Drop + New Single “Shawty Wus Up” ft. Johnta Austin & Diamond

You may know Dondria as Phatfffat that pretty girl who’s always eating and covering others songs, but the beautiful vocalist wants to prove that she is more than a voice! With a top 10 single and a sick voice she is well on her way to stardom.

-How are you?

I’m good! How are you?

-I’m great. It’s been a while. Last time we talked it was like a year or two years ago.

Oh gosh. It’s been a long time.

-Congratulations on the single! “You’re The One” has really taken off. Everyone is singing it from fathers to mothers to the children. People even said their churches are making gospel renditions. It’s crazy!

Ok. I was saying “really?” My church tried to, but I was like “No! Stop it.” (Laughs)

-When the organs come on it takes you to church a little bit though. Especially once you start singing. How does it feel having people cover your song? That’s how you started doing covers so I know it must be crazy?

Yes! It feels great. I think that a lot of times it’s so surreal, because that was me singing other people’s songs. It’s like things switched. I don’t even know. Sometimes I’m even speechless, because it’s like wow. I really did like a 360.

-So for the people who haven’t heard the story about how you were discovered can you give them a quick run through of how you were discovered?

Yes, I started putting videos up on YouTube in 2006 just to get an unbiased opinion from someone other than my mom, friends at church, and people like that to see how people really felt about my voice. What ended up happening is…I guess through word of mouth people were like, “Look at this girl on YouTube.” A year later one of my videos had hit 1,000,000 views. I had up to 25,000 subscribers at the time. People started hitting me up to collaborate or to write for me or work with me period. One of those people were Jermaine Dupri and he ended up signing me like 6 months later.

-And you didn’t believe it was him did you?

Nope! Not at all. I thought it was someone pranking me and I told him “Do not play with me” I ignored him for like a month. He probably thought I was crazy, but I thought he was crazy.

-
How did you finally end up talking to him and realizing that it was really Jermaine Dupri?

Well I just gave in one day. (Laughs) He was very very persistent and that was one of the things that set him apart from everybody else which made me think, “Well maybe it really is him.” I just finally said “Ok” let me see what this man wants, because what’s funny is if I didn’t finally give in he would probably have stopped hitting me up. So I just said “Let me see what this man want” and I gave him my number and he was real. It was really him!

-He produced the first single correct?

Yes.

-It’s crazy because I was in the car and I heard it and a friend from high school asked who you were and I reminded him that it was the girl from the YouTube videos that we use to watch during free periods. It’s definitely a blessing to see the growth and success.

It sure is.

-Did you expect the success? Did you know that the record was “the one” when you heard it?

I did. I actually really did fall in love with it when I first heard it. What’s so funny is I wasn’t really sure when I was looking for a single what it would be like, but I really knew that it was the one. It’s something very simple, not very complex, but it’s something that everyone can relate to no matter what age you are. It just worked and I am happy, because I fell in love with it from the jump.

-When was your first time hearing the record outside of the studio? Where were you and what was your reaction?

Umm…where was I? I don’t know, I don’t know where I was at, but when it plays now I’m like “Thats me!” It just keeps getting better and better, because right now it’s a Top 10 record and I would have never imagined that any of this would happen. So it’s always like I have to pinch myself.

-You are preparing to drop your second single “Shawty Wus Up” which features Johnta Austin and Diamond. It’s a hot record and I love it! How did that record come about?

Thank you! I actually recorded that record with just Johnta Austin. It was just Johnta Austin and me at first and we had like a whole different bridge, but I guess listening to it and always trying to figure out what the second single would be I just kept listening to it and decided on it. The music was different and all so we basically just remixed it. Instead of you all hearing the orignal music and all it’s kind of like a complete remix and we added Diamond on it. I think it’s hot. We actually shoot the video tomorrow.

-Oh wow! That’s an exclusive. It’s a sexy song and all, but will you be bustin’ out into a little choreography to show us what you got?

I might! I definitely want to on stage, because I really want to show everyone a different side to me. I don’t want them to think that I’m just going to sing ballads all the time. Definitely on stage we are going to do something together. I know for the video we are going to…this is an exclusive ok. (Laughs) In the video there is a section where I’m rehearsing with DeVyne Stephens (choreographer for TLC, Ciara, Usher) we’ll see what he shows me. I don’t know yet. (Laughs)

-We are definitely looking forward to that. I know the last time we spoke you revealed the title of the project, “Dondria vs. Phatfffat”. Can you explain the story behind the title?
Yes. The story behind the title, it’s not necessarily like the whole alter ego thing that everyone else has done. It’s more of just telling you that Dondria is more than just Phatfffat. There’s a whole another side to Phatffat. Dondria and Phatfffat is the same person, but there’s a whole another side that y’all don’t see. Everyone sees Phatfffat and me singing people’s songs and joking, laughing, forgetting words and all of that. Dondria is the artist which shows the professional side, the artistic side, because a lot of people be hating and saying I am only a YouTube singer, but whatever.

-You have to forget the haters. Who have you worked with on the album?

I have worked with JD of course, Bryan Michael Cox, No I.D., and as far as writers Johnta Austin and Cristyle and me. I wrote as well.

-I heard one of the records and fell in love with it. “Can U Help Me”? That’s an amazing record.

Yeah, “Can U Help Me”. That is on the album. That one is by The Inkredibles actually.

-When is the album dropping?

The album is dropping August 3rd!

-I know on your twitter you talked a little about working on a second mixtape. How is that coming along?

It is coming along slow. (Laughs) Just because I am doing a lot of traveling now and doing a lot of promo. Which is very good, because it means people are booking me and all, but I don’t have the time to get in the studio and really finish it up. It’s coming.

-Phatfffat loves to eat and we share something in common. I can’t get enough of Chipotle! Chipotle is crack.

It is! It really is.

-People don’t understand. They try to argue with me and say Qdoba is better, but Chipotle is really crack.

No.

-If there was a Dondria or Phatfffat special at Chipotle what would that be?

It would be a burrito bowl. It would have the black beans, but it would have the onions and peppers too. It would be half chicken-half pork and then sour cream, corn, mild salsa, and the Chipotle in the bottle like the Chipotle Tobasco. I love that.

-I never had that.

It’s so good. It’s the dark red one.

-Ok, I am going to try it next time.

Yeah, and lettuce and guacamole on the side with the chips!

-Oh you get the chips on the side too? You go in!

(Laughs)

-Don’t you have a lifetime supply or something?

I do!

-That’s crazy.

Yes, I love it.

-How do you feel about reality television? Would you ever be interested in going that route?

I would have fun with it. I think it’s fun. I would love to. I would definitely have my brothers and sisters with me. I know they would make y’all laugh like it’s nobodys business, but I’m not knocking it. Some of them are so…I don’t even know what the topic is.

-Which ones are you feeling right now?

I love…well I did love the dating ones like Flavor Flav and New York, but now everyone and their Mama wanted to have one I was like ok. I also loved the Hills until all of these other seasons. Now Lauren isn’t even on it anymore. I don’t understand that, but I like it all. I like “Tiny & Toya”. I watch it all.

-Have you ever seen the Brandy & Ray-J show?

Yes, I’ve seen a few episodes. (Laughs)

-Do you relate in anyway to Brandy and her relationship with her Mother/Manager?

I can kind of relate. It’s such a good thing, because you know your mom is looking out for you, and she has your best interest at heart. At the same time it’s like you are grown.

-So your mother still have you in check is what you are saying?

Yeah. It’s not really bad. It’s just certain stuff where she’s Mom instead of manager. I’m like, “Okay Mam put your manager hat on.”

-I have a few questions from some fans. The fellas wanted to know are you single? I tried to tell them what’s up, but I think they need to hear it straight from you. (Laughs)

(Laughs) I am not single. I mean legally I am single, but I’ve been in a relationship for three years now. We’re good.

-Another fan wanted to know if you were looking for backup singers and if so where could they audition?

I will definitely put out a big blast when I start looking for some. I will probably post it later when the album comes out and I start doing a real promo tour. I will definitely put out a blast letting everyone know that I am having auditions.

-One of your fans wanted to know if “Weight of My Tears” is on the album?

“Weight of My Tears” is not on the album. If I can find the link I will tweet it and you can download it and have it.

-So that’s legal?

Yeah.

-Before you go is there any advice that you can give to to aspiring singers and to those who are making YouTube videos to receive feedback or even get signed?

I would definitely tell them to put themselves where ever they can. Definitely use YouTube. It’s a great great tool. Use Facebook and MySpace. Do Open Mic nights and Karaoke. Sing in the choir. Do everything you can, because you never know if anyone is going to be around who’s listening, who’s watching. You have to always be on your toes. Like almost just walk down the street singing.

-Have you ever did that?

I do that all the time. I be at the mall in the dressing room and then the girl in the next dressing room be trying to battle me. I be like, “Ok mam please stop.”

-They don’t know who they are messing with.

(Laughs)

-Thanks so much! We’ve been working on this awhile, but I am glad we finally made this happen.

Yes. No problem.

-You have to hook me up with a Chipotle pass or something.

I can do that! I might can get you a little pass or something.

-I’m going to be on you about that! I am not going to forget.

Ok!

-Take care!

Listen to this exclusive clip of Dondria singing her new single “Shawty Wus Up” exclusively for earStyle.net!

And here’s a sneak peak at her album cover shoot with photographer Derek Blanks!

DONDRIA VS PHATFFFAT ALBUM SHOOT from SO SO DEF on Vimeo.

Wassup Man?

Just trying to make it out here in this DC weather! (laughs)

It’s been crazy. Congrats on the success with Melanie Fiona’s “It Kills Me”! How does it feel?

Yeah, thanks a lot man. It feels great actually. Talk about a dream come true, you always think, “Man I want to have a number one song, I want to have a Grammy and all of that.” Even though she didn’t win, losing to Beyonce wasn’t a bad thing at all. You know what I Mean? (laughs) I’m very grateful and thankful to God that I can experience this in my life at this point. I’m very grateful.

I heard the record at the top of 2009 when I first found out about Melanie Fiona. It was my favorite track of hers and I was kind of apprehensive about it being a hit, because of the climate of the industry. Did you see this success coming for the record?

You know what, I feel as though if you look at the history of music…Music that truly came from the heart and when you capture that on record man people feel that. Those songs tend to become hits. That’s exactly what happened with that. As time went on, the label picked it up for Melody. I heard them talk about it being a single, but you never know, because anything can change. Plans change a lot in this industry. They came out with “Give It To Me Right” first and then “It Kills Me” was the second single. I’ll never forget when me and Mel had hooked up in DC. This was like when they were just releasing it. She said, “Man all the radio stations are going crazy over this”. I said “Are you serious?” When you hear that it’s so humbling. Men and women have come to me, black and white, young and old they have come to me and said that they love the song. It’s crazy to hear men say that, because the song is talking about what a man is doing to a girl. I’m just grateful for it all.

