EARSTYLE: Congrats on all of your success so far. How have you been celebrating the Holiday?

DJ Absolut: I’ve just been working. Of course I’ve done stuff for Christmas and all, but I’ve been working as well. I’ve been on the radio of course, I’ve been in the clubs, just working. I’m looking forward to a very eventful year.

EARSTYLE: You’re a very young DJ and you’re already very successful. How did you even get into the DJ game? 

DJ Absolut: A couple of my friends had some equipment and I liked the whole feeling of DJing. I liked the whole DJ art form and I ended up getting my own equipment. That’s pretty much how I got started.

EARSTYLE: What do you think was the moment that really launched your career to what it is today?

DJ Absolut: Probably my third mixtape. I think it was called Too Fast. I had mad Capone & Noreaga songs on there before their album came out and that was a big mixtape. That was likea breakthrough mixtape for me. That was the first thing. Matter of fact, the mixtape was called Too Fast Too Young. It had like four Capone & Noreaga records on there before the album even came out.

EARSTYLE: So how did you get involved with the Heavy Hitters? 

DJ Absolut: (Laughs) I started doing Hot 97 and you know way before that you know what I’m saying, when I won the best new mixtape award people started looking at me. I started doing little things for Hot 97 and then I became apart of the Heavy Hitters.

EARSTYLE: Now you have broke many artists to NYC radio over the years including G-Unit, Drake, and others. It seems as though you have a good ear for what’s next.

DJ Absolut: I wouldn’t really say that I broke the artists at all, but I might have played their records first on Hot 97.

EARSTYLE: Right. What new artists do you think we should look out for in 2012? 

DJ Absolut: New artists? I mean look out for French Montana. French Montana is signed to Bad Boy. I think he has a great hustle. Also, he has a great work ethic and I think he can do some damage in 2012.

EARSTYLE: Being that you are from New York, do you think that New York is still running the Hip-Hop game?

DJ Absolut: I mean the South definitely has it right now, but I mean New York is still New York. We have artists like Jay-Z, Fabolous, Jadakiss, French Montana, and Uncle Murda. The’re all doing their thing. It has definitely shifted to the South, but you still have to come to LA and you still have to come to New York. You know what I’m saying? Those are going to be the primary markets to do business at and that’s where everyone is looking at to go. New York is always going to be up there, but is it running Hip-Hop like it used to do in the 90s? It’s not like that right now, but things can change possibly. We’ll see.

EARSTYLE: Technology is always evolving. There are many veterans in the DJing business who feel as though that new technology has made it too easy for some to enter the game. Do you have a personal opinion on the subject? 

DJ Absolut: Technology has definitely made it easier to just about become almost anything in the world. It’s the same that goes for DJing. Becoming an emcee, you have to have your own studio. You have to give credit to technology. Does it make it easier? Yeah. Does it make it so it’s more DJs, more emcees, more studios, more everything? Yeah, but where there’s a negative there’s a positive so you have to look at it as a glass half full.

EARSTYLE: How did you land the gig on 106 & Park and what’s the major differences  of DJing on television from DJing on radio?

DJ Absolut: One of the people that works there (106 & Park) saw me DJing at a party and invited me to come and DJ on 106 & Park. I guess it was God and then me just meeting the right people as far as that situation goes. The differences between DJing on 106 & Park on TV and DJing on radio, on 106 I’m DJing during the breaks and maybe a coupole of seconds on air. That’s not really the same as when I’m on air. When I’m on air it’s either half an hour straight through flow or it’s an hour straight through flow. There’s no breaks. That’s a major difference. On radio I can pretty much do me and play different kinds of music. I have a lot of freedom. On 106 it’s only a couple of seconds for me to do my thing on air, but when there is a commercial I get to do my thing also. That’s like 5 minutes so that’s not really a lot of time.

EARSTYLE: When talking about the entertainment industry we always hear about the struggles of Artists, producers, but never really the struggles of DJs. What struggles did you face while entering the business?

DJ Absolut: Every thing is a struggle. It’s all about how you deal with it. It’s about how you really deal with your adversity. I deal with my adversity by just having determination and persistence.

EARSTYLE: What separates DJ Absolut from all of the other DJs out there? 

 DJ Absolut: It’s just my story and also my knowledge. When you combine the two, and consider the fact that I am one of the younger DJs. I come from an era where I really know what GOOD music really is. I can separate the great from the bullshit.

EARSTYLE: Now from my understanding you are also a producer. What projects have you worked on and what can we expect from DJ Absolut in 2012?

DJ Absolut: I have a team called Addicted For Life. It’s me, Fredo, and Slim. We work with a lot of different people. We’ve worked with everyone from LL Cool J, Fat Joe, Diddy to Noreaga to Capone. We have a new record coming out with Ace Hood, French Montana, and Pusha T. That’s coming up in the next couple of weeks. Look out for that. We have another record coming out with Raekwon and Sheek Louch coming out in February. Look out for that. We have a lot of joints coming out. A lot of records. I don’t even want to blow it up right now, but I have a lot of joints coming out in the future. We worked with a lot of people. I just found out I had a record out with Jae Millz and Yo Gotti. It came out like a year ago and I didn’t even know it was out.

EARSTYLE: What are your top 5 favorite Hip-Hop albums of all time? 

DJ Absolut: I think It Was Written, Nas. That’s one of my favorite albums of all time. I’m going to have to go with another Nas album, Illmatic. Then you got Life After Death, Reasonable Doubt was dope, and I’m going to go with Mobb Deep’s The Infamous. 

EARSTYLE: What advice can you give to any rising DJs out there?

DJ Absolut: Just try to stand out and be different. You can’t try to be like everyone else. You have to come up with your own niche. That’s the only way you’ll really separate yourself from everyone else by standing out. Do things a little differently. That’s what I did.

