Rising independent
R&B recording artist JAY COLUMBUS has
released his single, “Turn Off the Lights”, which features DeAnte Haggerty-Willis on guitar and serves as the lead single
from his upcoming EP Anywhere But Here
slated for a September 7th
release, with a release concert in Baltimore, MD. LISTEN TO "TURN OFF THE LIGHTS" BELOW:
Also on September
7th, Jay will be releasing a second EP titled, Nowhere But Here and will be led by a single titled, “Cool Switcher”
on July 11th.
On the EP projects,
Jay states: “The two EP’s document what I believe to be
the common mindsets people experience in the evolution of love. Anywhere But
Here illustrates the demise and heartbreak of love, while Nowhere But Here
illustrates the joy and productivity of a healthy situation, only for the cycle
to come full circle by the last song. Anywhere But Here is strictly acoustic
music that’s driven by guitar and vocal harmony, while Nowhere But Here is made
with digital production. Both different sides of the R&B spectrum. All
songs were written, produced and arranged by me.” Follow Jay Columbus: Facebook l Instagram l Twitter
After recently wrapping up the "Keys and a Mic" acoustic tour, Grammy Award-winning Singer-songwriter and record producer PJ MORTON releases his spin on The Gap Band's 1981 classic "Yearning for Your Love", that's sure to get everyone in the cooking out spirit.
STREAM "YEARNING FOR YOUR LOVE" BELOW:
In other PJ Morton news, he will be performing at this year's 2019 Essence Festival in July and creating a live album from the event.
Rising R&B/Pop sensation STAN GENIUS is ready to take the music world by storm. The Singer-songwriter released his first project LightSkin Issues in 2017 followed by A Genius Holiday. I caught up with Stan Genius to discuss his latest single "Cross Your Mind", Upcoming Project, Musical Influences & much more...
TERRANCE: First, tell us a little about where you’re from and when you realized you were ready to share your gifts with the world.
STAN GENIUS: I'm from Atlanta, Georgia. Music is always something I knew I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to share my gift with the world by age 5, by putting on my first “homemade” concert as well as selling original CD’s.
TERRANCE: Who were your musical influences growing up?
STAN GENIUS: Michael Jackson, Charlie Wilson, Luther Vandross, and Stevie Wonder were all very influential to me at a young age.
TERRANCE: In one word describe your sound.
STAN GENIUS: FUN! It's RnB with a Pop appeal.
TERRANCE: As a songwriter, do you usually write from the experiences of your own or the experiences of others?
STAN GENIUS: Hahaha.. both. I can see something casual in life that may not pertain to me that I think is a good concept for a song, but the more personal and serious ones are usually experiences of my own.
TERRANCE: Talk about the inspiration behind your single “Cross Your Mind”.
STAN GENIUS: "Cross Your Mind" was a very fun song to write haha. Me and B (my writing partner) wrote it literally in like 30min over FaceTime. Just thinking of that place in a relationship where it seems like things have hit the fan but you don’t want it to end, which I think is a very relatable feeling for everyone.
TERRANCE: What can you tell us about your upcoming project Star Burst?
STAN GENIUS: Of course. I can definitely say that this music is the best I've ever made and I can’t wait for my fans to hear. It’s very fun and has a great energy. I believe it will make you happy!
TERRANCE: Do you consider social media fundamental to an artist career and independent music in general?
STAN GENIUS: No, I think what’s fundamental is your product, your music. Not a number of followers. I think it can be a great platform to reach people and show your work but I think it's sad that there's so many talented people that do not get the shot they deserve because everything is based off that number.
TERRANCE: From your perspective, what’s a key quality that makes an artist great?
STAN GENIUS: That artist believing that they are intact great.
TERRANCE: What are your aspirations outside of music?
STAN GENIUS: Love this question. One of my biggest goals outside of music is to buy the Falcons when I'm older.
TERRANCE: Are there any upcoming shows, special events or appearances you can tell us about?
STAN GENIUS: I will be performing at the HotLanta Music Festival this month as well as my on going High-School Tour with Hot 107.9 and MEG in Atlanta.
TERRANCE: What advice would you give to the aspiring artist who aspire to do what you do?
