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Jun
12
2007
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Lloyd Interview |
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Tuesday, 12 June 2007 |
  For R&B singer Lloyd, the road to stardom has been very bumpy. After a much publicised split with N-Toon, Lloyd decided to take up a solo-music career and made his first solo appearance via his début ‘South Side’. Lloyd Polite, a native of New Orleans who was raised in Atlanta, has a very heavy musical background. His mother was a keen piano player who sang in her church choir whilst his father was the choir director and a professional saxophone player. After a two year break, Lloyd AKA ‘the kid who rejected L. A. Reid’, is signed to one of the major management companies in the game, Sho’nuff records. Lloyd returns with a new and exciting album ‘Street Love’, a highly anticipated assortment of pure hip hop and R&B flavour. During this exclusive interview, UKMusic.com gets the low down on his split with N-Toon, Girls and erg… more girls! Here’s what he had to say…
After a bumpy ride on the music road, you’re now back with a second album. I’ve listened to it and its great! How does it feel releasing the highly anticipated ‘Street Love’? Are you still in the buzz?
Well in dedication and determination there’s appreciation and success attracts expectation, so with the first album I felt like I opened a lot of ears. A lot of people recognised who Lloyd was but this time around; it was time for me to open people’s eyes, so they can see what I’m really capable of. ‘Street Love’ highlights my growth and development and it shows my confidence in my sound.
Tell us a little bit about the album (Street Love)? How is it different from ‘Southside’ which dropped in 2004?
I think that Street Love is a more perfectos blend of hip hop and R&B, to create a more popular sound. Its popular music and I think the big difference is that I’m older, so my sound and content has matured. When I was younger, people wouldn’t let me express my emotions because I was younger and they thought I really didn’t know much, but now that I’m older, this is certainly not the case. No one can tell me what to say anymore and I love it.
The album features a variety of tracks, some up tempo tunes such as ‘Get it shawty’ and slow jams like ‘player’s prayer’ (my favourite). Which track off the album is your most favourite and why?
You like Player’s Prayer? I think that’s going to be the next single! My favourite track on the album would probably be Get It Shawty because I’ve never really sounded as a tempo and I just want to make people dance and have a good time. I also love the video.
Both your parents were heavily involved in music. Did you in anyway feel pressured into entering the music industry?
No way! I think them being part of the music has made the journey much easier for me. My mum has always been supportive of everything I’ve done and sadly I lost my father, but it’s because of people like him and his love for music that makes it all worth it.
You started your career at quite a young age, joining the group N-Toon at the age of 10. Who would you say your musical influences were?
Well boys will be boys. You know at a young age when you’re really into one thing for a certain amount of time and then you realise that you want to do something that’s completely different? As kids, we always wanted to be normal kids and you know? We never really had normal lives because we were always travelling and stuff. We could never do the normal things like play football, basketball and girls were also out of the question. We just wanted to go back to living ordinary lives so we quit.
Street love features a few of the most respected artists in the game such as Lil Wayne, Nas and Andre 3000. If you had the chance to work with any other artists, who would they be and why?
I’m kinda fulfilled right now. I mean Andre is one of the greatest rappers of our time. I would actually be interested in working with some UK artists. I’ve listened to Amy Winehouse and I think she’s fabulous as well as Cold-play. Urban wise, I like Dizzee Rascal. I’ve heard of Kano but I actually haven’t listened to his stuff. It’s on my to-do-list.
What’s the best thing about being Lloyd?
The best thing about being Lloyd is that I’m right here.
How has female attention changed since entering into the music game? I bet you’re a bigger hit with the ladies?
That’s part of the music I make; it’s all for the ladies [he laughs]. I mean, I enjoy it you know? I try not to get side tracked with the partying and stuff because it does get addictive.
Is there any lucky lady in your life right now?
Not right now but hopefully I’ll find one. In the UK maybe?
What is your most proudest moment to date?
When I bought my mother a car.
Do you regret rejecting Antonio L.A. Reid’s offer to being signed to Arista Records?
I have no regrets. I made an important and decisive decision which I am happy about. I like being in the spotlight system where I can grow and develop and being surrounded by incredible people you know?
Would you say that as an artist, you have matured a lot since the release of ‘Southside’ featuring Ashanti in 2004?
I made that song before I met Ashanti. I was quite nervous making the video next to a superstar. I have definitely matured since the release of the single. Not only physically but vocally.
Obviously your singing is something that people know you for, but we saw your little performance in the ‘You’ video, so we know you can dance. What is your history in dance, and where do you see yourself going with that?
I actually went to an arts performance school in the US. We did a lot of drama, art and dance. I think a stage performance is very important. I like dancing and I can only improve to give my fans a better show.
Words by Bertan Budak - www.myspace.com/stprodukshunz
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