Very nicely done Tre! I'm sittin here noddin my head to this one thinking we need more real music like this! Simple, grown and sexy. I like it.
Monday, August 30, 2010
New Joint: Tre Williams "Oh Honey"
Very nicely done Tre! I'm sittin here noddin my head to this one thinking we need more real music like this! Simple, grown and sexy. I like it.
New Joint: JoJo "In the Dark"
Wow where did this come from!! This song is crazy, I don't even know how to describe it but it sounds crazy!! Really hoping we can get a new album from her soon!
New Video: R. Kelly "When a Woman Loves"
I'm feelin the song and the video, where did this come from Mr. Kelly! I knew you could sing!!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
YouKnowIGotSoul Interview With Mike Keith of 112 (Part 2 of 2)
YouKnowIGotSoul caught up with one fourth of the legendary r&b group 112, Mike Keith, and in Part 2 of the interview discussed his reservations about releasing a solo album, being the center of attention in releasing an album, his friendship with the Notorious B.I.G., being caught up in the East Cost/West Coast beef, and his current job as a vocal coach.
YKIGS: I’ve always wondered, from your time on Bad Boy and your time on Def Jam, was there any, from a creative standpoint, did the labels ever kinda push you in a certain direction, the way you should make an album? How much creative control did you guys have, and did you notice a difference between the labels?
Mike: Well, the differences between Bad Boy and Def Jam, Bad Boy pretty much in the beginning, told us what we needed to do. They pretty much molded us into who we needed to be. Def Jam allowed us to be who we always were. Def Jam was like, it was more of a, it was a bigger machine, than being in Bad Boy where it was more hands on, it was more Puffy and on top looking down on us, cracking the whip, “I need this, I need that, I need this.” Where Def Jam it was more like we gonna give yall a ton of money, now go make it happen. That was the difference in philosophies as far as Bad Boy and Def Jam was concerned. What was the other part of the question?
YKIGS: I was just wondering if the labels, and I think you pretty much touched on it, if they ever kinda pushed you in a certain direction when making the music, like try this, or make this type of song, or anything like that?
Mike: The thing about that is, even though Puff would suggest, he would strongly suggest we would go in a certain direction, and more than likely we would go in that direction. But for the most part, as long as it was that, Puff didn’t really mind what were singing or how we were singing, he gave us a lot of creative control which at the end of the day, it was him that said this is hot, we would use this or not. He did listen to it, and he did really respect our opinions as far musicians, and he kinda let us do what we do. Def Jam pretty much said whatever formula you were using over there, whatever gonna make us a hit, do whatever it is. So that’s pretty much what happened.
YKIGS: Eventually after the group broke up, you were able to go onto to release your solo album “Michael Keith.” For those who haven’t had a chance to hear the album, what did you try to do with that album and what did you have on that album, just tell us a little about it.
Mike: Well that album really was about a relationship that I had with a girl. All those songs were based on something that I’ve had did with this particular girl. “No More Tears” was me basically proposing to the girl. Long story short, we’re not married, we’re not engaged, so that’s what happened with that. But all of those songs were inspired by my ex fiancé at the time. “No More Tears” was basically the back and forth she and I had about me not committing to her and all of this other stuff, about me being this r&b dude and doing the r&b thing, I didn’t want her crying anymore. So basically that’s where “No More Tears” came from. “Love” was one of my favorite records on the album and basically I wasn’t really talking about anybody at that point, that song was more so about the actual, I was having a conversation with the actual emotion of love. If you could personify love and make it a person, that’s kind of like what I was doing with that song. It was more of a conversation about love. “Off Up In This Bedroom” was pretty much, it was what it was. “Shawdy Red,” a lot of what happened in “Shawdy Red” really did happen. It was really a conversation that I had between myself and this young lady. That’s pretty much what that whole album was about. A lot of what happened on that album really did happen, and I needed a way to get it out of my system so I wrote about it. So me, anybody that knows about me knows I’m a very private individual. I don’t go out unless 112 has something we need to do or there’s something that I just have to do. But other than that I’m a homebody, I stay in the house, I really don’t do a whole lot of extracurricular outside things, and that goes for my personal private life, all that stuff. So for me to do that album, it was really challenging for me to do, because of the fact that I was letting a lot of people know what was going on. All my music I did it had some kind of inspiration to it, or I tried to be, and I really want people to listen to the cd and try to find inspiration in it and also be therapeutic as well. So if I can help people in a subliminal kind of way, then it’s cool.
YKIGS: Cool, I like that.
YKIGS: How was it taking the lead on an album? I mean as part of a group, you had a different type of role, but now you were the main focus. What was that like for you?
Mike: For me, it may have been a shock for the world, but for me it was just me waking up every day, it wasn’t really that big of a deal as far as the actual performance. The drawback and the reason why I bugged out so much is because this was my debut album, this was my first shot at letting the world know what was going on with me as far as musically is concerned. I was so critical about these records and I really…it almost got to a point where I almost derailed the album myself because I really was so gung ho about making sure everything was right. I’m a perfectionist at heart and the people that was around me at the time really had to make me pull back from everything I was trying to derail. I really did not want this album to come out because I wasn’t really confident in myself as far as an overall solo artist. I knew I could sing, but as far as being a solo artist, it’s so much stuff that comes with it, the limelight is directed towards you, if you are overweight they are going to talk about it, if you say the wrong thing it’s directed towards you. It’s like all of this stuff I was dealing with, so I really didn’t want to put an album out because of that, and I really didn’t want to let my 112 fans down as well. I was thinking about 112 even at that point, I didn’t want the brand to go south because of something that I did. I was real critical about doing it, I really, really, really had reservations about doing it. But I manned up and put it together.
YKIGS: What eventually made you decide to reconcile with the group and get back together to put together a new project?
