Sound-Savvy: So what are you listening to these days, what do you think is hot on the radio?
Pleasure P: I don’t really listen to the radio. I don’t even know how many times my song is played. I stopped listening to the radio for a while because I’m back in the mode of working on my new album which is called Suppertime. I just started working on that, we gon’ drop that one top of the year. I just been listening to all old school stuff, ya know. Al B. Sure, and just old R&B shit.

SS: So is that where you’re trying to draw your influence from for the next album?
Pleasure P: Nah, I’m just listening for different things, it’ a lot I gotta learn, ya know? It’s a way to express what you tryin to say and still make it sound good. Like when you go to a Beyonce concert, you hear that in her voice. She can just stand in one spot and sing, Jennifer Hudson, they can just stand in one spot and just sing. I’m trying to develop that, I’m learning to do that. Stand in one spot and sing and just connect people with your voice and try to learn to be an artist that really does that

SS: Yeah, I feel you on that. So you’re just taking some techniques from the old school greats and learning from that, I feel ya.
Pleasure P: Yeah man, I’m locked in!

SS: So I gotta ask, how did you get the name Pleasure P and where did that come from
Pleasure P: I mean, my voice give the ladies Pleasure and the homies call me P but ya know, I’m kinda older now and I’m growing out of that name, so that’s why I’m introducing the world to Marcus Cooper. That’s the guy you’re talkin to right now and that’s the guy that the world is gonna get to know throughout time.

SS: That’s wassup. So you are planning to switch over totally from Pleasure P to just Marcus Cooper?
Pleasure P: Yeah, we goin there. Maybe he’ll be an alter-ego that comes out when it’s time to talk about songs about what fgoes on in the bedroom. But when it comes to relationship-stuff and all that which is what my next album is gonna be about, that’s what it is. My last album was about making love and all that, this time I’mma be looking for love. I’m at a point in time in my life where I’m successful, I got things so I’m just looking for that one, not to marry right now but just that one to build with. That’s what this album is gonna be about. It gets old and tiring going to different clubs every night thinking that the club is a place to look for women, or just in general running up and down messing with girl to girl I’m kinda tired of that life. It’s boring now, I just want that one girl that at the end of the night, I can call her and spend hours on the phone with her, ya know what I’m sayin? Love is a good thing if you got it, but when you don’t you think you don’t need it but you really do. You get tired of all the other shit

SS: Real talk, that’s wassup. Now your album The Introduction of Marcus Cooper was your first album as a solo artist. Besides the fact that it’s totally R&B, what about this album sets you apart from Pretty Ricky?
Pleasure P: Just the sound, I’d have to say. When I was in Pretty Ricky my sound was a little different. This time I tweaked it and it’s more me now, ya know? Just the things that I’m talkin about and the base of the album, the foundation of the album, the way it was put together and stuff like that. Know what I mean? I got songs like Dream In the Air, an inspirational song on this album, it’s a good move, the album is a well-put together album, from front to back you can ride to it so ya know, the maturity, everything.

SS: I definitely agree, it’s a great album. Not sure if you’ve read the review on Sound-Savvy, but we’ve reviewed it and got a lot of great feedback on it. Just being honest, I was never a Pretty Ricky fan, so I was surprised at how much I liked your album. It was very good.
Pleasure P: Preciate that bruh, I really appreciate that.

SS: So how hard was it for you to walk away from Pretty Ricky, the group that gave you your start? Was that a difficult split, a mutual decision?
Pleasure P: It was a mutual decision on both parts. It just felt like, I didn’t wanna do that anymore, it wasn’t a good situation for me and it wasn’t a good situation for them either just because I wasn’t happy, so...I’ve moved on, they’ve moved on, and I’m doin y thing, they’re doing their thing. I wish them the best but I’m doing me right now so that’s what it is. Will there be a reunion, nope, I don’t think so.

SS: So is there any bad blood between you or is everything cool? You guys keep in contact?
Pleasure P: Nah, it’s not even about that. It’s like why do people break up with their baby’s mothers? Why do people break up in relationships? It’s like some girls you got that chemistry with and you can get back together. And some girls it’s like we’re totally opposite and we just don’t work with each other, know what I’m saying. You might remain respectful to each other and cool on that term, but you probably won’t wanna deal with her after a while.

SS: I feel ya, so the album has been in stores for a couple months. How do you feel about the reception of the album?
Pleasure P: Well, due to the facts of how the business works, I think it’s doing real good. I’m something new, some people don’t even know that I’m not in the group anymore. So we’re just building this brand new brand of Marcus Cooper and ya know, you gotta be consistent with music. First album, some people get lucky and sell a lot on their first album. Some people sell a couple hundred thousand. We’re selling consistently so that’s a good deal. But on my next album it’s gonna solidify me and it’s gonna keep getting better. You gotta understand where I came from, I didn’t have anybody to really stamp me like that. A lot of people got that kind of backing, that industry backing, the politics backing. I didn’t have nothing , I had to start from scratch and just turn people into believers. Like you said yourself, you wasn’t a fan of Pretty Ricky, a lot of people wasn’t a fan of Pretty Ricky, but a lot of people was. But, ya know we still gotta stick to this and let people see the real me. Right now I’m on the America’s Most Wanted tour and I am one of America’s most wanted and that’s what it is.

SS: Aight, so with Boyfriend #2, which was your second single from the album it has become one of the biggest radio hits of the year so far, did you expect it to be as big as it was?
Pleasure P: When we recorded it, yeah, we knew. Cause that’s one of those records that everybody can relate to but the average R&B guy wouldn’t say it, ya know? And I actually said it, and that’s why I’m the new bad boy of R&B, I do my thing out here and only I did that. The third single Under is doing better than Boyfriend #2. Boyfriend #2 was my second record but it was my first number 1 record on the Urban charts. So I’m happy about that. I didn’t even get a #1 record when I was with Pretty Ricky so for me to do that as a solo artist, that’s good.