Shortly before the release of Drake’s solo debut Thank Me Later, a song by the name of “July” leaked with a familiar voice. A year later that old voice, Jhene Aiko released her incredible mixtape Sailing Soul(s) which garnered attention all over the globe. Talk about a comeback! Former T.U.G. recording artist is here to stay with her soft, but striking voice and sick pen game. Check out what Jhene Aiko has been up to as EarStyle’s Zay recently caught up with the singer!

Jhene Aiko: Hi (Laughs)

EARSTYLE: Hey, What’s going on?

Jhene Aiko: Hi, How are you?

EARSTYLE: I’m good, but before we even start, How do you pronounce your last name?

Jhene Aiko: My last name or my middle name?

EARSTYLE: umm..The Aiko?

Jhene Aiko: The Aiko..yeah Aiko.

EARSTYLE: Is that your middle name or your last?

Jhene Aiko: That’s my middle name.

EARSTYLE: Oh ok, that’s your middle, so what’s your last name?

Jhene Aiko: My last name is Chilumbo.

EARSTYLE: Ok..cool. I wanted to get that out now, because I hear it pronounced so many different ways. I just want to say thanks for calling in. You have so many fans that submitted some great questions for you. Let’s get right into it!

Jhene Aiko: Cool.

EARSTYLE: You released your comeback project Sailing Soul(s) this year to an insanely positive response. Where have you been all these years, like what’s been going on in Jhene’s world?

Jhene Aiko: Um well I finished school, because I started when I was thirteen, so basically around 16 or 17, I just focused on finishing high school. I was still writing and you know like working with different producers that I had met during my time at Epic, and I was taking some community college courses and then I had my baby around 20 and yeah you know, I was always working on music, but I just wasnt like you know, I was always working on music, but I was doing other stuff as well. Um yeah (laughs).

EARSTYLE: Well congratulations on all of that, It seems like a lot and you’re still really young. What inspired your return to music?

Jhene Aiko: Yeah like I said, I never felt like I left, I think before anything I am a writer and that’s something that I do almost everyday. So it wasnt I guess public,but  I still would put out stuff on like MySpace or you know whatever social networks were poppin’ at the time. Then Saling Soul(s) happened after I had my daughter. Before I had my daughter I actually wanted to do something that I could put out for free, like a mixtape, but it wasn’t going to really be a mixtape, it was just going to be songs that I wrote and release for free. After I had my daughter, I kind of got comfortable with motherhood and  had time to focus on something else then I started “Sailing Souls” with Fisticuffs, who produced the majority of the mixtape.  I just wanted to put out something, like it wasnt really for, you know exposure or to get a deal or really anything like that. I just wanted to, I felt like there were people who, I think all the people who had become my fans through B2K, they didn’t really know me, you know what I mean? Those songs were just like demos of just like people, you know, it wasn’t me, so I just wanted to really offer myself to those fans and just anybody that would listen.

EARSTYLE: That’s cool. I remember when you were out before, but  I really didn’t know much about your music or anything. Somebody had actually put me on to your project this year and I must say that it is an incredible body of work. It’s like one of the best projects of 2011.

Jhene Aiko: Thank You!

EARSTYLE: No problem. Did you expect such a strong response?

Jhene Aiko: I didn’t really expect anything, I mean, you know I would play it for people as I was working on it and their response would be like really good. So I didnt have any expectations of going into it, just you know..because it wasnt really for a reason. You know, it was just like somethiing I felt like doing. I was pleasantly surprised when everybody responded really well to it.

EARSTYLE: I listen to “Higher” at least every night, your voice is incredible! (Laughs)

Jhene Aiko: Thank you! (Laughs)

EARSTYLE: What are some of your favorite tracks off of the project?

Jhene Aiko: Hmm..I really, I like them all, but I think the songs that I can really listen to as if they’re not even me are “My Mine”, “Space jam”, are “Do Better Blues”. Those are my top three right now but it’s funny because they change all the time. (Laughs)

EARSTYLE: I can understand. “Do Better Blues” and “Higher” are my current favorites. You recently released a new track called “Snapped”. Tell us about that record and what’s next on your new project and are you going to be working with the same team that you worked with on Sailing Soul(s)? Everybody wants to know what’s good with some new Jhene!

Jhene Aiko: Yeah, well “Snapped” happened maybe like two months after I released the mixtape. I just like took a break from recording and that was the first song I wrote and recorded after the mixtape. So yeah it was just alot of people. I think as a person, I have a whole bunch of different sides to me. I showcased the more aggressive side but, that was just how I was feeling at the time. (Laughs) Souled Out is basically not going to be a contiuation from Sailing Soul(s), but its just a continuation of me. Whatever I’m going through at the time, or not even going through, the things that I’m learning right now about life, experience and all of that good stuff. I’m working with Fisticuffs and K. Roosevelt again, and some other producers. I’ve been getting beats from alot of different people so I’m not really sure what’s going to be on this project or not. I’m just going to go with the flow. When it comes out, it comes out. I think I have patient fans that want quality over quantity. It’s more important to me that the project be the best that it can be and the realest it can be rather than rushing a whole bunch of generic songs, because I could do that. I could just put together some songs real quick that I really like. I only write and I only sing for a purpose, so if its not then, it’s not going to be rushed. Sorry that was long. (Laughs)

EARSTYLE: I feel you. So speaking of fans, you also have some pretty popular people that are fans of you, like Teyana Taylor and a whole bunch of other celebrities that say they want to work with you.

Jhene Aiko: Oh Really?

EARSTYLE: Yeah. One of her fans actually just hit me up and was like “I want to know what she thinks about working with Teyana Taylor, she loves Jhene” , so what’s your response to the co-signs you’ve been getting from industry peers, because alot of people in the industry have been tweeting and been talking about you? You’re definetly making alot of noise right now.

