Okayplayer • 18th April 2020

"I Definitely Understand the Importance of Having a Good Story:" Carl Thomas Breaks Down the Making of His R&B Classic 'Emotional'

Twenty years ago, Carl Thomas released his debut album, Emotional on Bad Boys Records. I talked to the singer about writing and creating his R&B classic. Eventually drawing comparisons to the project and daytime soap operas.

VIBE • 9th April 2020

For Kevin Ross, It’s About Being R&B’s Generational Bridge

Attending a karaoke session in February, I witnessed Kevin Ross show out with his entourage and fans while singing R&B songs from the past and present. The singer and songwriter appeared in the VIBE office the next day to discuss his impact in keeping R&B alive as well as the state of the industry. He promotes his new EP and is accompanied by Canjelae, who offers her own takes on the industry she faces.

VIBE • 14th February 2020

K. Michelle On Being A Monster: “We Have Different Faces For Different People”

For Kimberly Michelle Pate, also known as K. Michelle, the concept of having a filter and self-censorship is nonexistent. You can always count on the Memphis-bred singer to speak her mind, and she doesn’t care who takes offense. Before her album release party-- a ball of voguing, hosted alongside Big Freedia-- the singer visited the office to discuss her new album, overcoming health struggles, her pending transition from R&B songstress to country music darling, and of course... racists.

Okayplayer • 22nd April 2019

Tayla Parx: A New Kind of All-American Artist [Interview]

The singer-songwriter talks the power and purpose in writing for others-- such as Ariana Grande and Christina Aguilera-- while maintaining artistic authenticity, defying music industry norms, and becoming a new breed of American artist.

billboard • 14th September 2018

The-Dream Breaks Down Debut Album 'Love Hate' for 10-Year Anniversary

On December 11, 2007, Terius “The-Dream” Nash released his groundbreaking solo debut Love Hate. It’d be the chapter closer for a landmark year, which saw hip-hop and R&B formulating into the sound and culture that we know it as today. After years of penning for the likes of Rihanna and Beyoncé, The-Dream speaks about the album that changed his life and revolutionized contemporary pop.

billboard • 7th November 2017

Ashanti Talks New Single & NFL's 'Take a Knee' Protests: 'I'm Praying That Things Change Very Soon'

Upon the release of her new song “Say Less," pioneer of contemporary R&B, Ashanti spoke candidly about her new production ventures, the tabloids, her Ciroc endorsement, the NFL protests, and her fame in the world of memes.

billboard • 9th September 2017

Melissa Forde on Releasing Her New Era Hat Collaboration Collection

Melissa Forde is known for being a BFF to Rihanna, but she has always been her own hustla. On an autumn Friday during New York Fashion Week, I found myself in Brooklyn last minute, interviewing the designer and photographer for the launch of her M$$ x New Era collection of bucket hats dedicated to Barbados.

billboard • 15th August 2017

New Face, Fresh Style: Emerging Model Musician Raja on Blending Hip Hop With Bollywood

An emerging recording artist representing Long Island, Raja was larger than life as I profiled him for a month. His first venture being as an opener in a showcase before PNB Rock took the stage in Upstate New York. Our second venture includes a meal at his favorite restaurant in NYC, where he talks about being a first generation Indian American chasing his dream. And the third being the strip clubs of Queens, as a promotional grounds for a fruitful hip hop career.

It is with sad news to report that three years after this article was published, Raja passed away.

billboard • 26th July 2017

The Importance of JAY Z's 'Smile' & Its Progression of LGBTQ Politics In Hip-Hop

JAY Z releases his thirteenth studio album, 4:44, which includes the track "Smile". On it, he celebrates his mom coming out and living life happily as a lesbian after years of not disclosing to the public. The artist's decision came as a surprise for many, including interviewees, activist Tiq Milan and recording artist Taylor Bennet, who themselves are reshaping the conversations surrouding hip hop and LGBTQ issues.

billboard • 7th July 2017

Sevyn Streeter on 'Girl Disrupted' Album, 'Sweet & Street' Style, Colorism & State of Today's R&B: Exclusive

It's almost surreal that Sevyn Streeter finally released her debut studio album Girl Disrupted after two decades of songwriting and performing for the industry. I spoke to the artist about her recording journey, and what she's had to face as a dark skin Black woman working in the industry.

