Monday, August 11, 2008

BGG Chats with R&B Singer Lloyd!

From "Get it Shawty," to "Southside," R&B singer, Lloyd has made a name for himself in the pop and R&B world. Hailing from Atlanta, the charismatic singer talks to me about his life and latest CD, Lessons in Love.



Check out our Q&A:

BGG: You seem extremely excited. Are you happy to be here?
Lloyd: I’m here in New York City and I’m extremely happy to be here! This is the city of opportunity that never sleeps! It feels refreshing to be in a place that's alive and full of life. Where I’m from originally, New Orleans, is pretty devastated. It hasn’t been restored to the place of musical genius, exquisite taste or fun-loving people like it used to be. So to come here and just see this place alive feels good.

BGG: When did you move from New Orleans? I know that you currently live in Atlanta.
Lloyd: I’ve been in Atlanta since the age of 2. So basically pretty much all of my life. Ever since my father was murdered, we moved to Atlanta.

BGG: Do you have siblings?
Lloyd: At the time it was just my sister, Brandi, my mom and me. From there, my mom would go on to have 4 more kids.

BGG: Do you want to expound on your father’s passing?
Lloyd: He was shot. It wasn’t the nicest neighborhood where we’re from. In fact, it was the worst neighborhood in New Orleans. My father was a saxophonist, vocalist and choir director. He’s someone who I often credit for giving me my gift. I think it’s hereditary. A lot of things that I do, my mom says reminds her of him. Certain ways I look at her, etc. So I didn’t know him, I just knew about him. Throughout the years he has become probably the foundation of what really drives me to be the best. It's like he didn’t die in vain. He died trying to provide a better life for us. It’s like the ultimate sacrifice he made in order for me to have a better life. If he had never been killed, then we probably never would’ve moved to Atlanta. It’s also taught me to just find the blessings buried in tragedy.

BGG: So I was reading that you used to be a member of the singing group N-Toon? Tell me about that.
Lloyd: We had a single and we had a video. This was back in like 1999. Sammy was out right around that time too. We were all really good friends. We also had the same management. We’re actually still really close to this day.

BGG: Why did you decide to leave the group?
Lloyd: It really wasn’t a decision; it was more like an ultimatum. It was like, if you want to continue doing music, you’re going to have to do it by yourself because for some reason that’s greater than myself the group couldn’t go on. I always try to encourage the guys to get back together.

BGG: How many members were there?
Lloyd: Four, including my little brother!

Lloyd: That’s hot right there!!
BGG: What’s hot? (I didn’t notice that his newest music video, "Girls Around the World," starts playing on the TV while we're talking)

BGG: How does it make you feel when you turn on the TV and there you are?
Lloyd: It makes me feel even better to see Hype (Williams’, the music video director) name up there!! (laughing) It’s a great feeling! It feels like I’m breathing the freshest air right now. It feels like I’m on top of my game and that I’m giving the people all that I can and I feel really good about it.

Check out the video for "Girls Around the World":


BGG: What was it like working with Lil’ Wayne on Lessons in Love?
Lloyd: Well, he’s the hottest rapper in the world so being able to collaborate with him is like an out-of-body experience. I hope to work with him again in the future. We’ve already had a lot of collaborations over the past few years. I think we really have pretty good chemistry. When you’re making music, it’s not rocket science. It’s just feeling, emotion and the moment. It’s about trying to capture special moments in time. You never know if someone is going to like something. I just know that whenever we work, we always enjoy the music that we’re doing. We always have a great time. We’ll be jumping off the walls, saying, “When people hear this they’re going to love it!”

BGG: So was this ("Girls Around the World") song the most fun to record?
Lloyd: Definitely. Out of all of the songs I recorded for this album, this was my favorite; in terms of having to be the most fun while making it. It was very organic. I came in with a bass line idea originally. We had already recorded about 12 songs for the album, so we were near the end of the recording process. The base of the album had already been recorded, but I still wanted that banger. I had the bass line in my head, but I just didn’t know how to get it out! So I called up my friends and they met me at the studio, they called the bass player, the piano player, etc. We ended up creating it right there, starting with the bass line. It was just on and poppin! It was like a party.

BGG: Was Lil’ Wayne there?
Lloyd: No, I sent it to him. You know due to our schedules he wasn’t there.

BGG: How did you get signed to the Inc.?
Lloyd: I met Irv (Gotti) from a friend of a friend and we just hit it off immediately.