SS: So Under has been your most successful single...
Pleasure P: Yeah Under is the single that’s out right now. We decided to go with a different sound – everybody else is going for this club sound. But just because you might not hear Under in the club doesn’t mean the ladies don’t like it. You gon’ hear it on the radio, in girls’ cars stuff like that. So I think that’s the good point of Under, it’s the laidback song for the summer that’s quickly building but it’s the one that people don’t expect for it to be what it is.

SS: You talked about another song on the album Dream In The Air, an inspirational song at the end. What was the inspiration behind that song?
Pleasure P: Obama was the inspiration behind that song. I looked at my life when he achieved his goals. The Costars and Lonnie Bereal had this record and it just kinda reached out to me when I heard it. We all sat down and collectively did it and I can relate to it. I always had a dream of becoming this star and here I am on my way. I’m working hard towards it, I just keep working, stay humble and well-grounded and I’ll get there. Just keep making good music and be consistent. That’s what we’re doing right now.

SS: Are there plans for another single?
Pleasure P: Yeah we’re actually about to shoot the video for a joint called Gotta Have You.

SS: Okay.
Pleasure P: My boy R&B singer Tank produced that one, big ups to him. That song is a phenomenal song. I gotta lot of songs coming. I’m bout to do this Fat Joe video too, we got a new song together called Aloha so y’all look out for that. Go ‘head and support Fat Joe. Hurricane Chris, me and him got a song comin out, me and OJ Da Juiceman got a song comin out.

SS: Man you’re busy!
Pleasure P: I got a few things comin out ya know? It’s crazy songs too. Me and Lil Jon got a song comin out, me Chris Brown and Bow Wow got a song comin out. It’s a lot of songs comin out in the near future so get ready for that.

SS: I can see you stay very busy. Your next album is called Suppertime?
Pleasure P: Yeah, that album is dedicated to Static Major. That man was a big part of my life and my album. He passed in the middle of my album and he was a great part of this album. He’s always been there for me. He always taught me stuff musically so RIP to him this album is dedicated to him. It’s a lot of songs he had for himself. He recorded a lot of songs for himself but they never got to reach the light of day because he passed. So we’re gonna put a couple of those songs on it and dedicate the whole album to him. That was my boy

SS: Yeah, that’s wassup, Static Major was a huge loss to the industry and if we’re talking about losses, the industry just suffered another loss with the passing of Michael Jackson. Tell us about the impact that he had on your career and what song by him you would cover?
Pleasure P: I used to listen to all of it. I Want You Back, ABC, and I had the Jackson CD when it was just Jermaine singing a song called Mama I Found That Girl. I’ve been listening to them since I was a little boy and he was one of the guys that inspired me to sing at a young age. I’ve been singing since I was 8 or 9 years old. He was a young guy that sang so I learned a lot by singing those songs when I was a young boy. I’d sing those songs at talent shows and win. As I grew older and came into a group, he and I had so much in common because he started in a group and went solo as well. We had a whole lot in common. Despite what he went through the music that he made, it was always music with a positive message like Beat It and We Are The World. I didn’t really understand them when he was alive, but now I’ve grown a little older and I’m able to listen to them now and it’s just crazy that he’s gone. It’s a tragic loss to everybody. Rest in peace to MJ, he’s inspired many of us and he’s gon’ keep on inspiring the newcomers into the world in their time and generation.

SS: Most def, well let’s wrap this up. You’re on the America's Most Wanted tour right now, right?
Pleasure P: Yes I am one of America’s Most Wanted.
So how’s the tour going and what can fans expect from Pleasure P, performance-wise?
Pleasure P: It’s going good, fans can look forward to 10-15 minutes of Pleasure P doing his thing, doing his hits, performing his ass off, energetic. Some good stuff for the ladies and some good vocals, good old fashioned fun. The tour is going well, we’re havin a good time out here. Wayne, all of us are like family. Everybody is involved in these BB gun fights and we just have a good time *laughs*

SS: Yeah I heard about the BB gun fights from Drake...
Pleasure P: Yeah Drake, we all getting it in. Drake, Soulja Boy, everybody’s involved. It’s like everybody’s got their own special thing going on their bus. My bus might be partying, Wayne’s bus might be into sports cause all he do is watch ESPN. You might get a BB Gun fight or two outta him. Then you go to Baby’ bus you’ll get the knowledge over there. And a tattoo *laughs*. Then you go to Soulja Boy’s bus and everybody just has something going on. From the production crew to the promoters and LiveNation everybody’s doing their job. A real professional environment.

Sound-Savvy: Who’s Paul Wall listening to these days, who do you think is hot?
Paul Wall: I listen to a lot of underground music, mixtapes and unsigned artists. I like a lot of the artists that come from the Bay like Mob Figgaz, Andre Nickatena, and it’s another group I listen to out of Southern California called Strong Arm Steady, but other than that I listen to a lot of mixtapes. So whatever mixtapes is out, I like the new T.I. song with Yung LA, that’s tight.

SS: You’re known to the hip-hop community for your southern style, the choppin and screwin, and a lot of your raps, especially with the type of wordplay that you youse. But you also became a trendsetter by bringing Grills to the forefront. How is that going, are you still in the jewelry business?
PW: Yeah, me and my boy Johnny we just opened a new store up in Galleria Mall. It’s been doing real good for us. We still got our other store too but this new one we got, we just stepped it up a lil bit. It’s a lil more upscale, it’s in the upscale mall so we had to step it up. But also online we have our website: GrillsbyPaulWall.com and we’re doing real good with it man, sellin’ grills. We’re still sellin’ a lot of grills, a lot of people been buyin’ grills so it’s been great for us

SS: That’s wassup, so both of your stores are in Houston?
PW: Yeah Houston, Texas

SS: With making grills and being in the jewelry industry, there’s been a lot of controversy over the use of blood diamonds in recent years, what’s your take on that?
PW: Ah man, we went over to Sierra Leone, we did a documentary with VH1 and we went over there. It was a tremendous experience. As soon as we came back, me and Johnny, the first thing we did was we fired our diamond wholesaler. We couldn’t get proof from him that the diamonds weren’t blood diamonds. They didn’t abide by the Kimberley process. So we fired them and hired somebody as our new diamond wholesaler who did subscribe to the Kimberley process so we have proof that the diamonds we’re getting aren’t blood diamonds. But this thing, it’s an incredible thing; the hardships that people went through and they’re still going through to this day. Buyin that. I encourage any store out there, anybody who sells jewelry at all to make sure that wherever they’re getting their diamonds from, that they know for a fact that they’re abiding by the Kimberley process, that way they’ll know it’s not conflict diamonds.