Jhene Aiko: I mean, it’s humbling because a lot of times people think because they are the artist or the celebrity or whatever they want to call themselves that they’re above being a fan. If you like something, you can like it. You don’t have to be afraid to say that so I really appreciate it and you know, to me, people are people. I appreciate all the people that can respect and appreciate my music. I know like the Wiz Khalifah one, got me excited because I like his music, and its almost like you know I can relate to his music, so I feel like dang if he listens to my stuff and thought it was good then maybe I’m as good as him, you know what I mean? So, its like yeah. (Laughs) I’m waiting for Kid Cudi to get a hold of something. I listen to him alot.

EARSTYLE: That’s where the inspiration for “Higher” came from I guess?

Jhene Aiko: You know like, nothing really came, everything was like inspired by something, but like I don’t know, “Higher” was just being high. (Laughs)

EARSTYLE: I feel you. (Laughs)

Jhene: He was the one of the inspirations while I was doing the mixtape, because I don’t really listen to alot of music which is weird because I do music but he was someone I could listen to everyday. That was really inspiring, like ok, I want to make some stuff like this, that you could listen to everyday.

EARSTYLE: Well you definitely accomplished that. You have songs for every mood and every moment. You have a huge follow on the West Coast, being that you are from Cali. I’m from Philly and I go to school in Virginia. You have a huge following over here too. Everybody wants to know do you have any plans for going on tour?

Jhene Aiko: I would love to go on tour. I think touring is one fo the funnest parts of being a singer or entertainer or whatever. Right now, I’m doing spot dates. I’m just getting offers to do different shows. I’ll be in San Francisco next week and I think we’re working on something to do in Washington but I don’t want to speak on it yet, because I’m not sure. Everything is getting worked out as it comes to me but yeah, I would love to go on tour. Hopefully soon, maybe for the holidays I can get on somebody’s tour and just go all out there. I love the East Coast so I would love to come out there.

EARSTYLE: Well, we definitely need to work on getting you to here to Hampton University. That would be really dope. Your’re still really young and I’m sure that you have alot more that you would like to accomplish. Where do you see Jhene Aiko going? What is your utimate goal for Jhene Aiko, do you have any mainstream plans? People would love to see you out there more often.

Jhene Aiko: My main goal in life is to just be happy. I don’t compromise my happiness for anything. If I find what makes me happy I’m going to do that. That’s really going with the flow of life. As far as like the mainstream stuff, if my destiny takes me there and I end up going that route, then that’s fine. Me as a person…I’m really laid back, I’m really an on my own time type of person so its just kind of like if I have to compromise some of that for the mainstream success…to me its not really worth it. I just like to sing. You know what I mean? Of course we live in a world where we have to make money to eat so that’s always nice to be able to sing and make money but to do something I love and to be able to eat from…it’s great. I want to write some books. Books that have nothing to do with music, just some fiction type of books for a whole different audience of people. I just want to meet as many people as I can and talk with as many people as I can, but whatever allows me to do that then that’s my main goal. It’s just to understand as much as I can about life and how it happens. Because people love music, I feel it’s my responsibility to produce more of the music and to get it out to more people, so like I said, If the mainstream route does that without compromising me being happy as a person then that’s something I’ll do. I’ve been offered things from alot of different labels and stuff like that, but it’s just like, it has to be perfect. I’m not going to sign my life away. (Laughs)

EARSTYLE: Right, I feel you. It’s getting crazy out here. Do you check youtube, to watch the different choreography videos and covers of your songs?

Jhene Aiko: Yeah, I do. Sometimes I go and I’ll look at people’s comments and then responses, covers, choreography and fan videos and after a couple hours it’s like, uhhh this is a little like…I’m like don’t indulge in right now..I need to you know (Laughs), but I mean yeah, I appreciate it though because I’m glad it inspired someone to do something creative also.

EARSTYLE: That’s cool. Another big thing that everybody wants to know is- I had the fellas and the ladies asking me are you single? (Laughs) What’s Jhene Aiko’s love life looking like right now?

Jhene Aiko: I belong to the world (Laughs) I’m in a relationship with the world. That’s what you can tell them. (Laughs)

EARSTYLE: (Laughs) I don’t know how they’re going to take that news. I think your’re going to make alot of people upset. (Laughs)

Jhene Aiko: What that I’m in a relationship with the world? No, that means I belong to them.

EARSTYLE: You belong to them? So you belong to everybody? I think some of the folowers are a little selfish though.

Jhene Aiko: Yeah, that’s the thing. I’m trying to teach people not to be selfish. That’s the thing. If you have a good thing share it. Of course we’re not in a sexual relationship, you know. (Laughs)

EARSTYLE: (Laughs) I think they’ll understand. I think they got it. I know you said that you don’t really listen to alot right now but what’s currently in rotation on Jhene Aiko’s playlist right now?

Jhene Aiko: Well today I’m going to get J. Cole album so that’s probably going to be in rotation for like a month. When I find something good, I stick to it for like a month. I’m usually late on like other stuff. Kendrick Lamar, I can play that often.

EARSTYLE: That’s cool. He’s coming out here.

Jhene Aiko: Oh really?

EARSTYLE: Yup.

Jhene Aiko: I really like Foster The People. Do you know who I’m talking about? I don’t want to get the name wrong. Foster of the People..Foster the people. I think they’re a band.

Ivan: Oh yeah, Foster The People. They are a band.

Jhene Aiko: I love their song, Yeah, everyday though, I’m just looking for like- I always ask people, What are you listening to? What sounds are good to you? Alot of people are in their car, in the club or on the internet looking and I just don’t do any of that. Usually if I’m out and about it’s because I have something to do, because I’m like a really big home body. If I’m at home, im watching Nickelodeon cartoons so sometimes I’m out of the loop with the cool music, but for sure I’m predicting that J.Cole is going to be good.

EARSTYLE: Oh the CD is great, your’re going to love it.

Jhene Aiko: And then, I always go to my Kanye, Jay-Z. I go back to alot of the stuff that I know for sure that I like.