When was the first time that you heard the record on the radio?

People were calling me telling me that they heard the song on the radio before I even heard it. First time I heard it, me and my boy was going to one of our boy’s birthday party and we were talking actually. He’s a fellow producer so we were talking about music and the song. As I parked the car the song comes on the radio…(laughs).

Did you stay in the car to take in the moment?

Yeah I stayed in the car man! (laughs) It was crazy. In fact he heard it on the radio before I did. It was on XM at that. I’m constantly getting told they play that song all the time. Hey man, that’s a good thing. Thank God.

“It Kills Me” was a first taste for us for what you are doing. How would you describe the Jay Fenix sound?

I don’t know how I can describe the sound. I want to say my sound is hard. No matter if its a club track or not I just want you to feel it. I want it to touch every emotional fiber in your body. I want you to experience that in my music. As far as actual sounds, that’s only one dimension of me, because I am just a music lover. My sound as far as my influences goes all the way back to Quincy Jones producing “Off The Wall”, the old Motown era, the 60s, groups like Number 42, Genesis, Eurythmics, The Temptaitons, Four Tops, The Meters, all of those different oldie groups. Teddy Riley, New Jack Swing, the original Bad Boy era when he had the Hit-men. Bryan Alexander Morgan, Troy Taylor of course Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. I know that’s a lot and I forgot about Marvin Gaye and Donnie Hathaway but all of those people influenced my sound today.

You mentioned that you are from the DMV area. Do you tap into the Go-Go sound?

If it comes out that way, Yes. I can’t say that I am setting that agenda with bringing Go-Go to the forefront. That’s been done with the likes of Chuck Brown and EU when they did “Doin’ The Butt”. I know Wale is pushing his Go-Go agenda and of course Rich has had crazy success with what he’s done with “Crazy In Love”, Amerie, and he have Rich Girl now. I can’t say that bringing it to the front is my agenda. What I am doing is helping bring that real R&B back. I am not going to say we don’t have real R&B out today. I’m not going to say that. We don’t have many R&B artists. Most of it is a cross between R&B and Pop. That good music that makes you dance and cry…and music that stands the test of time. That’s where I can put it.

What do you think happened? Why can’t the people who are doing R&B survive in the industry today?

I feel as though there’s a space for everything. It also have to do with promotion and then you have to think that the labels and radio stations they are like the chefs. They feed the people what they want to give the people. In their buffet of music, figuratively, they have a lot of food to give, but are they doing that? No, they are sticking to the 1 or 2 maybe 3 or 4 different things out of 100 different acts. Somewhere the other 96 acts get lost in the sauce. I truly believe that R&B is still alive, because “It Kills Me” is quite evident that its still alive.

Monica is also doing her thing right now with her single, “Everything To Me”.

Monica! Exactly and I love that! I think that people want to hear that. Like I said,this world is big enough. There’s space for everything. I just don’t want it to be one sided. That’s good for today, but most of these songs…are we really going to listen and remember them like we do today with songs from the Motown era. What’s your honest opinion?

I agree. Most of the albums that have come out, especially in the early 2000s didn’t age really well. They were hot for the moment and don’t have the same effect when you listen to them now. There are some albums that are completely unlistenable now. Same effect. 2003 and can’t listen now. Albums such as “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” are still enjoyable today and you could release songs from that album and it wouldn’t even sound dated.

Exactly. It’s very few albums that you can think of that’s like that. Lauryn Hill? Classic. Maxwell the first one was a Classic! Biggie’s first album…Classic! That was R&B. They weren’t doing Pop. Everybody no matter if they were black, white, orange, or yellow..they loved it. I think that is why the industry is suffering, because we are still going in the same routine that we have been doing for the last decade. It’s 2010 and we’ve been doing this for the last ten years. Somewhere down the line it have to change. It’s crazy because I was at the SESAC brunch. Swizz Beatz was the honoree and he talked about that in his speech. He wants to bring back good music and hearing him say that, I know I am on the right path, because I have already been thinking that.

Where do you think it all went wrong?

When labels started focusing on singles. There was a point of time when labels were putting out singles on like the 45, you had an A single and you had a B single. It’s nothing new, but we started forgetting about the album. They forgot about the concept of albums. They forgot about hiving people a reason to go pay $10 or $15 to get an album. The albums are not good. There’s no cohesion, it’s just not good. Think about all the albums in the last 10 years that have been released..that’s a lot of albums. How many of them can we say are classic albums?

We can count them on our hands.

We can count them on our hands. Exactly! (laughs) That’s not good.

There’s no artist development either.

Barry Gordan to me was the greatest at artist development. That whole era that he created was based off of artist development. He strongly believed in that. That model succeeded during that time when they were also going through social issues. They were not able to perform at certain places, because of the color of their skin. Well…that’s a whole different conversation. I am not going to say we are totally eradicated of that, but it’s a slightly better time. Where as so he was able to succeed during that time with that model…Motown will forever sell and be played. Whether it is Karaoke or in the elevator, it’s going to be played. I think we need to start digging back in our history in how our music succeeded back then. Everybody thinks that YouTube is how you find out about the artist. Well OK, but its more than YouTube, twitter and those social sites.

You can’t even turn on your television to a music program on television anymore. I remember being excited to see Behind The Music and Fanatic.

Exactly! You know how Soul Train use to showcase talent…it’s crazy. If we were to have a show like that it probably wouldn’t be called Soul Train now, but we lost all of that man.

You’re right. All we have is 106 & Park which shows the New Joint of the Day. Takes us right back to the “Single” talk.

How do we change all of that?

How do you think we change all of that?

Wow man! Once I figure it out you will be the first person I call and we will sit down and talk about it man. (laughs) I’m not going to say I have the final solution, because this is years of stuff that we have to correct. I do think that apart of the equation is greed. Some people I’ve seen in some of the blogs, say that the greed of the execs in the older days, having these high salaries and bonuses is coming back on them. It’s kind of like you reap what you sow. That’s been said. I truly believe that Tower Records would not have closed and others have the labels or the powers that be have been realistic with selling records for $20 is ridiculous. You still eat. Why can’t the records be $10.

I definitely agree. Why not charge lower prices? It’s better than no profit at all. There are people who still enjoy opening up albums and checking out the booklet and stuff.

Yes I am one, because I did it last night (laughs).

Me too!

Yeah, people don’t think that their hard drives can crash. Then you have to buy it all over. I love CDs, I use to love going to the stores and they would have the listening stations, and the magazines, it was just a whole experience that you can’t get while you are on the Internet. Even though its full of great resources and information it is nothing like going to the store and bumping it. Some married couples probably met at the record store going to buy an album. You know what I mean? Now that’s kind of gone man.

It’s sad, because how many years will it be before that’s gone? Right now most purchases come from stores like Walmart.

Right Walmart and Best Buy. Come on Best Buy y’all want to do everything. Y’all want to have musical instruments, y’all want to sell CDs, y’all want to sell home appliances. Come on man. It’s crazy. There’s enough for everybody.

So what’s next for Jay Fenix? I am sure  that the labels hit you up after the success of the Melanie Fiona record.

Right now I am currently working on some stuff for Musiq Soulchild, Chrisette, and Fantasia. I am working on those projects and I am also working on some independent stuff, my own acts also. I have a surprise that I am working on too. It’s a surprise so I don’t want to speak too much on it.

What advice would you give to any aspiring producers who are trying to get in the game?

I’ll say what worked for me. Some people take it as advice or not-that was my strong belief in God. I keep him first in my life and stay committed to the dream and the vision that he gave me. I saw it coming I just didn’t know when. You are going to experience the pitfalls as well as the highs, but you have to stay consistent and dedicated to your dreams and goals.

How can people reach you?

I have a twitter @jayFenix and my facebook is Jay Fenix. Everyone hit me up!

H-Town Drop

Before there was Pretty Ricky there was H-Town. Known for their bedroom banger “Knockin’ Da Boots”, the duo lost a member in 2003 and now they are back and ready to Knock off the ladies heels with their new single “Knockin’ Your Heels Off” featuring Jodeci and Pretty Ricky. Find out what the group have been up to and what’s the inspiration behind the name of their new album, “Child Support”.

Read More after the jump!

How are you doing?

I’m doing alright!

It’s great that we have H-Town speaking with us, today, because one of our favorites songs is actually “Knockin’ Da Boots.” You all have had a long journey to the point where you are, today. In 2003 you all had lost a brother and a group mate. How did that tragedy effect the music and where you are standing, today?

Well, you know, man, it put us kind of in a bad place and you know we didn’t really want to sing, anymore. We went through a stage where we wasn’t sure if it was something we wanted to continue to do without our brother being with us. So, it effected us a lot, man, just mentally and emotionally. So, the fans kind of reached out to us and just let us know they wanted to keep hearing our music. We decided to start back doing shows and we started selling out shows and then people showed us so much love and told us to keep our head up and kind of just gave us the strength to come and continue to perform and record music, again.

What sealed the deal for you all to get back into music and finally decide to get back into the spotlight and work on the new music that’s currently circulating, right now?

Man, seriously, I really give all my credit to my fans, man! They kind of really inspired us…it’s like the legacy of “H-Town,” you know what I’m saying. They just didn’t want to see the legacy of “H-Town” and all the things that me and my brother… you know, that we should not let that legacy die. So, it’s the fans, man.

During the time you all have been gone, many male groups have come and gone. Why do you think it’s so hard for boy bands to have longevity in the industry?

Mainly, because the industry has just changed, man, you know what I’m saying? It’s not really about singing, anymore. The industry is more political, now. A lot of boy bands and a lot of bands from our era, they were considered real singers and, today, we don’t have a lot of real singers, out there. And now-a-days, anybody can cut a record and they don’t even have to know how to sing. That’s what the problem is, today. That’s how the industry changed.

Elaborate on that.

It changed, but it’s just harder for artist, man! Back then, though, it was more about the music. If you had a good record and programs thought the record was good, they had stuff on the radio like, would you “kiss it or diss it,” they would let the public decide more on what they wanted to hear on the radio. And if it was a good record it’s gonna be good, but today you can have a horrible record and if the political side is right, it’s more of a money thing. There’s like a political side, you know what I’m saying? So, I just think that when we were coming along it was just more about the music and the music was good that the programmers were gonna play and they were gonna get it out there ’cause they see that it was somethin’ that the world needs to hear, but now, today, they can have a song that’s not even good and they’ll force it down a throat, know what I’m saying? I just think it’s more like that, to me, now, y’know?

