Tell us about your debut musical project.
My latest project is my debut album. I won “America’s Got Talent.” I went to Columbia and Sony and they signed me to a record deal. My debut album is titled That’s Life. I tried to stay true to my fans because it was 15 million plus viewers that voted [for] me through[out] the show, so I wanted to stay true to them and give them something back in this first album.
Talk about your musical influences, particularly Frank Sinatra.
Frank Sinatra influenced me in a way [that] a lot of people [don’t understand]. I studied Frank Sinatra, then Dean Martin, Bing Crosby. I loved their whole swag. Nat King Cole was like the master of it all. The whole Rat Pack thing was beautiful.
Have you received a positive reception from African Americans?
It’s been like both sides. I’ve gotten the good and I’ve gotten the bad. I expected that. I get that a lot and I understand it. Most of it has been positive and they are thanking me and so proud of me for what I am doing for our people and that is what I set out to do.
What are your thoughts on the “America’s Got Talent” experience?
The whole experience was wonderful. I encourage anybody who wants to show the world what they can naturally do, to go on [the show]. Go sign up because the experience you are going to get is something you can’t even imagine.
Any predictions for your sophomore project?
It will probably be collaborations with a lot of these artists … and bring[ing] this timeless music to the hip-hop world. [I] just [want to] bring back good music.