EARSTYLE: And you definetly have to check out earstyle.net and we will keep you hip to all the latest.

Jhene Aiko: Yeah. You have to have a section like “I think Jhene will like this”! (Laughs)

EARSTYLE: (Laughs) So when you get away from your cartoons, you can log right into the website and see what we got for you. Maybe once a week we will do that for Jhene. (Laughs) Before you go do you have any advice for young ladies who just are looking to get in the industry, just about the pressures, about you having your child..what would you like to say?

Jhene Aiko: The first thing that I always tell people is really make sure you know why you want to do it. For me, I didnt make a conscious decision like “Oh I want to be a singer”, it was like I grew up around it, I was singing because it was just natural for me to sing. People would hear me sing and they would kind of like suggested like “Oh you should be a singer” I liked it. I didnt realize until now, as an adult that it was a means of income, beause for me I was just doing it because it came natual and it was fun. So I think that’s really really important, you can’t get in the industry, because you want to make money because number one, I don’t think money should be motivation for anything because I don’t believe that it has any value. Two, you’re going to be waiting a long time before you start seeing money from it. Just really sit with yourself and think “Why do I want to be a singer?” like really think it out and if you realize that you really need to stick with then then be really focused and have good intentions on why you’re doing it and it will work out.

EARSTYLE: Thank you so much for calling in. Definetly keep in touch because I want to make sure that everyone gets the latest on Jhene Aiko. Im telling you, you got mad fans. This might be one of the biggest responses I got for questions.

Jhene Aiko: Wow, Really?

EARSTYLE: Yeah. Definetly keep us updated with Jhene. I’m looking forward to the new project.

Jhene Aiko: Definetly. Send me the link whenever your’re ready.

EARSTYLE: I got you. Thanks again for calling in. Enjoy your day.

Jhene Aiko: You’re welcome, and thank you.

Download Sailing Soul(s) and find out more about Jhene Aiko at http://jheneaiko.com/

Music Video: “One Kiss”

New Single: “Crazy Love”

Prodigy, Roc Royal, Ray Ray, and Princeton just recently wrapped up the tour and have revealed their debut album cover. #1 Girl is in stores September 20th featuring their hit singles “My Girl” and “Mrs. Right”.

K. Michelle – “How Many Times”

You may think you know K. Michelle, but you probably don’t. The Memphis, Tennessee born singer isn’t any ones manufactured R&B singer. In fact, when we asked K. Michelle how would she describe her sound she made it known that she could not be forced in a category, not even the R&B/Soul one Jive Records has tried to categorize her into.

When you come across a blog about K. Michelle you usually see the names Keyshia Cole and Mary J. Blige. While many would be flattered by the comparisons, K. Michelle insists that she is frustrated with the comparisons and wants to just be K. Michelle. The singer and songwriter signed to Jive back in 2008. When we asked her about her journey she said, “There have been a lot of ups and downs. I really want to leave Jive”. Not many artists are upfront about their label situations especially while they are still signed to the label, but that’s exactly what makes K. Michelle different from your average singer. “I didn’t have a website for two years” expressed K. Michelle, “I just want to have more control.” We asked her if she would take an indie route to fully take control of her career, but she says that she would just like to sign to another label that will fully support her artistry and career. Just today K. Michelle was wrapping up a viral video for a new track and told us she was planning on buying a video camera to become more involved in every aspect of her career. This girl is serious.

K. Michelle is currently prepping a new mixtape to be released this summer. One of the tracks that have leaked is a medley where she dedicated Trey Songz’s “Unusual” to Lupe on a very straightforward track. “I love Lupe. I’m going to marry him,” joked K. Michelle. Many of her fans fell in love with the singer with tracks like her R&B power ballads “Fallin’” and “I Just Can’t Do This”, but according to the singer she didn’t even grow up listening to R&B. “I’m a country girl. That’s one of the things I grew up listening to.” Those singles were taken from her oft-delayed solo debut album Pain Medicine. With many mixtapes of incredible music you would think the album would have dropped by now, but it hasn’t. “What I’ll probably do is just give that to the fans for free without the label. I haven’t told that to anyone else so this is an exclusive for you.” Sounds good to us.

Although the singer is still working on getting out of her Jive recording deal she is already looking pass the struggles and is working on a second album, one that is more K. Michelle. So far she has worked with her mentor R. Kelly and plans to also record with Pink and Trina for the record. According to K. Michelle we haven’t heard the best of K. Michelle yet. We’re definitely interested in truly discovering the real artist and rebel K. Michelle.

K. Michelle you may not feel the love, but there’s plenty of love waiting for you. Keep fighting!

Many people may know Fonzworth Bentley as the Sean Comb’s umbrella toting assistant, but there’s more to the man behind the style. Mr. Bentley is a man of many wise words and he possesses an interesting and unique appreciation of the arts. EarStyle had a chance to speak with multi-talented artist Fonzworth Bentley about his project, “C.O.L.O.U.R.S.” Check out what he had to say about his project, G.O.O.D. Music, and more!

EARSTYLE: First of all, we would like to congratulate you on the release of your latest project, “C.O.L.O.U.R.S.” How does it feel to finally be able to share your vision?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: I can’t even put it into words. If you look at the artwork it looks as if there’s a lot of stress in my face. It’s been a difficult journey to deliver it. To finally have it out is the closest I had to deal with delivery pains.

