“R&B Love Letters” featured in Gil Robertson anthology

Where Did Our Love Go is the third anthology edited by Gil Robertson IV that examines critical issues affecting the quality of African American life. My contribution to this effort is “R&B Love Letters,” a reflective essay that explores how contemporary music shaped and re-defined my conception of love. Additional contributors include: soul icon Anthony Hamilton, journalist Byron Pitts, and sociologist Dr. R. L’Heureux Lewis-McCoy.

“In an era where the decline of the African-American family and the estrangement of black women from black men are real and abiding dangers, this book reminds black folk of a simple, soul-saving truth: love is, still.” — Pulitzer Prize winner journalist Leonard Pitts

Where Did Our Love Go is a critical look at relationships in today’s African-American community. Marriage is an essential part of the vitality and character of a community. For this reason, the decline of marriage rates within the black community in the United States and its potential implications are of real concern. While marriage rates among African Americans have long been lower than those among other ethnic groups, the gap today is so pronounced that it has sparked an intense national dialogue.

Gil L. Robertson IV is a veteran journalist whose syndicated column, “The Robertson Treatment,” appears in more than 30 newspapers and reaches more than 2 million readers around the country. He is also the editor of Family Affair: What It Means to be African American Today (Agate Bolden, 2009) and Not In My Family: AIDS in the African-American Community (Agate Bolden, 2006).

Where Did Our Love Go: Love and Relationships in the African-American Community | Publication Date: February 12, 2013 | Publisher: Agate Bolden

 

Interview: Quincy “QDeezy” Harris – Actor and Radio Personality

Date of Interview: 02/09/2012

Quincy “QDeezy” Harris is a radio personality for Philadelphia’s Hot 107.9, which is owned and operated by Radio One. As a native of Philly, his reputation – and popularity – have steadily increased since his early years at Clear Channel’s WUSL Power 99 and successful transition to “Big Boy’s Neighborhood,” a syndicated morning show ran by Power 106 KPWR in Los Angeles. Back on his home turf, in a comfortable – and receptive – artistic space, QDeezy tapped into another passion: film.

As the producer and principle star of Exit Strategy, QDeezy leveraged the relationships fostered in radio and brought them to the film project. Among the many “cards” tucked into his “sleeve,” a cameo appearance by long-time friend Kevin Hart. In the midst of a promotional campaign for Exit Strategy (theatrical release, February 10, 2012; DVD release, June 5, 2012), Quincy “QDeezy” Harris spoke with Clayton Perry about the independent film landscape, the value in fostering quality professional relationships, and the importance of “striking while the iron is hot.”

Interview: Kim Fields – Actress and Television Director

Date of Interview: 02/08/2012

Kim Fields (Facts of Life and Living Single) is a veteran actress who has successfully transitioned into the director’s chair. Equally talented in both roles, she has spent her talents most recently as the lead director on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Meet the Browns. She has also lent her directorial talents to BET’s Let’s Stay Together. As the daughter of Chip Fields, an actress and television director, Kim has been developing her talents – implicitly and explicitly – for her entire lifetime.

Bitten by the “acting bug,” Kim Fields removed her “director’s hat” temporarily and revisited her first love. On February 18, 2012, the Gospel Music Channel (CMG) premiered A Cross to Bear – directed by Tandria Potts – in which she starred as Joan. The original screenplay was crafted by Cas Sigers Beedles and Terri J. Vaughn and features Angie Stone and Kenny Lattimore in the lead roles.

On November 1, 2010, Kim Fields was awarded the “Industry Trailblazer Award” by Atlanta’s Women in Film and Television organization. In support of A Cross to Bear, a trailblazing project in its own right, Kim Fields spoke with Clayton Perry about the professional “crosses” women must bear in Hollywood, her frustration with entertainment’s status quo, and learning the importance of “staying in her lane” as an actor-director.

Interview: Julie Frost – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 01/27/2012

Julie Frost is known internationally for her songwriting and music production talents. Her recent Golden Globe win in 2011 for “Best Original Song in a Soundtrack” (Madonna’s “Masterpiece” from W.E.) follows her 2010 win at the Eurovision Song Contest as the competition’s first American victor. The winning selection: “Satellite,” a song performed by Lena Meyer-Landrut and co-written with Dane John Gordon, which debuted at number-one in Germany and attained double-platinum certification.

The life journey of Julie Frost – from rural Vermont to the sunny skies of Los Angeles – is just as diverse as her music catalog. Her discography includes songs by the Black Eyed Peas (“Just Can’t Get Enough”), Beyonce Knowles (“Countdown”), Pitbull (“Castles Made of Sand”) and Cody Simpson (“On My Mind”). Shortly after her Golden Globe recognition, Julie Frost managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on her mother’s love of John Taylor, her father’s songwriting advice, and the music scene in Chicago – the city of her “musical birth.”

