Archive » Interviews

This page contains 9 entries posted under the "Interviews" category.

Thursday April 24

Behind The Groove With Anthony David

 

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Anthony David may not be a household name yet, but that's all about to change if India.Arie has anything to say about it. When we got word that India would be getting her own label imprint and releasing Anthony as her first artist, we were quite happy to hear that AD would finally be getting some much-deserved shine. Although he has enjoyed a degree of success on his own and built a large grassroots following, Anthony welcomes the transition to the mainstream and is looking forward to doing big things with the release of his album Acey Deucy on June 17th.

With a sound reminiscent of the classic soul that we don't often hear nowadays, Anthony is a welcome throwback to the days when singers sang and didn't rely on studio tricks and celebrity producers. As a singer/songwriter who takes his craft seriously, David is about to let the masses know that he got next and to get used to hearing his name.
 
I recently had chance to chop it up with Anthony while he readies the release of his upcoming album, and we enjoyed a spirited conversation about his experiences as an independent artist, his admiration for Alexander O'Neal, his love of blogging and why he wouldn't change his journey for anything.


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*Music from Acey Deucy played during interview: "Words" feat. India.Arie and "Smoke One."

[Photo: Tafari]

Butta  |  04/24/2008 at 4:00 PM  |  Comments (2)  |  Permalink

Wednesday March 19

Behind The Groove With Eric Roberson

 

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What better way to celebrate our 1000th post than with an interview with one of SoulBounce's favorite artists, Eric Roberson! 

After grinding in the music biz for years, Eric Roberson is enjoying his time in the sun with his critically-acclaimed and crowd-pleasing album Left. One year after its release, it is still moving units and finding its way to new listeners thanks to his national exposure on Michael Baisden's syndicated radio show and his TV One series Basiden After Dark. But Erro isn't letting this success go to his head. He remains humble and thankful for all of his many blessings.

Despite his mean-mugging in the above photo, as you'll hear in the interview, Eric has a ripe sense of humor. Check us out as we laugh it up and chat about the success of Left, the new music that he's working on, advice for independent artists, an upcoming collaboration with Ledisi, turning in his player card, and his boys, the New York Giants.

Now excuse me while I pass around the Champipple here at SBHQ to toast the occasion and Eric Roberson.


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*Music from Left played during interview: "Music" and "Right Or Wrong."

Butta  |  03/19/2008 at 4:00 PM  |  Comments (5)  |  Permalink

Monday February 25

Behind The Groove With Algebra

 

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What do you get when you take a heartfelt soul singer, then add her songwriting skill, and multiply it all by a stable of talented producers? That winning formula can only result in one answer: Algebra.

Her debut album, Purpose, will be released tomorrow on Kedar Entertainment, the independent label run by Kedar Massenburg, the man who brought us Erykah Badu, D'Angelo and India Arie. After listening to Algebra's music it will be clear why Kedar believes that she got next. Although this is her first release, Algebra is no stranger to soul music fans. She has toured extensively over the past two years and her first single "U Do It For Me" received numerous radio spins and the accompanying video could be seen on VH1 Soul and BETJ in heavy rotation.

I got the opportunity to get behind the groove with Algebra on the eve of her CD release and her excitement was palpable. We had a lively conversation about everything from her name, to neo-soul still being alive and kicking, to the purpose behind Purpose. Algebra knows what hers is and she can't wait to share it with the world.

If anyone is in Atlanta on Tuesday night, then swing by Sugar Hill for Algebra's CD release party. Peep the flyer after the bounce.

*Music from Purpose played during interview: "Run and Hide" and "Halfway."

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Butta  |  02/25/2008 at 5:00 PM  |  Comments (3)  |  Permalink

Wednesday February 20

Behind The Groove With Nicolay & Kay

 

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What do you get when you combine a producer from Holland with an emcee from Houston? The answer is Nicolay & Kay, one of the hottest hip-hop collaborations this side of DJ Premier and Guru. Nic and Kay understand each other and, more importantly, they understand music with all of its intricacies and nuances. This can clearly be heard on their brand new release, Time:Line.

You know how some albums have to grow on you and take time to make their way into heavy rotation? That's not the case with Time:Line. This is a disc that you'll want to bump from beginning to end then take it from the top again just to make sure you didn't miss anything.

I spoke with Nicolay & Kay yesterday on the official U.S. release date of Time:Line, the inaugural drop on the Nicolay Music imprint. From their Okayplayer days to now, Nicolay & Kay shared with me how their association started, talked in-depth about the album's concept and the hip-hop scenes in their respective hometowns, touched on everyone from Quincy Jones to Soulja Boy, and even gave me a scoop or two on some upcoming projects. (Hint: It involves more brilliant music.)