STAN GENIUS: Don’t let anyone tell you want you can’t do. Find ways to keep inspiring yourself to keep going EVEN when you DON'T see the results! That's what makes the difference.
TERRANCE: Any final words you would like to share with the readers, your fans and followers about yourself and your music?
STAN GENIUS: I love you all so much, can’t wait for you to hear this new music! Till next time.
R&B Singer, Songwriter, Producer and Actor GARY ‘LIL G’ JENKINS best known as the lead singer in the multi-platinum R&B group Silk (“Freak Me”, “If You (Lovin’ Me)”, “Girl U for Me”, “Meeting In My Bedroom”, “Lose Control”, “Hooked on You”), returns with his latest solo single “Like We Use To” from his upcoming sophomore album G7 No Parole. I caught up with Lil G for an exclusive interview to discuss the single, the album, Silk and much more…
HEAR “LIKE WE USE TO” BELOW:
TERRANCE: Talk to us about your new single “Like We Use To” and why people should go download it if they hadn’t already.
LIL G: It’s the first single off of my new album that will be coming in the new year titled G7 No Parole. It’s a song that’s very old R&B-driven but it’s also a Stepper’s cut and man, the stepping scene has really taken a whole to this scene. I did a pre-release and it ended up being on the Official Indie Soul Charts for three straight weeks at #2. So everybody please support me in my efforts to bring the love back in our relationships whether it be friendships or relationships between a man and a woman, a woman and a woman or a man and a man.
TERRANCE: What’s the backstory behind the name of your upcoming sophomore album G7 No Parole?
LIL G: The reason I titled the album G7 No Parole is because I consider myself in prison through music. I’m sentenced to life in music. I’m not getting out. G7 is real dear to me because first of all, I’m the seventh child. I’m the baby boy. There’s five boys and two girls. G is the seventh letter in the alphabet and the number 7 is considered the number of completion, so I put it all together and 7 is my lucky number so G7 No Parole.
TERRANCE: Can you share who’s on the album as far as producers, special guests?
LIL G: Well, the producer of the first single is Mr. Wirlie Morris and I’m sure you know that name. He’s worked with Charlie Wilson, New Edition, Johnny Gill, so I was able to link up with him and his team and so we put this one together. There are some others that I’m targeting right now. You might have some special guest spots on the album too.
TERRANCE: How does the recording process differ as a solo artist vs. with your group Silk?
LIL G: On this album you will get to hear more of my creative aspects. I’m a musician as well and you’re definitely going to hear that in my live shows and hear that in the music as well. I’m trying to give the fans a little bit more insight on what Lil G really does.
TERRANCE: What musical instrument you play and when did you start?
LIL G: Oh man, I started picking up instruments when I was a child about seven years old. I first started out with keys, guitars, drums, bass, percussion and started expanding from there.
TERRANCE: Are there any favorite Silk songs or one’s you enjoy performing that were not singles?
LIL G: “Lose Control” is my all-time favorite I just have to say that. I like to get off into “I Wonder”, “Playa Road”, “Back in My Arms”, “Love You Down”, “Because of Your Love”, “What Kind of Love”, “Sexcellent”. On the Quiet Storm album, it would have to be “Baby Suit”, “Only Takes One”.
TERRANCE: You mentioned Quiet Storm. Do you feel that project fulfilled what it needed?
LIL G: I just don’t think it was put out there the way it needed to be and it needs to be revisited, you know? Because it’s too much great music on there that part of the world didn’t get a chance to have access to, so I’m starting a campaign to get that back in effect.
TERRANCE: What can you tell us about the current status of Silk?
LIL G: We are all together on everything. I’m working on a solo project. John John is working on a solo project. We’re just keeping busy, man. That’s all you gotta do. Keep it together. We’re businessmen and brothers and we ain’t going nowhere.
TERRANCE: What do you hope listeners take away from the G7 No Parole experience?
LIL G: I hope that they feel they know a little bit more about me and I hope that one or two or three or ten songs affect them in a way that makes them think about their life and hopefully it’s a situation to make their life better in a sense because if you can relate to something, it’s going to stick with you forever. Am I right?
TERRANCE: Right.