BGG: How is this album different from your two previous CDs?
Lloyd: It’s less selfish, it’s not so much about me, me, me – give me what I want, this is how I feel. It’s less about Lloyd and more about the listeners. I’m sharing lessons that I’ve learned with them. Before, I was growing into my own skin. I was just recognizing myself with my fans. Then I was the student, now I’m the teacher! (laughing) The music’s much better. It’s more solid and the ideas are a little bit more advanced. I think that’s good and healthy for your creative mind.

BGG: What do you want your listeners to feel when they hear this album?
Lloyd: I want them to feel good! I want them to feel like they can depend on me to help make them feel better. They can depend on me to be those missing words that will make their love lives a bit better. I want them to feel like this is great music.

BGG: Do you prefer singing ballads or up-tempo tracks?
Lloyd: It doesn’t even matter! It just depends on how you feel. Sometimes I want to party – I want to go fast. I’ll drop my top and play “Get it Shawty,” “Girls Around the World,” etc. Then there are times when I’m at home and I just want something that sets the mood and that’s when the ballads come into play.

BGG: What lessons have you learned pertaining to the music business since the last album?
Lloyd: That thee most challenging thing to do is to challenge yourself. The best thing for music is more challenges. There are more young acts representing for themselves and their families through their music. When I listen to the radio today and hear all of these young kings coming with it, it forces me to do better. It only fuels the drive. At the end of the day, we only have ourselves to fight. You can become your worst enemy, you can lose yourself so you have to have a very strong mind and you have to be willing to push yourself and give people more than what’s expected of you. Now I’m not just writing or singing, I’m I’m executively producing and releasing projects through my own company. I’m taking a bigger stand and I’ve learned that music’s opportunities are limitless.

BGG: What inspired you to create your own label? What kinds of artists are you looking for?
Lloyd: I’m looking for artists who are creative individuals who dare to be different. I’m looking for any genre because I like all music. I love John Mayer, Coldplay, Phil Collins, etc. I just like all music.

BGG: How do you handle female groupies that throw themselves at you? What keeps you focused?
Lloyd: My upbringing, my family, what I stand for ultimately. There are days when I want to succumb to temptation, but then I remember why I’m here and how I got here. Not taking a girl’s heart for granted and realizing that by going out and indulging in these temptations, I’m no really helping out – that’s not the answer to the problem. You know sex and love is misrepresented through the media. Sex is overtly advertised, but nobody wants to talk about before you have sex, you should understand who you are and what you’re looking to get out of your relationship. Love is something that’s supposed to last forever. Sex is just for a moment.

BGG: Will guys feel left out if they bought your Lessons in Love?
Lloyd: No, not at all. That’s the cool thing about my music; I’m the guy that the girls want to be with and the guys want to be like. Not to say that arrogantly, but I want to be the guy who has the song with Rick Ross or just be crazy with it or I want to be the guy who sets the mood. Kind of like John Travolta’s character on Grease; tough guy on the outside, but nice good guy on the inside!

BGG: What do you want people to know about Lloyd?
Lloyd: I want people to know that I’m one of the good guys! I’m looking out for them. I’m not going to be the one who disrespects them. I’m the gentleman of my crew! I want them to know that. I also want them to know that music isn’t just a check for me. It’s something that I really value and cherish and hold dear to my heart. When I record I try to give it all that I have.

Lloyd's CD, Lessons in Love is in stores now.

46 comments:

Wes said...

I waited up to read the interview- Great job, even greater questions! I love Lloyd's music, his style, and uniqueness. I wish him much success!

CapCity said...

First time thru your spot! Informative interview. thanx 4 sharing:-). Hope to meetcha at an NYC blog-meet & add u to my "wall of fame" ;-)

PCD (Pretty Circle Drawer) said...

lloyd has really swooped down on my radar something fierce, unlike a lot of singers these days. great job BGG!!!

Eb the Celeb said...

i love Lloyd... he has a kind spirit...he definitely doesnt get the recognition he should but now that Omarion and Bow wow are out of the picture he may just be able to win this time around

Kwana said...

BG I love this interview both your questions and his answers. I have not really paid attention to LLoyd but I'd me looking out for him now. Thanks so much.

B said...

"Get it shawty"! That's my jaaaam! Loves the interview, BGG! The bit on Lloyd's father was really touching. Wow...

Anonymous said...

This is interesting, I hadn't heard of him prior - thanks for the introduction BGG. He seems like a cool guy and awesome vocals.

Nicole Rogers said...

That is so cool! I met him this past saturday and what a sweetie! Great interview Karla and where did you get your outfit? It's so cute!

T said...

Aw, that was sweet. How old is Lloyd?

T said...