Yeah. It’s definitely harder, right now. So, what are some of your other favorite bands that have hit the scene, whether it was the past, or bands that are currently out, right now, doing their thing?

I like a lot of groups, from my era. A lot of groups like Silk, Jodeci, SWV, Xscape, Boyz II Men, you know, Shai, people like that. That was some of the people that I kind of favored. I’m always giving credit to people like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Prince. People like that. That’s kind of the everyone I pretty much liked and you know what I’m sayin’? It’s not that “feel good” like we did when our era or when Stevie Wonder and all those kind of people was hot, you know what I’m sayin’?

There is a single circulating, right now, “Knockin’ Your Heel’s Off,” which actually features your long time friends, Jodeci, and there is a remix which features Pretty Ricky. Who’s idea was it to get both bands together on that one record?

We decided, you know we, right now, H-Town we’re kind of like a movement, right now. And we’re more of a movement of trying to bring real R&B back. So, we thought maybe what better group to go team up with and do that would be Jodeci, ’cause those were all considered real singers. So, we kind of want to bring the ’90s feel back, on purpose, to give the industry more of a take on the real singing without all of the auto-tuning of the voice, you know what I’m saying? And then we decided to do it with Pretty Ricky ’cause Pretty Ricky was a group that looked up to us and a lot of people say that their dance moves and how they perform on stage reminds them of H-Town. So, we were like maybe that would be a great idea to hook the old with the new, you know what I’m sayin’? So, that’s why we did the remix and we kind of combined the two generations together.

Tell us a little bit about the current project that H-Town is about to promote and are currently going on tour for. What can you tell us about that project?

Well, the name of the project is called, “Child Support” and it’s basically a album that’s taking it back to the bedroom, you know what I’m sayin’? It’s going to be a lot of “taking it back to the bedroom” and we also got some new stuff that we’re experimenting with that people aren’t really used to hearing and we’re kind of taking H-Town to another level, you know what I’m sayin’? And the album is basically– our fans kind of named our album because a lot of females said they need their child support because they made a lot of their babies off of our music such as the “Knockin’ Da Boots” song. They are like, you know, we decided to call the album “Child Support” because so many people were like, “Man! Y’all owe me child support!” We could of started all over, again, we could of put this baby-making music back into the market, but there would be a lot of child support owed, all over again!

(laughs) Alright, so whose some people that you worked with, on the album, producers or any collaborations?

Well, like I said, we worked with Jodeci, Pretty Ricky- and we also have a cut with Lil’ Flip, a rapper out of Houston; and there’s many more to come. Me and my production partner, AFLAK?, we produced most of the whole record, y’know, we started the music and wrote all of the songs, ’cause that’s what H-Town has always done, we always were writers and producers, even on all of the other stuff, “Knockin’ Da Boots” and all of that, we were writers and producers. Me, myself, and my production partner, wrote and produced majority– maybe like 85 to 90% of the album, you know what I’m sayin’? Collaborations, as of now, are Jodeci, Pretty Ricky, we are going to have some with
Lil’ Flip, but we have a couple other things that we are going to pull out the bag before the album is over with that we are trying to lock down.

Okay. So, what’s the date the album should be hitting stores?

You know what, we’re looking at, maybe, the 2nd quarter of March.

Okay.

The 2nd quarter in March!

What’s going on with touring?

We’re doing spot dates, right now, but we are also working on doing a full out tour. We’re doing a lot of dates, like, you know our schedule is pretty booked up for this month and for next month so we’re doing a lot of dates and planning to do a tour, we’re putting together a tour, right now, and it’s looking like it maybe H-Town and Jodeci and, possibly, Pretty Ricky.

That would be dope! So, if there was one female group that you all could collab with, what female group would that be?

I probably would say TLC.

Okay!

I think that would be more of a good collaboration!

You did say that the R&B scene has changed– what we hear on the radio is definitely not traditional R&B, like, it’s definitely watered down and has a lot of pop influence, too, actually. So, what artists, right now, are you currently listening to to get that R&B that the H-Town fans are used to? Who are those artists that you think are still holding down R&B and keeping it alive?

Well, really, we don’t have any artists out like that, really, right now, you know what I’m sayin’? There is no Jodeci’s, well there are Jodeci’s, but there aren’t no Silk’s and the SWV’s and Xscape’s. Those are absolutely, not really out. Towards the R&B, now, it’s just hard to say– I think R.Kelly is still holding it down. He’s one of the greatest that’s still holding it down and Trey Songz is not bad, he’s pretty good and he’s doing his thing. So, between them two– and Usher is still doing his thing– so I can say it’s between Usher, Trey Songz, and R.Kelly.

Are there any other projects that H-Town is currently working on? That the fans should know about?

Right now, we’re just, currently, working on getting the album out and getting back on tour. We’re also working on the “Greatest Hits” that we’re putting together featuring unreleased cuts from the last H-Town album that we never did and stuff like that. We are also, currently, working on a few artists from our label that we are trying to get up, right now. So, it’s just stuff like that we’re working on.

Speaking of “Greatest Hits,” what’s one of your favorite H-Town songs? Well, if you have a favorite, what’s your favorite H-Town song or if you have a few what’s some of your favorite tracks?

Some of my favorites are “Emotions,” “Thin Line Between Love And Hate,” “Part-time Lover,” of course “Knockin’ Da Boots”.

If you could change it all for H-Town what would you do differently?

You know, H-Town was never really structured to be with a major company, but then again we’re really considered one of the biggest independent R&B artists in the world and I just think if we had a chance to be with a major label that really, like, you know– we never got a chance to be with a “Columbia Records,” or a “Arista,” or a lot of major companies that were out there, “Jive–” we were always with a small, independent so I feel we didn’t really get a chance to really pick the ?, but we still sold millions of records. If we would had the chance to be with a bigger and more better machine to back us I think we could of been a much bigger group, but so far, it’s all good. I’m satisfied with what we have accomplished throughout our careers.

earStyle recently caught up with choreographer and dancer Sean Bankhead. Find out his thoughts on dance reality shows, who he’s worked with, where you can take his classes, and the artists who he believes are the better dancers in the game.

How are you?

I’m good, I’m good. I’m outside, now. It stopped raining, finally.

So, we first heard about you once you choreographed Keri Hilson’s “Turnin’ Me On,” right?

Ah, yes! Part of “Turnin’ Me On” I was actually kind of working with her when I was doing, like, “Return The Favor,” but yeah. I did some of “Turnin’ Me On,” too. Yeah.

Okay, so how was that for you?

It was great! Keri Hilson is dope! She’s such like a… she just goes for it! She’s like, “what do you want me to do? Okay, let’s do it!” She’s really cool, she’s down to Earth, rehearsal was great. We had thug dancers, so it was good!

So, how did that come about? Like, who paired you two up?

Actually, a good friend of mine, Jamaica, who choreographed for like Ciara and Ne-Yo and Keri. She helped me out on a good project. I was working with her a little bit before that and she was like, “let me see what you can do with Keri.” So, she kind of put me on to that.

So, okay. Was that, like, your first big video that you choreographed or did you do some before?

No, that wasn’t my first video. I say my first big video that was like Cheri Dennis, but that was- (laughs) that was a long time ago. Cheri Dennis’ “Portrait of Love” video.

Alright.

Yeah.

That was a good song! So, what inspired you to become a dancer?

What insp- well, rest in peace Michael Jackson, of course, like, watching him when I was growing up just… he just used to be the sh- I don’t know if I can cuss? But he used to be the dopest entertainer, to me. Just ’cause he can sing, he can dance, he knows how to use the stage. Just everything about him just kind of inspired me to start, I don’t know, just dancing. I used to watch his videos and pick up his stuff, so I owe it all to him!

So, do you have any other inspirations, or just Michael, would you say is your biggest inspiration?

Michael was definitely, I mean when I say it now, he definitely was. Beyoncé ’cause she be eaten everybody up (laughs). I don’t know, just like, if I see a dope artist I always- I’m pretty much on their nuts!

(laughs) So, if there was one artist, who you could have choreographed their video, if they have a video, and you looked at it, like, “Hmm?”
(laughs in background)

What artist and video would that be?

I don’t know! (laughs) Damn, see! I don’t know, but I do want to choreograph for Lady Gaga! I think she’s dope! She’s so outside the box and I think she’s so smart. Just her whole appearance and the way she carries herself and the way she- just her music. And her songs are always dope. And she puts on a show! So, I would love to work with her!

Cool! Now, right now, there are tons of reality shows based on dancing and, for the most part, everybody’s mother and each and one of ‘em is probably the people who favor reality shows, right now. We have “Dancing with the Stars” and “America’s Best Dance Crew.” Do you think that these reality shows are perfect representation of the life of a dancer?

Well, it’s definitely not perfect representation- I don’t know. That’s a tricky one because there is a difference between, like, working dancers who are like signed to, like, agencies and there is a difference between dancers who are going on shows to get, like, you know, the fame and the fortune and all of that stuff. I love the shows! I have a lot of friends who are on “America’s Best Dance Crew” and it’s- I say it’s a fair representation. It’s not that active ’cause a lot of those shows are staged and, you know, they have to do it to get the ratings. So, whatever they say goes, sometimes. It’s not about the talent, which sucks, sometimes. So, I don’t know!

I want to know who you think the best dancer is. I’m going to give you some combinations. Some are going to be easy, I’m sure! You know, ’cause I talked to you, but some are going to be a little odd! First up, are these two groups, one is male, one is female, but I think the way they dance, males versus females could do it. TLC or Dru Hill?

Dang! TLC. I’m the biggest TLC fan, yeah. No matter what, hands down. They just had some groove about them the whole time, like, they were always sort of, like, chill and lucky, I mean ’cause they would never do, like, full out choreography, but I just like their plan. I love TLC.

Alright, this one, I might be crazy, but Janet or Ciara?

Ah? Janet. (laughs) Hands down. Next!

Alright, how about Ciara and…

No, no, no! Wait, wait. I think they both are great. I love Ciara. I love Ciara when she first came out when she was, like… I like- I like old Ciara.

Ciara or Aaliyah? They are kind of similar in style and Ciara use to be compared to her when she first came out.

Umm. I still go with Aaliyah ’cause she’s the… (whispers the word sh*t) ’cause I love chill dancing to where it just be like in the …. who are in the pocket which means they are just like, I don’t know, I understand it when they do it! Like, they just- it looks good, it’s comfortable, I would watch them do it, all day! But I think that’s how Aaliyah was! She was just so calm and chill when she would dance. So, yeah.

