After his past hits like “She Bad” featuring Bun B and sexy club banger “Beat it Up,” R&B artist Bertell is back with that soulful mixture of hip-hop and R&B. His sexy new single “She Get it from Her Mama” featuring awarding winning singer/producer/songwriter T. Pain brings the sophisticated fun for all the ladies.
Read what he has to say about his craft and staying up on his A game.
Do you most often actively seek inspiration or does it find you? Or is there a combination of the two?
Both. My music is from real life. There is inspiration in everything. It’s a matter of if it touches you creatively enough to make you want to talk about it.
What led you to art in general and to your art form(s) in particular?
Nothing really led me to music; it is something I did unconsciously. The seed was planted through my mother. She was always playing Keith Sweat, Guy, Marvin Gaye, Barry White, all the greats. Growing up in a house full of R&B, it was very natural for me.
In addition to mastering their art, what other skill sets do you recommend that artists develop if they want to be successful?
The will to win is a skill set I feel every artist has to have to succeed in the music climate we have today. The will to win includes knowing you are your own boss as an artist, hustle effortlessly, and work without question.
How do you stay at the leading edge of your craft?
Life! Living life. The greatest records ever, came from real life. So if you live on the edge with no regrets it will be reflected in the music. Stepping out of your comfort zone lets the creative juices flow.
Do you think that there are any widely held misconceptions about art and/or artists?
People think it’s easy and that it’s all about music but in this industry, the music is only about 20 percent of the equation. Many artists have great music that you will never hear. It’s more than just the music; it’s a lifestyle.
How do you map out your goals? How do you measure your success?
I don’t map out my goals and I don’t measure my success. I just keep going. No measurement. When my career is over, everything will be measured then. For now, I have to keep going …
Who do you consider to be your peers in your field? Who do you see/use as examples for you to emulate?
Name two of your top role models: one in the art world and one from outside of it. My music role model is definitely Marvin Gaye because his music was so authentic and true. He said what he wanted and said how he felt in the purest form. Outside of music, Barack Obama, for achieving the greatest achievement of any African American man by becoming the first black President when all odds were against him.
What affirmations do you repeat to yourself that contribute to your success?
Laughing out loud and You Only Live Once (Y.O.L.O.)
What role does art have in the community? What role would you like to see art play in the community?
Right now, I think it’s more flashy and flamboyant in the hip hop and R&B community. It’s like a slap in the face in some ways. I would love hip-hop to get back to being the ghetto news reporter, to R&B talking about love. Our music was our counselor. Now, it makes us feel good temporarily but we aren’t making classic, long lasting music anymore.
What role does technology play in your day-to-day life? How do you utilize it?
It keeps me connected to the world. It’s amazing that you can reach the world from your couch. It’s all up to you. I utilize technology to uplift and motivate people, let them know I’m good and see how they are doing. I use it to stay truly connected.
Please define your personal brand.
The Bertell brand is loving, living, laughing and crying, what I feel it takes to be a real man. “She Get it From Her Mama” is only one side of me; there is so much more.
What is your favorite vacation destination and why?
Miami because of the weather but I’m trying to turn that into Dominican Republic.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Nothing; the world made me who I am and I like me.
What does it take to be iconic? In your estimation, who has achieved that status?
To be iconic, you must be an overall great person. You have to truly stand for something. Their overall life and how they treat others make them truly iconic. The Whitney Houston’s, Michael Jackson’s, R. Kelly’s and all of the amazing doctors, lawyers, philanthropists, and artists of the world are some examples.