P.S. My above comment seems like I'm trying to holla at this dude. Not so, just curious. I also forgot to say the the quote below is so touching.

"It’s also taught me to just find the blessings buried in tragedy."

God sends everyone through what they're going through for a reason and for him to be able to recognize that, rather than complain or have a "woe is me" attitude is pretty awesome.

I guess I'm going to have to stop hatin' on dude's v-necks and puffy ponytails. And I don't know why, but I thought he was from Cali...

MakeupByRenRen said...

whoa girl big timing! lloyd has really grown on me...love his new music

12kyle said...

@ BGG
Great interview! I'm not into these r&b singers these days but I like this dude. I'ma get his cd

♔Jaimie said...

I LOVE HIM.

K-Bear said...

BGG, great interview! Although I'm not a fan, I do appreciate a brother doing what he was created to do. My kids think he's great so he must be!

Brown Girl Gumbo said...

@nicole - Thanks for the compliment. It's a Free People dress that my sister gave to me since she never wore it. I love it because it's so comfortable! lol

Brown Girl Gumbo said...

@T - I think he's 22. Maybe 23?

@Wes - thanks for waiting up to read it! :-)

@Capacity - Please come back. I need to check out your blog too.

@PCD - He really is everywhere!

@Eb the Celeb - Where is Omarion??? LOL!

@Kwana - Thanks! He really was such a joy to interview.

@B - Yeah, I wasn't sure how in-depth he wanted to talk about his father. It was a sad topic.

@T - I can see why you thought he was from Cali.

@Makeupbyrenren - This CD really is good.

@Jaimie - You knew he was in N-Toon! I had no clue. LOL!

@K-Bear - I'm sure your kids probably watch him on TV while you have your nose in a book! LOL

Brown Girl Gumbo said...

Oops, @12kyle - Go ahead, pick it up! :-)

Couture Carrie said...

Very cool! I love that his influences include Phil Colllins :)

xoxox,
CC

Anonymous said...

you give good interviews lloyd seems like a nice guy

aishaadair said...

Great interview! I like Lloyds music, especially when he collaborates with Lil Wayne. Girls around the world is a summer jam. Oh yeah...the video is hot too!

beautylogicblog said...

BGG, you know everyone!! I love his music and am such a fan, glad i"m not the only one.

Phyllis Bourne said...

Ok, I'll admit it. I'm old, and I have no idea who Lloyd is????

HOWEVER, I'd like to know how you always manage to look so amazing no matter who you're interviewing?

Anonymous said...

Tks! for keeping me on top of what is going on. Keep up the good work!!! I do enjoy reading your blog. I always learn something!
I love the Girls Around the Word video!

GangStarr Girl said...

Sooo, what did you think of Lloyd overall as an interview? Was he in silly mode? He's pretty fun. BTW, I'm linking your blog!

Anonymous said...

cool interview!

Anonymous said...

another great interview!!! keep doing your thing bgg

Calming Corners said...

Awesome interview!!!!! His hair is so pretty :)

Karen said...

I've never heard of him before. I'm not into much rap music.

bored_eats said...

Do your thang girl..

awesome job.

Product Junkie Diva said...

You have another wonderful interview on your hands. I really like one of his old songs, "hey young girl", maybe that isn't the name of it but good song.
thanks for keeping us in the loop BGG.

Be Just said...

Great interview BGG! Lloyd is a really good young artist. Can't say the same for the rest of the folks out there.

Brown Girl Gumbo said...

@PBW - Thanks for the compliments! :-) You're so sweet!

Anonymous said...

Although I'm not his music, the interview was good. I didn't know he was in a group with Sammy!( I was really into boy bands back then, BSB fan for life LOL). I have a love/hate relationship with his fair, I love to have it on me but hate that its on him LOL.

Anonymous said...

Your interviews are getting better and better!!! To be honest, I am not really into celebrities (what they're up to/who's dating who/who's in rehab/etc.), but because your interviews focus on the real artist and what he/she brings to the world I look forward to each celebrity one you post.

Unknown said...

Great interview!

Anonymous said...

Great interview, I kinda forgot about Lloyd but i'm glad he's back doing his thing!

The Grid Magazine said...

We love Lloyd!!!

Anonymous said...