That’s cool. So, how about Tina Turner or Beyoncé?

(laughs) Well, I know Beyoncé is definitely inspired by Tina, but I just think Beyoncé, is like, in a whole another league, right now. I don’t know, she’s amazing.

You performed with Beyoncé, right?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I did get the chance to perform with her, which was amazing, too, so.

That’s great. So, we have two males: Usher or Chris Brown?

Usher.

Usher? Cool.

Well, again ’cause he just be so clean and smooth and I pick him. I think Usher.

Okay, I respect that. And this last group I got, like, four options for you. This is my group of people that can’t dance ????? I’m gonna let you pick the best one. I got Amerie, I got Ashanti, I got Mary J. Blige, and I have Keyshia Cole.

(laughs) You said who’s the best out of them? Well, it’s definitely not Ashanti. So. (laughs) I say- I say Amerie. I like Amerie. I think she gets down a little bit! Man, she’s just- she’s just so old school! Keyshia? I don’t know about Keyshia. And Ashanti? No!

(laughs)

So, that’s my pick!

That’s cool, that’s cool! So, what advice would you give to an, like, up and coming dancer who’s trying to get to where you are?

Advice I’d give to dancers: #1 thing; just take as many classes as you can ’cause you can never take enough classes. You should always be trying to develop yourself as a dancer and just making the best out of it. And also, know your business side about just dancing and meeting people and working with artists and it’s a lot more then just dancing, sometimes, which people don’t know. You have to be on-top of your head shots, your resumés, and you know, auditions. Making sure your going to class and just staying on-top of your game ’cause it’s not easy. At all. So, that’s my advice!

Cool, cool! Who are, like, some of your favorite choreographers out, right now?

My favorite choreographer is my brother JaQuel Knight, of course. He did “Single Ladies” and he’s, like, responsible with Beyoncé, right now. That’s, like, one of my best friends, growing up! I love JaQuel, I love… who do I love? I love everybody, man!

(laughs)

What classics do I like?  Oh, my friend Xavier, from Atlanta! I don’t know, I just really respect everybody who’s out there, doing what they are doing. I think JaQuel is going to takeover everybody, though. So, that’s my pick. Yeah.

That’s what’s up! And if there was one dance, one video, one performance that you saw or you looked at and you just was like, “What the hell was going on?” What would it be?

I, damn…

Don’t bite your tongue! (laughs)

What did you say?

I said, “don’t bite your tongue!”

Yeah, I know! You know what I wanna do? I wanna do Beyoncé over again, but I feel like we should of did that for, like, an award show!

Uh, huh.

I would love to do that, again. Just because, I don’t know!

I asked, what video was horrible, dance-wise? You know.

A video I was in?

No, just a video, period!

Oh, any video?

Yeah, any video!

You know, okay. This is so random! You know that song with Sophia Fresh, “What it is?”

Yeah.

That video was awful! (laughs)

Why?

It was so bad. I don’t know, it just needs a little work!

Yeah. (laughs)

They need a lil’ more work!

I have one last question for you. A lot of- there is a lot of dance crazes going on, right now, you got the “Ricky Bobby,” “Soulja Boy.” All that stuff. If you had a dance, what would your dance be called?

(laughs) If I had a dance what would it be called? I’m gonna stick with my “Bankhead Bounce” and I’m gonna leave it at that.

“Bankhead Bounce?”

I’m gonna bring the “Bankhead Bounce” back! That’ll be my dance!

(both laugh)

Cool. So, you got- I know you have classes and all, where can people find out more information about your classes and see clips of your…

Yeah! Well actually, I think I’m gonna be teaching at Atlanta, on Monday, at the Dance 411 studios. I think they have a website: dance411studios.com. Need to check them out! And I’m always updating my Facebook and my Twitter about what I’m teaching and stuff.

Okay, and your Twitter and your Facebook is just Sean…

Yeah, you can find me, Sean Bankhead. S-E-A-N Bankhead. And my Twitter is @SeanLBankhead.

Eyewear designers CoCo & Breezy chats with earStyle.NET’s Zay. Find out who’s rocking their glasses, who they want to rock them, and what the two young ladies have planned for the future.

Good afternoon! How are y’all?

We’re good! We’re just chillin’!

That’s cool, that’s cool! Well, it’s a nice day, down here. How does it feel in New York?

It feels great! We’re on our grind. We just got back from our interview. Now we’re- we had out interview with “Grind?” Where did we go to? Global Grind.

Okay. How did that go?

It was great!

Alright.

It went really good!

That’s cool. So, let’s get right into it. So, the name of the eyewear line is “Gemela Amor,” is that how you say it?

Gemela- “Gemela Amor” is actually the name of the collection and our brand is “Coco & Breezy.”

Okay. And that stands for “twin love?”

Yes, it does!

Alright. So, take us back to where and how it all started. How did you all come up with the name- come up with the idea?

It actually started from… (Breezy gives Coco the phone) Hello, this is Coco, now! What was your question? Breezy is too shy, so she wants me to talk.

(laughs) It’s cool, so I just wanted to know, I wanted you all to take me back to how you all started and where you started and came up with the idea for the collection.

Okay. So, we started- we’re from Minnesota and we just moved to New york about 4 months ago.

Alright.

So, we started in Minnesota and we were always known for wearing sunglasses. Like, we always wore shades to cover our eyes! Like, we always had a unique style and like, people would stare at us. So, by us, like, wearing shades over our eyes, to like, cover up us to keep feeling self-conscious of people always staring at us, so then all of a sudden, online, we’ve always been into fashion, so then Breezy was like, “why don’t we start designing shades?” So, when people stare at us, it gives us a statement to stare at.

(laughs) Okay!

So, we started the shades for something we wore, we didn’t try to sell them ??? or anything. We just, like- we were wearing them, everyday. And then people all of a sudden want to start buying them, so that’s how we came up with the question.

That’s cool, that’s cool! So, when did y’all officially get the line off the ground?

I would say officially, right when we moved to New York, in September, it like, it popped up, super quick. Like, the second day we moved down here Ashanti wore them on the VH1 “Hip-Hop Honor Awards” and that got us a lot of press. So, right when we moved out here they just, like, went up!

That’s cool! So, who else wore the eyewear?

Kelly Osbourne has worn our eyewear. It was crazy when Kelly Osbourne wore them. We didn’t even give her our shades. She must have gotten ‘em from someone else. A good friend of ours, named Michael Jesse. He like interviews people from the Red Carpet and he says she loved them, so much, that he just gave them to her! And then it was crazy because she wore them on “Dancing with the Stars” and, like, I didn’t even know she wore them. I found out someone tweeted me and was like, “Kelly Osbourne is wearing Coco & Breezy shades on ‘Dancing with the Stars!’” And I didn’t ever know anything about it. I didn’t even know she had them! So, I got nervous and was like, “oh my gosh, someone probably did a knock off of our shades!”

(laughs)

So, I had my friend research it and find the video and it ended up being our shades!

How cool is that?

Yeah! It was so cool!

So, is there anyone that you would like to see in the shades?

I need to see- I need more men wearing my shades. Like, females, yeah, but like, all of our glasses are all unisex, so I’d like to see more male celebrities wearing our shades! I don’t know anybody, exactly. I don’t have anyone exactly in mind, but yeah.  More males!

I’ma buy a pair and I’m gonna make sure that I rock ‘em!

Niiiiceee!

(laughs)

Niiiiceee! They’ll be hot on you!

Yeah, I know!

They’d look super hot!

They’ll be pretty dope! I’ll make sure I send y’all the picture and everything!

Yes, we could post it on our blog or something!

Yeah!

You rockin’ our shades!

(laughs) It’s gonna be dope! It’s gonna be dope! So, how did you all come up with the name? Like, the name is very important and I think y’all have a great company name and a great line name.

Yeah! Well, the way we came up with our line name, “Gemela Amor,” that means, ‘twins in love,’ so I said, we always had a saying ‘twin love,” but then our mother- our mother is Puerto Rican, so we put it in Spanish. So, “Gemela Amor” is ‘twin love’ in spanish. And “Coco & Breezy” has been our nicknames our whole life. So, we just decided to go for that! ’cause as Coco & Breezy, we’re more then just designers, we’re actually, like- you know how a lot of designers are behind-the-scenes? We’re actually in-the-scene, so we’re us, as people we’re a brand, at that, so why not just call our line our brand.

That’s cool!

Thank you!

So, like, with artists like Lady GaGa and Beyoncé, with her “Diva” video, a lot of people have been doing a whole ’spiky, futuristic’ thing and your eyewear fits perfectly with that, so do you think that with the help of Lady GaGa and Beyoncé do you think your sales have been affected, at all? Like, increased because of their whole style?

I would say, kind of, but not really ’cause they haven’t worn our glasses, but, like, I think what really helps our sales is that people see, like, us, as like- I mean, they see celebrities wearing them they are like, “okay,  yeah,” but when you see regular people actually wear them as like an everyday outfit, that’s us- we wear them, everyday. We never take them off! So, we’re like a fashion statement to others, like, you can wear these out in public like on a everyday basis!

Cool! So, how do you guys keep the look so fresh and unique?

I just, like- I’m always into my style. I change it up a little bit, black is like our favorite color and what’s crazy is that when I get dressed I always base what I’m gonna wear- like, I pick out my glasses before I pick out my outfit.

(laughs)

And my friends always like, “shouldn’t you pick your outfit out first, then glasses? I’m like, “no!” I always try to wear different glasses, everyday! (laughs)

That’s dope, that’s dope!

Thank you! (says something to Breezy)

(laughs)

Oh, sorry! We’re at McDonald’s, right now, getting some cookies! (laughs)

Cool, cool! So, you two actually have a new line in development, “20/20,” correct?

Yep! The “20/20″ collection!

Okay. So, tell me a little bit more about that.

20/20 means, well, it stands for 20/20 vision, you know, that’s like the eyewear part of it. And then 20/20 says we’re turning 20 this year.

Okay. Me, too!

We sound so old, oh my gosh!

(laughs)

And then, we also, Coco & Breezy they live in their own world, in the year 2020, especially in this new collection we live in our own world. So, that’s one thing that goes with it. We’re doing eyewear, but we’re also expanding and doing other accessories.

Alright!

And with this collection it’s taken to the next level!

And when will y’all unveil this collection to the public?

Well, we’re showing our line during Fashion Week, February 16th, so we’re probably going to launch the new site and everything for the new store and in February, but it hasn’t been confirmed, yet, but I’m excited for everyone to see!

Cool, that’s cool! So, earStyle is a music site, so now, we’re going to talk a little bit about music and-

Okay. I’m so bad, I’m so bad at this! Please don’t ask me questions I’m not going to know!