Mike: Aside from the money? *Laughs* Well I think overall, I think I just missed the dudes. Me knowing these cats going on about 23 years that I’ve known these dudes, I just missed them. I just really miss hanging out with those dudes, being on the stage, see if we could retain some of that old feeling. There is no other explanation; it’s just being around 112. It wasn’t even about the name, I could do without the name, it’s cool but at the same time it’s eh. But those dudes are my only friends, like I said before I’m very private, I really didn’t have any friends outside of 112. As a matter of fact I don’t have any friends outside of 112. So those were the dudes that I hung out with, those were the dudes who knew the secrets about me, all my good, all my bad. Those were the ones who were around me through most of it. It was time for me to realize I did it, I did the solo project, I’m proud of what I did, I feel like I could have done better but I was proud of it, I don’t think I disrespected 112 in any kind of way. I don’t think I disrespected the brand in any way. It was a good time for me to move on, and return to what I think was natural. And being a part of 112 was natural to me. The world knows that I’m able to do a solo album, they’ve heard my voice now, they know who I am as far as a musician now, so I’m content with it, I’m cool with it. I just want to keep this going, so I think that was really one of the main reasons why I returned, because I just felt like had we left the way it was, it would have been a detriment to those who were 112 fans. We didn’t leave on a positive note, we just left. It wasn’t really like…we sung our last song, and we did this farewell tour. It was just like “aiight.” I didn’t want it to go down like that. I didn’t want the world to think of us and say well they just disappeared. I never wanted to go and do something without finishing, so that was one of the main reasons why. So I had to dig deep in myself and say I can’t leave like this, so that’s one of the main reasons I reconciled.
YKIGS: Is the group still together?
Mike: The group is always going to be Q, Mike, Slim & Daron. Whether or not we perform, whether or not we do albums together, that’s up to the man upstairs to predict. I would like for it to happen, I am hopeful that it will eventually happen, but as of right now, we are all just in the wind at this point man. At one minute we are a group and we are all performing together, and then the next thing we are all soloists. So I’m not really sure as far as the performing aspect of it, I’m not sure, but that’s what going on with everybody. But in my opinion, and in my heart, we will always be 112, it will always be Q, Mike, Slim & Daron, and that’s the best answer I can give as far as the group.
YKIGS: On a little bit of a lighter note, if you could just share with me, what would you say is the craziest thing a fan has ever done to you, maybe while you were performing, out in public, anything?
Mike: The craziest thing that I remember is, right off hand, is the fact that this girl in DC named her son Q-Ron, which was Q and Daron’s name, we couldn’t believe it. But here the baby was, and his name was really Q-Ron. But that was the craziest thing, I mean I love my artists, and the people that I love, I love them to death, but I’m not gonna name my kids after you! Yea that was just, that was just real crazy to me.
YKIGS: Wow, that’s pretty freaky!
Mike: Yea, that was deep, she said it and I was like wow, that’s just about as deep as it can go. I can see if you named the child Daron, or like when Barack won the election and it was just a slew of babies named Barack all of the sudden, I could see that. Or if you named the kid Quinneth like after one of us, but to put two of our names together, and to make one name out of it, that’s just crazy to me. That child is walking around with the name Q-Ron.
YKIGS: What was your favorite period of time being in the group? Maybe the stretch of time during when you were working on a certain album, or maybe the time when recorded a certain album. What period would you say you had the best time with the group?
Mike: Recording, recording the album. We always did the same, we would record the album, we would tour, and then we would all feel it. After we had toured the world, we would do U.S. tour, and then we would go overseas, and then we would come home and do some spot dates here and there, but you could feel the momentum and then we all just looked at each other, and it was time for a new album. That was pretty much my…you could set my life to a clock. That’s pretty much how automatic we were and how distinct we were and how the kinship and the relationship we had at that point. It was really creepy how close we were as far as knowing what each other was thinking at the same time. I think the best time for me was definitely touring on the tour bus, and going to different schools and colleges and partying with the girls and hitting them clubs late at night and drinking, and just being with your homeboys just chillin. I think that was really a fun time for me, and I think that’s the most memorable time, the time that I enjoyed the most was the actual recording process because we fought, we argued, we laughed, we were just really bonding at that point and we put together a great album at that point. That was like a real fun time for me.
YKIGS: Looking at the recording process from another way, what would you say as an artist is the most difficult part of putting together an album and recording it?
Mike: As we got older, and our music tastes started to evolve, I think that was a more difficult time for us as far as putting an album together because you had four different opinions, whereas back in the day, it pretty much was like if one dude felt that way, we all felt that way. But as we got older and our tastes evolved into different ways, we wanted to implement those things into the 112 sound. The problem with that is, I like rock and roll music, Slim is into really hardcore hip hop, Q was listening to gospel, and who knows what Daron was listening to. It was kind of hard to put all of those different flavors into one pot and make it something that everyone could enjoy. So I think that was the most difficult time, trying to make sure nobody was stepping on nobody else’s toes, that we made sure we were sensitive about everybody else’s opinion about all the music and made sure that didn’t put our own agenda ahead of the whole 112 machine. Around the fourth and the fifth album is where thinks started getting a little weird.
YKIGS: If you could share a memory, maybe your best memory of working with the Notorious B.I.G. or just being around him at all, do you have on that stands out?
Mike: Just being around him, just being around this dude. A lot of people didn’t realize how silly this dude was. If you weren’t around you really didn’t see how humorous he was and how jovial this guy really was and how much he cared for his people. The people that was around him, they looked at this dude like he was really the king of NY. Being just that dude, he was very gregarious, he could make people just come around and just want to be a part of what he was selling, they’d want to be a part of it. It was serious, it wasn’t game, it wasn’t anything that nobody concocted, no image, no gimmick, it was real life, this dude just became real serious when it was time to become B.I.G. and he was just…you just had to be around that dude. At that point, we weren’t really anybody at that point. We were kinda getting to a point where people could recognize us, and for him to be like “I like them dudes, them my niggas right there!” It was just real cool because at that point, he was “Flava In Ya Ear,” he was “Juicy,” he was big, so for him to be like “I fucks with 112, them my dudes,” it really just made us feel good about that, we definitely appreciated the fact that homeboy did what he did. He didn’t have to. He definitely pushed us to sing on a lot of songs that nobody else would. I will forever be grateful for that man. Just him period, that’s who he was.
YKIGS: During the whole east coast/west coast beef, how did you and the group feel during that time, and did the public ever perceive the group in a certain way, were you grouped in at all? How did that all go down?