LIL G: So I hope they take that. And I hope that they just get enjoyment and fulfillment out of my project.
TERRANCE: Any final words you would like to leave for your fans, followers and the readers?
LIL G: I love y’all. I love y’all. I love y’all and thank y’all for the support you’ve given me and my group over the years and we’re going to continue to keep this music coming your way. If you want to reach out to me on my social media, my website is www.garylilgjenkins.com, Facebook and Twitter @garygjenkins and Instagram @garylilg. For all of Silk’s social media it’s @SILKfans for everything. Congratulations to you man, you’re doing your thing with RnB Junkie.
Indie R&B/Soul Singers,
Songwriters and Recording Artists in their own right, Von B. & DL Wilson joined
forces to create the duo Von B. & DL
Wilson. Raised in South Bend, In. Both members were part of a High School
R&B singing group that made a name for themselves on the local scene. From
talent show victories, local news interviews and TV show performances, they
were more than just average high school students. Major R&B recording
artists such as the DUO/Group MEN AT LARGE, Lil JOE (of The Rude Boys) and the
late, great Gerald Levert were a few artists that offered a positive influence,
great advice and the opportunity to perform. Earlier in the year they released their debut single "She's Unbelievable" and followed it up with the current single "Mr. DJ Stole My Girl". I caught up with the duo to discuss their debut album Von B. And DL Wilson Presents, their Formation, Sound, Musical Influences, Recording Process, Independence as Artists and much more...
TERRANCE: First,
can you tell us how and when Von B. & DL Wilson formed and what the journey
from then to now has been like?
VON B: We officially became a DUO in 2016 and the journey
has been life-like. By that we mean, anyone can set a goal but not everyone is able
to overcome adversity and still accomplish it! We have always been on the same
page with good communication, a strong brotherhood, understanding, being
teammates etc. but we both overcame a lot outside of the Duo in order be at
this very moment! We hope the listeners can feel the ‘vibe’ our music creates.
TERRANCE: When did you both discover your
love of music and wanted to be musical artists?
DL WILSON: Early! (laughs)…we grew
up in houses that played all the Motown Urban/R&B/Soul greats, Jazz and
Gospel music and artists! We took it seriously when we became members of a
5-man high school singing group that became popular in our hometown. Starting
with practice, performances at local events, interviewed on multiple news
stations, studio recording and being special guests on a Saturday morning kid’s
television show, we became serious in developing our craft.
TERRANCE: How would you describe your
sound?
VON B: Our sound is like a “Modern day Throwback”, “Real
good, feel good music” if you will. We want to represent where we come from.
The kind of solid music that felt good but at the same time, real, and the kind
of music that tells a story from our point of view! The Motown sound stood out
because of this!
TERRANCE: Who were some musical influences
growing up and who’s influencing you right now?
DL WILSON: We can go all day with this list…(laughs).
Growing up listening to Otis Redding, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie
Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5, The ENCOS, James Ingram,
George Benson, LTD, Con Funk Shun, Earth, Wind and Fire! Gospel legends like the
late Daryl Coley, John P. Kee., Mississippi Mass Choir, The Clark Sisters, BEBE
& CECE Winans, and Commissioned just to name a few. In our opinion, artists
that are making good music currently are R&B artists like MAJOR., Tank,
Raheem DeVaughn, India.Arie, Jill Scott, Bruno Mars, PJ Morton, Luke James,
Chris Brown, Joe, D’Angelo and The Vanguard etc…but we noticed a gap between
current R&B solo artists and R&B groups. Groups bringing that vocal
arrangement and harmony seem to be outdated in mainstream and that is where we
come in!
TERRANCE: Earlier in the year, you guys
released your debut single “She’s Unbelievable” as a duo. What inspired that
song?
VON B: Yes, “She’s Unbelievable”
is still unbelievable! We created this song to show love and respect to our
women Worldwide! A ‘Woman’s Anthem’ if you will. It is about a woman and/or
women who have ‘heard it all before’. We believe most women have heard all the
‘lines’ a man can throw her until it all sounds the same. This song
acknowledges that fact but the beauty that we describe is more than just ‘hips,
lips and fingertips’, it is the total package inside and out! We started out
asking men ‘have they ever seen a woman, with eyes like an angel’. The eyes are
‘the window to the soul’ they say and sometimes body parts are all that seen.
