Platinum-selling
R&B/Pop superstar Frankie J is finding great success with music lovers
around the world. Priceless, Frankie's new album for Columbia Records, is a
worthy successor to his earlier works including his 2003 debut, What's a Man
To Do?, which featured the smash hit Don't Wanna Try, Obsession (No
Es Amor), How to Deal and The One. With the release of Priceless,
Frankie J proves himself to be an artist ready for the challenge of following up
a platinum success and has set out to conquer even more new worlds, both
musically and professionally. I hear you’ve been busy! What have you been up to?
I’m in California at the moment; I’ve been rehearsing for a couple of Black Eyed Peas shows that I’m supporting them on. I’ve been friends with a couple of the guys for a while and we figured it would be cool to do something together. I’m recording some music with Taboo, one of the songs is called ‘I Believe’ that will be on his solo album.
What did you listen to when you were growing up?
I listened to a lot of Michael Jackson, New Edition and a lot of hip hop artists like Run DMC. I love Michael Jackson’s music and charisma; he’s such a great performer. I heard about his World Music Awards performance, was that good?
It was amazing, even though it was such a short performance. I couldn’t believe he was actually there on stage. Anyway, I’m supposed to be asking you the questions! There are less ballads on your latest album, why did you choose to do that?
I wanted to create a more upbeat record and balance it out. I didn’t want to drown my record out with an entire list of ballads. It helps me to reach out to more people.
What’s the night life like in San Diego?
It’s crazy! It’s a beautiful town and the weather is great. There is a big party scene down town and are a lot of musicians and local talent. Celebrities hang out in some of the clubs as well. There’s a bar that I like called Confidential. It’s not as dead as people think it is out here!
How do you feel that there are so many artists from the South making it big right now?
Music in the South has been around since Master P. Now it’s being more exposed to radio, a lot of those records started off underground. All it needed was one big chance to be exposed to the radio and all of a sudden it blew up with Lil’ Flip, Slim Thug, Mike Jones and now Chamillionaire. It’s great that they’re able to express themselves in that way.
Would you ever do a Snap music track?
[Laughter] I could never say never because at the end of the day it depends on whether the record is a hit or not. If the record is such a hit then why not be involved with it? What artist doesn’t like hits? If I get a record that has a Snap feel to it and I like it then I would definitely do it.
Have you had to change your style to be more acceptable for the charts?
I just wanted to be myself on this album. Mannie Fresh was amazing on ‘That Girl’ featuring Chamillionaire because I wanted something melodic but also something with a good beat and he really came through. He’s a genius and can make anyone dance. I wanted to get myself in the clubs as opposed to singing ballads all the time. I’ve got nothing against ballads, that’s what got me started.
What are your ambitions for this album, do you want to win awards?
I definitely hope to! When you receive an award it’s because of your fans and it signifies an accomplishment. I wouldn’t be mad if I won a Grammy, MTV award, BET award…I look forward to that in the future.
What kind of experiences did you base this album on?
It’s always about love and different situations that I’ve come across in my life and even things that my friends have been through. It always seems to work when you’re speaking from your heart. When people see you’re on TV they see you’re a celebrity writing these songs and realise that they’re not alone so feel connected to you. There are break ups and make ups, the first kiss, the first date, there’s a first time for everything.
You’ve just filmed the Daddy’s Little Girl video, what’s the concept behind it?
I’m just about to see the first cut of the video which I filmed a couple of weeks ago. There are three scenarios in the video, there’s a Mexican-American family where the daughter is about to lose her father, an African-American family where the father is being deported to another country to fight in a war and a Caucasian-American family where the father is dying and the daughter still has hope that he will live. It’s a very touching and heart felt video.
Have you lost fans because of the language barrier?
I don’t really think so. You definitely have an advantage speaking and recording in two languages, you have the best of both words. If you can do it then why not? It’s a great thing to do. For me, singing in English and Spanish is great for me because I can reach two different markets.
It’s quite a coincidence but I’m speaking to Vida Guerra tomorrow, were the romance rumours true?
I can’t believe you’re hearing about that in the UK! We haven’t been in touch lately mainly because we’ve been so busy but she’s a really sweet girl. Tell her I said hello and I wish her luck with her music project.
Frankie J’s new album ‘Priceless’ is out now.
www.frankiejonline.com
By Rashmi Shastri - Nov 2006