Mike: Yea man they hated our fucking guts man! *Laughs* They was like “We don’t care that yall sing r&b, and we don’t care that yall from Atlanta, yall are siding with BIG, so we hate yall too!” We had many situations as well man, we had many a time when we felt like we were going to have to fight our way out of something in order to get our way out of a city. But thank God nothing got really so gangsta that somebody’s life was in danger. Of course there were times…we were actually still performing out in L.A. when all of that was going down, because 112 had developed such a fanbase out in L.A. that you would be crazy trying to promote an album without going out there. So everybody in Bad Boy was like “Yall make sure yall be careful and don’t be going out and don’t be bringin them little girls back to the hotel!” They was really just making sure that we understood that it was real out there. But we was like we good, we know some people out there, we good, don’t worry about us. We got a fan base and all this other stuff, don’t worry about us. At the time, a lot of the Bad Boy artists just stayed out of L.A., but 112 was one of the few groups or few artists who actually covered for Bad Boy, so we was like we good. Yea they was hating in certain areas, but at the same time, we wasn’t going in those areas, so we were good. It was that crazy, it really got crazy. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t times when we felt like we had to take our little smooth r&b image and just throw that to the side and just show everybody what being from Atlanta was really about. But it was times when things got out of hand, but like I said, thank God we came from it without really an issue. But it got gangsta, they didn’t care anything about us being r&b, they didn’t care anything about us being from Atlanta, if yall was part of Bad Boy, yall was public enemy #1. That’s how it was back in the day, we didn’t shy away from that, those were our people, those were our folks, so we were good. Plus one of our managers was a crip anyway, so we were good! *Laughs*
YKIGS: I gotta ask you about my favorite song you did with B.I.G. and one of my favorite songs overall, off of his second album the song “Miss U,” just give me some background on that song if you could.
Mike: When we did that record, actually when we did that record I think BIG had passed. When we did that record, it was between that and the old Teddy Pendergrass “Miss You” version, but we just decided to go with the one that was more hip hop oriented and we just wanted to put that on his record. It was really, like I said before, BIG was a really big fan of our voices, he was a really big fan of 112 performing, and he really just wanted us on the record. If you listen to that “Life After Death,” you would swear that we were in the studio with him all the time because dude shouted us out so many times on that record it was like “damn dude must really be feelin us!” Dude was a really good friend to us and I just hate that the world missed out on his evolution because of the fact that he had all that stuff jumping off. To this day we are going back forth saying who is the greatest rapper between him and Pac, and Jay-Z is in the mix now, but back then, you were either BIG or Pac. That was BIG’s second album, it wasn’t like he put out a bunch of material. For us to be debating on how dope this man was is just a testament. We were just happy to be a part of it. Anytime Puff wanted us to do a song with BIG, that was never even an issue.
YKIGS: What’s up next for Mike Keith?
Mike: Well, I am in the process, I’m really trying to figure out if I want to do another solo album and how I’m going to go about doing that. Because on the first album, I did it without any budgets, without any name producers, known producers, and I had to write all of that stuff myself. But I’m not in a relationship anymore, so I’m trying to figure out where the hell I’m going to get all the material! I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to do as far as that is concerned. I would like to do another 112 album, I don’t know if that’s in the cards right now. I’m hopeful but at the same time I just don’t know. As of right now what I’m doing is a lot of vocal coaching for people that are in Atlanta who want to develop their talent. It amazes me the level of skill that is lacking with these younger people that are coming up nowadays. It’s like when you see these kids, and you tell them crescendo, they like “what the hell are you talking about?” *Laughs* It just shows not that they are ignorant to it, it’s just, they just…it does mean that they are ignorant. *Laughs* That’s just a negative word I really don’t like using. But that’s just what it boils down to, a lot of these kids don’t have any knowledge as far as where the music comes from and the basic skills that you need in order to have a long progressive career in the music industry. So I felt like it was my duty to educate these kids and educate whoever else want to learn as well. Basically, vocal coaching 101. Million Dollar Voice Inc., just to shout that out as well, if anyone who sees this interview would like vocal coaching and they live in Atlanta, we starting in Atlanta right now, we starting off small. If anybody in the Atlanta area, send me an e-mail and I’ll get back at you right away. Of course check me out on Twitter, Facebook, Mike Keith. I don’t ever give credit, I never big myself up as far as this is what I’ve heard, as far as all the four members of 112, vocally a lot of people say I’m the dopest. *Laughs* I thank a lot of people for that, but it’s not just because I’m naturally gifted like that, it’s because I do the things that are necessary to maintain that level of excellence. I do the vocal coaching, I love the vocal coaching, and I’m a natural teacher. I love teaching and just showing people the evolution. I’m always learning stuff, I’m always reading stuff and I just love sharing that type of information. I’m willing to do that, so the vocal coaching thing is definitely something I’m doing right now.
YKIGS: If I could just step back as a fan for a second, I really hope you find some way if not with the group, do that second solo album just get back in that studio, do music again. It’s just not the same, I love r&b, but it’s just not the same. We need people like you doing it, so I just hope you can find a way back.
Mike: I’m a firm believer in things being destiny, and God already having a plan for us, so I’m just riding this wave and seeing where he is taking me. I know I can do many things, but I was born to be a musician. So I know whatever plan he has more me, it has something to do with that. So I’m just sitting back and waiting to see what the move is, but you are right there is a lack of good music out there right now, and I hope that God willing, I hope he sees in his good graces that he allows me to do another solo album, allows 112 to do another album.
Click Here For Part 1 of the Interview
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Exclusive New Joint: Rell "Beautiful Girl"
Nicely done Rell. I'm glad to see he's back and recording, and not only that, but giving us something grown and sexy on this one. He didn't try to do too much here, and put it best to me that it's "sweet n simple" and I totally agree. I really look forward to hearing more from Rell soon!
New Video: Marques Houston "High Notes"
Marques Houston - High Notes
Another new song from his upcoming album "Mattress Music" due in stores September 14th. I really have no idea what to expect on this album as I'm mixed on the songs I've heard so far, but I'm hoping for the best!