EARSTYLE: Speaking of the delayed release, what were some of the reason behind the delay? Was it creativity issues or label politics?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: Label politics are always there and will always be a variable. Right before Sony Urban dissolved the president met with Kanye and told him it was about to go down so she allowed him to get his artists out of there before everything happened. That slowed a whole bunch of stuff up. At that time I had “Venice Beaches”, a version of “C.O.L.O.U.R.S.”, and I had “Everybody”. From what happened after that, most of the artists that were apart of G.O.O.D. jumped into a deal and in most circumstance it makes sense. You just don’t want to be sitting around. I just saw the industry changing so quickly and it was like every 6 months. I didn’t want to jump into another long-term situation with a company knowing that the tapestry changes so often. What I ended up doing was shooting “Everybody” myself and I put it on Kanye’s blog and iTunes. I did that to kind of bridge the gap between what was going on to let people know that this is what it is and this is what you should expect. A lot of people were hungry and thirsty right after that, but music takes time. Also, finding the right situation takes time. I’m not one of these guys that are going to kind of microwave music out there. I have a point of view and from the get go I have to make sure I give a full spectrum of colors so people can understand what the point of view is. They also have to understand the spirit from which I am coming. I want it to be very clear and that takes time. There are a lot of personal obstacles that an artist goes through. Sometimes they can over think and it’s a lot of different things. I finally just set a date for myself and I stuck to it and I’m just happy to finally get it out.

EARSTYLE: Who are some of the people that inspired the project?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: As far as inspiration I would definitely say Earth Wind & Fire, huge influences. I’d say the Baroque period in general. I love Classical music and the Baroque period is very aggressive. I think a lot of folks when they heard the music they didn’t expect some of the harder stuff that was on there for whatever reason. Also, I would definitely say that a lot of the luminaries before me as far as Hip-Hop, I think of X Clan, I think of Big Daddy Kane, A Tribe Called Quest, they were all huge influences for the project. A lot of it comes straight from me and straight from my heart.

EARSTYLE: Did you expect the response that you received once you dropped the first offering, “Everybody”? I was a member of Hampton University’s Marching Band and we played the track our freshman year.

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: Wow! That’s good to know. I knew that it was a special piece of art. I knew that getting those two together (Kanye West & Andre 3000) for the first time was also special. The way to go about it is interesting and you have to be clever. I think that for me, one of the things that really bother me more than anything is seeing really cool collaborations happen and then either the beat isn’t good, or the concept is wack, or with the video they miss the bar a bit. I wanted to make sure for such a special collaboration such as that, that it was cool, fresh, and new. We definitely did that. I sold 120 videos on iTunes and 90,000 singles in the first 6 months. It’s gone to sell more than that, but in the first six months those are the numbers I did completely independent as if you were to put it on iTunes.

EARSTYLE: During your recording sessions you previewed some of the material on Ustream and we were able to catch you in the studio with Teyana Taylor. The song was crazy are there any plans for that song?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: Yeah, that was right before she was about to go to press for “Madea’s Big Happy Family” which came out at the same time as I was releasing the project. She hit me like last week like, “Yo we gotta finish that. That thing is still in my head”. A lot of folks have been hitting me up on twitter asking what’s up with that. I just got back to Los Angeles on Sunday. That’s definitely an urgent one to get done. The next project will be the “C.O.L.O.U.R.S.” album. I don’t know if that particular song will be able to wait that long. I might have to let folks have that one for the summer just to bridge in the gap. There has been an overwhelming response. She really has her whole social networking situation down packed. Of course people show up to these sessions and not only are they her fans, but there are also tastemakers like yourself that show up. We are definitely going to knock that out. The dance that goes with it is so crazy. That’s why I’m like we have to get that done. She dances and I like to work with people who can actually move. It’s kind of funny, because artists don’t even really move that much any more. I’m talking about really moving on stage and giving you a show. Teyana and I will really have a lot of fun making that happen.

EARSTYLE: I noticed you mentioned a “C.O.L.O.U.R.S.” album and I guess there is confusion with the Mixtape/EP that was just released. You’re also working on a full-length album under the same name?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: Yeah. No doubt. A lot of people didn’t really get the “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” mixtape, but that came before Kanye’s “Graduation” album. “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” was a very significant record for Kanye West’s career, because that really got him in the hood. That was the first song that really connected to the hood in a big way. You build off of that brand, but that came before his album came. “C.O.L.O.U.R.S.” is what it is. It’s an EP; it’s 8 songs on the EP which is on iTunes. There are 7 extra songs that I put with it. You know with the times we are in, people stripped it and put it together and it’s coming off like a Mixtape. An EP is almost like a Mixtape. You figure, “So Far Gone” was a Mixtape, but “So Far Gone” was then sold as an EP. At the end of the day it’s all about the content. Because of the way the music was put together, the sequencing, the interludes, the care, and because it’s original music it also came off as an album. The only freestyle I did was the freestyle I did to “Black Ice” which is an ode to Organized Noize. That’s why people took it as an album, because the quality is that of an album.

EARSTYLE: G.O.O.D. Music is making a lot of noise right now. Are you surprised that the group has been such an evolving force over the years?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: Not at all. If you think about Sean Combs who was fired and then within a couple of weeks, his mentor Andre Harrell was helping him negotiate a deal with Clive Davis for Bad Boy Records and all he had was Craig Mack and Biggie. His Promotion/Marketing was this thing where he made a carton that looked like the carton that a Big Mac came in and it was double sided and it said “Big Mac”. That’s all he had. That’s what he started his label off of. I still give Sean Combs a lot of credit where a lot of these labels have completely dissolved, but you can still get a Bad Boy Imprint on a record. It’s something that could be said for that and it evolved over the years. It’s just happens for a reason. First of all, whenever you have a label that is run by an artist it is different. An artist continues to gather information and inspiration from different places and based on that he’ll gravitate to certain sounds or aesthetics based on that. The time sometimes can dictate. Sometimes you can have a whole bunch of lyricists and you would want your camp to ramp in that respect. The eclectic type thing seems to be the thing you’re really driving for. I can see it starting to move in that direction. It’s kind of the way it is. One of the things I’ll never forget that a couple of my mentors in the business told me is that whenever you sign to a label that is ran by an artist know that you are signed to a label that is run by an artist. It makes things interesting and makes things exciting. It’s not like his artists are wack. It’s different if you are signed to an artist who starts to get a little wack juice on them. That can make things more compromising for the other acts. Ye don’t have much wack juice on him.