This society often times define beauty as ‘just skin deep’ but we believe
beauty comes from within first and true beauty comes in all shapes, sizes,
colors or creeds! To all the ‘She’s Unbelievable’ women out there, this is your
song! Let’s turn up!
TERRANCE: You
guys followed it up with “Mr. DJ Stole My Girl”. Why did you think that song
was the right choice?
DL WILSON: Well, “Mr. DJ Stole My
Girl” released as a one, two punch for promoting our sound, style and album!
Just think of it as ‘Thunder and Lighting’! Just as “She’s Unbelievable”
displayed our creativity,” Mr. DJ Stole My Girl” added a different vocal
perspective, arrangement and an actual plot to the story lines, including a
‘sing/rap style’ that is different from what we usually do. We played off each
other vocals and styles but were together as one at the same time! We went into
the writing, arrangement and recording of this song, with no fear! Therefore, “She’s
Unbelievable” and “Mr. DJ Stole My Girl” is our version of a ‘double single’
release to let the music listener know that we are not going to be a one hit
wonder!
TERRANCE: Can
you tell us about the creative process for your album Von B. & DL Wilson
Presents…
VON B: The album Von B. and DL Wilson Presents is simply
two passionate artists coming together to create one sound! Therefore, we are
making our presentation to music lovers who have wondered where all the ‘real
good, feel good’ music has gone. Some call our sound a ‘Modern Day Throwback’,
‘Refreshing’, ‘Uniquely tasteful’! Our album is one that young,
mid-age and mature audiences can enjoy, in the same room, at the same time! To
add, our process consisted of choosing the right type of production sound,
writing material that not only is relevant but catchy! Easy to learn our lyrics
and sing along. There is a story to every song recorded and our songs sound
like a normal ‘conversation’. So in essence, our process is to create
compositions that listeners will not forget.
TERRANCE: Debut
albums are always first impressions. Is there anything in particular you hope
listeners take away from their experience with this album?
DL WILSON: This is almost a
continuation from the previous response. We hope the experience our album bring
to our listeners is memorable. We hope that our sound reminds people that
tasteful, relevant, soulful, good music still exists and can come from even
indie artists! We hope that our fan base continue to grow and support us
because we are just getting started, meaning that we have a lot of music,
styles and flavor still within us to share Worldwide! We hope that we get the
attention that our work and creativity deserves. We know not everything is for
everyone but we hope that the people that do like what we are presenting
continue to let others know about us. Lastly, to tell others that we were not afraid
to be ourselves in do the music that is in our hearts.
TERRANCE: Are
there any personal favorites on the album that stand out or speak to your
current state of mind?
DL WILSON: Honestly, all the
songs on the album speak to our current state of mind because of the hard work
put into each one. Our goal was to produce an album full of singles and we
believe we accomplished our goal.
TERRANCE: What
are the most rewarding and toughest parts about being independent artists?
VON B: On the rewarding side, we
would say the freedom to use our gifts as freely as we want. It is a sense of
pride knowing that we selected each track for the mood of the album. We wrote
to every song except the single “Girlfriend” because the featured artist wrote
his own part of the song and produced it. We arranged all of our vocals, vocal
harmonies, bridges and vocal key modulations. So again, the freedom to create
our album exactly how we wanted to was very rewarding. The toughest part of
being an independent artist is naturally the financial aspect, mainstream radio
rotation and overall marketing and promotion compared to the counter-part Major
Recording artists. The differences are obvious but in today’s advancing world
of internet, apps and technology, more artists that are independent are using
technology to bring the gap between Major and Indie artists a little closer.
TERRANCE: Can
we expect any live dates or tour in the near future?
DL WILSON: Live performances and
tours will be at a TBA type of situation. However, we can say to our fans and
music lovers, contact your local stations, internet stations and DJ’s and
request Von B. And DL Wilson music! Download and stream our music! Supply and
demand is how the fans can see us perform in their town faster.
TERRANCE: Any final words you would like to
share with your fans, followers and the readers?