New Joint: Kandi "Leave U" (Produced by Jazze Pha)
This premiered yesterday as a single from her upcoming album "B.L.O.G." which will release in November.
New Joint: Jazmine Sullivan "Holding You Down" (Remix) featuring Mary J. Blige & Swizz Beats
Very nice job on this remix, and it really takes me back to the old school days of hip hop. Too bad we can't have those days back!
New Joint: Donell Jones "Strip Club" featuring Yung Joc
Apparently this is the second single from his upcoming album "Lyric." The song has actually been floating around since last year, so it's not really new except for the Yung Joc verse. "Lyric" will be in stores September 28th. (Can't Wait!!!)
Exclusive New Joint: Static Major "Never No More" (Aaliyah Demo)
Even though I marked this as new, obviously it was recorded around 10 years ago for Aaliyah's final album "Aaliyah." Static's vocals are CRAZY on this one. Props to the homey Neeze over at www.StaticMajorIsMusic.com for blessing us with this one.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Lost Soul: Aaliyah & Playa "One Man Woman"
Fell in love with this song the first time I heard it, and still am in love with it to this day!
R.I.P Aaliyah January 16, 1979 - August 25, 2001 (9 Year Anniversary)
It's been 9 years now, and we still miss Babygirl every day. I try to give her the best tribute I can on this site because I was a huge fan and still am, so I'll continue to hold her down. She truly was "One in a Million."
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Lost Soul: Aaliyah "Are You Ready"
From the "Sunset Park" soundtrack, another of my overlooked favorites of hers!! Old school Aaliyah right here.
New Joint: R. Kelly "When a Woman Loves"
First single from his upcoming album "Love Letter." I can dig this one, he definitely stepped it up here and SANG and didn't play any games! I can really tolerate R. Kelly when he brings it like this!
New Joint: Ne-Yo "One in a Million"
Another new song from his upcoming "Libra Scale" album.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
YouKnowIGotSoul Interview With Mike Keith of 112 (Part 1 of 2)
YouKnowIGotSoul caught up with one fourth of the legendary r&b group 112, Mike Keith, and in Part 1 of the interview discussed his role in the group, some of the songs he wrote that turned into smash hits, and the progression of the group over the course of their five albums.
YouKnowIGotSoul: Let me just say it’s an honor to speak with you because you know growing up, I was a big fan of you as part of the group 112, and I’ve always admired your guy’s music, so this is a real treat for me to speak with you.
Mike Keith: No doubt man, the pleasure’s all mine.
YKIGS: If I could just start at the beginning of your career, I know you were discovered down in Atlanta by Puffy and all that, and then you were flown to New York to start recording. What do you remember the most about recording your debut album, “112”?
Mike: What I remember most about recording the debut album was that we didn’t know what the hell we was doing! *Laughs* We had to be guided and we definitely take into consideration that Puff was very instrumental in the development of our first project because like I said before, we didn’t know what we was doing. We was four kids from Atlanta, we had been in Atlanta our entire lives and then all of the sudden we do a 180 and move to New York, so it was kind of a culture shock, a brain fart, it was a cluster f*ck, whatever you wanna call it. But it was all in the development to take us from being kids to grown men. So I think that was the most memorable thing about that, the fact that Puff was really just instrumental in taking us from being these kids who had this mind set about how they were supposed to do it, and dude just came in an destroyed all of that, and then just created this whole new sound, which was this hip hop/r&b thing that a lot of people just take for granted. They just say ok it’s automatically that’s what the sound is, but in our opinion, 112 was very instrumental in creating that sound. A lot of r&b artists weren’t doing the singing over hip hop beats; I think the only other person that was doing it was Mary J. Blige at the time. And you could see the correlation; you could see where it all stemmed from, Mary, 112. So it was definitely that culture shock, but very, very fortuitous.
YKIGS: If I could focus on you for a little bit, some may be unaware, but I’m someone who reads the liner notes, I read the credits. I know you were involved a lot in the writing and co-wrote a lot of the biggest hits for the group. Just tell me about where it is you developed that talent in writing.
Mike: Honestly, I really don’t know where the writing came from, to be honest with you. I had a lot of things going on in my head, and I just put it to a little something. I wouldn’t say I have a natural affinity for writing, what God blessed me with, is if I put my mind towards something, and I know it sounds a little cliché, but if I put my mind towards something, I can do it. If I wanted to do standup comedy, I could do it. If I wanted to go out and be an actor, I could go out there and do that. We all have that ability, but for some reason it just comes natural to me. So, when it was time for me to write, it was just “Mike we need something,” and I would be like “aiight cool.” Like “Peaches and Cream” for example, we was stuck on that song for awhile, and then we just said let’s go outside the box and just create something that’s totally, whatever comes to our heads. And I was like the initiator of putting all of that together, because if you look at “Peaches and Cream,” the melody is not familiar with any other song that 112 did, it was totally different. Because we just said you know what screw it, let’s just see what happens, and that’s what happened. A lot of my creativity comes from me watching a lot of cartoons growing up and just, I was able to watch all kind of things that were silly, just funny shit, funny stuff like Saturday Night Live and cartoons and things of that nature. Anything that made me laugh pretty much, I just sat there and watched that all day. It brought creativity to a lot of my thinking process when it came to writing.
YKIGS: I wanted to get your opinion on something, I think in this digital age especially where people just get MP3s, and people aren’t actually buying physical cds and reading the liner notes and the credits, did you ever feel overshadowed a little bit? As someone who wasn’t one of the main, lead singers in the group, but you did a lot of the writing behind the scenes, did you feel maybe you weren’t getting the credit you deserved at any point?
