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Interviewed by Barbara Slossen |
Frankie J.
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Barbara: Thanks for taking time to talk to us today. Your latest album, “Priceless” was released today. The first set of questions is related to the new album. We hear that Priceless is arguably your best work. You said that this has been quite a struggle but you’re getting there. Do you think Priceless might ease the struggle a bit? Frankie J: I definitely feel this album is going to break the barrier. This is definitely my best work. I think I have come a long way in this industry as an R & B singer. I think people are finally beginning to get where I am coming from and understand my music more. It is definitely the next level for me. Getting to work with Bone, Thugs and Harmony, Slim from 112 and Mannie Fresh. I think that was a big statement for me being able to work with someone like him. Someone of his stature and being able to collaborate with him on the record was huge. I think I am definitely establishing myself as an artist. I feel confident about this album breaking that barrier. Barbara: How is Priceless different from your previous release, The One? Frankie J: It is definitely more mature. I think I have grown as an artist, as a writer, as a producer and as a musician. There is definitely more of my input on this 3rd album which is called “Priceless”. I definitely feel that I put in more of my two cents and more of the direction that I wanted to go with for this particular record. Barbara: You worked with a few people on this album. Was there anyone that you would have liked to work with but didn’t work out or someone that you did work with but just didn’t make the cut? If so, whom? Frankie J: I would have loved to work with Pharrell Williams. I think he is an incredible individual, a talented producer and he’s definitely very unique when it comes to his sound. I think working with him would have been something great. I would love to work with Pharrell, maybe in the future I can pitch an idea to him and maybe we could work together. Barbara: “If He Can’t Be” features a sample of Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without A Face” and is one of the songs off of Priceless that is under consideration for the second single. Do you think, my favorite song off of the album, “Hurry up” will make it as a single? Frankie J: Is that your favorite song? I definitely think it is a potential single. I think it has every right to be a single. As of right now it is not a second single or a third single. I think it is something maybe later. I definitely feel it is a strong song on the album. I am shooting for either the single with Bone, Thugs and Harmony “Never Let You Down” or a ballad called “Daddy’s Little Girl. Actually, I have a meeting with my label and my management on Wednesday so we can decide on what we will go with. Barbara: “Still” and “Daddy’s Little Girl” are penned by you on Priceless and others were co-songwritten. Why didn’t you write the whole album? Frankie J: I definitely feel like I wrote basically the whole entire album even though I did co-write with some on the people on this record. I think to collaborate with certain people can bring different elements to the table. If you try to write the whole entire album I strongly believe that your melody and everything will sound the same. I think that my fans deserve more than that. You know when you buy an album you want to make sure the album is priceless. You want to make sure that album is definitely something that you’re looking forward to. Every single song definitely has a different element, different style, different unique sound to it and a different ring. I think by working with different writers it will give it that element. So that’s why I didn’t want to go ahead and just write every single song by myself. Barbara: But you could do it! Frankie J: *laughs* I could definitely do it, it’s not a problem but it’s always good to work with certain people that can bring a different element to your music. Barbara: Absolutely. We opened up this interview to your fans. The next question is from BobbyJo in Ohio. She would like to know what the next single off of “Priceless” is? Frankie J: We are trying to figure that out as we speak. It could be either a song called “Never Let You Down” featuring Bone, Thugs, and Harmony or a slow song, a ballad, called “Daddy’s Little Girl”, we’re still choosing. Barbara: What is your favorite song off of Priceless? Frankie J: My favorite song is “If He Can’t Be” which is a sample of Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without a Face”. Barbara: I like that song. Two songs that you solely wrote on Priceless are “Still” and “Daddy’s Little Girl”. You write from life experiences. Tell me the background about these songs. Frankie J: There’s another song in there that I actually also wrote alone, it’s a song called “Is This What You Call Love?” These are all songs that have either been inspired by a personal experience or from other people’s experiences, from friends of mine that have gone through these types of situations. “Still” basically talks about a couple