VON B: First, we like to thank
RNBJunkie for not only supporting our first single ‘She’s Unbelievable’ but has
continued support by offering us this interview. We really appreciate you. It
is very important for fans get to know the artists they are listening to and
like. To the triple F’s…our fans, followers, family and friends, we really
appreciate you as well! Keep our music in rotation and tell someone who has
never heard of us about our music. This album represents our heart, soul and
passion about music. We feel very blessed to represent the same genres of music
that we grew up listening to ourselves! In other words, we are giving back to an
art form that we saw fading and I hope our fans can see that, which makes this
project extra special. Continue to support the Urban/R&B/Soul Duo Von B.
and DL Wilson.
***BONUS INFO ABOUT VON B. & DL
WILSON***
VON B. & DL WILSON: We both individually
had uncle’s first name Clarence in a five member, 1960’s R&B/Soul singing
group named The ENCOS. The ENCOS started out, just as Von B and DL Wilson’s 5
member group did, local in South Bend, In. Their uncle’s group went on to
become one of the HOTTEST acts in the Midwest area! The ENCOS traveled the UK
as well performing overseas and sharing the stage with the legendary group and
Rock & Roll Hall of Famers THE TEMPTATIONS and The God-Father of Soul the
late, great JAMES BROWN. In addition, they also performed with JR. WALKER AND
THE ALL-STARS (another South Bend, In. native band) that went all the way to
the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1965 with their hit ‘Shotgun’ written
by Jr. Walker and produced by Mr. Berry Gordy former CEO of MOTOWN Records! Therefore,
it seem like Von B. and DL Wilson has it in their DNA to press towards their
musical goals, with a passion! We write our own lyrics arrange our own lead and
background vocals and we are self-published. Our history goes back ‘like a good
perm’ (laughs)… Our creativity, motivation and love for music is what kept our
fire a blaze all these years! We want to be a household name to our
Urban/R&B/Soul music genre. We hope that our fan base continue to grow with
support and that the powers that be allow ‘good music’ to be a priority again
instead of what is just ‘popular’. Von B. and DL Wilson will be ready regardless!
Grammy-nominated
R&B/Soul singer Anthony David has released his seventh LP Hello Like Before: The Songs Of Bill Withers.
Hello Like Before: The Songs Of Bill Withers
is a 10-track collection of cover songs which pays homage to the living
legend Bill Withers’ remarkable repertoire.
The album was led
by the single “I Can’t Write Left-Handed” and the recent single “Lovely Day”.
Hello Like Before: The Songs Of Bill Withers
is available on all digital music platforms.
Rising indie artist, Nesha returns with her new single “Haunting". The song features production from Tim " Krazy Figz" Walls (Credits: Busta Rhymes, Snootie Wild, Jezzy, Akon, Mindless Behavior). The track showcases theR&B singer exceptional vocal talent and her ability to write powerful and engaging lyrics.
Nesha is a native of South Carolina, but currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. Nesha is an exceptional R&B singer and songwriter who has drawn comparisons to legends like Mary J Blige, Fantasia, Monica and Chaka Kan. She has performed and recorded with some of the industry’s greats including, Anthony Hamilton, Fantasia, Ginuwine, Dru Hill, Tank, KC & JoJo, Big Daddy Kane, Verse Simmons, Yolanda Adams, Omarion, plus more.
With a clear vision and commitment driving her to succeed, Nesha "DaVoice" is the complete package as an artist. She isn't your average R&B artist, in fact, she's more than that; She's a star in the making.
“Working with Nesha was refreshing seeing this amazing young talent bud into perfection was something most don’t experience; her voice remains one of the most spirit touching voices I've witness”-Anthony Hamilton. Follow Nesha: http://www.twitter.com/neshadavoice
Grammy-Award winning singer and actress Mya has released her 8th full-length studio album T.K.O. (The Knock Out) via her own independent label Planet9, which serves as the follow-up to 2016’s Grammy-nominated album Smoove Jones.
The 12-track album features production from Lamar “MyGuyMars” Edwards, R. Kelly, Khirye Tyler, Philip “Hardwork” Constable and Los Da Mystro who produced her latest single “Damage”.