SS: So you actually visited the mines in Sierra Leone?
PW: Yeah we went to the mines, it was crazy out there.

SS: Your last album was Get Money, Stay True, what have you been up to between then and now?
PW: Just been grindin’ workin’ in the studio non-stop. Me and T. Farris (?). Been on the road a couple times. Last summer I went on the road with Tech N9ne, and then I did a solo tour too just by myself. But man, just been grindin’ non-stop. That’s why I decided to call this album The Fast Life because my life has been movin’ so fast just in terms of my grind, my hustle. Man, I just gotta get it, that’s my mind frame.

SS: What’s different about this one from your other two albums?
PW: Well, the song selection is a little bit more indepth, I’m talkin’ bout different things that I haven’t really spoken on before. Other than that, we got a few different new prodcers, we tried a few different new collaborations so we just switched up a lil bit.

SS: So when you say more indepth, are you saying this is a more personal album?
PW: Yeah it’s definitely a little bit more personal. There’s a song on there about my mother, a song about one of my friends that died, things like that. But it’s the same old People’s Champ that people are used to as well, I didn’t go all the way left field.

SS: With you putting out a more personal album, it seems to be a trend starting in hip-hop. More rappers are stepping into this emo-rap kinda thing and the music is getting really personal and emotional like Kanye West, Joe Budden, their new albums. Do you feel that that’s the new trend in hip-hop where artists are getting more personal and more emotional with their lyrics?
PW: I think that we’re just trying to express how they feel in their music, I think it’s just – I don’t know maybe it is the trend at the moment. There’s always been artists who did that, like 2Pac has always been real personal like with Dear Mama or a lot of his songs were real personal, you could feel what he’s saying. There’s other artists like that as well. I just think – I don’t know. As far as myself, I’ve been put on so many albums for so long, and I’ve doin’ so many mixtapes that man it’s just time to change it up a little bit; start talking about something a little bit different

SS: Yeah, I can respect that. So in terms of producers and guests on the album, who did you work with?
PW: Travis Barker produced 3 songs on the album, Playa Skills, Amadeus, Beanz and Kornbread, Mr. Lee, they all produced tracks on the album. My boy Habit Perez, he produced something. So we got a real nice production list. On collaborations, Too Short is on there, Yung Joc, Gorilla Zoe, we got Akon, Pitbull, Baby Bash, we got a nice list of collaborations too.

SS: How was it workin’ with Travis Barker?
PW: Man, he’s so talented, motivation to make me wanna work harder. When you see his work ethic. But he’s so talented when it comes to doin’ stuff. His improve style is so crazy, the way he does his hip-hop tracks, man he’s just real talented. He’s very talented and on the come-up. People know him for being the drummer in Blink 182 and he’s done rock remixes to a couple songs, but his hip-hop production is off the chain! I think some of the people underestimate that from him, but once people start hearing his hip-hop styled production, he’s gonna be one of the go-to guys for tracks in hip-hop.

SS: That’s wassup! I definitely gotta hear that because I like some of the stuff he’s done with Blink 182, but I didn’t know he was getting into the hip-hop side of things.
PW: Yeah

SS: What’s the first single from Fast Life and is it out already?
PW: Yeah, we just shot the video too. It’s called Bizzy Body, it’s me and Webbie, produced by Mouse.

Now how was it workin’ with Webbie? He seems like he’d be a lot of fun up in the studio.
PW: Yeah man it was, we went on down to Baton Rouge and kicked it with him in the studio and we had a lot of fun. We had lots of fun shootin’ the video too

SS: And what’s the concept behind the video?
PW: Well the song is called Bizzy Body. A ‘bizzy body’ being a girl who’s a go-getter, lady in the streets, freak in the sheets. The concept of the video, it was directed by Boomtown and it was just me and Webbie rappin’ and all these nice lookin’ chicks catering to us so it was a lot of fun.

SS: So when is the album due out in stores?
PW: May 12

SS: And the video will be out soon?
PW: Yeah, probably this weekend.

SS: So what’s next for Paul Wall? Any other business ventures you’re pursuing?
PW: Other than that, I got a clothing line called Expensive Taste, the website for that is IGotExpensiveTaste.com. We’ve been doin’ real good with clothes too.

SS: So when you take a step back and look from the beginning of your career to now, out of all your accomplishments, what means the most to you?
PW: Well, I think being nominated for a Grammy with Grillz, that was the most significant achievement for me. It’s something I never thought I’d be able to do, nominated for a Grammy. It was a lot of fun doing the song with Jermaine Dupri and Nelly, performing it everywhere. It was more than a song too, it was a whole movement with grills, doin’ grills for any and everybody you can think of.

SS: Yeah cause you’ve designed grills for some pretty big people, right?
PW: Yeah fa sho! From Kanye West to Lil Jon, T.I., did one for Diddy, anybody you can think of. Anybody that wears grills in their mouth more than likely we did it for em.

SS: That’s wassup, I may have to come through and get one.
PW: Yeah, that’s a bet baby, that’s a bet!

SS: Well it’s been great talking to you, thanks for taking the time out to talk to Sound-Savvy and Suavv. We wish you the best with The Fast Life and it’s due out May 12, right?
PW: May 12, that’s right.

