few situations and stuff like that. But the overall picture is music, we’re here to do music. Our fans love us for our music.
S: Despite achieving a high level of prominence, you’ve seemingly managed to stay out of the tabloids etc; how has this been so?
Brandon: We do not try to invite negative energy. We see them stories etc and we try to separate ourselves from it. We do ourselves: Jagged Edge.
Wingo: We don’t try and be with the ‘in’ crowd. We are the ‘in’ crowd.
S: Speaking of rumors/gossip, Brian – for the record – what was the situation with you and LeToya?
-Brian dodges the question, Wingo chips in with: –
Wingo: That was old. That was an old flame. They hung out for a while and that was that.
S: Nothing more?
Wingo: Nothing more, nothing less.
S: Who have been your musical influences?
JE: Everybody from the Tempations, to The Four Tops, Commondores, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hathaway, New Edition, KC & Jo Jo, Jodeci, Gerald Levert. Everybody. We love music. If it’s done right and put together well, we like it.
S: With Nas proclaiming that ‘Hip Hop Is Dead’, what are your thought’s on the current state of R&B?
Brian: Current state of R&B? I think R&B is doing alright, straight up. I mean Usher came out with an album a year or two ago and sold 1.2 million or so in a week. You still have R&B artists selling half a million albums in a week. Mary J just came back and did over 700,000 and some change. We’re R&B. So R&B hasn’t died out too much – that’s my opinion.
S: Do you feel the Internet has made a positive or negative impact on the music industry?
Brandon: Both.
Brian: it makes more accessible, but no one’s paying for it.
Wingo: It’s now become a easier to get it for free. We’re in the business to sell records.
S: Do you think it was a boast to help your careers now, compared to the earlier stages?
Brandon: I think when you use it the right way, like Myspace and different websites, it can help to profile all the way. But when you have people who just use the internet to rip your music, that isn’t no help no way.
S: A few quick random questions:
– Current artists you’re feeling?
Wingo: T. Pain
Brian: J. Holiday, I like Omarion, I like a couple of Omarion’s records
JE: Ne-Yo, he’s great.
– Can Michael Jackson make a big comeback?
JE: YES!!!!
Wingo: all he has to do is get a song from Ne-Yo (all laugh). One song from Ne-Yo and he’s back!
– Beyonce or Kelly Rowland?
JE: Both of them. We have relationships with them, we used to tour and travel together. That’s our people.
S: When the dust has settled, how do you want Jagged Edge to be remembered?
Brandon: Man, put us up there with all the great groups, that’s how we want to be remembered. Like a star on the walk of fame, rock hall of fame. All that stuff. I think for some people, when you first get into the game all those things seem like they’re so far away. But in 10 years, we gotta be close. We closer than ever (laughs)..closer than a lot of others.
S: Do you guys have any message for the fans?
JE: We love our fans. We gonna be here. We’re not going anywhere. Continue supporting us.
S: Thanks for taking time out to answer our questions; it’s very much appreciated. Good luck with the project.
