Interview: Mullage – R&B/Hip-Hop Duo

Date of Interview: 07/31/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

Fate has an interesting way of working its magic, especially in the lives of Braelon “B Town” McMullen and Marquez “B Boi” Hutchinson. Although both men hail from the Southside of Atlanta, they had to travel across the world—by way of the U.S. Navy—for their lives to intersect.  In 2008, the two would form a unique bond while enlisted in the Navy’s ranks, and set the framework for a musical partnership they coined “Mullage.”

Like any artistic collage, Mullage’s diverse musical passions have worked together to craft a distinctive debut that finds its beauty in the uniqueness of their individual styles. As B Town and B Boi placed the finishing touches on The Element of Versatility, the duo set aside some time to speak with Clayton Perry and reflect on the origins of Mullage and the musical influence of T.I and Andre 3000.

Interview: Kevin Cossom – Singer and Songwriter

Date of Interview: 07/30/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

Over the past few years, Kevin Cossom has penned several hits for hip-hop and R&B’s biggest acts, including Young Jeezy, R. Kelly, Rick Ross, Lloyd Banks and Trey Songz.  But after the rapid ascent of Keri Hilson’s “Knock You Down” to the top of R&B’s Billboard charts, it became hard for Kevin Cossom, who wrote the track, to escape being dubbed as “the next big thing.”  Even so, Cossom devoted the bulk of his energy to writing for others, although being a talented singer in his own right.

Kevin Cossom’s work behind the scenes did not stop MTV.com from proclaiming the artist as “the man, and you probably don’t even know it yet,” or XXL Magazine from describing his musical style as “Usher meets Justin Timberlake.”  And adding my two cents to the chorus, I believe that if Cossom’s pre-album EP is a small sample of what his debut will hold, then expect him to set the music world ablaze in 2010, just as fellow singer-songwriters Ne-Yo and The-Dream have done in recent years.

While the world patiently awaits Kevin Cossom’s grand debut, the singer-songwriter managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on his recent signing with Nate “Danja” Hills, what it takes to be a “new age rock star,” and his underground hit, “Hang That Over My Head.”

Interview: Sam & Ruby – Folk R&B Duo

Date of Interview: 07/30/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

If Shakespeare was alive today, then the prologue of Sam & Ruby’s story would make much ado about two star-cross’d singers who managed to cross paths in Nashville, Tennessee.  Since the Bard’s time, however, globalization has made the world a much smaller place, and the once-unlikely pairing of Sam—who was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin—and Ruby—who was born in Ghana, West Africa—smacks of divine intervention on behalf of the music universe.  Accordingly, the duo’s dazzling blend of folk, R&B and pop proves—once and for all—that music has the power to connect and unite people from every walk of life.

Upon the release of The Here and the Now, Sam & Ruby managed to squeeze some time out of their busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on their love of music, Nashville and one another.

Interview: Eva – Singer and Songwriter

Date of Interview: 07/28/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

While enrolled at the University of Arizona, Eva’s passion for music lured her across the state line to the city of Los Angeles, where she began to lay down tunes for her debut album.  Along the way, she secured guest features from Lupe Fiasco (“Slow Down”), Krayzie Bone (“One Night Stand”) and Snoop Dogg (“Popular”) – no small feat for a virtual unknown!  Such dynamic collaborations will make Eva stand out from the current crop of female singers.  And with a little bit of luck, she may find her music rotating alongside her pop idol: Britney Spears!

Upon the release of In the Beginning, Eva’s pre-album EP, the pop starlet managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on her college experience, “Slow Down,” and Britney Spears.

Interview: DJ Rashida – Internationally Renowned Deejay

Date of Interview: 07/27/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

DJ Rashida is known across the globe for creating musical environments that allow partygoers to free their minds, release some stress, and dance the night away.  Ironically, in these trying economic times, her job as an in-demand deejay offers a form of therapy that no doctor can lend.  And based on her long list of corporate sponsors (MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew) and celeb-filled showcases, as Prince’s official deejay, once you’ve experienced Rashida’s vibrations, you won’t be satisfied until you get some more.

As DJ Rashida continues to take the world by storm, she managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Michael Jackson, her first gig as a deejay, and how she survived in a male-dominated industry.

