(Photo courtesy of rnb)

NEW YORK VOCALIST BRINGS BACK GOOD OL’ SINGING

Singer rnb talks to Square Rootz about why he doesn’t like to write on deadline and how he’ll never stop harmonizing with Boys II Men.

First, can you give me a little background on yourself? Where you are from?
I grew up in Maryland, near DC. I call it the and of black folk, go-go music, mambo sauce and blue crabs. So, if you sense a slight southern twang in my singing style, which most can, it’s because I’m from the ‘Top of the South’. I [now] live in Brooklyn and have been here in NY for about 8 years.

When and how did you get involved in music?
Compared to most “singers”, I got started kind of late. I grew up listening to a load of music and always sang or harmonized on my own. Got told plenty of times to stop singing at the table, but luckily that didn’t hold me back. Though, I went to a school for the visual and performing arts, I focused heavily on the visual side and studied as an artist. However, it was here in high school that I began performing with a small vocal groups and ensembles. It wasn’t until college, here in New York, that I realized aside from art and academics, there was something else that needed to come out. I began writing heavily, writing about life, about love, about not having a life due to school and about the desire of finding love. Poetry soon led to songwriting which soon led to personal freedom on a whole new level.

How did you come up with the name ‘rnb’?
I came up with the name ‘rnb’ back in 2000. Actually, a fellow artist, Substantial, also from MD, helped me with the name. At the time, we were involved in a hip-hop group, UV (Ultraviolet). I wanted something that was simple. It turns out that not only does my name reflect the type of music that I grew up on, but it also houses my initials- my first name beginning with an R and the last with a B. I wont tell you my full government though, most don’t know! Up until a few months after having the name, the ‘n’ stood for nothing- literally. It was a unique way of spelling it. Low and behold, after finding love with the woman who is now my wife, it all became clear. Her name begins with an ‘N’ so she completed the name. Sounds corny but hey, sometimes love is. Corniness is the actual tell-tell that you both are being open and real.

Why did you choose R & B as your platform?
I grew up listening to nothing but R&B. Maryland was big on it. I realized that things with music have now progressed. Much of what would be considered R&B in the early 90s, has evolved into “neo soul”. It’s all good. Many say I’m that and many say I’m this, but I’ll always be that kid singing high notes to Shai and harmonizing with Boys II Men.

Your debut, The Green Room, dropped in July of 2007. How would you describe the album?
For me, it’s refreshing, and satisfying. Even after I started writing and recording, it took a great deal of time and commitment to stay on track and finish a complete body of work. I sold an EP called Green Notes in 2004 and I’ve been on a few mix tapes, but this debut album is the one that represents all I have to offer. I love wordplay, imagery and melody. The Green Room provides all of this. I know for a fact that we live in an age where trend takes precedence, sometimes over quality. I wanted to be able to create genuine music that people can groove to and still be engrossed with the subject.

Does the name have any significance?
The Green Room, as most know, is the place where many in television wait before it’s their turn to ‘go on.’ This album reflects my patience with music. After waiting for years, I am finally able to share the product of my wait. The Green Room also reflects my patience with love. From the first track, to the last, the album speaks upon the build of a relationship. There’s a reason for the track order.

I read that you started off as a poet. What made you want to become a singer/songwriter?
It’s true that I was, no correct that, still am a poet. Many may say I started off as a poet, because I hit the New York scene harder with spoken word than I did with song. Though, I’d say that I’ve always been a singer. Many of my poems were just songs in disguise. If you knew much of what I spit back then, you’d be able to see the parallel in my music. I’m big on wordplay and finding unique, yet simple, ways to say one thing.

What do you think of the state of R&B music?
Many folks aren’t too happy. I think that one shouldn’t let personal dislikes affect their opinion of a genre as a whole. Sure, is there content that I believe to not be suitable for some radio listeners? Yeah. Is there music out there that’s over simplified? Yeah. But, everything has its time and place. We all dance to it, so it must be doing something right. I won’t lie, there is a good amount of music out there like mine, though it will never be the same. And, for the R&B music that isn’t like mine, it just gives me more room to stand out.

You’re a visual artist by day. What does that entail?
I primarily grew up as a visual artist. I was drawing cartoons at the age of five, painting murals at 12, creating portraits at 15 and studying at one of the most prestigious art intuitions at 17, The Cooper Union. I love art and it’s my livelihood. I work in animation. I’m a color supervisor for Ninja Turtles at 4kids in the city. I’ve always had several dreams and I plan to speak all of them into fruition. I can say that my art and music do sometimes tie together. The same way I dream about an art piece or show idea is comparable to times that I create music in my sleep.

How do you think you are different from other musicians out there?
I guess it would be a cop out to say that we all are unique in our ways, even if this distinction is slight. I guess I can say that my approach is different. I don’t force anything and I allow an idea to come to me. With this said, sometimes songs take a while to get produced. If I’m not in that zone, I don’t force it, but I can if, say, someone offered me a songwriting deal and put me under deadline.

rnb performing (Photo courtesy of rnb)

Who are some of your influences?
Of course, Stevie and MJ. I’d also have to say Eric Benet, Boyz II Men, Erro, Babyface and Dwele to name a few. I mean I love the whole Philly soul movement and I love older Motown groups as well. When it comes to R&B, I’m open. Outside this genre I love John Coltrane for all those jazz heads and even Cold Play.

What is one of your biggest challenges as an independent artist?
Getting the music out there. What’s good about the present day as opposed to some years ago, Internet promotion is on point and is key. Though, sometimes it’s still hard to move your way around everyone else on MySpace who has that “same” dream. Without commercials, billboards and a ton of music videos, maybe not many people know you like they do a signed artist. But, I’ve got hundreds of people on my mailing list. This is more than a handful so that’s cool with me.

When will you release another album?
I’m actually thinking of doing something for next spring ’09. It’s not set in stone but I’m already three tracks deep and I’m really feeling them.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself living. All else is up in the air. I see the music reaching more people. I see myself producing my own TV show. I see my family growing. I see interviews. I see vacations. I see growth. I see smiles. I see a lot, but again, my visions are always grand.

What inspires most of your music?
My dreams inspire me. Sometimes it’s as simple as a feeling. Relaxation is what led me to write about “Lazy Saturdays”. My wife though, has been the muse for much of my music.

Lets play a game. I am going to say a word and you tell me what is the first thing that pops into your head.

Hillary
Okay.

Obama
Cool.

McCain
Old.

My sentiments exactly.

To hear some tracks, click here. The album is available is also available on CD Baby and iTunes.