What are your thoughts on the current state of R&B?
It can be difficult to navigate the new social media age. With new artists, their audience is used to it so we’re already at a disadvantage. We’re trying to be heard, but I have to remember to post. I’m in the studio working and living. I’m so busy living that I forget to post on social. We’re learning to navigate [it]. There are a lot of great new artists, but it’s so saturated. Back in the day, if you didn’t know anyone who had a studio, you weren’t recording. Now you have can have laptop computer and a closet and buy your beats for $30 and you’re good. There are talented kids, but they haven’t worked on their craft. But there are a lot of dope young artists who I listen to and study.
Which songwriting teams have inspired you the most?
Being in the industry knowing how egos work, Jimmy [Jam] and Terry [Lewis] had the swag and could make other people stars. That’s what I wanted to do when I was able to write for artists like Jaheim and Jamie Foxx. They wanted to work with me again and that’s how it was with Jimmy Jam and Terry. Coming up, I had a chip on my shoulder because Jimmy and Terry didn’t sign us. We sang for them when we were in high school and [they] chose another group. I would go extra and it gave me fuel and motivation.