that’s broken apart from each other. They felt like they needed to break up their relationship and pursue their own life and do what they needed to do then afterwards this guy’s ex girlfriend decides to call him back after 2 years to let him know that she still loves him. On the other hand this guy has already moved on with his life, he’s married, having a child with his new wife. It’s just one of those rare situations where you really just have to do what you have to do. You have to let your past go. He wakes up in the middle of the night with a phone call and a number that he doesn’t recognize but when he answers the phone he knows who this person is automatically by hearing her voice. She’s letting him know that she still cares for him and that she still loves him. But she understands that if he’s moved on with his life that she’ll simply walk away. It’s just a song that I think a lot of people can relate to. It’s a very heartfelt song and the lyrics are very meaningful and strong. I think this type of situation can happen to anybody. That’s something that happened to a friend of mine. Basically he told me what happened and I just wrote about it. Barbara: That’s an interesting story. You have been at this profession since a young age. Your debut, What’s a Man To Do? was in 2003. How have you grown into your profession since then? Frankie J: Oh wow, I definitely have grown more than anything else in this industry, learning about the business, decision making, wise decisions and dealing with management, record labels, reps from the record labels, talking to everybody and just making sure that everything we do basically is the best thing. Being more open minded, my writing ability has grown even more. All of that has definitely grown to a whole other level since 2003. I think its all part of the package. When you’re involved in this industry you have to be on top of your game, you have to always be on the lookout for what’s hot and what’s not and basically study the industry and the direction that it’s going. You have to always be on top of the music and I’ve definitely done that along the way and I feel confident about where I’m at right now. Barbara: That’s awesome. How did you feel the first time you heard your song on the radio? Frankie J: I felt like I was on top of the world *laughs*. Barbara: *laughs* I bet! That had to be awesome. Frankie J: I felt like Kanye West, I’m on top of the world! It just felt great, to be able to hear your music and hear your voice and be like, wow…I wrote and produced that record by myself and look it’s a top 10 record all of a sudden 6 months later it’s on the charts. It’s an incredible feeling, it’s an adrenaline rush and you’re like, man if I can do that one time I can do it again and again. As long as you put your heart and your mind into it, anything is possible. You can do whatever you want to do and I think that was my ticket into the industry and basically getting my feet wet in the R&B world, the pop world, and into the solo artist thing. It felt beautiful just to be able to hear my own music on the radio and people loving it. Barbara: This question comes from Angela of San Diego, CA. Frankie J: My hometown! Barbara: What kind of things do you do in between touring and recording your CD? Frankie J: I like to shop, go to movies, spending time with my friends and going to the clubs. Just hanging out you know, staying away from the industry. One thing that I like to do is kind of disappear from the whole industry and hang out and enjoy the free time that I have and the space that I have between my career and my family. I like to basically let loose and not worry about record sales, my song being played on the radio, or if people still remember me. I’m just like; hey I’m good right now. I just want to enjoy myself and spend time with my friends and family. Barbara: That’s the best thing to do, just enjoy it. Frankie J: Yeah, it’s the best thing to do…and enjoy the holidays also. Barbara: Absolutely. Earlier this year you released a Spanish language album, Un Nuevo Dia which reached No. 9 on the Billboard 200. Are there plans for another Spanish language album or Spanglish album in the near future? Frankie J: Right now there are no plans for anything. Just basically concentrating on this album that came out today, Priceless. Probably for late 2007 there might be another chance of getting another Spanish album. Barbara: Some fun questions. What was the first thing you bought with your first official big time pay check? Frankie J: I bought myself a Hummer; that was my first purchase. I’m only 5’7” and if I’m driving a big truck I’ll feel superior and like the king on the road. Barbara: *laughs* Well, I’m only 5’3” so I understand. Frankie J: Okay, so you understand my pain *laughs* Barbara: Yes I do. Who are your musical influences? Frankie J: Michael Jackson, Brian McKnight, Alicia Keyes, Lionel Richie, R. Kelly. These people who are musicians at heart, they sing, write, produce, they do it all. That’s what I love to do. Barbara: If you could write a song with anyone alive or deceased, whom would, you like to collaborate with? Frankie J: Wow. Alive or deceased…I would love to do something with