SS: Aight cool. Anything else you wanna say to your fans?
PW: That’s it man, keep supportin’ and pick up the album.

SS: Well you take it easy and have a good one.
PW: Aight bro.

Sound-Savvy: The Sound-Savvy audience got an initial taste of Pol-B last year when you dropped the Unsilenced album, but for those that don't know, who is Pol-B?
Pol-B: Pol-B is a thinker, an individual, a pioneer. I've always had my own definition of what cool is...I plan on making Pol-B a brand in pop culture. I consider myself an artist, student, and lover of music. It is a genuine passion of mine to spread my sound throughout the world. Pol-B will make people think, laugh, cry, and dance!!

SS: Cool, well nowadays, it seems that everyone wants to be the next big rapper, so what makes you different from any other contender for the title?
Pol-B: I would say my flexibility; I have a 'sound' but not a 'sound' that I am stuck to. I pride myself on being open and able to create with various types of music. To me, its bigger than rap....Its about being the best entertainer. The best thing about art is that everyone has their right to express themselves how they see fit. That's why I dont feel I have any contenders, there is only one Pol-B...I want the world to see me as unique and not just another rapper...

SS: How do you feel about the reception of your first album, Unsilenced?
Pol-B: I feel great....It was an introduction to people about what I felt at the time and my music making abilities. It really meant a lot to get the responses I did off of a homegrown project.... It was absolutely weird to hear "Man this is real hip-hop!" (laughs) I used to always think "Isn't that the point?" I even had a label exec at a hip-hop label say "I love this but I dont know how we can market real hip-hop." I never got mad i just thought it was funny... But its funny how people want to put you in boxes; I aint super conscious backpack rap but.....who cares!

SS: What's the title and concept behind your new album?
Pol-B: Campaign Season... I am ready to take office as commander and chief.. People want something new and this really is "change you can believe in" I feel like Barack right now... (laughs). Its a long journey on the campaign trail but you stand the test of time; what seems impossible to others will happen. I want to show a new side of Pol-B musically and journey in to a few places I didn't get to hit on the first joint. I want people to feel like they are witnessing the victory in this album.

SS: What's different about the new album than your first?
Pol-B: I am already doing different types of tracks, I heard the voice of people who wanted to hear me do some other things. I guess more radio-friendly type joints. There is already a different vibe about the stuff I have done for this album. I plan on collaborating with more producers and artists on this project. I wont say what types of artists and producers but expect it to be a twist.The first recording for the album was in LA where we knocked out 7 songs in two sessions...Once I get goin' I dont know how to stop..

SS: Wow... sounds like a serious session. What was the basis behind The Paper?
Pol-B: The Paper is an ode to gettin money...It was really just magic once I started recording this joint. I guess it could of been having the late great (Notorious BIG) sampled on the hook but it just all came pouring out. I feel everyone can relate to this joint. If you are the hardest of the hardest or a business man about gettin paper you can feel this


SS: In times like these, we all can relate. So what's your goal with Hey Baby?
Pol-B: The rhythm of this track puts u in a trance... the ladies automatically start shaking and we all start watching! (laughs) I want people to look at Hey Baby as a fun record....something that when people hear it in the club they want to be on the dance floor, something that makes you turn up the radio while driving. I wanted it to be club but I still wanted to kill the track with my delivery...So far it seems like I accomplished both.

SS: I agree... definitely feelin' that joint! So overall, what can fans expect on the new album?
Pol-B: A music buffet...just get your plate. I don't plan on leaving any rock unturned with this album, I want to explore a wide range of musical concepts. It will still be in traditional Pol-B form which equates to a little bit of everything. The goal is to produce an undeniable banger... I want 5 platinum headphones!!!!

SS: What's in store for the future of Pol-B?
Pol-B: I currently have plans on shooting a video and hitting the road to show the showman side of Pol-B. There will be some upcoming collabo's and features that will boost the celebrity a little bit. But my main goal in these next few months is to establish the name to all music lovers... There is always something to be doing and I plan on doing it! I pray God continues to allow me to grow as a man and an artist...When the world is ready they will see...

Special shout outs to ACE Group, Majeestyle Ent, and The DRUMATIKS!!

Related Posts:
Pol-B: Unsilenced and Unleashed! (Album Review)

"People see your glory but they don’t know your story”

After chatting it up with the homie Mims on the phone, I must say I gained a whole new level of respect for him as a man and an artist and I really hope you guys get that out of this interview. With his new album Guilt slated for an April 7th release, Mims is bringin' music for the people. The album has an interesting yet genuine concept and Mims is determined to show the world that he's more than a gimmick or a one-hit wonder. Check it out and leave some feedback...
Sound-Savvy: Mims, what’s goin on man?
Mims: Whats good homie?

SS: Chillin man, it’s ya boy Mack from Sound-Savvy.com. Just wanted to touch base with you today and see what you got goin’ on? I understand you got a new album.
Mims: Yeah, I got the new album comin’ out April 7th, it’s called Guilt. I got the first single off the album called Move doin’ its thing on radio right now, and the video is out on that now, so basically I’ve been working the circuit making sure I stay afloat in this business. It’s a hard business, a lot goin’ on with the economy so I’m out here working 10 times harder than I would normally work.