(all laugh)

So, has music affected your company and your line?

In our opinion, it has affected a lot because, like, most of the people that wear our glasses are from the music industry, so they’re wearing them out to events and videos or whatever, so like, it has affected a lot, actually. ’cause most of, like, the music scene and art people that are wearing the glasses.

They’re really dope! I love ‘em! So, I’m gonna play a little word association game with you, so I’m gonna give you a word and then I want you to think of a song that comes to your mind, when I give you this word!

Okay!

You ready?

Mhmm.

Alright. “Motivation.”

I’m not good at this! Motivation? Oh! Breezy, what’s that Drake song? “Closer to my Dreams” by Drake!

Okay! Alright!

That song motivates me!

“Love?”

“Love” by Keyshia Cole! (laughs) That song reminds me of it, but I’m not too crazy about that song, but that’s the first thing that comes into my mind, though!

Okay! (laughs!) “Coco & Breezy?”

I don’t know exactly what kind of song, but the kind of music genre would be techno/rock, we love! “Coco & Breezy” remind me of, like, techno and rock music! I love that! (Breezy: Benny Benassi!) Oh, Benny Benassi!

Okay, yeah! He’s dope! Yeah, that’s crazy! Okay, “eyewear?”

“Eyewear?” (starts to sing) “I wear my sunglasses at night!” Whoever’s song that is!

(laughs) And that last one, “2010!”

Breezy, what song comes to your mind when you think of 2010? One sec! I have to ask the twin sister’s opinion!

(laughs)

That question, I cannot answer!

I’m gonna give you a song, I’ll give you a song! I’m gonna give you “Successful” by Drake! I think you got a very successful year ahead of you, too!

Aww! Yeah! So do you!

(laughs) So, yeah! I’ll give you that song! So, what advice would you give up and coming designers who may be reading this interview?

My advice to upcoming designers is that. Yes- some people want to become designers because they are jumping on the bandwagon, just because everyone else, in our age, year, right now, are like trying to be entrepreneurs and designers is like, great and everything, but, like, they have to know they have to be, like- it’s not just for the fun and the looks. You have to be in the business aspect, too, and really be serious about what you want to do. I think that they should have a plan of what they want to do and really think- don’t think of what’s going on now, think of what they are going to do ten years from now for what they are going to plan to do with whatever line they want to do. Also, build an image. Now, it’s all about image in the fashion industry and really, just like, set goals. Setting goals is the main key. If you don’t have goals, then you can’t go far, but if you have those main goals and you accomplish each one, you can see yourself moving up and up, higher  and higher with what you want to do. Also, keep God first!

Always, always! So, what other then your own line, what else can we find in Coco & Breezy’s closet, right now?

A whole bunch of vintage jackets! We love vintage clothes! Lot’s of black. (Breezy: “What about our line?”) He said, besides our line.

(laughs)

Lot’s of black. Lot’s of vintage jackets! I just got some, like, vintage ??? shoes, that I love! I got this Gucci bag that’s like from 20 years from now or 20 years ago. And I just love everything vintage! It’s crazy! I love vintage designer clothes! That’s just what we like! Oh, and animal print and furs!

Alright.

And leather.

Perfect, perfect! Thank you! We have one more question! Are you ladies single?

Are we single?

Yeah.

I’m so sad! Breezy’s not and I am!

(laughs) Alright, I’ll make sure I add that. You know, I might have to hit you up a little later.

Oh, okay! (laughs) Alright, save my number!

Alright, but thank you so much! It was great talking to you two!

You, too! Keep in contact!

Will do!

EarStyle.NET caught up with C.E.O. of Blue Star, Diamond Blue also known as Baby Blue from Pretty Ricky. We talked the new single, Spectacular’s video that caused a stir, Pleasure P, and Pretty Ricky’s upcoming album. Check it out!

First of all, I wanna get into the new single, “Tipsy”. What do you want to say about this single?

First off, the single is named “Tipsy in the Club”, and it’s produced by my production company, Music Royale Productions, written by my production company, Music Royale Productions. In other words, Pretty Ricky is about the sex, sex is all about Pretty Ricky. The women love Pretty Ricky and Pretty Ricky loves the women. That is why we get tipsy in the club. We redefined the word tipsy. So if we get tipsy in the club, we get p***y in the club. That means she gets d**k in the club.

What are your thoughts on the Spectacular video and all the buzz it generated for the single?

I love the entire amount of publicity generated from the video. I feel like our record label president respects us. And I have to thank Spectacular for making that video. It saved us millions of dollars in marketing fees and publicity marketing/promotions. I wish all of my artists would do that.

You are the President of Bluestar , right?

Correct.

So how does it feel to be young and in charge?

You know what? I just like the fact that I can give the opportunity to other young black entertainers to be billionaires because I’m all about helping one another. You know what I’m saying? By, the way, I’m sill half asleep, but I still answered your phone call because I’m a man of my word and I said was gonna do an interview with you.

It’s cool, It’s cool. So who are some of the other artists on Bluestar?

We have Year-Round, Hound, Meat and Bones, and Pretty Ricky.

Pleasure P is doing his own thing now. When he left, how did it affect Pretty Ricky and the future of Pretty Ricky?

Well initially, when he was no longer in the group, he was still signed Bluestar. So I still feel good because Pretty Ricky was still a well-known group, and both Pretty Ricky and Pleasure generate a revenue stream. Just 2 or 3 days before his album was released, I let him out of his contract. So, there you go.

Do you guys still maintain a good relationship?

You know what, it is what it is, It’s a business relationship. He’s no longer under Bluestar. So, there’s no other relations. So watch for the new Pretty Ricky album, “Pretty Ricky”, produced by Music Royale Productions. And also watch for our single, “Tipsy in the Club”. You know, his album sold 38,000 copies.

I heard.

Pretty Ricky’s last album was the number one album for 5 consecutive weeks,. You know, three top ten singles. So I think I made the right call by keeping Pretty Ricky and letting him go.

What happened to Pretty Ricky’s “Eighties Babies” album? I heard it was crazy.

The album was leaked to the internet. So you know, it changed the idea of putting an album out. That’s the music industry. So they’re back in the studio.

So when is the new album due?

Towards the end of the summer. It takes a fair amount of airplay to have the album do well.

What else are you doing other than music?

We have the clothing line, Pretty Clothing, which is still in the creative stages. We just want to make sure it’s right before we put it out. We have a Pretty Ricky radio show at 10 PM Eastern Time on Chill. FM, as well as other endeavors.

It’s the summertime. Where do you like to go during the summertime?

Currently, we are on the road promoting the new single. So I don’t think I’ll have time to do any vacationing. One thing about being an international act is that we travel all around the world. Not only the United States. We try to have fun everywhere we go. We try to fuck as many women as we can in every city. That is why I feel like I have to fuck every girl in the world.

So, are you feeling that record right now?

I mean, it’s our life. It’s not fabricated. On the album, you get true stories, and the truth from every member of the group. We were able to sustain ourselves through the ups and downs. We are real. Pretty Ricky has substance.

What would you say is the highlight in Pretty Ricky’s career so far?

I think once more is accomplished, we will have a highlight. Right now, we’re just setting up a foundation to be great. Everything I’ve mentioned before, yeah. But this is just the beginning.

Do you have a message for your fans?

I just wanna say we appreciate your love and support. First and foremost, this is Diamond Blue. I just wanna say thank you. You can hit us up on Twitter at twitter.com/Realprettyricky. Spectacular’s page is twitter.com/IamSpectacular, my page is Diamond Blue. Myspace.com/Prettyricky. Hit us up on the hotline. 786-258-6074. Spectacular has his own jewelry line, Spectacularice.com. Get the album, put that motherfucker in and press play and get the shit fucked out of you by your man or woman. Regardless, we are the only people making that real sexual sensual sexy music of our era. There’s gonna be more Pretty Ricky to come. Make sure you have protection when you’re having sex. Don’t go making these babies.

Thanks for the interview.

Alright, keep me on the front page with that hot shit. I appreciate it my nigga. Peace!

Alright, Bye.

Everyone who knows me knows that I have a special place in my heart for Amerie. She is the dopest female ARTIST/Musician in the game, but she is so underrated. She is not a tabloid chick and she is strictly about the music. Amerie is now signed to Island Def Jam through her own company Feenix Rising Entertainment. Amerie was pretty busy doing different press so we were blessed with a quick moment with the beautiful singer. Check out our interview with Amerie as she talks life “In Love & War”.

Oh Yeah! Amerie Loves Me Too! Lol.

How are you?

I’m good! How are you?

I’m good. Thanks for calling in Amerie! I want to give a big thanks for singing Happy Birthday the other day. It meant a lot.

No problem. My pleasure. (Laughs)

I want to get right into talking about this new album, “In Love & War”. Since this is the fourth album, how would you describe this album in four words?

Hip-Hop. Rock. Soul. Fusion. (Laughs)

Dope. What can we expect from this new album?

A lot of people think it’s very much an extension from my first album “All I Have” sonically. It’s definitely an evolution from that, but it’s very much a direct extension of that album as well and that’s the best way to describe it if people are familiar with my work. I definitely love Hip-Hop, I love Soul Music, but I definitely love it with a lot of energy and aggression. I love that approach to it so I always like to fuse those two together. There’s definitely a lot of hip-hop soul. The Rock part comes in, not Alternative Rock, but it’s late 60s/70s era Rock when Rock was really Bluesy and Soulful. It was Rock, but not far from Soul so it kind of really mesh well together. For instance, in “1 Thing” it’s very much a Go-Go inspired record and at the same time the sample was taken from The Meters and it’s very 70s era Rock. It’s a great fusion.

Your first single “Why R U”, which is produced by the Buchanans is a hot record. You seem to always take a lot of creative risks when choosing singles for your projects. It isn’t your typical radio hit these days. What made you decide on this being the first look into your project?

Well for me I was not sure if it was going to be the first single or not, because the label had a lot to do with choosing the single, LA did. For me, “Why R U” was the first thing I wanted people to hear. Even if it wasn’t going to be the first single I wanted us to still put it out whether it was going to be a leak or something like that. I definitely wanted people to hear “Why R U” first even if it wasn’t the first single, but then LA felt like that should be the first single so it was like accomplishing both things. I felt like I wanted people to hear this record first, because I felt like it really really is a great example of where I am right now and who I am in essence. It’s not really like you said what’s on the radio at the time. When an artist comes out with a project it’s really great to see where they are. I know for me whenever I go in to buy a record from one of my favorite artists or someone who I am interested in it’s not really seeing where they fit in with the radio, but I just really wanted to get in to that person, that artist. I just felt like it was the perfect way to come out. Especially because in the States I haven’t been out for three and a half years I think and overseas its been about two years, because I did release an album overseas in 2007.

