Interview by Kristen Teesdale

Yes, I started rather early in the church at 9 years old. Then started doing a lot of shows where ever I could. Just to get my feet wet in the whole performance vibe.

As you and your older brothers started singing, what were some of the songs you’d use to practice? What artists were frequently in your repertoire?

My brother and I would sing a lot of Marvin Gaye, BoyzIIMen, Donny Hathaway and Luther, just to name a few. Really, we would vibe to all the greats.

Was there ever a time you considered working as a group with your brothers, a la the Jackson 5? Or the Williams 3?

Yeah, early on I really thought that was how it was going to be. But I’m the only one that really dedicated my life to making music. My siblings all chose to do other things. One of my older brothers actually DJ’s now though.

In what ways did Teddy Pendergrass teach you delivery in your singing? How did he translate his knowledge to his teachings?

He would always express the importance of emoting exactly what was being said in the lyrics. So the listener could feel the passion in what you are saying. I mean, I’m talking hours upon hours in the studio and in rehearsal. He groomed me to be who I am today.
 
Did you ever experience stage fright when you sang alongside Teddy during various performances?

I wouldn’t say stage fright, but definitely a little bit of nervous energy which is good. That’s when you have your best performances, because you get in the zone it is a result of that.

Teddy’s recent passing is an overwhelming loss to the industry and certainly to all those that knew him. He really helped forge a career for you from a very early age. How will you continue to pay respect to Teddy, or to make him proud, in your future work?

Simply just continue to create honest music from my soul. I believe that’s what he would be most pleased with.

What steps did you take immediately following the signing of your first recording contract? How did you keep your head in the game?

When I first signed, I realized that it wasn’t a guarantee that I would make it just because I had a record deal. So it drove me to learn as much as I could about every aspect of creating music. I just always focus on the positive and not the negative.

Your decision to leave school must have been extremely difficult. You mentioned your parents had some trepidations about the notion. When you made it official, how did your family and friends react?

Well, I was given an ultimatum  that I had to get a deal in a semester’s time…or else. Thank God a deal materialized because I knew this is what I wanted to do in life.

Motown Records has an incredible music history. Many of the most influential singers and songwriters to date were products of Berry Gordy, Jr.’s label. When you realized you would be written in a page of Motown’s history book, did the scope of such an achievement resonate with you?

Definitely! Though I’m no longer with them I feel privileged to have been a part of that great legacy.

Talk a little about your experiences with Musiq Soulchild. How did the relationship come to fruition?

Well, how that worked was through the production team Carvin & Ivan. I was blessed to have the opportunity to come in a write a few songs for him. And the rest is history really.

You’ve worked some truly amazing artists. What highlights someone as a potential collaborative partner? For example, do you seek someone based on musicianship, their ability to co-write, their previous credits?

Often times, collaborations happen by chance. Others tend to happen when there’s a great respect between myself and  whomever I’m working with at the time.

Many entertainers will spend their entire career seeking a Grammy nod. What did the highly-coveted Grammy nomination mean to you personally?

That’s definitely a highlight of my career. It was very humbling to say the least. I thank God for that. 

What’s on the 2010 agenda? Where can fans expect to see you in the coming year?
 
They can expect a lot of new things! New album, mixtapes, collabs, and of course writing for various artists.