Adina Howard Interview: Latest Album "Resurrection", Being An Independent Artist & More!

R&B Vet Adina Howard who burst on the 90’s music scene with the signature staple “Freak Like Me” and “Nasty Grind”, weigh in on her new project Resurrection, profound meaning behind her latest single “Blasphemy”, being Independent and what’s next...

TERRANCE: In our first interview you mentioned releasing an album wasn’t your focus so bring me to date with what prompted you to record your new project Resurrection.

ADINA HOWARD: My husband actually prompted me; the universe prompted me. Realizing the divine told me that my platform had a purpose and the divine was using my husband to urge me to create another project, I was like Okay gotcha! So it was a combination of the universe speaking through my husband and him saying Adina you have one more in you, just do this last project and so because of that I was like, you know what? Fine I'll go ahead and do it and the divine had put everything in alignment with the producers, songwriters, rapper Tyler “King Gas” Gaston who reached out to me and sent me a song I fell in love with which was the first song he wrote specifically for me which is “Radiation” and when I heard that song I was like this is Everything! And when we had our conversation he was like what is it that you want? We started working and Tyler was heaven sent I knew because of the chemistry that everything was right about moving forward with the project.

TERRANCE: What was that like collaborating with Tech N9ne on "Radiation"?

ADINA HOWARD: Everything!! He is my number one rapper and to be able to connect with him and say I have to have you on this song and for him to say yeah okay mama I got you was like Yasss! (laughs). So it was amazing to work with him and to get the greenlight because he is a hard one to lock down.

TERRANCE: So talk about your single “Blasphemy” and the meaning behind it.

ADINA HOWARD: “Blasphemy” is basically when I look at our community and I look at how our young Kings are acting niggerish and not realizing they come from royalty you know, we are created by the divine so therefore we are divine and to just look at how we are negating the fact that we are better than what we are shown on television etc. It’s like something has to be said, like this is disrespectful the way you’re talking to each other from both our young Kings and Queens, this is not who we are. Just because we’re being fed the propaganda and yes some of this is real and it’s going on, doesn’t mean we have to act like savages because that’s not who we are and to look at yourself in the mirror and see that you’re better than what they’re expecting you to be, you’re better than what you’re told you are and to see a greatness. So that song right there for me was to let us know young, old and in between that we weren’t slaves when we came here, we were enslaved. We were put into bondages and so don’t believe the hype when they say, oh y’all were slaves, oh no boo boo, we were enslaved. There’s a difference, we were free prior to the savages wanting free labor, we were enslaved so that you can be lazy. And it’s just bringing awareness that we were great and we need to continue being great. Project that.

TERRANCE: One of my favorite stand out tracks is “Love Jonez” what was the recording process like for that song?

ADINA HOWARD: Easy breezy. There wasn’t any incense, candles and things of that nature (laughs). It was just a regular recording session and I had some extra sexy music in my ears and music for me, whatever it conjures up emotionally I inject that into the song.

TERRANCE: If there’s one song off the album that best represent your current state of mind what would it be?

ADINA HOWARD: Most likely “Work” if I had to choose one that would be it.

TERRANCE: From your perspective, what are the advantages of being an independent artist?

ADINA HOWARD: You have control over everything!! And I’m a control freak more than anything in the world (laughs) and to have the control I have has been a blessing because I can do things my way.

TERRANCE: What are your thoughts on the beef among female artists especially in Contemporary R&B music today?

ADINA HOWARD: I think it’s foolish. Absolute foolish. I think that when you are making the money that you are making and doing what you have a passion for you’re living your dream so why is there conflict? What sense does it make and don’t get me wrong I’ve had my beef with an individual artist back in the day and that was my immaturity and that’s basically what it is, immaturity and it won’t really dawn on them until they grow up that it was foolery. I’m a mature woman now I look at it as this is foolish, y’all make your money and enjoy your life because at the end of the day you’re wasting your time on another female that ain’t feeding or clothing you and ain’t paying your bills so what the fuck?

TERRANCE: Three things people might not know about you.

ADINA HOWARD: I have Asthma, i’m a beast in the kitchen and I’m funny as shit (laughs).

TERRANCE: Who are some artists you’re enjoying at the moment?

ADINA HOWARD: That’s a very interesting question for me because I drive a great deal in silence. I’m just in silence most of my days. I think silence is golden because there’s so much noise going on in the world today. I just love and embrace quiet like I don’t listen to television, radio, nothing really comes on around me. Amy Winehouse is one that I listen to because her voice is just ridiculously amazing.

TERRANCE: Aside from the music what’s next?

ADINA HOWARD: Oh man! Acting is on the agenda. I have a lot of people approaching me about acting and that’s something I’m currently and actively working on. I actually had an audition via skype for an independent film.

TERRANCE: Anything not discussed you would like to share with your fans and the readers?

ADINA HOWARD: Go get Resurrection (laughs). Go get it and check it out. I did it technically at the end of the day for those individuals who wanted to hear more Adina Howard music and for us to recognize our greatness as we discussed via “Blasphemy”, to recognize that we are our own worst enemy and if we do not get it together we don’t have to worry about the enemy so to speak destroying us because we’re doing the job for them. So let’s wake up and recognize that if we get it together through unity not only will we survive but thrive and division will die. We have to get it together because there is a mission out there to destroy us so don’t help them destroy us, make it hard for them to destroy us and i’m not necessarily saying pull up your pants and wear a suit but we need to recognize quote unquote Black Lives Matter then we need to act like they matter. Period.