Do you feel the single has taken off the way you expected it to or did you expect it to be charting higher than it is now?

No, right now it’s really doing its thing. I didn’t do like a premiere, but I never do that. I never do like “Amerie first new single going to be premiering on such and such radio at this time”, because for my own career its always been about the DJs first. That’s how its always been. Even for my very first record “Why Don’t We Fall In Love”. So for me I like things to build from that level. I like things to build with the DJs, sending things out to the DJs and letting them live with the record. Then letting it grow from there. That’s the way I always preferred it, because the DJs are the ones who really took a step out and played my records when no one knew who I was. I really respect the DJs. I always give them that respect and send the record to them first. That’s the way I like to do it. So now I think just recently the label started doing the other part which is just really dealing with the program directors and stuff like that. The DJs had the record for a few weeks now and the record is receiving great feedback so I feel really good about that.

We’ve been hearing about a remix and remix video for the track. What can you tell us about that?

Right now I am keeping it a little secret right now.  (Laughs) It’s going to be a nice surprise when it comes out that is the only reason why. Right when we did, you know finished recording the record and listened to it for a while…you know as an aritst we have songs for like a long time. You know? Just with creating the album we have songs for a long time. We were like “Oh it would be so great to just have this idea.” There was this record that we were going to do…it just turned into “You know what I think it would be great to like kind of incorporate some of the ideas that Len and I had for this other record and incorporate that into this remix idea we had”. It was really just for fun, but I just really can’t wait for people to hear it.

When you work on your projects you seem to have a vision before you even start recording. How did you decide on the producers that you were working with?

Really it’s just meeting with a lot of people and kind of being familiar with their work. A lot of it has to do with the vibe, the energy that takes place during the meeting. I am not really a producer chaser. I don’t like to just chase after this producer, because they did this record with someone else and its on the chart or whatever. I just don’t really operate like that. I really like to be where I want to go and what I am trying to express and then fill the team around that element. I met with Teddy Riley, he vibed really well and Teddy really got me. Sometimes you have to give a lot of direction and say this is what we are trying to do and this is the vibe and then you kind of have to go back and forth for a while until the person knows where you are. It’s not something that you can really do it’s something that they have to understand and it’s a trial and error type of thing. He kind of got it right away so it was really really amazing and easy. Warryn Campbell was the same way. He was incredible as well.

You and the Buchanans have great chemistry! You also worked with them on another track called “More Than Love” what is that one all about?

Thank you. Well that record is featuring Fabolous. Fabolous is one of my favorite rappers. I always love working with him, because to me Fab sounds great on just about anything and whenever you have a record and you have a feature you just want it to go to the next level. He always takes it to even a better place. That’s how I think personally. I was really excited about doing that record together. The record is about you know being in a relationship and there’s love there, but no trust. Everyone knows you need more than love to have a great relationship so that is kind of where the title comes from.

Another track that caught the eye was “Swagback”. There’s a lot of songs about “swag” on teh radio right now. What made you do that one?

(Laughs) It’s so funny. I don’t know how people know about that record. (Laughs)

It was mentioned in your Def Jam bio.

Oh that’s right! We did talk about that record. Ok, it’s funny, because we did that record a while ago and now everything is swag this and swag that. I was like “Oh boy, can we change the title of this?”, but then I was like you know what that’s the only thing to when you do things you do things so far in advance so it’s like you already did it. (Laughs) Whether that’s like photo shoots or all that stuff. For instance my photo shoot…I am really in to fashion. I had my photo shoot like last month, like four weeks ago and I know that by the time the album comes out I am going to be like “Ok I would have chosen to wear this and this”. Things happen and that’s the nature of how the business flows. With “Swagback” there are alot of “swag” songs, but I really love the song so much I didnt’t really want to change it. It’s pretty much about being in a relationship and you were so stuck in a runt and so unable to move on after the demise of a relationship. You have just been moping around and you finally come to that time where you know what? I am ready to move on now. Everyone comes to that point. You can’t force it on anyone, you can’t talk someone out of that runt. They have to just make it up in their own mind and they have to feel in their own heart that they are ready to move on from that past. That’s what that song is about. It’s about picking yourself back up again.

Earstyle recently spoke to Los Da Mystro and he spoke very highly of you. Will we hear his tracks?

He’s so awesome! I’m not sure. It’s not all put together yet. Right now we are still finalizing the tracklisting. I’m not totally sure. There’s a couple of them, I wanted more songs on the album, but they are being really really strict with the cut off. Initially I wanted to make the album short and sweet, but then there were so many great songs that I wanted to do more and then I asked. I was like come on lets do it. They are like they really want to keep it short. Now we are in the process of cutting records or just deciding which record is going to be a bonus track and where so I am not sure yet.

If a person is “In Love” what song from your entire catalogue would you recommend?

If a person is in love? You mean real love or fantasy love?

That real love.

Well you know what I think? “Different People” would be good. I would recommend the whole album, because thats what the album is about. It’s a realistic look at love. Yeah, I would say the whole album, because there are so many factors to a relationship, but if you want to talk about being real and being realistic it would cover all.

Well thanks so much for talking with us.

Thank you. I appreciate the support.

No problem. When should we expect the album in stores?

The album is coming out this Fall. I want to say September, but I am not sure if it is September or early October. So I just have to say Fall right now. (Laughs).

We are definitely looking forward to that. Once again I just want to say thank you.

No thank you so much! You show me so much support. I just want to say thank you. Personally, you show me so much support and I really do appreciate it. Happy birthday again!  Take care!

Thank you. Take care.

Bye.

EarStyle.NET recently had the opportunity to catch up with Producer Los Da Mystro. We are fans of his work and it was great learning how he got his start and learning about some great projects he have in the works. He even has some advice for up & coming Producers. Check out the interview and be inspired!

Congratulations on all of your success over the last few hears! How does it feel to be one of the hottest producers in the game?

It feels real good. I still keep quite a low profile. It definitely feels good. It’s been a long haul for where I am at. It wasn’t an overnight success. It’s been a long grind man. I’m happy to be here and hopefully to continue to bring great music, hits, and acts.

What exactly was that long haul? How did you get to where you are today?

What most people really don’t know about me is that I actually started off as a musician. I started playing piano at the age of 3. I come from a historical Jazz family out in Detroit. My uncles were Jazz musicians that played with some of the greatest Jazz musicians. My uncle was one of the greatest solo pianists in the world. So I grew up around all types of music. Jazz and classical pianos from the time I was 3. I got my first keyboard when I was 12 years old. I started playing in clubs at the age of 12. I was in the band and playing all of the latest hits in cover bands. They had to sneak me in to the clubs and cabarets. (Laughs) So I’ve been doing this for a long time.

When did you start laying down tracks for others?

The first time I started laying down tracks was when…I started laying down tracks for money when I was in I was in sixth grade (laughs). Not for artists, but just for people who wanted to sing other people’s song or sing their own karaoke. If they couldn’t find the track I would reproduce the song for them. So I started making money doing that. So that was kind of my intro in production, but I was learning other people song and reproducing it. I learned the elements of how to make a basic track and how to do those things. From there I went on the road as a jazz musician for a while and traveled all over the world. On breaks I started doing a show called “New York Undercover” with my Godfather James. I was young at the time, but I started learning the ropes. If you ever seen the show at the end of the show they had a production/artist come and do an old school song. From there I had a chance to lay the tracks down. The piano parts along with the drums. From there I got to work with Mary J. Blige, Aaliyah, Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle. Pretty much everybody that was on that show. I had a hands on with. That was the basis for my production and learning from that old school type of era. From there I just took it and ran with it.

You definitely have a trademark sound that many recognize you for. How did you come up with that sound?

My trademark sound…well what people call my trademark sound. I do a lot of different things that people don’t even know its me, because it does not sound like my “trademark sound”. The trademark sound is kind of what they call the Prince drums, which is basically an effect that I put over the drums. I was a big Prince fan so I just tried different things. I never sampled his song per say, but I just tried that effect that he used back in the day on the drums. I just started experimenting with those things and just tried to create a sound. With that I came up with the Los sound. (Laughs).

I was surprised when I found out you did Electrik Red’s “Friend Lover”. It’s pretty different compared to some of your other work.

Yeah, I try to just push the envelope and do some different days. Sometimes I just do my tribute to music I grew up loving. Prince, Michael Jackson, even “Walking On The Moon” just had the Michael drums and feel to it. We did that and I had no idea that Michael Jackson was going to pass. That was just my tribute to the good music, but still make it modern. Dream “Fast Car” was kind of my tribute to Prince’s sound. “Friend Lover” was a mixture of Michael, Prince, and Ready For The World, and The Toms. I kind of just do a track that I grew up listening to and my mom listening to, music that I consider great music. People love it! (Laughs).

Speaking of Michael, when do you hear the news about his passing?

I was on my way to the gym in Jersey driving down the street. I was listening to the radio station Hot97. They just stopped playing, I think they were playing Soulja Boy or something. They just said “5 seconds of silence” and then all of the sudden they started playing “Beat It”. I was just like estranged. I just pulled over and Googled Michael Jackson. It said Michael Jackson died 2 minutes ago. I said wow and then I got the calls that he passed. I pulled over on the highway and just sat there in disbelief. I was just dumbfounded. It was just so surreal.

We have to also celebrate his legacy, what are some of your favorite Michael Jackson moments?

My favorite moment was…I actually got to see the Thriller tour. My mom took me to see that. I was all the way up in the bleachers, but I did get to see that. I also saw the Victory tour so I got to see him in concert twice. My other favorite moment was the Grammys 1984 when he introduced the moonwalk. I just remember after that going to second grade going to school and everyone was talking about it. From there it was just Michael Jackson fever. This year we actually reached out to him about getting on “walking On The Moon” with Dream. We were hoping that would happen this year, but he didn’t do it. There were also talks of me working on the next album as well. Those are my favorite Michael Jackson moments right there.

If you could add your own flavor and cover a Jackson track which would it be?

Oh wow! Everytime I sit down at a Piano I always play “Can’t Help It”.

You have worked with everyone from The Dream to Usher. What are some of the upcoming projects that you have worked on?

Mariah, R. Kelly, Jordin Sparks, Jazmine Sullivan, and I am about to go back in with Usher.

Someone on Twitter wanted to know if you worked with Monica on her upcoming album.

Yes I did. We have an incredible single on her. She’s finishing the album. It’s an incredible song. It’s actually one of my favorite songs I did in a while. Actually, it was written for Mary, but Monica ended up cutting it.