T.K.O. also features the singles “Ready for Whatever” and “You Got Me” and is available everywhere music is purchased online.
R&B songstress Trina Broussard first burst onto the music scene with her critically-acclaimed cover of Minnie Riperton’s classic “Inside My Love” in 1997 for the Love Jones: The Music Soundtrack. Since then she has released two full-length studio albums Inside My Love & Same Girl, followed by several singles including her latest “Where I’m Supposed to Be” which has been holding the #1 spot on the Official Indie Soul Charts for two consecutive weeks. I caught up with Broussard to discuss the courageous song, musical beginning, being an independent artist, forthcoming album and much more...
Terrance: First off, congratulations on your single “Where I’m Supposed to Be” second week run at #1 on the Official Indie Soul Charts.
Trina Broussard: What a blessing. Thank God for Chris Clay and many other DJ’s that came through and had a personal conversation with me and told me they loved it and definitely were going to push it. Rnbmoguls which consist of Corey Miller and Anthony Richards for finding that particular song for me. The song is honest, it’s truthful and I’m proud of it and I’m grateful.
Terrance: Talk about how it all came together.
Trina Broussard: Anthony had sent a couple of tracks to me and out of the six tracks, that was the one I picked and they were kind of shocked I would pick that one because they say I’m more of a jazz or mid-tempo or slow ballad person, but I really liked it and liked what I heard. I was in Houston at the time visiting my family and I had just recorded another song for them called “Forever” and the process in our working relationship went so well they ended up sending me another track which was “Adieu” and they ended up sending this one last.
Terrance: Were you surprised at how well it took off and was received?
Trina Broussard: I was really surprised because I have to be honest with you, I was a little nervous. I kind of went back to the guys at rnbmoguls and kind of stalled them a little bit. They were a little upset with me because I was like I didn’t want to make it seem like I was trying too hard or trying to do a trap song and they were like, listen at the end of the day you claim a song, it’s an honest song and it’s a honest story and people can relate to the lyrics. I’m just really surprised and grateful at the same given time.
Terrance: Take us back a little to your debut song to the world, “Inside My Love” from the now iconic Love Jones Soundtrack.
Trina Broussard: That credit goes to Jermaine Dupri. At the time I had signed to So So Def. Trey Lorenz and I were roommates at the time and he helped me with a demo and gave the demo to Jermaine. I got a call from Jermaine around two o’clock in the morning and Jermaine said, don’t give this demo to anybody else I want you to come to my office for us to sit down and talk about doing a deal and we did the deal probably a month or two later. I got a call from Jermaine one night maybe twelve or one midnight and he said, hey I want to talk to you about doing a song for this soundtrack and it’s a Minnie Riperton song and I said which song is it? He said it’s “Inside My Love” and I was really nervous and I told him I would call him back. So I go across the hall knocking on Trey’s door and told him that Jermaine wants me to do Minnie Riperton’s “Inside My Love” for a soundtrack and I told him I don’t know if I could really hit those notes and Trey said, you need to get back in there right now and call him and tell him you’re going to do it. At the time I was a little green, just stepping into the industry as a recording artist. I had been doing gigs and background work but I’ve never done solo one’s for myself. This was my first chance to be featured on anything, so Trey said, you need to call him back and let him know you’re going to do it. At the time soundtracks were really big and so as I mentioned I was a little green when it came to certain things and so I called Jermaine back and he said, okay cool but there’s one catch to this, this is the last song for the soundtrack and we have to have this song in by midnight and I said, Wow. So I have to thank Jermaine for extending that offer to me to do the song. I have to thank Trey, he was the one who called up the musicians that night and put the whole session together. That’s pretty much history, it was Jermaine Dupri and Trey Lorenz, I have to give them credit for it and of course the young guys who came in and played on the record by the names of Trey Gilbert who played bass and Kelvin Broughton who helped with a lot things, Lil’ John Roberts who is an excellent drummer and is one of my favorite drummers in the industry. It was a wonderful thing.
Terrance: Can you share a little about your earliest musical beginning. When you realized singing was your calling.