Adina Howard Interview

My interview with Mrs. Adina Howard. It’s been 20 years since Adina rose to fame delivering feminist anthems like “Freak Like Me”, “(Freak) And U Know It”, “T-Shirt and Panties”. Setting the blueprint for female Hip Hop artists like Lil Kim, Foxy Brown and Trina, Adina was frequently met with scrutiny for her overtly sexual themes. Through the adversity and setbacks, she’s back with a new single called, “Bad 4 Me” that’s available everywhere online.

Terrance - Hey Adina Howard. How are you doing?

Adina Howard - Better than good, I’m blessed. Thank you for asking.

Terrance - Tell us about your latest single “Bad 4 Me”. What’s the inspiration behind this song?

Adina Howard - We all have had dysfunctional relationships in some way, shape, form or fashion and this song addresses what a person is going through. The emotional tug of war that takes place when you have a love/hate connection with something and/or someone.

Terrance - Is there still an album in the works? Because I remember awhile back you released a single called, “Switch”.

Adina Howard - Right now an album is not my focus. That’s too much of a financial investment and being that I am independent, I need to spend my resources wisely.

Terrance - Do you think you got a great deal of mileage from your documentary, Adina Howard 20: A Story of Sexual Liberation?

Adina Howard - The documentary wasn’t about seeking attention or getting mileage. The documentary is a labor of love for a young man by the name of Gezus Zaire. He approached me about doing a documentary because he wanted to share my story and shed some light on the who, what, when, where, why and how.

Terrance - Do you think music has embraced the provocative lyrics and images more now than before? You were one to pave the way in the 90’s for the urban scene but was often criticized and television networks even banned your video, “Nasty Grind”.

Adina Howard - Yes, it’s obvious they embrace it more now than before. Look at what the young female artists in R&B and Rap are doing and saying in their music and videos. The criticism that I received was par for the course. The world wasn’t ready for me.

Terrance - What are your thoughts on the current state of R&B?

Adina Howard - For my generation, most would say that it is in dire straits. I think the current state of R&B is where it is supposed to be. We still have great R&B artists’ repping for the genre. Young as well as seasoned artists. However, R&B had to take a back seat to the music that the industry is promoting now. It’s the ebb and flow of life.

Terrance - What are the advantages and disadvantages of social media?

Adina Howard - It depends on who you are and how you’re using it. Personally, I think social media is excessive. I feel it feeds into the microwave mentality of “I can have it sooner than later”. Creating a mentality of impatience, greed and intolerance. I believe it also feeds into ones insecurities because now people are looking to see how many likes, comments and shares one can garner based off of what one has posted. Seeking approval and immediate gratification from people more often than not you don’t know and don’t know you. I can go on and on about how unhealthy life has become due to social media, especially on a personal level. On the flip side, when it comes to business, having that instant feedback is a beautiful thing. Being able to reach the masses is so much easier. Staying connected or establishing connections has become a lot less taxing. When it comes to selling your product and/or brand social media can help make or break it. Social media needs to be used wisely.

Terrance - Who are some of your favorite artists today?

Adina Howard - Tech N9ne, Jessie J., Meghan Trainor, John Legend, J. Moss, Mary Mary, Rihanna, CeCe Peniston. This list is extensive, I love music.

Terrance - Would you do R&B Divas or any reality TV if offered?

Adina Howard - Absolutely, there are some things in the works now. I’m like this, as long as it’s not about foolery and coonery, I’m in.

Terrance - How did the song “T-Shirt & Panties” come about?

Adina Howard - Jamie happened to be in my studio session when I was working on a song for my second album “Welcome To Fantasy Island”. He approached me about the idea for the song T-Shirt and Panties. I told him I was interested and to get it demoed for me so I could hear it. A few days later it was done, I heard it, fell in love with it and the rest is history. I’m grateful that people love the song and can’t get enough of it.

Terrance - What was it like working with Warren G. on “What’s Love Got to Do With It”?

Adina Howard - Honestly, I don’t remember that studio session at all. But I can say he is good people.

Terrance - Let’s reminisce on your debut album, Do You Wanna Ride?, which was released 20 years ago. What was it like recording that album?

Adina Howard - It was like going to work. A lot of long nights and unhealthy food. I would be in the studio from like 2pm till about 3 to 4 am in the morning. Then would have to drive home about an hour away. Then get back up and do it all over again the next day. There wasn’t anything fun about it. I didn’t go to play, hang out with my folk to smoke, drink, chill and crack jokes. I went to the studio to make sure that what I set out to do got done. Being in the studio for me was my job.

Terrance - Did you think “Freak Like Me” would blow up the way it did? Where were you when you heard it on the radio and what was your reaction?

Adina Howard - I didn’t think anything. I just did what I was supposed to do and that was gointo the studio and sing. The first time I heard “Freak Like Me” I was driving down Sunset Blvd. listening to the radio. At first, I was like this song sounds familiar. Then I realized it was me and I got excited. It was short lived because it was on make it or break it and I wanted to hear what people thought about it. All I remember from that moment is one of the radio personalities saying “we’ll have to see if the record label will support it.”

Terrance - Fans have their personal favorites from that album but what’s your favorite and why?

Adina Howard - I don’t have any favorites. I know that may sound disappointing to some, but I don’t.

Terrance - Adina, it was nice chatting with you and the true R&B music lovers look forward to your next venture.

Adina Howard - Thank you and God bless.