billboard • 29th June 2017

Jhene Aiko's Older Sister, Mila J, on Her 'Scorpio Fashion Sense', Playboy Photo Shoot, & Love of SZA

In the game for years, Mila J came into 2017 blazing with her Valentine's Day mix-tape, MILAULONGTIME. That creativity resulted in her standout EP, Dopamine, which included new tracks. Praising the project during the interview, I spoke to the eccentric R&B star about Scorpios, going with the flow, and her androgynous fashion sense.

billboard • 27th June 2017

LGBTQ Nightlife: How DJs Straddle the Line Between Taste-Making and Crowd-Pleasing

As the summer was beginning, I interviewed various DJs with global tastes about what music was going up at the clubs during Pride Month, and how that music reflected on the charts.

billboard • 2nd June 2017

Rihanna's Game-Changing Bob: Hairstylist Ursula Stephen Remembers the Haircut Ten Years Later

When the music video for Rihanna’s hit number one single “Umbrella” first aired in March 2007 (followed by an appearance from the leading lady on the red carpet of the 20th annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards), it unveiled a side of the singer fans weren’t familiar with. Rocking a jet-black bob haircut, Ri -- who at the time was known for her catchy yet relatively benign track "Pon De Replay" -- solidified her entrance into edgier territory with Umbrella's parent album Good Girl Gone Bad. Her hairstylist Ursala Stephens remembers it like it was yesterday.

billboard • 31st May 2017

Tee Grizzley Talks Chart Success and Inspiration of 'First Day Out': 'Rap Was All I Had'

Detroit native Tee Grizzley released his latest hit "First Day Out" on his debut mixtape My Moment, which arrived in April. The chart-climbing track marked the rapper's Hot 100 debut, where it currently sits at No. 67, and has also risen up the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Rap Airplay and R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts. Over the phone, I spoke with Tee Grizzley about what inspired the personal lyrics to his song, who he would love to collaborate with and more.

billboard • 22nd May 2017

Wavves on New Album 'You're Welcome' and Their Anti-Trump Touring Policy

Wavves' sixth studio album You're Welcome is "sort of all over the place," according to the band's outspoken lead vocalist Nathan Williams. The new record from the San Diego-based band draws on their California Pacific Coast roots, while exploring other sectors of the punk and underground rock scenes. He talks about that and then goes off about Donald Trump and banning his supporters from attending their concerts.

billboard • 18th May 2017

Frankie Grande Premieres Video For Debut Single 'Queen,' Talks Ariana, Broadway & Glam Rock Inspirations: Exclusive

With his resume of performing on Broadway and multiple reality TV stints -- not to mention the fact that his younger sister is one of the highest selling artists of today -- it's hard to believe that Frankie Grande has taken this long to release his first song. He spoke to me about the glam rock single being an expression of his identity and love for queer artistry.

billboard • 11th April 2017

MTV Movie & TV Awards Are 'Like a Millennial Golden Globes,' Exec Producer Says

A few days before the 26th annual MTV Movie & TV Awards, I spoke with the telcast's executive producer Casey Patterson -- who will be acting in the role for a second straight year. Things were changing. She wanted to execute a diverse and fresher alternative to The Golden Globes.

billboard • 30th March 2017

Singer Drew Vision Danced for Beyonce, Modeled for Coach and is Ready for Center Stage: New Face, Fresh Style

After creating a buzz on the scene, Drew Vision is ready to show the world what his stylish brand of R&B is made of. He shares his hopes and dreams, and talks about what's store for the future.

billboard • 28th March 2017

'America's Next Top Model' Winner India Gants Talks Judge Rita Ora & Dream to Produce Music

VH1 decided to reboot of the long-standing reality competition America's Next Top Model. In an unusual social media and music driven cycle that wasn't hosted by Tyra Banks (a first in the series' history), India Gants emerged the victor. She stopped by the Billboard office and spoke about her love for music as a Seattle native.

billboard • 22nd March 2017

How Drake's Love of Australian Band Hiatus Kaiyote Turned Into a 'More Life' Sample

Drake samples your song. You end up talking to Billboard as an alternative R&B artist from Australia. Simple.