Trina Broussard: Well, I come from a musically-inclined family. My mother is a singer, my father plays guitar, my mother’s mother was a minister of music at a Church for many, many years. My mother’s father was a blues singer, my father’s father played guitar as well and my mother’s sisters grew up singing in a group together. My brother is a musician and producer as well as my younger brother. I pretty much been around it all my life. It was inevitable watching my parents rehearse in our garage with a ten plus piece band. There were congas and bongos and horns and B3 Hammonds and pianos and just a whole plateau of people coming together making a joyful noise.
Terrance: What artists have continued to inspire you through the years?
Trina Broussard: I’m an old school head, I absolutely love Aretha Franklin and Ashford & Simpson, Oleta Adams, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Holliday and anybody who knows me and knows me well knows that my childhood favorites are The Emotions. The Emotions absolutely kind of get in my ear for listening to different textures and tones when it comes to background vocals and blending, they are my absolute favorites. I love the new school, I love Fantasia, I think Jazmine Sullivan is excellent. Mica Paris is probably one of my favorite singers. Of course my brother Rahsaan Patterson who is a great singer-songwriter and family to me. There’s a lot of untapped indie artists I appreciate as well. There’s Russell Taylor, Sy Smith, Avery Sunshine. I think Jill Scott is brilliant. I grew up listening to Earth, Wind & Fire. On the gospel side, as I mentioned my mother’s mother was a minister of music in Church for many years so I grew up listening to The Hawkins Family, The Clark Sisters and Yolanda Adams, who used to go to a Church down the street from my house at the time when she was part of The Southeast Inspirational Choir, so I mean there’s a host of people and I might be leaving some people out. I’m pretty much inspired by everybody. If it’s good then I’m in.
Terrance: You spoke of appreciating indie artists, so tell me what do you love most about being an independent artist yourself?
Trina Broussard: For me, and this is what I’ve been telling a lot of my indie artist colleagues, with this there are no boundaries and that’s not to say major artists don’t have boundaries either, but there are no boundaries. I just tell them to take it and throw it up against the wall and see if it’s going to stick or slide, that’s all you can do. It’s a great thing without the restrictions or someone over your head saying we don’t like that and not to say indie artists aren’t opened to constructive criticism and listening to someone who can bring some things in and enhance whatever you’re trying to do, I’m always opened to that, but I’m able to be comfortable in what Trina is doing. I have to be honest a lot of the stuff I did outside of “Inside My Love”, I was just doing it to be doing it on the Inside My Love and Same Girl albums and I just didn’t feel I was singing and convincing people, but this time around I was able to really sing it and mean it if that makes sense to you.
Terrance: Can we expect a follow-up third album to 2004’s Same Girl in the near future?
Trina Broussard: Absolutely. We are pushing to have an album to you all by early or late fall of 2018. I’m finishing up songs now, so yes.
Terrance: What makes Trina Broussard, the person the happiest?
Trina Broussard: Just seeing other people happy. I love to see the underdogs become victorious. I love redemption. I love seeing my family and friends happy and I love laughter. Most of my friends are really weird and crazy and I always say if you don’t have a touch of crazy with you then we can’t be friends. I believe in self-forgiveness, a lot of people beat themselves up, but I like to see people come through the fire with victory all over them. I just like to see people win, period.
Terrance: Outside of music what are your hidden talents?
Trina Broussard: What people don’t know is I was my high school’s best actress. I really went to school for acting. I went to State every year and won competitions, so I really want to get back into acting very soon and I have a few scripts I’m working on, so that’s a hidden gem that I’m ready to share with the world.
Terrance: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers about yourself?
Trina Broussard: What I’ve been getting into lately as of February 21st is setting my alarm clock for 3:45 every morning from Monday through Friday for an early morning boot camp class. I’m not ashamed of my age I’m 48 and will be 49 in October. I’m really becoming settled into the woman that I am and I’m loving that, the flaws and everything. There was a time when everything had to be picture perfect, but I’m like, you know what? There’s something about when you get grown, you let things just roll off your back like water. The things that matter are the people in your life that you care about and when you want to see them happy and making sure you’re encouraging them and making people in your life accountable and I want people to make me accountable for things. I’m just in a new place now where the song “Where I’m Supposed to Be” talks about having a peace of mind and I truly have that and it’s priceless.