EARSTYLE: What do you think separates G.O.O.D. Music from the other labels and Music Groups that are ran by other artists?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: That’s an excellent question. For one thing, Kanye West is one of the biggest artists in the world. That makes it different, because at the same time he’s making sure and maintaining that he continues at the level that he’s been providing art. To continue to stay at that level it takes a lot of resources and time spent on your own projects. For a collective like G.O.O.D. Music, you want to sign artists that can get out and create their own movements and be able to go from start to finish and deliver a product. You look at the success of Big Sean. Kanye is giving him a platform, but that is Big Sean. Pusha obviously already had a huge foundation and a whole bunch of fans so it’s not like he’s a new act. He’s a new solo act, but that’s a different type of situation. I have a whole bunch of fans, but fans as far as music, that is a completely new genre for me. That’s an interesting space. The music has to speak for itself first. Forget the marketing. The music has to speak for itself. If the music is not good you can market all you want, but it has to start with the music. I think that because my point of view has been very established and people understand the things that are my core values. When they go to listen to my music those things are still there. Not only does it make sense, but also it’s cool and reinforces all of the things that I have been doing thus far in my career.

EARSTYLE: Speaking of Ye, everyone is anticipating this “Watch The Throne” album. Have you heard it yet?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: I’ve heard some of it. I think I heard like 4 or 5 joints.

EARSTYLE: So is that something that we should be looking forward to coming soon?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: It doesn’t really matter what I say to that question. Is it coming soon? Who knows? Hopefully. I’m just keeping it real. Hopefully, but you know how that goes. One thing about Ye is that you never know about Kanye’s record until you actually hear it on the CD. He changes it so many times. There’s one particular song that I heard, but I already know that there’s been another artist that has been added to it. When I heard the song I personally couldn’t see where another artist could fit, but who knows where that record is now. You know what I’m saying? That’s why even from me who has ultimate access to that product, I like to remain a fan and I never want to hear all of the records before it comes out. I want to listen to it and appreciate it with everybody else and I can call Ye and give him my opinion the same as if you would call him and give him your opinion. It’s an honest and it’s a fair opinion. With all of the albums, I made it a point not to hear every record. Michael Jackson was a fan that’s why he was able to still perform at that level. Beyonce is a fan; she is a fan of the culture and a fan of the music. That’s why she’s able to perform at the level that she does. That’s just my opinion.

EARSTYLE: Outside of music, you have done everything from writing etiquette books to hosting reality shows, what is your next move?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: Music is something I am extremely focused on delivering and having people understand live. Live is where I can really showcase my talents and gifts. I’m always working on different projects though. The projects always fit to me. Not all projects match my brand. When building a brand, it’s not what you say yes to it’s really what you say no to. It also depends on your core values. I’m not motivated by money. There are a lot of shows that are lucrative that I could be apart of. I’d make a lot of money and I’d be very popular, but if they don’t fit my core brand then it is not what I need to do. That’s how I make sure I am always doing something that I am happy with doing. I’m always going to have joy, but I need to make sure I am happy. Many people we watch on TV or that are in this industry are not happy. They have a lot of money; they got a couple of toys, but are they happy? There’s a web series in the works wrapped around “C.O.L.O.U.R.S.” that’ll be explaining a lot more of the philosophy. The C being blue, the O being yellow, all of that is for a reason. It wasn’t like I just shuffled a deck of colors. There’s a lot of philosophy that goes into it. The web series will explain a lot of that and hopefully get people to express their feelings and change their uniqueness so other people can appreciate it as well. That’s the point of this whole project. It’s for people to become confident in their uniqueness and make them know that’s what makes them cool.

EARSTYLE: What do you think is the biggest misconception of Fonzworth Bentley?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: The biggest misconception? It depends on whom you are talking to. I’ll say the biggest misconception would be that I was actually a butler. I think that folks that really pay attention to the culture and pay attention to me know that I was a personal assistant to one of the best that ever done it just like he was the personal assistant to the president and CEO of Uptown Records. Just like he learned and gone on to create his empire, at the same time I had that job and I created a brand. That’s sort of a new thing. What I was doing was so new and framed different because of the collective I worked with. I think the next biggest misconception is that I’m from New York. People have no idea where I’m from. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I went to public school; I went to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Right after that I moved to New York City in 1998 and within 9 months I knew my first goal was to bring class to hip-hop. That was my first goal. Slowly, but surely, I believe it happened.

EARSTYLE: Speaking of Atlanta, Georgia, one of your fans wanted to know if it was true that you grew up with Andre 3000?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: Middle School…yeah, that’s when we met. I have an interesting picture actually of me escorting the 7th grade queen and him escorting the 6th grade queen and both of us were shorter than the girls. Usually the women mature faster. I hit my growth spurt in like 8th grade summer I think. My nickname was, “Shrimp”. It’s kind of funny looking at us walking behind each other escorting the ladies and both of us were shorter than the women.

EARSTYLE: What advice do you have for anyone who is looking into stepping foot into the entertainment industry and building his or her own brand?