Interview: Kristinia DeBarge – Singer and Songwriter

Date of Interview: 07/10/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

From birth, Kristinia DeBarge has always been a part of the music world.  As a child, she grew up listening to James DeBarge, her father, who performed as a member of the hit-making DeBarge family group.

In spite of Kristinia’s attachment to the DeBarge legacy, she still had to forge her own path.  Due to a generational gap, Kristinia’s musical style was rooted in pop, which was a stark departure from her family’s classic R&B records.  Fortunately, Kristinia was introduced to Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, who assisted the young singer in polishing her sound and blending the two genres together.

Upon the release of Exposed, Kristinia DeBarge managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on her songwriting experience with Babyface, the inspiration behind Exposed, and her upcoming tour with Britney Spears.

Interview: Joe Thomas – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 07/06/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

Over the past two decades, Joe Thomas has garnered a reputation for being the consummate R&B crooner.  Since his debut in 1993, his classic melodies have become well-known for speaking to the complexities of human relationships and exuding a trademark dosage of “passionate romance.”

With six GRAMMY nominations to his credit, Joe found considerable success at home and abroad.  In spite of his international success, however, Joe still comes across as the “guy next door.”  Such humility has allowed Joe to venture outside of the R&B genre and collaborate with some of the industry’s biggest hip hop stars: Big Pun (“Still Not A Player”), Mystikal (“Stutter”), Shaggy (“Ghetto Child”), Petey Pablo (“Let’s Stay Home Tonight” REMIX), G-Unit (“Ride Wit U” and “I Wanna Get to Know Ya”), Tony Yayo (“Curious”) and Papoose (“Where You At?”).  Even so, Joe has always stayed true to the classical elements of R&B music — from Everything (1993) to Signature (2009).

Upon the release of Signature, Joe Thomas managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Gerald Levert, “Worst Case Scenario,” and the current state of R&B.

Interview: Chico DeBarge – Singer and Songwriter

Date of Interview: 07/06/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

When R&B family act DeBarge was scoring many of their classic hits, the group’s youngest sibling was taking notes on their claim to fame.  Several years later, he would share—and stand alone on—the same musical stage, as the crowd passionately screamed his name: Chico DeBarge.

Success, failure and incarceration have been key elements of Chico’s life.  So have redemption and self-evaluation.  More noticeable, however, through Chico’s thirteen-year journey, is the loyal fan base that never left his side—from his self-titled debut in 1986 to Addiction (2009).

Upon the release of Addiction, Chico DeBarge managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Marvin Gaye, second chances, and “soul music.”

Interview: RichGirl – R&B Girl Group

Date of Interview: 07/06/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

RichGirl is an R&B girl group that blends the sexy sophistication of En Vogue with the youthful spirit of the Spice Girls.  And for the past few years, under the watchful eye of record producer Rich Harrison, Audra, Brave, Lyndriette and Seven have patiently waited to take the musical world by storm.

Fresh off the road, as the opening act for Beyonce’s I AM… World Tour, Richgirl has performed in front of hundreds of thousands and generated considerable buzz with “He Ain’t Wit’ Me Now (Tho),” the lead single off of their self-titled debut.  In the weeks and months to come, expect young women across America claiming and professing themselves to be “Richgirls” too – young, focused and independent!

Upon the release of RichGirl, Audra, Brave, Lyndriette and Seven managed to squeeze some time out of their busy schedules and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Beyonce Knowles, “Millionaire,” and their individual backgrounds.

Interview: Will Downing – “The Prince of Sophisticated Soul”

Date of Interview: 07/02/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

There are many labels that have been attached to Will Downing over the course of his long, storied career: singer, songwriter, producer and, for good measure, “The Prince of Sophisticated Soul.”  Such titles fail to give any insight, however, on the fact that Downing—above all else—is a “fighter,” in every sense of the word.

Since the tail-end of 2006, Will Downing successfully fought—and recovered from— Polymyositis, a devastating muscle disorder, which left him bound to a wheelchair and threatened to end his award-winning musical career.  And in the wake of overcoming his personal struggle, on a professional level, Downing has been waged in an uphill battle to keep the banner of “sophisticated soul” alive and well.

Upon the release of Classique, Will Downing managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Luther Vandross, European success, and the power of a ballad.