Mike: I’m going to be honest with you, there were times when I felt like I wasn’t being utilized as much as I possibly could, but I didn’t really look at anybody or anything and pointed at them and said “well this guy is the reason why,” it wasn’t anything like that. It was nothing like that. I understood what the plan was, and still to do this day understand what the plan was, which was the fact was Slim’s voice was the most distinctive out of all of our voices, all of us could sing, but if you heard his voice you automatically associated with 112. We understood what the whole sense of it was. But there were times when I felt like I wasn’t being utilized to the best of my abilities, and it’s all in the sacrifice. I could go out there and try to rock the boat, or I could just keep doing what I’m doing, and we rock out and be one of the most famous groups of the late 90’s, early 2000’s, so which one was it going to be? I chose the latter. Do I regret anything? I don’t regret anything; I don’t regret a move that I made, as far as that goes, because I understood the plan and just scarified and whatever. I learned a long time ago that credit could be given and not taken, so I just looked at it as being God’s way of showing me that it’s bigger than me, it’s bigger than the individuals in the group, and if we want to be legendary, then this is what we have to do to in order to do it.
YKIGS: I went back through all of the albums and went through all of the liner notes, and found some of my favorite songs that you had a hand in writing, if I could just mention a few and you could just give me a little background on each.
Mike: Ok.
YKIGS: The first one is “Throw it all Away,” that’s one of my favorites.
Mike: Slim was in the zone at that point, we were towards the end of the album, conclusion of the album. We had started to get a feel for what it took to be in the studio and what Puffy wanted from us as far as songs went. And it was evident at that point that Slim was in the zone. So it was automatic for us to just make him sing the entire song because he was in such a zone at that point. So what I do when I write songs, and when I write records for people, I look at their attributes, and especially knowing these guys as long as I’ve known them, it was easy for me to say, you know what, this is a song that Slim needs to sing by himself, let him take it, he’s in the zone right now, let him kill. It’s one of my favorite songs as well, so mission accomplished on that one.
YKIGS: Another one, and from the “Room 112” album, one of my favorite songs is “Crazy Over You.”
Mike: “Crazy Over You,” I was instrumental in that one, but I think that’s more Daron than anything else. Daron was in the zone as well as far as being a producer, and I think Q and myself came in like towards the end with a bridge, where if you listen to the verses of “Crazy Over You,” and listen to the bridge, you can tell there is a difference as far as the melodies and the tones and things of that nature. That’s because Q and myself came in and wrote on that aspect of it. That just shows the correlation and the camaraderie that we all had and all possessed, we could still come in even though the band had the bulk of the song down, we could come in and just put our part on it and make it sound even better. Definitely, that was one of my favorite songs as well, it’s crazy because that is one of my favorite songs, that’s one of my favorite songs to perform, because I get to go off in the end so.
YKIGS: I was actually going to just ask you, do you have a favorite song you wrote, which is it and why?
Mike: My favorite song I wrote…one of my favorite songs that I wrote, I don’t even think people realize that 112 did the song. It was a song that we did for the “Light It Up” soundtrack, that movie that Usher was in, let me think who else was in it…ole girl from Rosanne, Forrest Whitaker was in it. For the soundtrack, we did a song called “Anything for You.” The funny thing about it is, I actually wrote it on an airplane on our way to a show. How I wrote it, because I was playing around, I wrote it as a country song. Now if you can imagine one of these country singers singing that song the way the song was written, it was written to be a country song. But when we went in and did it country, it sounded too country, it didn’t sound like 112, it sounded like we were going up to Nashville to record the song for CMT or something like that man. It was really a country sounding song. Us being from Atlanta, we originated country. It was too country so we had to pull back on that, make it more r&b, put more of the r&b slow material on it. We had the little sounds, the little guitar and everything, but it just sounded too country. We actually did that song with the intent on making it sound like it was a country record, but it didn’t really pan out the way we wanted it to, but it still came out to be a really good song.
YKIGS: Now if I could get you to comment on the sound of the group. I feel like there was a progression, in the beginning you guys had more of a soulful tone I felt, and then as you mentioned, more of that hip hop soul. In the later albums, I felt it was a little more commercial. Can you just comment on how you feel the group progressed in terms of sound?
Mike: As far as the first album goes, when we first came onto the scene, we were really raw, like I said before we really didn’t know what we were doing. We had to be taught how to do the hip hop/r&b thing because in our mindset the only thing that we were concerned about was r&b. When we grew up and we listened to the music, our sound, a lot of people don’t realize this but a lot of 112 sound stems from two groups: The Commission and Take 6. It was the harmonies from Take 6, and the vocal arrangements and also the vocal production from The Commission, and also their writing style and how they put things together. So we combine the two, and that was the 112 sound. So our whole thing was really into the harmonies at that point, we was really big on harmonies, we knew we could sing the leads, that’s not the problem, we was more concerned about how the harmonies sounded versus how the leads sounded. So that was that first album, if you could go back and listen to that, you could tell we were really into the harmonies and wanted to make sure all of the harmonies and things of that nature were most prevalent in our minds. But as we progressed and as we grew up more into the music industry, we realized that it was going to take a little more than our harmonies to be a mainstay in the music industry. So we started by the second to third album, that’s when you started to hear the evolution of the lead vocal ability of the group. Of course we had been out on the road performing; by that time we had done…we had been on tour with Whitney at that point, we went on tour with The Isley Brothers at that point, and I think New Edition, and Bone Thugs N Harmony. So by that time, we got a little, our chest was poked out a little bit, we got around saying we was these real true to life singers and you couldn’t really tell us about the music game at that point. But you could definitely tell there was a progression as far as the lead vocal ability from the first to the second, to the second to the third. We were more concerned about sticking more leads and being more sexy with it, and we would start growing up and being around the ladies and understanding what they wanted from us and stuff. So the second album was a little bit more sexy than the first album was. The first album was more of a romantic, kind of soul searching romantic kind of feel, one you could just put on for your girl at night and have a little Grey Goose or whatever. But that second one was like, once you have that Grey Goose inside, yall can get into bed and get to it. And that was the progression from the first to the second. From the second to the third, by the third album we wanted our independence. We wanted to be independent from the umbrella that was Puff. At that point we realized that a lot of people looked at it as being Puff was the producer and he was the dude that was orchestrating the entire 112 movement. And we wanted people to know at that point that yea he was instrumental, but at the same time, 112 was the reason why 112 was who we was at that point, vocally and musically. So we set out on a goal to prove to everybody that 112 was the reason why we were so dope on that third album. If you go back and just listen, after I’ve given all of this, I want you to go back and listen to the third album again, you could tell the rebelliousness that we had in our voices. The rebellious nature that we had in the music as well, we were more aggressive on the third album. The whole movement was more aggressive because we had started venturing out, but you’ve got to understand, by the first or second album, it was whatever Puff say to do, we did. But by the third album, we was like f*ck that. We aint doing it like that no more, if it sounds good we gonna listen, but we need to let it be 112 at the same time. So that’s where you get that feel on that third album. The fourth album, we lost our way on that fourth album. We moved from going to Bad Boy to Def Jam, they gave us more money than we ever saw, and we lost our way and when we did the album we weren’t really focused. We felt like “we could do that shit man, we are 112, we could do that, don’t worry about that.” But by the time we looked up and it was time to submit an album, we didn’t really give them everything we could have given. The fourth album in a lot of people’s eyes, even though it went platinum, it was a disappointment because it didn’t have the same effect as the third one. Everyone was anticipating off of that third success that we were just going to bring it, but that didn’t happen. But it did teach us a lesson, we progressed and we knew that we couldn’t play no more. You are only given one shot, so we really couldn’t go out there and play around anymore. So by the fifth album, we were just locked in and it was kind of a redemption. It was kind of like we had matured, we had been through quote, unquote the fire so to speak, and it’s time for us to show everybody that we are a mainstay in r&b and we can rebound from a little disappointment and we can rebound from not necessarily a disaster, but we can rebound from things just like any other group that has the potential to be legendary. So that was pretty much the progression that happened with these albums.
