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Chico DeBarge On Prison, Addiction and His Love Life
Chico DeBarge has seen it all. Since entering the music business, the R&B crooner and member of the legendary DeBarge family has served prison time, battled drug addiction and had his heart broken by the woman he loved. At a recent listening party for his latest release, Addiction (due out June 30), DeBarge sat down with rolling out and opened up about his love life, rappers going to prison and the five-year hiatus between albums.
–gavin philip godfrey
Why did you name your album Addiction?
The CD deals with a lot of topic matter about addiction, something that I dealt with and battled with in my life. I am happy to say that I have recovered from [addiction] and [I’m] recovering constantly.
You’ve said prison time helped you artistically. How do you see prison affecting an artist such as T.I., who like you is going to prison at the height of his career?
You know, T.I. already had the edge — he[’s] already dealt with prison. It can do nothing but sharpen him because he doesn’t let time do him, he does time. I feel like his music will be edgier if he allows it to be. [Prison] will break [some people]. I think the brother’s got enough tenacity.
Who is Chico DeBarge now?
I’m just a brother’s who’s … acquainted with grief and struggles in life and my music reflects that. I try not to release a CD or do anything that’s not genuine, that doesn’t reflect something that’s true or realistic. I want people [to know] I appreciate and respect them — the patience they’ve had [with me] in doing this music thing.
Is there a woman in your life?
I had a bad relationship. I actually was with a woman — she was struggling with the same [addiction issues] so I had to leave everything about that alone. You know you have to change people, places and things, so that was a move for me and an important move. I’m single right now and I’m just trying to keep myself grounded.
You’ve got six kids. What’s the biggest lesson they can learn from their father’s battles?
It is very important to stay grounded and believe in something more than just yourself — a higher power, a God. That’s a must, that’s not an option. That’s not something you stop listening to.