Tupac. That would be an incredible collaboration. I would love to just sing a hook for him. Barbara: If you weren’t an R&B artist what do you think your profession would be? Frankie J: I’d probably be a cartoonist. As a kid I used to always draw in class and get in trouble by the teacher because I would never really pay attention to the lesson. I was always making up my own cartoon characters and basically making my own comic books. I was so into art and I still am. I think I would probably be involved in cartoons or something like that, working for Disney. Barbara: That sounds like fun. When we opened up the interview to your fans, we got an overwhelming response from girls that think you’re hot and want to date you. Frankie J: Wow, where are they at? *laughs* Barbara: *laughs* Nacole was the first to ask, would you ever consider dating a fan? Frankie J: To me it’s not really about a fan or somebody who loves my music. It’s all about their heart, if they have a good heart and they understand my career then hey, by all means. But if they’re in it for the wrong reasons I will not do that. Barbara: I don’t blame you; you’ve got to watch out for that. What is one of your favorite dangerous past times? (For example, car racing) Frankie J: *laughs* Wow…I’m trying to figure it out. Where have I gotten in trouble?...I don’t know. That’s a hard question. Can we come back to that one? Barbara: Yeah, that’s fine. If you stranded on an island and could only listen to 1 Frankie J. song, what song would you choose to listen to? Frankie J: Oh my god…I think I’d listen to “That Girl” because it’s more up tempo and more upbeat and it’s fun to hear. I don’t think I’d want to listen to “Don’t Wanna Try”. I would be depressed *laughs* Barbara: We find that artists have a very eclectic taste in music. What artists are you currently listening to? Frankie J: I’m listening to a lot of the Justin Timberlake stuff that he’s got out right now. I respect him; he’s definitely brought a different element to the industry. He’s created his own style of music and I think that’s hot. When an artist can do that and have people love the music that he or she is doing, it’s definitely a big step. I respect him for that and he’s also a great singer. So, definitely Justin. Barbara: We received so many stories from your fans of how they got to meet you and how they waited outside radio stations in the pouring rain for over three hours to get a glimpse of you and then found out you had already left. Is there any artist out there that you would devote that much time and energy for? Frankie J: The only person I would probably do that for is Michael Jackson. I would just love to meet him and shake his hand and let him know his music definitely inspired me as a kid. I think him as an artist made a big difference in my career. So, I would definitely do that for Michael. Barbara: Are there any plans for a tour in the near future? Frankie J: Towards the end of this year hopefully we will be doing some for the radio stations. In 2007, say February, March, the first quarter of the year so be looking out for that. Barbara: I will be looking out for that because if you tour around here I will definitely be there. Definitely! Frankie J: That sound like a good idea. You won’t be disappointed. Barbara: This is your opportunity to sell your music, your album and plug anything else that you have to offer. What would you like to say to your fans? Frankie J: Wow! The album first of all is “Priceless” it is full of energy, definitely another side of Frankie J. There are love songs to the fullest. I am still catering to the love songs and the ladies! *laughs* I can’t take that away from the fans. They won’t be disappointed. There are a lot of artists featured on this album that are great. There are songs that will make you smile, make you cry, and will make you want to dance. Barbara: Now I have to go back to that question you said you would answer later about a dangerous past time. Frankie J: Wow, definitely it is dangerous going out incognito. You never know who you are going to run into. I like to go out by myself. I really enjoy just going out by myself and driving my truck and just hanging out or maybe just some personal time for myself. I like to do that a lot and I don’t know if that’s dangerous or not but my parents always say I shouldn’t be alone and you know how moms are. She is so over protective of me and she always tells me she doesn’t want me to be by myself. In my mom’s eyes she considers it dangerous. Barbara: Yeah, You are really going to have to watch it after this album too! Frankie J: Yeah! Barbara: Frankie, thank you so much for taking time out to talk to us. We will have this interview up for you in the next day or two. Best of luck to you. Frankie J: Thank you for the time, I really appreciate it!! I wanted to once again thank Frankie J. for taking the time to talk to us at Bacstagepass.com. I had a great time interviewing him. He has a great sense of humor and he is definitely the star we all need to be watching out for. I would recommend his new CD “Priceless” to all. So what are you waiting for? This guy has got it all!!
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