SS: Definitely. There’s a lot of people that don’t really know your story, how did you get your record deal and how did you get started in the music industry?
Mims: I could take you back in the day, but I won’t do that; what I’ll do is just tell you about the ground work that I laid to get the deal. Originally I had did some work in Canada that had reached a certain amount of success up there. We sold about 50,000 units in a matter of 4 weeks. I did the work with Universal Canada then I went on to come back to New York and pursue a career in my own country obviously. One of the things I learned from the deal that I worked out in Canada is that I wanted to be in control of my music and I didn’t really wanna have a major label dictating my style or my sound or anything that has to deal with me stylistically. So I formed a company at one point with some good business partners. One of whom is Erik Mendelson, the other is Corey Llewellyn who is actually the CEO of Digiwaxx and we formed a company called American King Music. We had a couple of records we started off with in the beginning that we put to radio and some got local success, some got national success but none of them were big enough to get on anybody’s radar. I then went on tour as a national opening act for Method Man all around the country and I built a lot of relationships on tour. That wasn’t a tour that I got paid for. Honestly that was a tour I had to pay to be on, and I had to come out of pocket to be on it. So we built a lot of relationships throughout the country and when it came time to pushin another record, the record I chose to go with was This Is Why I’m Hot and this was about 2006. We independently serviced This Is Why I’m Hot throughout the country and instantly got a major reaction, especially in the South Florida market. And in time every label and their mother started lookin’ at me and my career for what I was doin’ independently and they started coming with the checkbooks open. So for those who don’t know my story and my history and they talk about I’m an overnight success and the grind work wasn’t laid out – you’re talking about a person who, with the help of some great business partners came into this business independently with no money and had every single label and their mother chasing me to offer me a deal.

SS: Wow!
Mims: I didn’t go to an A&R with a demo disc and get a deal based on my music. I got a deal based on my hustle and my grind. And that’s why I’m able to sit and talk with you about my success because I actually laid that grind work. That’s just a little bit of history on what I’ve done for my career that not a lot of MC’s even have the ability to say they’ve done.

SS: That’s wassup, that’s a grind right there. A promo tour pretty much. You mentioned This Is Why I’m Hot and that really did become one of the biggest hits of ’07 when it was dropped. But after that, we didn’t really hear from Mims, so what do you say to the hip hop fans and critics that just blow Mims off as a one-hit wonder and say that you can’t repeat that success?
Mims: People were saying that about me when This Is Why I’m Hot was around. I’m starting to learn about what hate really is. One of the things I say, I think Maya Angelou said it: “People see your glory but they don’t know your story”. It’s easy for anybody to make one single comment about my career from listening to one record. I would have respected the comment if the people actually listened to my album and then said “I don’t like what this kid has to offer, I don’t think he’s gonna be around for a while.” The people who actually listened to my album didn’t think the same way. I did follow-up This Is Why I’m Hot with a successful record called Like This that obviously stayed under people’s radar because it wasn’t of the caliber of This Is Why I’m Hot, but it was still a successful record – a top 10 record. So with that being said, this whole one-hit wonder thing, I’m not really convinced that it even matters to listen to what people say. I know that I’m gonna continue to do what I gotta do. I got signed to the label for a multiple album deal, so what that means to me is that they invested in me for a long-term relationship and until they stop investing in me, that whole one-hit wonder thing could never be because they’re gonna fund the money it takes to get a record out. That’s why I’m on my sophomore project right now and that’s why I’m able to deliver the first single Move off my sophomore album.

SS: So Guilt is the title of the sophomore album, and it’s due out April 7th. What’s different about Guilt than Music Is My Savior?
Mims: The biggest difference that I could tell off the top is that Music is My Savior is the independent album. If somebody got in their home studio and wrote a bunch of records, got them mixed and mastered – that’s what Music Is My Savior was to me. Not taking any credit from it because it was a great album but it wasn’t a major label project. It wasn’t something where I got to sit in the studio and feel comfortable and put my feet up. It was an album that I did when I didn’t have food in my refrigerator or money to pay my rent because I was busy focused on the music business. So just from a man’s standpoint, me being a man, that was the biggest difference. With the Guilt album, I got to concentrate on my topics a little bit more. I had the ability to not have to worry about putting food in my stomach or where my next paycheck is coming from because I’m financially situated. So it’s a different feel, I’m doin it for the love of the music and I’m doing it because I got a message to get out. You’re gonna hear a lot more emotion in this album, a lot more maturity and you’re gonna hear a lot more issues that I think are relevant to the times.

SS: What are some of those concepts that you’re talking about on the album?
Mims: I could run down a list of the records but the record that’ll probably give people a gist of what the album is about is the intro record off the album which is actually called Guilt. It kinda expresses my emotions for what I’ve been blessed to receive over the last two years compared to where the country is financially and obviously my emotions on how I feel about financially where the country sits compared to where I sit. When I see friends and family members callin me about losing jobs or their homes are going into foreclosure, it hits me in a soft spot because I know that I just bought a home and I know that I just bought a couple cars and I know that I’m going on the road and I’m gonna make enough money to survive but these people aren’t. So when you listen to certain topics on my album I wanna make sure that I relate back to the people. I don’t wanna rap for rappers – rappers don’t buy albums, fans do. I wanna give them stuff that they can relate to as opposed to throwing my money back in their faces.

SS: I’m digging that! So Guilt is a title that was more so born out of an obligation to your fans, I respect that.
Mims: Pretty much.

SS: So Move is the first single, but I understand that Bread N’ Butta is possibly the next single, is that correct?
Mims: Bread N’ Butta is actually not the second single. It’s a record that leaked out, it was originally intended to be on the album and something that was gonna entice the streets, but then it got leaked out without my knowledge and kinda messed up a lot of things as far as the element of surprise. Nonetheless it’s a great record and it’s a different side of me. It shows a different side of Mims that other people weren’t even aware existed. I wanna make sure that my fans get to see all the different sides of me that obviously the naysayers wouldn’t agree was me, but I know that it is me

SS: Now you say that it messed up the element of surprise, but I’ll tell you one thing it has done: its built up anticipation. It has gotten around the net and a lot of people have heard it and heard the Biggie sample on it and just from what I’ve seen around the blog circle, there’s been a lot of good reception to it. Was it an issue with getting the sample cleared?
Mims: Yeah that’s the biggest thing and I think the problem is that it got leaked out before we could go through the proper channels and make sure that we got the proper clearance. It got leaked out and just made it a little bit harder for us to do that so now we’re still trying to work the situation out. But you know, it is what it is. Like you said it’s out there and I know how people get music nowadays. I’m not a stranger to it so if it’s in anybody’s iPod or if it’s in anybody’s MP3 player right now, I’m not gonna be mad because if I can’t offer to sell it to you right now, I know you gon’ go out and take it. I just want people to listen to it and respect it because with this album, I’m bringin’ a lot of different flavor and I wanna make sure my fans understand that.