FONZWORTH BENTLEY: Excellent question. The answer to that is a simple answer. The answer to that is “Trust into the Lord with all your heart and lean not on understanding. In all ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path straight.” I think that a lot of times we get humbled twisted. The humble is walking straight upright with your chest out and your head up with a smile on your face knowing that God is going to provide everything that your heart desires and that you feel. You have to trust in his promises in knowing that he loves you and he’s going to not forsake you and allow you to do the things that you see yourself doing. I think that when we try to do it ourselves and do it the way that we think we can do it and not take the time to start our day centering ourselves talking to the person that made us so that he can really give us our schedule for the day, that’s when we’re lost. I would really encourage everyone to A. do that and B. take these three words out of your vocabulary. Those three words are “can’t”, “try”, and “but”. But is a do in way to an excuse, Can’t don’t have anything to do with anything. How can you “can’t” when you can do all things? Try is the difficult one, because it so cliché-ly gets in our vocabulary. “Man I’m working hard I’m just trying…” Well guess what that is what you will be doing you will be “trying”. I think that one of the biggest lies ever told is that sticks & stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me. That’s a lie, because words will hurt you. Life and death is in the tongue. Don’t say you’re “trying”. You can take try out of that same sentence and now what you said is moving forward with much more propensity, because every time you open your mouth you speak in faith. Faith is not a religious concept; faith is a law just like gravity.

Support Fonzworth Bentley’s new singles “Believe It” featuring Faith Evans and “Jam” featuring Sammy Melody.
For more on Fonzworth Bentely visit his official website www.therealmrbentley.com

If you didn’t find out “What Chilli Wants” on Season 1 of her show get ready for Season 2 premiering Sunday January 2nd at 8:30pm! If you want to find out a little bit more about 1/3 of one of the biggest selling female trios of all time check out our exclusive interview with Chilli!

EARSTYLE: Congrats on Season 1! I know you have to be excited for the premiere on Sunday.

CHILLI: Yeah, I Am excited. It seem like it was so far away before, but it’s literally right around the corner so I’m like tripping.

EARSTYLE: What can everyone expect from Season 2? So much happened on Season 1 and it was obviously a hit.

CHILLI: Well, definitely some eye candy for the females and a lot of relatable things for women that I open up and share with. It’s just another journey that I feel women will be able to go on with me.

EARSTYLE: Are you still with the person you picked last time?

CHILLI: Who Bill?

EARSTYLE: Yeah.

CHILLI: Oh, uh uh. I’m not with him. Bill is a really nice guy. He has a lot of great qualities, but there was no love connection. Once you realize that there’s not going to be a connection like that between you and the person…and I don’t care how awesome they are it’s not fair to stay with them. That’s very selfish.

EARSTYLE: There’s obviously a lot of chemistry between you and Floyd Mayweather. What’s holding that connection back?

CHILLI: (Laughs) Well that you will see in the new season. I don’t want to give that one away. Everyone’s questions will be answered when they watch.

EARSTYLE: I believe Usher is single now. Does he make an appearance on Season 2?

CHILLI: No. You are so silly. No. That’s the past Zay. The past is the past. Don’t go backwards. Just go forward.

EARSTYLE: I mean I feel like there’s still some love there.

CHILLI: Why you say that? What do you mean? What are you talking about?

EARSTYLE: Seems like there is still a little love somewhere deep inside.

CHILLI: You know what I think when you have loved a person and it was real, you will always have a love for them. I think that’s normal. That doesn’t go away. What goes away is the in love part and wanting to be with them. I’m not in love with anyone in my past and I don’t want to be with anybody in my past. I’m clear on those things. I still have love for him like I still have love for my son’s father, but I don’t want to be with either one of those guys. You know what I Mean?

EARSTYLE: So if you don’t find what you need on Season 2 will there be a Season 3 or do you think you are just going to take a different route to find whatever it is you are looking for?

CHILLI: (Laughs) That’s a good question. I don’t really know. I guess I just have to kind of cross that bridge when I get to it.

EARSTYLE: Everybody still loves Chilli. The ratings were crazy. Do you have any other plans for some on screen action like other TV Shows or Movies?

CHILLI: Yeah, I see that sitcoms are slowly, but surely making their way back. I would definitely love to be apart of an actual television show like a sitcom. I want to be able to play a character. That’s so much fun, but comedy for sure. Not anything serious. I’m sure that I can challenge myself and do something serious, but that comedy kind of comes a little more natural for me.

EARSTYLE: I actually just picked up Ticker and my friend was like “OMG isn’t that Chilli?” It was so funny, but very random.

CHILLI: (Laughs) I Know right! You know what, Steven Seagal asked me to do that so you can’t say no to Steven Seagal. So he’s like, “I Just need you to do this quick little part for me” and I was like “Uh yeah”. (Laughs) That was real funny. I don’t talk about that much. (Laughs) There was probably two times in my whole career when I played hooker-ish kind of roles. It was that and “That 70s Show”. I played a nurse and I had the white fishnets and I was kind of like a hooker nurse. I can’t play no more hooker-ish roles. That’s it! That is it! I had fun though!

EARSTYLE: You know people don’t only want to see you on TV. People still want the music! Drake is a huge TLC Fan! He was caught in a TLC shirt and he flipped “Fanmail”. How did you feel about the track?

CHILLI: I thought he did a great job he and the producer. I like that they didn’t change it so much that you didn’t know what it was. I even talked to Dallas about it too and he thought it was cool and Tionne. When I got Drake’s information Tionne and I called him. It was so sweet how he was tripping. He was like, “Oh my God, I can’t believe this. Oh my God TLC”. I was like, “Aw this is so sweet”. We really wanted to perform the song with him, but our schedules kept conflicting so hopefully we will still get to do something with him in the future. I know he would love to work with us. He definitely wants to work with us, but yeah I thought that was awesome with what he did.

EARSTYLE: Speaking of working with Drake. Are there any plans for some new music? A lot of people were teased with your solo tracks that were released. I know you are focusing more so on the TLC brand so how is that all coming along? Everyone still wants the music from y’all.

CHILLI: So far that is what I always tell my group member too! But we really want to get a situation that’s right and comfortable for us. That’s the most challenging part. Being that next year will be our 20th anniversary we are definitely working on doing some real cool things next year so we can celebrate with our fans all over. We do a lot of touring overseas, but not so much in the states. We want to do more stuff here. Everyone wants to celebrate with us and that’s what we want. We know that’s what Lisa would want too.