YKIGS: That’s interesting, you definitely gave me something to think about when I go back and listen again, because that gives a whole new perspective.
Mike: That first album was a classic, but a reason why the first album is always a classic, if you didn’t know, because it took however long you started making that album until the point that you lived, that’s how long it took. So for us, it took 17 or 18 years to make that first album. As for all the other albums, it was easy to make those other albums after that, but that first album, we gave it everything we had. From people telling us we couldn’t make it, to yall need to go to college instead, to moving up to New York someobody gonna kill you up there. *Laughs*It’s like all of that stuff, everybody telling us that we weren’t good enough, all of the evil energy, all of the positive energy that was given to us and thrown our way, we took that and molded it into the first album. So that’s why the first one was such a quote, unquote classic, and that’s why the first one had so much heartfelt energy. Because we didn’t know any better, all we knew was to give it our all. By that time we hadn’t lived music industry bullshit yet. For us to go out and do that first album, it came natural. It was more so romantic, it was a more romantic themed album. The second one was more of a sexy feel, that third one was more about our independence, that fourth one was kinda like we lost our way a little bit, and the fifth one was really about redemption, and getting our name back.
Stay tuned for part 2 coming later this week.
Lost Soul: 112 "Anything"
I had to dig this one up since Mike just mentioned it as being his favorite song he wrote in the interview (click here to read) I recently completed with him. He also mentioned this was originally slated to be a country song. What do you think, can you hear it? This was included on the "Light It Up" soundtrack from back in 1996.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Lost Soul: Blackstreet "Why, Why"
One of the standout tracks form the group's final album "Level II" back in 2003. I don't have the album credits in front of me, but it's obviously influenced by Michael Jackson's "Human Nature."
Rare Gem: Tony Sunshine "Portrait of a Fool"
I might be one of the last ones left still waiting on this dude to release his looooongggg awaited solo album, but I just can't deny the talent. I guess I'm also just a bit nostalgic since his voice brings me pack to the Big Pun era. This one was "released" a few years back, but like the rest of his material, has never found a home yet.
Rare Gem: Tamia "No Way"
This was originally scheduled to appear on her 2003 album "Still," which never released and eventually turned into her 2004 album "More." It has a 90's r&b vibe to it, and I always thought this track was good enough to find a way onto one of her albums.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Lost Soul: Zhane "La, La, La"
One of my personal favorites from their 1994 album "Pronounced Jah-Nay."
Classic Vibe: Common "Resurrection" (1995)
One of my favorite Common songs right here. Songs like this are what I think of when I think of classic hip hop of the 90s.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
New Joint: Teedra Moses "R U 4 Real"
So I decided to go back and give Teedra's free mixtape from a few months back another listen and WOW, I must have overlooked this song! I've actually been stuck on it for the past couple of days; can't even get it out of my head. I can't really call what makes it so amazing, but that piano in the beat just sets it off in my opinion. If you haven't heard the mixtape, it's a must listen!!
Click Here to Go To Download Page
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
New Joint: Bilal "Restart"
First single from Bilal's upcoming album "Airtight's Revenge."
Monday, August 16, 2010
New Joint: Brian McKnight "What You Gonna Do" featuring Black Eyed Peas
Sunday, August 15, 2010
New Joint: Fantasia "Thrill is Gone" featuring Cee-Lo
Her new album "Back to Me" will released August 24th and this collaboration is set to be featured on the album.
New Joint: El Debarge "Second Chance"
"Second Chance" is the first single and also album title of the upcoming album from El Debarge. It will be his first album released in over 15 years. He is currently signed to Interscope Records, and the album will release next month in September. It's set to feature production from Babyface and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
New Joint: Lloyd "Lay It Down"
Here is the first single from Lloyd's upcoming fourth album "King of Hearts." I like Lloyd for the most part, and this song sounds cool to me.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
New Joint: Fantasia "Man of the House"
This is the second single from her upcoming album "Back to Me." Also wishing her a full and speedy recovery!
Lost Soul: Notorious B.I.G. "Miss U" featuring 112
Absolutely have always loved this song! Little did I know until I had the chance to speak with Mike from 112, that 112 laid their vocals down on the track after B.I.G. had already passed.
New Video: Lyfe Jennings "If Tomorrow Never Comes"
Lyfe Jennings - If Tomorrow Never Comes
Lyfe's new album "I Still Believe" will be in stores August 31st.
New Joint: Tiffany Carter "Happy"
(Minneapolis, MN) When music is your main focus, your craft doesn’t take a vacation just because the sun goes down. Nor does the impact of a song subside whenever a track has spun to a close.