SS: Okay, that’s wassup. Now with the video for Move, I like the whole concept of the video. Who came up with that, was that your concept or the director?
Mims: I'd say partially, I don’t wanna take any credit away from the director. I will say this, one day I woke up and I started looking at television and I just got tired of seeing the normal looking videos where everybody had a Ferrari, everybody had a Lamborghini and everybody had the big chain and lived in a mansion with half-naked women running around. It’s like “Okay cool,” especially as a man. Any man is gonna say that’s cool, that’s a great life but that ain’t the reality. So I just wanted to do something different. When I stepped to the label about doing the video, I said "Man, we gotta remove all of those elements, I don’t wanna see none of that in this video. What I do wanna see is something creative." I think I was extremely creative with this project and when it comes to the video you see a lot of trickery, a lot of special effects. Many times people ask me was it shot on green screen and I say “Definitely not”. It was shot in LA, everything was live on location, and it’s just unique. I think it’s in contention to be hailed the best hip-hop video of the year.

SS: Yeah, I would agree. It’s a very creative video and I definitely think that if that’s the element you were going for, you definitely got it with that. So who else did you work with on the album Guilt as far as collabs?
Mims: I actually got a record – one of my most prized records in my career is a record I have with Ky-Mani Marley, the record is called One Day. It puts a twist on hip-hop period. It’s not a hip-hop record. I grew up listening to Bob Marley, I listened to reggae a lot in my life and I’ve been influenced by it. I wanted to do something different musically and when you check this record out you’re gonna see that this is a record that probably won’t get classified as a hip-hop record but its definitely gonna be a record that moves the world – something that the whole world can relate to. And I don’t care if you the toughest of gangsters or the nerdiest of nerds, computer technicians, you gonna appreciate this record because it has a positive message behind it. So that’s one of my features.

I also have Nice & Smooth on this album. And that’s because I wanted to get back into that old school element. A lot of artists talk about linking up with old school hip hop artists and doin music but they don’t do it. I wanted to actually pay my homage to hip-hop and a couple cats that I used to jam out to back in the day by puttin’ them on the album so that’s gonna be a phenomenal record

I got a record with Letoya Luckett which is called Love Rollercoaster, she’s on Capitol records. I also got a record with J. Holiday. It’s not a very feature-heavy album, I never really do a lot of features, but best believe when I do collab with somebody it’s gonna sound great. It’ll be a good record, a great song

SS: It does sound like a very versatile album from what I’ve heard. I’ve heard the one with Letoya and that’s a pretty hot joint.
Mims: Oh, thank you.

SS: You have a song called Barock Star, which is basically talking about the new change in administration. So what’s your take on things since he’s been in office?
Mims: I think Barack is doing what he feels it’s necessary to do to restart this country’s financial issues and interests. So with that being said, I’m gonna give him his time, he’s got 4 years to do it. I know a lot of people come out and criticize his administration and the decisions they’ve made but why do that now? They didn’t do that 8 years ago when Bush was in office and he started messing a lot of things up. So now they want to do it when Barack is in office for a couple months and it’s like the man’s not gonna change the world in a couple months. So we gotta give him his fair amount of time. I think he’s already contributed to a lot of the success that the country has seen so far, one of which is inspiration. I think people needed inspiration, people needed hope, they needed to believe in something again and I think he made that possible. So with all due respect, I’m still a fan, I’m still a believer, but I’m also a believer that one man can’t turn this country around. The people gotta stand up and do something. They gotta stand up and spark this country back up. A lot of people out there are scared to stand up and I respect that, but you gotta remember when you don’t spend money it’s a chain effect. If I don’t spend money, then somebody’s losing a job because that company that gave a job is not gonna be able to keep somebody working. So I gotta make sure I’m at least moderate about what I do, I shouldn’t go out and buy frivolous things, but at the same time moderate yourself. Live a healthy life, live a good life because for one: you only got one life to live and two, that’s what its’ gonna take for the country to get turned around financially. So I have faith that we’re heading in a good direction, I just think we need to give him time to be who he’s gotta be.

SS: Definitely, great words to live by. Just to wrap things up, is there anything you wanna say to the Sound-Savvy audience or to any of your fans?
Mims: April 7th, the album Guilt will be in stores. Tell a friend to tell a friend. The biggest thing to me is that I’ve been shunned and I’ve been hated on a lot. Most of the time I just shut my mouth because I’m not a controversial person. But I don’t comment, I just work. If you appreciate a person that works and has a great work ethic and tries to do as much positive as he can, then definitely support my project April 7th the album Guilt will be in stores.

SS: That’s wassup, and do you know what’s gonna be the second single?
Mims: We’re actually releasing two records, one of which is called On & On which is one of my personal favorites off the album and the other is Love Rollercoaster which I’ll probably be shootin’ the video for real soon, that’s the one that features Letoya Luckett. I also have a record called Chasing Sunshine, that’s an alternative pop record that we’re gonna service just to kinda get that world involved and I got a record called Rock N’ Rollin that’ll probably go out to the rock stations. So, I’m doin a lot man.

SS: You are!
Mims: I got a lot goin on. My thing is I want people to hear as much music as possible. This day and age, I want people to know that they’re buying into a strong album and not just a one record artist.

SS: That’s wassup man definitely. It does sound like you’re doing a whole lot and Sound-Savvy is behind you the whole way. If there’s anything you need from us let us know.
Mims: Man I just appreciate the time that you’re givin’ me to voice myself so all the Sound-Savvy people out there thanks for supportin’ me, April 7th the album Guilt. And honestly, I know you got the comment box below this and it’s gonna be a lotta haters out there but if you a hater and you leavin’ a comment and I didn’t say anything hateful, then you really need to doublecheck yourself and what some of your aspirations in life are cause I’m still gonna be doin’ my thing!