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*Music from Time:Line played during interview: "As the Wheel Turns" and "Tight Eyes."

Butta  |  02/20/2008 at 2:30 PM  |  Leave a Comment  |  Permalink

Thursday January 31

SoulBounce Chats With Franklin Bridge

 

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If you've been visiting SoulBounce for any length of time, then you should already be familiar with the band Franklin Bridge, who we featured as Bounce-Worthy artists last fall. We closely followed their tenure on the FOX reality show, The Next Great American Band, and were shaking our Team Franklin Bridge pom-pons weekly until their way too soon and extremely suspect exit from the series. But one failed reality competition isn't stopping this talented band's show, and their beat still goes on.

"Lil" Darrell Robinson, Rayfield "Ray Ray" Holloman, Curt Chambers and Wayne Moore (pictured in order above) are more than just guys who gig together every now and then. These men have formed a tight-knit musical family, and 2008 will find them playing more live shows, writing more music and hopefully completing their debut album.

I had a chance to hang out with Franklin Bridge when they played at the 930 Club in Washington, D.C. in December, and we chopped it up about the Philly music scene, their plans for the future, and, of course, that show. And, ladies, listen closely to find out which one of the fellas is single and looking to mingle. With their upcoming concert this Saturday, February 2nd at The Black Cat in D.C., it may be someone's lucky night. Get your stilettos ready!


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*Song by Franklin Bridge played during the interview: "Incredible" Live at Grape Street

Butta  |  01/31/2008 at 3:00 PM  |  Comments (1)  |  Permalink

Wednesday December 19

SoulBounce Chats With Keite Young

 

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Keite Young is an artist who doesn't fit easily into a box. He's a little bit funk, a little bit blues, a little bit gospel and a whole lot of soul. His music reflects a myriad of diverse influences, which can all be heard on his debut album, The Rise and Fall of Keite Young. Although this is his first solo release, Keite is far from a rookie, having recorded and toured with gospel dynamo Kirk Franklin. But now it's Keite's turn to take center stage by himself, and he's far exceeding the challenge.

I recently caught his live show, and he showed up and showed out. Attending a Keite Young concert is like attending a revival. Like any good preacher with a rapt congregation, Young knows how to work the crowd into a frenzy with his on stage antics and rousing renditions of originals and covers. After seeing him perform, I had to find out for myself how this ordained minister got so funky.

Here Keite Young chats with me about his Southern roots, what the church folk think about his ministry of music, that bus stop at 5th Street and Hollywood, and his "plan to die with no potential."  



*Music from The Rise and Fall of Keite Young played during the interview: "If We Were Alone" featuring N'dambi, "U Got It," "The Wash," "Alright," "The Way That U Love Me," "Shine," and "Time."

Butta  |  12/19/2007 at 12:00 PM  |  Comments (2)  |  Permalink

Tuesday November 06

SoulBounce Chats With Idris Elba

 

Idris_sexy_car.jpgIdris Elba defies classification. He is a Brit, yet he slings slang as good as a brotha born and raised in any hood U.S.A. Although a bonafide heartthrob, he is surprisingly cool like that. And how many actors do you know who can move the crowd as a professional DJ? Idris Elba, also known as DJ Driis, is that dude.

He first gained wide recognition for his role as Russell "Stringer" Bell on HBO's critically-acclaimed drama The Wire. Men respected his gangsta as the Baltimore drug kingpin, and women loved him for his effortless sex appeal. The character put him on the map, and when he met his untimely demise, people poured some out like he was their fallen homie. A steady stream of film roles have followed, including his first turn as a big screen leading man in Daddy's Little Girls opposite Gabrielle Union earlier this year. He can currently be seen in the number one film in the country, American Gangster, alongside Denzel Washington, Common, and T.I.

Whereas Elba enjoys acting, his first love is music. He's made moves in the UK rap game with the release of the EP Big Man, and he's also a producer, having recently done work on Angie Stone's The Art of Love and War and Jay-Z's American Gangster. However, where Idris really gets busy is on the turntables. With a record collection that would spark envy in most, he has spun for over 20 years and is a highly sought after guest DJ. When I caught up with Idris he was on his way to a gig at Washington, D.C.'s 930 Club, and he gave me a peek into his life behind the music as DJ Driis.


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*Music from Big Man played during the interview: "Rise Up," "The Burn" featuring Candy Man, and "Me & Miss" featuring Big London and Nana.

Butta  |  11/06/2007 at 12:00 PM  |  Comments (11)  |  Permalink

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