For NEO-SOUL and R&B Songstress Tiffany Carter, the hustle to garner her official stripes in the Music Industry is a fete that calls her every 24 hours; a cycle that never rests as long as her art has a story to tell, and there are ears further than a whisper.
8 Days a week music.
No, she’s not a Barbie Doll in a halter dress, she’s the gimmick that is the gimmick of representing reality rather than shaping a dishonest truth inside clever packaging. She’s a smile, a voice, and an indefinable feeling of awe that reaches your soul whenever her microphone is present.
Dripping with abounds of talent from a buttery voice, pure in sensation, and profound beyond compare, she’s what the industry lacks and what our ears and hearts desire; she’s a praise in the wind, as lyrics glide over melodies and conform into triumph.
With the fury of a thousand footsteps, she’s proceeding without caution on a mission to garner her signature its right of passage; a label, a record company home, and a contract that will allow her to create and redefine a sound that has been lost to many a fallen artists.
A day ahead of the world around her, Carter redefines Real music, told from an honest perspective with quality as the main event.
Her songs “Happy,” and “Loving You,” off of her album “Mama’s Baby” are taking the Midwest by storm. Apart from that, in the past 7 days with write ups in the Insight Newspaper, two interviews with major east coast radio stations, a song feature on DC’s Q the Question website, and an introduction into the Miami music scene, the road is stretching forward to allow Tiffany Carter the run of the land.
It’s time you accepted the rain, cause Tiffany Carter is here to shower you with music in the truest form. Get acquainted for a lifetime; understand the presence of vocal beauty.
Visit Tiffany Carters website at www.tiffanycartermusic.com
New Joint: Mario Winans "Heartbreaker"
Mario is still working on his 3rd studio album "Love's Highway" which has basically been in production for four years now! He's always managed to stay busy behind the scenes though with production, so I can't blame the man. I'm kinda feelin this one, I'm not sure it has hit potential or anything but it's a nice song.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
YouKnowIGotSoul Interview With Dondria
YouKnowIGotSoul caught up with up and coming So So Def singer Dondria to talk about her upcoming album "Dondria vs. Phatfffat," advice she could offer to others looking to be discovered like she was, working with legends such as Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox, her current tour with Monica and Trey Songz, and potential future collaborations outside of the r&b realm!
YouKnowIGotSoul: First of all let me say congratulations, I know you’ve got the album coming out in less than a week, and I just have to ask, how does it feel right now?
Dondria: It feels great! I mean I’ve been working for years since ’07 to finally produce something I could put out, so it’s like my little baby.
YKIGS: What can we expect to hear on this album in terms of writers, production, features, the whole thing?
Dondria: You’re definitely going to hear what I would say is real r&b, and real soul, that feeling that you used to get in the 80’s and 90’s. Where the talent is, it is showcased in not so much an image or a gimmick, so I’m really excited about that too because there is not really a lot of just pure talent on the radio right now.
YKIGS: Yea exactly, I agree with you.
YKIGS: A lot of the songs I’ve heard from you so far have been of a slower tempo, do you feel that is your strength and is that the direction you’re taking with this album?
Dondria: I wouldn’t say that it’s my strength, but that’s just what I love to do more. I just feel a certain way, like I feel like I can feel the music, and embrace it, and really listen to the words when it’s slow, or even mid tempo. It’s a mixture, I have a wide variety, I have some mid tempo stuff on there too.
YKIGS: From the track list I’ve seen, you only have one guest feature on the album, well actually two on one song, was that done by design?
Dondria: Yes it was. I really wanted to keep the focus on me, you know it’s my first album and although I have been gaining a lot of views and fans through radio and through Youtube, there are going to be some that….there are still going to be people that still haven’t heard from me. So I wanted to give them the best introduction to who I am, and not really be overshadowed or even competing with people on my own album.
YKIGS: Yea I agree with that.
YKIGS: Also congratulations on the success of your first single “You’re the One,” and I have to tell you I have a buddy of mine Kyle, he actually wants to use the song in his wedding he loves it so much!
Dondria: *Laughs*
YKIGS: How did this song come together for you, tell me about that?
Dondria: “You’re the One,” J.D. and Bryan Michael Cox wrote it, and they brought it to me and I immediately fell in love with it. I mean I think that it’s a classic song that everybody can relate to and it just…it’s just one of those songs. I’m getting the second single out, and radio stations are still playing the first single. I just knew that it would make the best first impression.
YKIGS: For your second single “Shawty Wus Up,” what made you choose this as your next single?
Dondria: I chose “Shawty Wus Up” just to give a different side, I wanted to show people that I can sing and give them a classic song, but I also want them to have fun. So I chose “Shawty Wus Up” which you can play it in the club, you know or maybe at a party or whatever and have fun and flirt. Still have fun, but appreciate music and still have fun, it’s important to still have fun.
YKIGS: So obviously by now everyone pretty much knows your story about how you were discovered on Youtube and everything, but what I was interested is, when you first started putting the videos up on Youtube, was it your intention to be discovered, or was that something you just did for fun?
Dondria: No not at all. I really just went on there to get an unbiased opinion from the public audience and I knew that it was one of the best ways to do it. I’m grateful for the response and the buzz and how much it grew and eventually me getting signed, but I definitely didn’t imagine that this would happen.
YKIGS: So tell what it was originally like when someone reached out to you, Jermaine reached out to you on Youtube, what was that experience like?
Dondria: It was crazy. I mean I didn’t believe that it was him when he first reached out to me and it took quite a few times before I finally believed that it was him. Once I realized that, I was just, I mean I was ecstatic. I mean he’s done all of these things, he’s worked with all of these artists and made great music and made history, and for him to be looking at me and even think that I could be on the same roster as his other people, it was an honor, but it was also like I had big shoes to fill, so it was mixed emotions.
YKIGS: What advice could you offer to other aspiring artists out there who are looking to get discovered just like you were?
Dondria: I would tell aspiring artists to definitely use the social media ways, and ride that train because it’s definitely successful, you know Youtube, Mysapce, Facebook, Twitter, anything online, definitely use that. But don’t forget to use the more traditional outlets too, like still do open mic nights, and karaoke, and talent shows and competitions and all of that stuff. Use everything, because that’s the only way you will really be able to achieve…you know if you are open to doing everything you possibly can and not just one way.
