Interview: Kenneth Gamble – Songwriter, Entrepreneur and Humanitarian

Date of Interview: 05/25/2010

Kenneth Gamble is one-half of the legendary Philadelphia International songwriting team, Gamble & Huff. Along with Leon Huff, Gamble has written and produced over 170 gold and platinum records – including timeless hits from The O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti Labelle and the Jacksons. In honor of their tremendous catalog, which boasts more than 3,000 original compositions, the duo was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – becoming the first recipients of the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

More recently, on May 8, 2010, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff were presented with honorary doctorates by Berklee College of Music. As the two songwriters near the 50^th anniversary of their musical partnership, Kenneth Gamble managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on radio’s transition from AM to FM, Philadelphia International’s comparisons to Motown, and contemporary samples of Gamble & Huff’s work.

Interview: Kelly Price – Singer and Songwriter

Date of Interview: 05/25/2010

Long before Kelly Price became a fixture on R&B radio, she slowly developed a reputation behind-the-scenes as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Hooks.” Although her professional resume includes backing vocals for R&B staples, like Faith Evans (Keep the Faith), Whitney Houston (My Love is Your Love) and Mariah Carey (Dreamlover, Music Box, Merry Christmas, Daydream, Butterfly and Charmbracelet), she could also be found on tracks from Puff Daddy (No Way Out and Forever), Jay-Z (In My Lifetime) and the Notorious B.I.G. (Life After Death). In the wake of Christopher Wallace’s phenomenal posthumous success, with the blockbuster “Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems,” Kelly found herself poised to move from the background into the spotlight – once and for all.

Since the release of her 1998 debut, Soul of a Woman, Kelly Price has maintained a sizable – and faithful – fan base within the secular and Gospel arenas. After a four-year break, Price is finally ready to unveil her sixth solo project, Kelly, which is set for release on My Block Records.

During a promotional campaign for “Tired,” her emotional truth-telling lead single, Kelly Price managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on shifts in the contemporary music landscape, her two bouts of homelessness, and important lessons she has learned on the publishing side of the music business.

Interview: Natalia Kills – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 05/21/2010

Natalia Kills is a British-born Latin singer who has been hovering under America’s radar for the past few years. In 2008, will.i.am discovered the singer after hearing her self-released EP, Womannequin. And the following year, she landed a featured guest spot on Flo Rida’s “Available,” alongside Akon and will.i.am, as well as “Just Play That Track,” a song produced by Lady GaGa’s personal DJ, Space Cowboy.

In preparation for her solo debut, Natalia Kills has crafted a unique musical masterpiece: Perfectionist.  The album serves as the soundtrack to her forthcoming film, “The Exhibitionist,” with both components created concurrently to construct the ultimate music experience. Such ingenuity has pushed the connotative boundaries of musical works previously adorned with the title of “concept album.”  If Natalia’s “Love Kills, xxx” mini-series is a testament to the handiwork music lovers can expect, then 2010 will definitely be a “killer” year for Miss Kills.

In the midst of a promotional campaign for “Zombie,” Natalia Kills managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the dangers of technology, her love of Quentin Tarantino, and the inspiration behind Perfectionist.

Interview: Janelle Monáe – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 05/21/2010

The musical work of Janelle Monáe cannot be easily defined or categorized.  And while such tasks have grown in importance on the business side of the equation, the only issue that concerns Monáe is that she remains fearless in her music-making.

Bridging (and blurring) the categorical lines that separate music lovers, Janelle has created a debut album for the ages, which masterfully pushes the limits of “rock and soul” music.  And at the age of 24, as a byproduct of the hip-hop generation, the spirit of innovation flows through her blood, and her music, too.

On May 18, 2010, Janelle Monáe released the follow-up to her critically-acclaimed EP Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition), which featured the GRAMMY-nominated singles, “Many Moons.”  In the midst of a promotional campaign for The ArchAndroid, the singer managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on her early experiences at American Musical & Dramatic Academy, her emotional attachment to “Smile,” and the kindred spirit she shares with Erykah Badu.

Interview: Brian Transeau – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 05/17/2010

Brian Transeau is one of the most under-rated producers in the contemporary music landscape. With a discography that includes musical veterans, like Sting and Tori Amos, in addition to “Pop,” his radio-friendly collaboration with N*SYNC, there is no denying the range and eclecticism of Transeau’s songwriting and production talents.

As an audio technician, Brian Transeau is highly-regarded as a pioneer in electronic music and widely-credited for his development and use of the stutter edit, granular synthesis and nano-correcting. In 2009, “BT” would channel fifteen years of professional expertise into the launch of Sonik Architects, a software company.

To date, Brian Transeau’s work has been featured in more than 40 film and video game soundtracks.  And outside of his work for others, he has six studio albums to his credit: Ima (1995), ESCM (1997), Movement in Still Life (1999), Emotional Technology (2003), This Binary Universe (2006), and These Hopeful Machines (2010).

In the midst of a promotional campaign for These Hopeful Machines, “BT” managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the science behind his music, the influence of Dr. Richard Boulanger, and the global appreciation of electronic music.

Interview: Kimberley Locke – Singer and Songwriter

Date of Interview: 05/14/2010

Seven years after Kimberley Locke’s third place win on American Idol, her superstar status continues to shine bright.  With Randy Jackson’s blessing, Kimberley signed an exclusive, singles-only contract to his new label, Dream Merchant 21, with the hope of transforming the industry’s delicate relationship between artists and their respective labels.  Her first single, “Strobelight,” stands as the first product of their unique partnership – eventually peaking at the top of Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Chart.  To date, Locke has eight #1 singles on Billboard’s various charts.

In the midst of a promotional campaign for “Strobelight,” Kimberley Locke managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on her relationship with Randy Jackson, Freda Payne’s response to her cover of “Band of Gold,” and her charity, One Heartland.