[url=http://loveepicentre.com/][img]http://loveepicentre.com/uploades/photos/5.jpg[/img][/url]
dating and matchmaking inc [url=http://loveepicentre.com/map.php]dating musician[/url] fat gothgirl dating
erotic dating service [url=http://loveepicentre.com/taketour.php]find christian dating single chat[/url] play sex dating games
sex dating in davis junction illinois [url=http://loveepicentre.com/articles.php]older men dating much younger women[/url] dating a man eight years older

Anonymous said...

sandra brown ebook free http://audiobookscollection.co.uk/fr/Fiction-Sciences/c127/?page=6 orchid blues on ebook [url=http://audiobookscollection.co.uk/fr/Computer-Processing-of-Oriental-Languages-Beyond-the-Orient-The-Research-Challenges-Ahead-21st-International-Conference-ICCPOL-2006-Singapore-Lecture-Notes-in-Artificial-Intelligence/p208952/]operating system gary ebook[/url] naked justice ebook class comics

Anonymous said...

it ebook download pay http://audiobooksplanet.co.uk/PMP-Exam/c2202/?page=4 free ebook on forex currency volatility [url=http://audiobooksplanet.co.uk/Michael-Uva/m88635/]how to publish an ebook[/url] ebook fre

Anonymous said...

small business end to end software http://buyoem.co.uk/product-10183/Aone-Ultra-Mobile-3GP-Video-Converter-v3-0 workers compensation florida software [url=http://buyoem.co.uk/de/product-14003/GyazMail-1-5-Mac]shipedit by eagle eye software[/url] winifred dispense software
[url=http://buyoem.co.uk/fr/category-200-212/Multim-dia-et-Divertissement]Multimedia et Divertissement - Download OEM, Software Sale, OEM Software[/url] wedding software support positions
[url=http://buyoem.co.uk/it/product-11998/Windows-Vista-Ultimate-x86-SP1][img]http://buyoem.co.uk/image/7.gif[/img][/url]

Anonymous said...

act software sage http://buyoemsoftware.co.uk/product-36418/Active-Partition-Recovery-Enterprise-6-0 password managing software [url=http://buyoemsoftware.co.uk/fr/product-37354/Ultra-Video-Splitter-6-0]supply chain software providers[/url] google free security software
[url=http://buyoemsoftware.co.uk/it/category-3/Grafica-e-Editoria]Grafica e Editoria - Download OEM, Software Sale, OEM Software[/url] computer software mesquite texas
[url=http://buyoemsoftware.co.uk/es/product-37358/USB-Trace-2-0][img]http://buyoem.co.uk/image/1.gif[/img][/url]

Anonymous said...

dvd region software http://buysoftwareonline.co.uk/it/product-14813/PopChar-Mac gps mapping pocket software [url=http://buysoftwareonline.co.uk/es/category-2/Negocios?page=3]bob strotman software[/url] accounting software information
[url=http://buysoftwareonline.co.uk/es/product-37388/Ease-Audio-Converter-2-4]Ease Audio Converter 2.4 - Cheap Legal OEM Software, Software Sale, Download OEM[/url] matrimonial software
[url=http://buysoftwareonline.co.uk/product-18696/SimpleImage-5-0-Mac][img]http://buyoem.co.uk/image/1.gif[/img][/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/elavil.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/12.jpg[/img][/url]
pharmacy technician ce http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/clomid.htm online pharmacy school tech [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/diclofenac-gel.htm]health pharmacy drugs and medications p paroxetine[/url]
pharmacy perth amcal http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/celebrex.htm montana pharmacy school ranking [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/celebrex.htm]celebrex[/url]
pharmacy at leeds university http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/zyrtec.htm foreign pharmacys [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/zofran.htm]pharmacy school usa[/url]
online pharmacy information http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/catalogue/b.htm theresa pharmacy 2 [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/fincar.htm]fincar[/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/femcare.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/1.jpg[/img][/url]
can pharmacist change the way pharmacy is practiced http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/viagra-super-active-plus.htm online pharmacy meds [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/omnicef.htm]prescription prices from wal mart pharmacy[/url]
pharmacy alprazolam http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/testimonials.htm pharmacy cialis silagra cumwithuscom [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/activ8--energy-booster-.htm]activ8 energy booster [/url]
sources of methyl paraben in pharmacy http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/singulair.htm texas state pharmacy certificate [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/levaquin.htm]pergolide equine canadian pharmacy[/url]
annual salary for pharmacy technicians http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/flagyl-er.htm canadian mail order pharmacy [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/lisinopril.htm]lisinopril[/url]

Anonymous said...

doggie dating site http://loveepicentre.com/advice/ who is matt leinart dating
national teen dating abuse hotline [url=http://loveepicentre.com/map/]s m dating boston[/url] local voice dating numbers
nj speed dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/testimonials/]interracial adult dating[/url] 45 male jupiter dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/user/cuddle101/]cuddle101[/url] dating gift ideas