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Related Posts:
New Music from Mims - Bread N' Butta
Video: Mims - Move

Sound-Savvy: Hey Dawn, this is Mack from Sound-Savvy, how are you?
Dawn: I’m good, how are you?

SS: I’m good it’s good to talk to you. So first up, Dawn what does your life sound like?
Dawn: Um that’s a great question. I just did that a couple days ago on Twitter for the Twitter bugs that are following me. I’d have to say, Counting Crows' Colorblind would definitely be one of them, Keri Hilson’s Turnin' Me On definitely rocks my boat; I’d have to say...oooh, The Dream’s Hater is hot, Bjork’s…uhhh, that’s a hard one, Hopeful, and one more… Green Day’s Brain Stew. That’s my soundtrack right now.

SS: Wow, I like that! That's a real versatile pick, I like that.
Dawn: Well that’s what my life is, it’s kinda all over the place.

SS: Cool, so where are you now?
Dawn: I’m gonna be in New York, writing.

SS: So I guess the biggest thing everyone wants to know is what’s going on with Danity Kane, we’ve all sent the show and it’s winding down…
Dawn: You have to keep watching… Thursday nights, MTV! Gotta keep watching to see what happens.

SS: But is there gonna be a future of Danity Kane?
Dawn: You gotta watch, you have to watch. I can’t give that away.

SS: Just to go back to what we saw last season, the split came out of nowhere. It’s like...
Dawn: It did, it definitely did. I think how people are reacting is a normal reaction. We’re all feeling that way.

SS: I understand that you guys probably fought like normal groups do, but do you think it out of the was enough to cause a split like that?
Dawn: Uh, yeah… I didn’t expect that, not at all. I thought it could be fixed.

SS: Do you think at all that the the show’s ratings factored into that? Maybe it was something to boost the show’s ratings?
Dawn: No, no not at all. I think people want it to be that or they think it’s that. No This is our lives and it’s real, and it really did happen and it’s exactly what it was.

SS: Just looking back at some of the previous Making The Band Groups like ‘Da Band and Dream and those groups that didn’t last… there’s been talk and even Puff mentioned it on an upcoming episode about a Making The Band curse. How do you feel about that?
Dawn: That’s not a Making The Band curse, this is life. It’s not a curse, the reality is all people go through it. All artists with their labels. It’s not something that just happened to us, it happens to a lot of people that’s why you see the En Vogues and the TLC’s and Destiny’s child. It all happens at some point, it’s just life. Some people get along, some don’t. Some things work, some don’t. That’s just life; I don’t think that’s a curse.

SS: Have you talked to Aubrey or D. Woods at all?
Dawn: No, but I wish them the best. I really do.

SS: Oh okay. Have you seen Aubrey’s Playboy spread?
Dawn: Ummm no, but ya know. I’m really proud if that’s what she’s happy doing.

SS: Well with the fate of Danity Kane pretty much up in limbo, if it came down to it would you pursue a solo career? Dawn gotta eat too, right?
Dawn: I’ll never say never to anything. I would love to continue being in this business because I like it. That’s all I can say to that. Whatever comes in my path, I’m ready for it. I’ve worked hard to be here and I’m gonna continue to do that.

SS: If you did, do you think your music would be more pop or more R&B?
Dawn: I think it’ll be how music is going right now; it’ll be a cross of both. Music is taking turns, we can now combine so many things. I think it’s a great movement right now where music is. There’s no specific class to it. So my music would be with everything else. It would be a new trend, a mix of both and I think that’s beautiful.

SS: So who are some of the artists that you’re really feeling these days? Besides the ones you mentioned.
Dawn: I’m feeling Keri [Hilson], like I said. Keri’s amazing, I was with her in the beginning, she wrote on our first album. I’d really love to work with Chrisette Michele, I’m good friends with her. Jazmine Sullivan, another one that I’m good friends with. I’d love to work with Day 26. Me and Q actually wrote a song for their album that’s gonna be on the album coming out April 14

SS: Oh cool!
Dawn: Yeah, the sky’s the limit. I’d like to work with a lot of people. Brandy is another one I’d like to work with!

SS: Oh I love Brandy, and yeah Chrisette Michele is really good. I saw her in concert here a few weeks ago.
Dawn: Yeah, shes amazing, that’s my homie! That’s my ride partner in New York.

SS: So you mentioned Q, how are things with you Q?
Dawn: He’s amazing! He’s doing great, and he’s getting ready for his album to come out. He’s doing a lot of writing too. He’s doing things he’s supposed to do, he’s holdin’ the fort down.

SS: We haven’t seen the same type of affection between you two this season that was kinda prevalent last season. Is everything okay?
Dawn: Oh yeah yeah, we’re good. Why wouldn’t it be?

SS: Well like I said, this season, it just seems like we didn’t see as much affection between you guys, but I guess the focus is more on…
Dawn: Well I think this season you haven’t but we’ve always been… but the other two seasons, we were definitely close. I think we’re learning to keep some things private.We don’t want it to ruin the friendship that we have and the bond that we have. So, it doesn’ mean it doesn’t exist. We’re just choosing when to have fun and when not to. When to speak and when not to speak.

SS: Yeah I actually saw the interview you guys did a few days ago… [Dawn and Q's interview on Lip Service - Sirius Radio]
Dawn: Yeah, it’s so funny, people are actually confused and weird about it. Ya know, we’re grown people!

SS: Right!
Dawn: Lip Service, everyone knows Sirius radio and what that is and what kind of interview that is. A lot of celebrities have done them and it’s fun and we enjoyed it and we had a good time and we thought it was fun.