Speaking of Mary, another person wanted to know fi you were going with her for her album.

Yes, Yes. We are supposed to link up sometime soon. We just worked together in LA. I think we are going back in at the end of this month.

You also worked with Def Jam’s Amerie. How did that turn out?

Amerie went really well. I did that with Sean Garrett. I think we came up with some great songs for her. I am anxious to see what her project is going to do. Great vocals, great person, and she has great energy. The energy is crazy! What’s funny is I think her and Mary have the same birthday and it’s the day after mine.

Well y’all need to have a big bash and just let me know when it’s going down. Send me an invite! (Laughs)

Yeah I know, right! Absolutely! (Laughs).

Amerie have been compared to Mary since day one. I have to agree, they both have great energy and are extremely talented.

Both of their energies are incredible. Incredible people.

What else are you working on?

Sometime in the near future I am going to do an album kind of like what Quincy Jones did back in the day with a Presents album. Something where I will be featured, because I do sing, but I will do production. It will feature different artists I work with and some of my artists. A feature album.

I have an artist doing something on my own record label. Her name is Taymalo Ren. You can check her out at TaymaloRen.com and twitter.com/TaymaloRen. We have a first single that is going to radio really soon. It’s called “Slow Grindin”. That’s one thing I am very excited about. She’s from Detroit, a great voice. She’s a dancer and an entertainer. She’s on point, so we are bringing her out.

What’s the name of the label?

The label is called Da Mystro Music. Most of my stuff is Mystro. I’m also really excited to go in with Jamie Foxx. He’s about to come right back out in December. We were supposed to go in to work last week, but he got really busy with the Awards and Michael Jackson passing. We have some great songs that we are about to cut.

December Release? He’s about to do some more numbers!

(Laughs) He’s going in! His album is going to be a great album.

What artist would you like to work with?

Beyonce.

That’s like everyone’s favorite answer to that question. She is definitely great at what she does and has been doing it since she stepped into the game.

She’s incredible. (Laughs)

What’s your favorite track that you have produced?

My favorite track? Wow that’s a hard one man. Honestly, I would say “Bed”. That’s a favorite. I think “Trading Places” was one of my favorite tracks as well. “Fast Car” was one of my favorites and “Friend Lover”.

What’s your advice to up & coming producers?

My advice to up & coming producers is if you want to have a long career and have longevity in this business, learn all types of music. Don’t be just a producer that only produces Hip Hop beats or R&B. Learn types of styles of music. Go back and dig into Classic R&B, dig in to Rock, dig in to the 80’s Pop Rock, dig in to 90’s R&B. Just go in and dig. Knowing music, you have to know your history. Just like Michael Jackson knew James Brown. You have to know that history. He had the style of dance like James Brown and the style of Frank Sinatra. To be great you have to know the history and put it all together.

It took a little bit to get all of the wonderful ladies of Electrik Red together on the phone, so while waiting I had an opportunity to chat with Binkie about everything from her love for Grapefruit juice, her days on tour with fellow Def Jam artist Amerie, to a prom I was going on the evening of the interview. Check out this funny clip of Binkie singing an improvised song called, “Waiting On Your Friends”. Thanks to Electrik Red’s team for making this happen and thanks to the ladies for chatting with EarStyle.NET!

Binkie’s Exclusive Song For EarStyle.NET:

The Ladies Of Electrik Red Showing EarStyle some love:

Let’s do Roll! Binkie?

Binkie: Roll Call!

Naomi?

Naomi: Right here my friend.

Sarah?

Sarah: Present.

Lesley?

Lesley: I’m Here.

Who came up with the name Electrik Red?

Binkie: I came up with the name in my bag of Tricks. I don’t know I just threw it out there to see if it would stick. Leslie liked it so it stuck. We had an idea what we wanted the music to sound like so we wanted a name to match that huge glandor of our music. We wanted to bring something new to the industry. We want something that’s not going to be easily overlooked and alas Electrik Red was born.

So were you all touring together prior to forming?

Sarah: We did all tour together, but even before that we were all childhood friends in separate countries. Naomi and I being from Toronto, we knew each other since we were 10. We went to school together, a performing Arts school. Leslie and Binkie also went to a performing arts school together in New York, LaGuardia. We all pursued professional dance careers after high school so that’s how we met and fell in love with each other. We became good good friends and decided, “Hey, we probably can do what these bitches are doing singing in front of us”, because we can hold a note or two and we actually had some great ideas. We did it and that wasn’t until five years ago, we were on the grind, building our music, plotting and scheming, still paying our bills dancing behind people. We were doing movie and commercials. Shout out to Nair! We got signed a year ago. Shout out to Tampex! (laughs)

Naomi: Fuck You. (laughs)

Sarah: Now here we are with you. Who would of known? That’s hard work and dedication.

The tracks are crazy! How did you all get up with Dream?

Naomi: We were signed to Def Jam by Shakir Stewart. The late great Shakir Stewart. He really believed in the project and believed we should meet Tricky and the Dream, because they were magicians. So we did. We gave them a little razzle dazzle, they really got to see who we were and got to know us a little about us, so they wrote us a fabulous album. Tricky produced it, Dream wrote it, also Sean Hall and Los produced a couple of tracks.They all worked together, the Red Zone team, to get his great album together. We all went out to Vegas in June of last year and we spent a couple of weeks getting it done and that’s how we met The Dream. Now he’s our family, so there.

Who came up with the album title, “How To Be A Lady, Vol. 1″?

Lesley: We all kind of collectively did, because we had an idea. One, the tone of the album is so in your face, bold honest. We are definitely taking chances that other girl groups haven’t done. With the good balance of all of that, we don’t want people to think that is all we do all day, but we are trying to represent the modern woman and just break boundaries and rules. We are not your typical group of girls, so how could we represent that? We just want to teach other females out there how to be a lady, but be the Electrik Red version of how to be a lady.

Binkie: Ow!

Sarah: We also feel like there’s a void out there for people to look up to, little girls. Everything is a very stereotypical way of how you are supposed to be as far as other girl groups were portraying. What about the crazy little bad ass kids that have A.D.D. and dance all over the malls? They can’t sit still and all you know. Who’s representing those people? We felt like “How To Be A Lady”, which was supposed to be “How To Be A Fucking Lady” or some shit like that. (laughs) It was something with a cuss word right?

Electrik Red: Yeah! (laughs)

Sarah: We were like, “What? We can’t say Fuck? Aww”. It kind of stems into just a play on that. There’s other ways to be ladylike and womanly. You can still say your point and be a “B.I.T.C.H.” and get your point across and be smart and intelligent. Know which fork to use at a nice dinner table and cross your legs and all of those things, but also kick someone in the face and say “Your talking crazy”.

Speaking of the F-word. Who Came up with the concept behind the “We F U” track?

Lesley: Dream wrote the album and Tricky produced it. The second we heard the song we were like, “That is it!”. That is it, We are the girls to pull that song off. We were like “When are we recording it?” Immediately, yeah!

Naomi: Let’s go!

That’s one of our favorite Electrik Red tracks. What’s some of Electrik Red’s favorite tracks on the album?

Lesley: I would say my favorite is “Kill Bill”, because it’s angry, honest, and in your face. It’s an uptempo it has a lot of energy to it and I Like that.

Binkie: Nice.

Sarah: I would say…it depends on if I am feeling a little freaky nasty, I would go with “Go Shawty”. It has a little nice old school H-Town feel, I am a big R&B head. I would go with “Devotion”, it’s a beautiful love song. The harmonies are really pretty and the music is too. That shit is bomb, you know what I mean? so those are my two!

Did you all have any struggles moving from the stage to the studio?

Lesley: Not at all. It was a new arena for us, but it wasn’t a hard progression at all. I feel that we are all extremely talented and we were able to adapt to any given situation. Music is our life and we love it. We were all very much in tune with how we wanted our album to sound with all the different personalities and energy we were putting in to it. We were very happy to be there!

You all just came off the tour with Wayne right?

Electrik Red: Yup!

Are there any other tours in the works?

Lesley: Hopefully, we want to take the whole world by storm! Whatever tour is going on we want to be on it. Our management is on it so they are sorting all that stuff out right now so you all can see us all over the place.

Naomi: That’s right dammit!

I saw the YouTube videos, all of the Vegas ones and everything. The videos are crazy entertaining! Any plans for reality television in the future?

Electrik Red: (Laughs) We definitely entertain that. It just have to be the right thing. If you haven’t noticed we aren’t your typical group of bitches. So whatever we do it won’t be typical. Until we wrap our brains around what that next thing will be, yes you will absolutely see us on one of our own shows.

What are you all currently listening to?

Lesley: Drake. I can’t stop playing him.

Sarah: I listen to Katy Perry, but I am not a Lesbian.

Naomi: Neither is she.

Sarah: Awesome so we can just do each other in our minds!

BinkieL Nice. I have this ill early 90s CD that has everyone from Aaliyah to Missy. It’s all over the place. It’s so perfect.

Naomi: DJ Green!

Binkie: It’s awesome, so that’s what I listen to.

Sarah: I have to co-sign off of Binkie. I am a witness to her only listening to that. I pulled up next to her at a red light and she was just singing her heart out not knowing anyone was watching her. She was singing at the top of her lungs with the music blasting. She saw me and got embarassed.

Binkie: I Love it. Thank you, Thank you for that. Thanks for telling everyone that.

I have a little confession. I saw you all and just fell in love with all four of y’all. I definitely have crushes. (laughs)

Electrik Red: Awww!

So are you all dating anyone and if not do I have a shot?

Binkie: Everyone has a shot honey.

Electrik Red: (laughs)

Lesley: I would say…how do we say this ladies?

Electrik Red: We are married to this mother *beep* game! The money!

Lesley: Everything else will fall in place.

Binkie: But we also love flowers and nice meals so call us when you graduate!

Sarah: …And it’s really easy to remember that we all wear a size 7.

Naomi: Gucci! (Start’s singing “Freaky Girl” by Gucci Mane)

Binkie: We will be your date for your Senior Ball at Hampton. He goes to Hampton, where my sister graduated from. All four of us.

All four of y’all? I am holding y’all to this!

Electrik Red: Absolutely!

Binkie: It’s so crazy, because I’ve been to the Hampton Ball. You all party goes off. We actually have to show up in a gown. We can’t wear no little bullshit. Like I had on a gown.

Sarah: We are going to wear those leotards with the cheeks out.

That would be hot!

Binkie: Actually, they wouldn’t even let us in. It’s so crazy. They won’t let anything go down over there! Well except for that shooting, what happened?

I really don’t know. Everyone is fine though.