YKIGS: Tell me what is it like working with Jermaine Dupri, and what’s something you could say you’ve learned from him?
Dondria: Working with JD is definitely a challenge. He’s always pushing me to go above and beyond, he wants me to be my absolute best at all times. And I am doing well, and he acts like I’m not doing well, like “It was aiight,” but he does that to make sure I don’t get too comfortable and I’m always striving. Now I’m new, but when I get established, which I know that I will be, but when I get established, I’m sure that he will still be pushing me like I am new. I think the people that do that, that are perfectionists and everything, which leads me to the next question which is how he inspired me and what I’ve learned from him, the people that work all the time and act like it’s their first album or it’s their first interview or whatever, they are the ones that are going to remain at the top, and that is what he’s taught me.
YKIGS: You mentioned Bryan Michael Cox earlier, tell me about him because he’s one of my favorite producers, what’s it like working with him?
Dondria: Working with Bryan, it’s a little less stressful because he’s really nice and stuff, but he’s definitely talented. When we get into the studio together, it’s an immediate connection. It’s like I know exactly what he wants, and I just do it. His criticism is a little nicer, but he’s very sweet and his talent is inspiring.
YKIGS: I’ve had the opportunity to hear a snippet of a song I know is going to be on your album, “Still Be With Me,” and from the snippet of the song I’ve heard I love it already. Tell me a little bit about that song, “Still Be With Me.”
Dondria: That was probably one of the first songs that I ever recorded since I got signed. Basically it’s I’m in a relationship, well I’m not in a relationship anymore, I was in one. It’s just like ‘If I knew everything that I know right now, back then, then you’d probably still be with me.” It’s basically, I wouldn’t say regret because I don’t think that you should regret anything, it was like a lesson learned and if I was either wiser for whatever reason, we would probably still be together.
YKIGS: I know you recently just joined a tour with Trey Songz and Monica, how has that experience been so far?
Dondria: They have already done two dates, and I’m gonna join them on the 12th so I haven’t actually joined them yet. But I’m just excited because this is a big tour. Monica I’ve been watching…I mean I grew up watching, listening to her, and I think her first album was the first album I ever purchased. And Trey Songz, I mean he is really doing his thing right now, and I’m just honored to be a part of this tour.
YKIGS: I’m not trying to make you look ahead to your second album or anything like that, but in the future, do you see yourself collaborating, or are there any artists you’d like to collaborate with that maybe you are a fan of yourself?
Dondria: Yes, I would love to do something with Beyonce, I would love to do something with Tank. Anybody else, I mean…I guess I’ve always been pretty cultured I think and exposed to a lot of different music. So I wouldn’t even mind doing music with some of the likes of Lady Gaga, or Taylor Swift, or Paramore. I’ve listed to all of them and I appreciate their music as well.
YKIGS: That’s pretty much all I had prepared here, is there anything else you’d like to add?
Dondria: Just to remind everybody the album comes out August 17th, which is next Tuesday. And to thank everybody that has been riding with me so far!
Dondria's debut album "Dondria vs. Phatfffat" will be in stores August 17th.
Lost Soul: Gap Band "Wednesday Lover" & Jagged Edge "Wednesday Lover" (Cover)
Big shout out to my man SoulStarMusic for putting me on to the Gap Band version of this song. Of course I know the Jagged Edge version, as it's probably my favorite song from their debut album! Little did I know it was actually a cover, and I have to say, I actually prefer the Gap Band version a little more. Crazy!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Two Interviews Coming Very Soon
Sorry for the lack of updates today, but tonight I was busy conducting not one, but two interviews! I had the opportunity to talk with Dondria as well as Mike from 112. So stay tuned for those, they should be coming within the next few days!
Monday, August 9, 2010
New Joint: Lisa Banton "Better Without You"
Check out this fresh up and coming talent, you know I'm a huge supporter!! Feelin this one!!
Click Here For the Bio
Rare Gem: Missy Elliott - Rather
Here is an unreleased track by Missy Elliott. Casual listeners will be surprised to hear Missy singing on this song as they're more familiar with her distinctive rap style. Make no mistake about it though, Missy can SANG and definitely showcases her true gifts on this song. There is still no information on when her album "Block Party" is coming out. I hope it drops soon though!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
New Video: Leela James on Walmart Soundcheck
Check out Leela James' performance on Walmart's Soundcheck. She did a full five song performance as well as an interview out in San Francisco. Also remember her album "My Soul" is in stores now!
Click here to watch the full performance and interview.
Click here for an iPhone app page of previous Soundcheck performances.
Rare Gem: Her Sanity "Xclusive" feautring the L.O.X. (Remix)
I actually didn't even know this group had an album, let alone a music video, until I just researched them today. "Xclusive" was the name of the album and also the first single from the group back in 2001, but I highly prefer this remix of it. If you watch the video, Jada's rhymes don't even go with the beat so the whole thing just sounds off to me. Everything flows more smoothly over this Cocoa Chanelle remix.
New Joint: Glenn Lewis "Enough"
I can't confirm, but I believe this is another new song from Glenn's upcoming project. To me it's not as good as "Relax," but regardless it's great to hear new music from the man!
Classic Vibe: Eboni Foster "Crazy For You" featuring Sean Don (1998)
Song really has that late 90's, feel good r&b vibe to it. Also, if Sean Don sounds familiar, I believe this is the same dude who appeared on both of Avant's first two albums.
Upcoming Album: Smoke E. Digglera "R&B: The Resurrection Vol. 2"
Look out for Smoke E. Digglera's new album "R&B: The Resurrection Vol. 2" coming August 17th!
New Joint: Dondria "Makin Love"
Here's something new from Dondria that will appear on her upcoming album "Dondria Vs Phatfffat" due in stores August 17th. The song was produced by Jermaine Dupri, and just like most of the songs I've heard from her, I'm feelin it. I like what they are doing with this project, and I'm anticipating hearing the full album in a couple of weeks!
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