SS: Yeah, I don’t knock it, I think it was good. But I just wanna know how often the stripper pole gets used?
Dawn: Oh my God!! *laughs* You’re so silly, You know, I’m always the one to say I’ll plead the fifth on that. Thank God Q is not on the phone he’d probably tell you.

SS: He probably would. I saw he was very forthcoming in that interview!
Dawn: He’s the one that goes. It’s me that’s like “Oh my God!”

SS: Once the MTB stuff is all over, would you be interested in a Dawn/Que spinoff?
Dawn: You know what? If the people want to see a Dawn and Q show, let them make the noise. Tell them to get on MTV! If it’s a lot of people that want to see it, who knows?

SS: That’s what’s up! I’m with that! So let’s talk about your comic book. You have a comic book, Danity Kane, right?
Dawn: Yes, I do!! I’m really excited about it. You can get it at DanityKaneComics.com and I just got in the script for the second issue, so I’m really excited about it.

SS: Oh cool! So what’s the concept behind it?
Dawn: It’s like Sex And The City meets Sin City. It’s dark but it’s fun, It’s about a woman named Danity Kane who is not of this world. It's basically, the old story of good and evil. She’s trying to save the world and there’s an evil guy who’s in the pose as the villain playing a record producer that owns a label. Hint hint!! He basically wants her for evil and she wants to be for good. Prime story of good and evil just with a rock and roll twist.

SS: Is that an original concept that you came up with?
Dawn: Yeah, it’s all mine and I’m really excited about it. I think people get a chance to see something different, something new and maybe something that people wouldn’t normally do. And I like doing things that – I like being on my own boat, in my own temple.

SS: So she’s obviously in the music industry, would you say it’s loosely or metaphorically based on your life?
Dawn: Yeah, she’s my alter ego! Definitely.

SS: Oh, so she’s your alter ego? Okay…
Dawn: Oh, definitely, yeah!

SS: So you kinda got a sci-fi vibe goin on then?
Dawn: It is! It’s really cool, there’s a lot of fighting, There’s a cross between Japan, Tokyo, New York. It’s a mix between those, and it’s really dope. I’m really excited about it and I have a soundtrack coming with it at the end of March. So I’m really happy about that too. It’s not like a solo deal or anything. It’s just a soundtrack based off the comic book

SS: And is it just YOU on the soundtrack?
Dawn: Yes it is, yes it is! It’s just something – ya know how sometimes you need something to let go of so you can just be you and not worry about anything. It was an opportunity to work with different music, a different sound and I liked it so I said “why not do it?”

SS: And you have a song off the soundtrack for the Danity Kane Comics…
Dawn: Yes, I have a single off the soundtrack called Falls Away (click to listen), it’s on Myspace.com/DawnRichard and it’s the single.

SS: And what was the concept in the song?
Dawn: There’s a part in the comic where Danity Kane meets the love of her life, her crush which is a big storyline because it turns out to be someone, the villain’s son and it’s amazing, it’s crazy. So this is the line when they meet and they fall in love and this song is from that.

SS: And there’s actually another song called If I Could (click to listen)...
Dawn: Yes, it’s gonna be on the soundtrack.

SS: Yeah, the Sound-Savvy audience has been listening to that. What’s that one about?
Dawn: That's the reality of when they separate in the storyline, he moves on and she moves on and then he has no one; that situation doesn’t work out for him and she’s telling him if she could do it all again and come back and stay with him, she would.

SS: That’s wassup! I’m looking forward to that. The soundtrack is going to be in stores when?
Dawn: It’s not gonna be in stores, it’s gonna be online. It’ll be on danitykanecomics.com. I’m doing everything independently on my own.

SS: So if you were approached about doing a Danity Kane movie based off the comic, would you be open to that?
Dawn: Of course! Definitely, I would even want Frank Miller to do it. I love his films. I loved 300, I loved Sin City, so definitely!

SS: Cool! I’d love to see that, and I’ve gotta get a copy so I can read it. You mentioned earlier that you’re on Twitter, cause you’re on my twitter list!
Dawn: Yeah, I am on Twitter.

SS: Dawn, you gotta follow me on twitter, okay?
Dawn: Okay, I will follow you.

SS: You know who I am? I’m Sound-Savvy.
Dawn: Okay, Sound-Savvy I will follow you I promise.

SS: Aight! So do you respond to a lot of people on Twitter?
Dawn: Everyday I'm on Twitter, it’s addictive, I don’t understand it! I can’t take it!

SS: It’s like digital crack! I’m on it all day long.
Dawn: It is! It’s crazy…

SS: So what’s next on the horizon for Dawn?
Dawn: The sky’s the limit. I’m definitely writing for artists. I just got a song on Day 26’s album. I’m trying to get something on Cassie, got a couple songs in the pocket with her. I’ve been working with different people like Krystal Typewriter, all of them and I’m trying to work with Puff with writing music for him and you know, who knows? Maybe movies, maybe fashion, I’m a huge huge, HUGE fan of fashion. So who knows? Maybe a fashion line someday.

SS: Who are some of the designers you like?
Dawn: I a huge fan of Balmain, Preen, Maison Martin Margiela, Luella , Balenciaga I love, I love The Row - Kate and Ashley’s line, their line’s hot. And I love Alexander Wang.

SS: Anything you wanna say to your fans out there, the Sound-Savvy audience?
Dawn: Thanks for the support. I’m on a movement right now. I’ve been starting a movement on Twitter where I said the new trend is positivity. I just feel like we all need to get on the positive movement and start congratulating and embracing each other. It’s a new year, new things are happening. So thank you for supporting and keeping a positive eye on Danity Kane and no matter what happens with us, please continue to support us and keep it positive. You don’t have to hate no one, you don’t have to blame it on anyone. Things happen and let’s move on and move forward in a positive light and see what great things are in store for us.

SS: Well Dawn on behalf of Sound-Savvy and Suavv, thanks for talking to us today,
Dawn: Thank you! Thank you guys for having me.