Binkie: Thank God! Even though I would have never expected anything like that to go down on that campus. I am glad you are fine though. Stay out of trouble! Use a condom I know it’s hard. (laughs)

Do you all have a message to your loyal fans out there?

Electrik Red: We love you guys! Thank you  for the support. Show the support by swiping the card on May 26th, “How To Be A Lady, Vol. 1″!

Naomi: Ow!

Binkie: Don’t buy one, buy two!

Lesley: One for the car, one for the crib. Trust, it’s a good album.

Sarah: You are probably going to need it also for your computer, so you probably will need to buy another one on Itunes. Just in case!

Lesley: Twitter us, we all have twitter accounts. www.twitter.com/electrikRed or NaomiER, LesleyER, SarahRoseteER, BinkieER. True Dedicated Twitterettes. Myspace.com/electrikred. There are so many different ways to actually communicate with us and yes we actually do check our own messages. So holla!

Electrik Red: Holla!

Thank you so much for calling in! Definitely keep us posted. I am definitely copping the album!

Electrik Red: Nice!

Naomi: Make sure all of your friends have a copy! When you go their house check be like “Where’s your Electrik Red album?” Take them to the store and swipe the card. Get the album!

Sarah: I’ll be curious. Seriously you have to let us know, seriously because every song bumps to us. So you have to let us know after you hear it . So hit us up on twitter and be like “Number four wasn’t it girls..”. That goes for everyone!

Electrik Red: Exactly tell us the truth.

Naomi: Remember, like she said with the twitter page. There are a lot of impostors. So make sure it is Electrik Red with a K. Not Electrik Red Group, not Electrik Red Is So Sexy, not Electrik Red Is Amazing. Just Electrik Red.

Right so make sure y’all hit up the REAL lovely ladies of Electrik Red on Twitter! It’s about to be Electrik City up in here.

Electrik Red: May 26th, World Domination! The Takeover starts.

Naomi: World Domination!

Thanks ladies!

Electrik Red: Thank You! Bye

Listen To Electrik Red’s Message To The Fans:

We heard the “Dope Boi” record. Crazy dope track! We love the song. Bangladesh produced it right?

Yes, Bangladesh banged it out. (laughs)

Who came up with the concept?

He actually came up with the concept. When I came to him he already had the hook, I just wrote the verses and the bridge. I just went along with what I thought he was talking about and how I was feeling in general. The song is really about being in love with the dope beat. He got that bass. It’s kind of about Bangladesh, it’s a song that girls can sing to him, but for me. I just had to put my two cents in. Of course I used the drug
metaphors, but for me I am talking about a boy whos so fly, so dope, so fresh…not selling drugs or anything like that. He’s just so crack that he can be a nerd, but I am so attracted to him so that’s my “Dope Boi”.

How did you hook up with Bangladesh?

I met him through my manager, his name is Coach K. He was bringing me to all the producers around Atlanta. When I first met him he gave me that record (”Dope Boi”). It was kind of like a meeting. We didn’t really work together for like a year after that. So I asked my manager could I get with a producer. I kind of wanted to get with an up & coming producer that nobody knows , but from that first meeting I had Bangladesh’s number in my phone. So I was like man I just want to ask who I really want. I was like all I could do ask and he could say no, but he said yeah. I was excited and it worked out, so that’s how we got together.

Is Muffy your real name?

Oh yeah! Muffy that’s my middle name. My initials are A.M.G. Yeah my mom named me that, because I had fat cheeks when I was born. I guess she’s just a little funky lady. She use to sing with George Clinton and those guys so I guess she was just funky and wanted to name me Muffy, because she felt like that was the bomb. All through my life people just referred to me as Muffy all the time. It just never grew out.

You rap and you sing, which do you prefer? Which would you like to focus on more on your album?

The R&B singing type…I am not really with it. I enjoy listening to others do it, but I really don’t have the voice for that. I can do stuff like that, but I love to sing. It’s so fun, but I am kind of like Kanye West when it comes to that. You can expect something on the Aternative Hip-Hop side. Kind of how Drake is doing right now. All of the rappers are singing now. I think music is coming to the point where you just have to make music and not categorize yourself. Just do everything you can do. Since I can sing a little bit and rap, you can expect all of that!

You said that your mom worked with George Clinton. Has he played a major influence on your career?

George Clinton himself is a big influence on me. When I was young I was a baby and he was always around. He would have those different colored braids and all, so I would be like “I want those mommy”, but she would be like “No!” So when I grew up I got colorful colors in my hair and I am a very colorful person so I think he inspired me definitely. Bjork inspired me. The Iceland chick. Kanye West of course inspired me. Erykah Badu and myself have the same exact birthday so she inspires me in so many ways. So does her music and her style. She’s dope! Lauryn Hill…Michael Jackson he’s cool. I mainly listen to Bjork, Wu Tang Clan, and Erykah Badu.

Do you have a specific style that you go for?

I am a Pieces so I am real…I think they call it Mutable, where you like mutate a lot. Letting that be said, I definitely don’t have a particular style. My most comftorable style is being Hoboish. I like wearing a T-Shirt and ripped up jeans and my Uggs. The same Uggs until they get super dirty. Of course when I have to take pictures and all of that I just go in my closet and throw on whatever. It doesn’t have to match or whatever,
I just rock it! I think like right now as far as money…I don’t have the money to wear what I probably would. I just throw on whatever I got and just rock it. That’s some real shit. Oops I didn’t mean to cuss. (laughs)

It’s cool!

That’s sort of where my style is from. (laughs)

So where are you from?

I was born in Detroit, Michigan and then I moved to Newark, Jersey. So I was from the hoods of America.

Are you working on an album?

We are working on an album, but we are not working on one with an expectation date as of yet. We are just working on some songs in general that will probably become a lot of albums. We are working on one of these major labels that could really push me. I am trying to get signed, get this check, get the exposure, and then give back to the world.

While we are on the topic of labels, how do you feel about these 360 deals?

I feel like the labels have to get their label. They have to be smart. There’s a lot of new forms of media that have popped up since the music industry became popular. I think naturally they are like they have to get some of that. They are hustlers. They are the biggest hustlers in the game. As far as if I feel as if it’s right or not? I don’t know, because my perspective of living in the world in this universe I don’t believe in right or wrong so much. It just is what it is. I just hope that the universe brings me a deal that’s going to be good for me.

It’s seems that the latest trend is that labels want their artists to expand. You see artists going into acting and modeling. Have you thought about stepping foot in different markets or are you strictly music?

No, I want to do everything! One of my goals is to hit the runway. I want to be in a Betsy Johnson show. I am a little thick in the legs, but at least I’ll be an artist I can get up in there. I definitely want to act. I went to a school for theater so I want to get up on the big screens and bug out. I’ll be on Sesame Street, because I really like kids. Eventually I want to teach.

Really? Like teaching academically or artistically?

Academically, but Alternative education. It will probably be something I do when I get older. I feel as though teachers should be fun. I know I will still be fun. I am still going to rock my hair pink and all. No disrespect to teachers, but the majority of teachers are so lame! It’s so uninspiring. I didn’t really do good coming up in school. I remember this one time I thought I was going to get in trouble. My mom went to the school and the teacher had on this V-neck shirt and had like hair on her chest. She had like a full head of hair on her chest. My mom came up to the school, because I wasn’t doing good. She was mean and she wasn’t fun…I was probably talking about her chest hair and all. To make a long story short, my mom came up to the school and was like “If you shaved that chest hair off your chest maybe she could do better in school”. (laughs) Kids need real people to inspire. They don’t have to be perfect people with a picket fence and all corny in a suit. There needs to be colorful people. I want to be one of them.

Who are you currently listening to?

I’m such a lame when it comes to this kind of stuff. I was listening to Drake Cd last night when I was with my friend. When I am at home I listen to Bjork, Wu Tang Clan, and Erykah Badu. I get crunk off of Soulja Boy and all of that ATL stuff. People probably think it’s wack, but I like that kind of stuff. I can listen to the same song on repeat all day if that’s the mood I am in. I be bugging out, when I am home I usually watch cartoons. I am kind of lame at stuff like this.

Whats your favorite cartoons?

“Boondocks” and “Powerpuff Girls”. “Spongebob” too I am not even going to lie. I’ve been missing it lately, but I do have the DVDs for “Powerpuff Girls”.

You need to watch Chowder that’s Spongebob’s competition.

Oh yeah! Chowder’s crazy.

Do you think you have any competition?

No. I feel like my lane is wide open. I don’t think no chick is out there…I mean if Kelis came back even though we are still different she’s there. However, she has her own fans and all, but I think we are mad different.

Are you currently touring?

In Atlanta, I have a show at this place called The Eye Drum on MLK Boulevard. It’s a show called The Freak Show. As far as for my own material. I need people to start booking me more. Bangladesh and I are working on a show that we are doing together so when that comes together hopefully everthing will fall in line.

So what’s next for Muffy?

Well definitely follow me on Youtube and Twitter. They are both MuffMommy. The myspace is www.myspace.com/muffymommy. I am working on a reality with some body, but it’s not for the major networks yet, but we are definitely trying to pitch it. We should also put out a mixtape by the end of the summer. Also there’s the release party that you all are invited to!

Oh fasho! We will definitely be there.

The mixtape should be out September or late August.

Bangladesh is gonna lace it right?

Most of it probably will be. However, we were talking about getting some old of my favorite old tracks and doing my thing over them. Bangladesh will definitely be on there though. He is all over everything!

That’s dope! Do you have any other producers you are looking forward to working with?

I wouldn’t mind working with Kanye West. He is so dope. I wouldn’t mind working with Riza. Those two right there. Ridiculous! I’m not gonna lie Timbaland would be kind of dope to work with. Those three right there. I would say Pharrell, but I don’t wanna be sounding too much like Kelis. I really love his productions. Big ups to him for sure! I do have this one producer his name is Diplo. He’s the one who brought M.I.A. out! We said we were going to get in. He did do this one track, but we weren’t in the booth together so we still gotta do that.

Oh yeah Diplo. He does that whole Club sound.

Yeah. I really love that whole Club sound. That Mid-West dance stuff too.

What about Go-Go?

I love Go-Go music. My last boyfriend was in a Go-Go band. Go-Go is D.C., but his band was based out of Atlanta.  I was dating him for like three years. I use to be in D.C. like all the time. I have mad love for D.C. I would raise my kids there, well maybe Maryland. Well maybe in D.C., but in the part where they have the big houses, because I like inner city living too. I definitely mess with Go-Go and D.C.

We want to say thanks for Calling in. This was an interesting conversation. Very dope! Thank you so much!

Cool. Thank you! Bye.