EARSTYLE: You and Tionne are great on screen together. “R U The Girl” was hilarious, have y’all thought about maybe just getting some footage just living y’all crazy lives, recording, and performing, and making it a reality show.

CHILLI: We have talked about stuff like that, but there are a lot of other things that we have talked about. I personally would love to be on stage everyday. If I could choose to be on stage everyday and do nothing, but that I would just do that. That’s my first love. I love being on stage singing and dancing. I can be on there for hours. I love it. I’m personally just trying to make that part happen. The performance we did with Justin Timberlake in Vegas went so well! The turn out was amazing and the response was really good. The fans made us feel so good, so happy, and glad that we did that. I just want to do more of that. There is nothing like going to a concert and seeing the group that you love doing the songs that you love and even the songs that weren’t singles. We have a lot of cool album cuts that people want to hear. It would be great to just do a whole catalog of TLC hits and exactly the way you know it. I hate when I go to a concert and it’s my favorite song from an artist and they switch it up. Maybe like an acoustic version…I’m like “WAIT A MINUTE!” This is not how this went…I want to hear it like I love it and know it from the CD and don’t do the same adlibs. I know that’s how I feel so I don’t see how anyone would feel differently.

EARSTYLE: This is the holiday season and TLC released two original Holiday songs that have become classics, “All I Want For Christmas” and “Sleigh Ride. Which one of the two is your favorite?

CHILLI: Oh, “Sleigh Ride” definitely.

EARSTYLE: I knew you would say that since you love to dance.

CHILLI: (Laughs) Yup. I love that song.

EARSTYLE: It comes on the radio like it’s a new song every December.

CHILLI: Much love to Organized Noize, they are the producers of the track. That track is crazy. I’m like wow. That is amazing that you hear “Sleigh Ride” TLC’s way and then you hear it the other way. It’s like Night and Day. Oh my God.

-Chilli Starts to Sing- “Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, Ring ting tingling too”. (Laughs) You’re like, “That ain’t how Tionne do it.” (Laughs) It doesn’t even sound like the same song.

EARSTYLE: I have a young lady on twitter who wanted me to ask you about Chilli’s Crew. She wants to know what’s happening with it and how can she be involved?

CHILLI: Well Christal and I are still getting that together. When you have your non-profit organization you have to have someone who is consistently working on that. I’ve been so busy doing other things, but that is very much so a priority for me. It’s something I believe in and something that I feel is needed. We’re definitely in the process of trying to make it better.

EARSTYLE: TLC also did a gift-wrapping event in Atlanta recently with the Lisa Lopes Foundation. How did that go?

CHILLI: IT was really nice. IT was really great to see the kids perform our songs.
I was so cute. A couple of them I know weren’t even born when we came out. It’s amazing to how each generation is exposed to a genre of music, because of the parents. It’s no different with my son loving Michael Jackson although he was still active when he was born. He knows all of the old stuff though too, because of me. I think that’s awesome. Even on twitter sometimes…first of all, I don’t understand why a 10 year old would have a twitter account, but they will say “They love TLC and they are 10 and 12”. I’m like, “OK”.

EARSTYLE: Did you buy the Michael Jackson game for Wii? I’m sure y’all have the moves down already.

CHILLI: Of course. I bought it for Tron. You know we got it.

EARSTYLE: My best friend brought it over the other day and it’s like a workout.

CHILLI: (Laughs) Yes. It’s certainly a workout, but it’s so much fun as well. It’s a lot of fun, but you’re burning calories!

EARSTYLE: “Remember The Time” is my favorite Michael Jackson song so I was in here getting my two-step on to that.

CHILLI: Oh My God…I Swear…well, my all time favorite Michael Jackson song is “Human Nature”, but my second favorite is “Remember The Time”. That is…aw man.

EARSTYLE: That song never gets old.

CHILLI: It doesn’t when that song comes on –sings the melody- I’m like oop. Turn it on. I love it. I know the whole routine from the video too. Do you?

EARSTYLE: I know a little bit. I’m going to work on it

CHILLI: (Laughs) Ok.

EARSTYLE: Thank you so much.

EARSTYLE: You have had your hands in everything from music to furniture to fashion. You continue to expand your brand, but what is next? Do you ever think about what you want to accomplish next or does it just come to you at any given moment?

PHARRELL: I am often lead by the void of what doesn’t exist just as well as the inspiration of a moment.

EARSTYLE: Movies are something that are evolving right before our eyes. It seems as though today, directors have to figure out how they will tie in 3D into the movie production and marketing. What do you think is the next revolutionary step for music?

PHARRELL: We are steady trying to harness all of the existing modes of recording in search of 3D sound.

EARSTYLE: Space seems to be a reoccurring underlying theme of a lot of your projects. What is it about space that fascinates you so much?

PHARRELL: Where else can we find such vast existence which lead to vast possibilities?

EARSTYLE: Kidult is an idea of yours, right now an army of future leaders and innovators are being assembled. What is a kidult and what inspired you to create the entire Kidult movement?

PHARRELL: A kidult is a soldier for education while the term itself is meant to describe one who does not identify with age for categorical purposes.

EARSTYLE: I’m a huge fan of the entire Star Trak brand. I am anticipating the upcoming release of “Nothing”. What does that word “Nothing” mean to you and what do you hope to accomplish with this album sonically and message wise?

PHARRELL: If the simple things in life are free as they say then “Nothing” is everything.
Nothingness is where everything comes from and is the first stage of everything that exists.
Nothing-void-inspiration-fruition.

EARSTYLE:  If there is one thing that you want to be remembered by what is it?

PHARRELL: That I am human and answered your questions as you would for me.

EARSTYLE: What is the best advice that you can give anyone who’s reading this that have a dream that they would like to manifest?

PHARRELL: Study the “how” and the “why” of something and from there you will discover “what” that thing is. That is how all great thinkers transition to great doers.

Now go take over the world.–Pharrell

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!