Interview: Skylar Grey – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 01/19/2012 (Part 1) + 08/17/2011 (Part 2)

The non-conforming spirit of Skylar Grey may be the key to her musical genius. With five GRAMMY nominations secured over two productive years, it is easy to forget that Skylar’s songwriting talents have bolstered the careers of established acts, while crafting the blueprint for her “takeover” of the music establishment. Invinsible, a portmanteau of “invisible” and “invincible”, will serve as the singer-songwriters major label debut.

Prior to the album’s launch, KIDinaKORNER Records and Interscope Records released The Buried Sessions of Skylar Grey. The digital EP features raw cuts of her songs previously performed by Diddy-Dirty Money (“Coming Home”) and Lupe Fiasco (“Words I Never Said”), as well as Eminem and Rihanna (“Love the Way You Lie”). In support of the Buried Sessions and the highly-anticipated release of Invinsible, Skylar Grey squeezed some time out her busy schedule in order to settle down for a two-part interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on Kaskade’s “Room for Happiness” remixes, the quality time spent with Marilyn Manson, and self-discovery in the process of finding comfort in one’s skin.

Interview: Kim Wayans – Actress and Comedienne

Date of Interview: 12/08/2011

By accepting the role of  “Audrey,” Kim Wayans boldly pushed her professional envelope in Pariah, Dee Rees’ critically-acclaimed feature film. Although a few humorous moments emerge on-screen, the beloved comedienne fearlessly tackled her first dramatic role. A true actor: Kim Wayans can seamlessly juxtapose tears of laughter and pain.

In the midst of a promotional campaign for Pariah’s theatrical release [limited – December 28, 2011 – New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco; nationwide – January 2012], Kim Wayans squeezed some time out of her busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on her connection with “Audrey,” Hollywood’s small cadre of leading women, and the influence of growing up in the Wayans household.

Interview: Adepero Oduye – Actress

Date of Interview: 12/08/2011

In a breakthrough debut performance, Adepero Oduye reprises the role of “Alike” in Pariah, Dee Rees’ timely coming-of-age drama. Initially introduced at Sundance as modest film short, the full-length treatment encouraged Oduye to embody the spirit of her character with a level of ease as if it were her own. In acknowledgement and praise of Adepero’s talent and dynamic portrayal, the Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) bestowed the actress with its “Rising Star” Signature Award.

In support of Pariah’s theatrical release [limited – December 28, 2011 – New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco; nationwide – January 2012], Adepero Oduye squeezed some time out of her busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the abandonment of her pre-medical studies, discovering her voice, and the inspiration she drew from Robert Duvall’s performance in The Apostle.

Interview: Dee Rees – Writer and Film Director

Date of Interview: 12/08/2011

Dee Rees is the writer and director of Pariah, a theatrical tour de force that elicited recognition for her efforts as “Best Director” by the Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) on December 19, 2011. Initially fashioned as a film short, Pariah’s evolution into a full-length feature was propelled by its “finalist” designation for the 2009 Sundance/NHK International Award. After two years of fundraising – with the assistance of producer Nekisa Cooper – and constructive guidance from NYU professor Spike Lee, Focus Features acquired Pariah immediately following its world-premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

In anticipation of Pariah’s theatrical release [limited – December 28, 2011 – New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco; nationwide – January 2012], Dee Rees managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the importance of character development, her love of John Cassavetes, and cruising Brooklyn in a RV.

Interview: Mateo – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 11/09/2011

Considering the amount of formal and informal music training Mateo has received over the years, it may be unsurprising that the crossroads of his professional journey would intersect with those of Kerry “Krucial” Brothers, a long-time collaborator with Alicia Keys and the co-founder of KrucialKeys Enterprise. As the member of a highly-musical family, in addition to his business and music concentrations at Morehouse College, the care and precision of Mateo’s entry into entertainment’s saturated industry is guided by a “blueprint” established by Alicia Keys, a contemporary artist who has managed to have longevity in an ever-evolving marketplace.

To be certain: all great things take time to grow and develop. But in retrospect, the universal appeal of his current single, “Say It’s So,” hints of an artist whose bright light has finally been freed from darkness.

During a promotional campaign for Love & Stadiums, Mateo managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the importance of his Morehouse experience, his perspective on “urban modernism” and the musical standard set by his grandfather, Freddy Jordan (of King Records).

Interview: Kerry “Krucial” Brothers – Songwriter, Producer and Entrepreneur

Date of Interview: 11/09/2011

Kerry “Krucial” Brothers epitomizes the classic example of the ever-present, yet semi-elusive man that works all of his magic “behind the scenes.” As the co-founder of KrucialKeys Enterprise, his musical collaborations with Alicia Keys have generated millions of album sales worldwide. After a decade of faithful and relatively exclusive production services for Keys, “Krucial” has focused his time, energy and talents on the development of Mateo – a singer, songwriter and musician from Cincinatti, Ohio.

Considering the successful track record “Krucial” has maintained thus far, expectations are running high for Mateo and his Krucial Noise debut, following the rave reviews linked to Love & Stadiums, the singer’s critically-acclaimed mixtape.

In the midst of a promotional campaign for Love & Stadiums II, Kerry “Krucial” Brothers managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on his love of poetry, his personal connection to classical music and a decade of significant success.