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Gerald Levert Interview
My friend Andreia wanted me to tell you that her
fiancé used the song "Awesome" from
your last album to describe his feelings for her and
that he played the song prior to proposing. Do people
often tell you that they got married or engaged using
your music?
Gerald Levert-Yeah.
Yes I do. A lot of things I write say things that guys
want to say or don't know how to say it or don't know
how to put it in the right form. "Awesome"
is a song.... I had the title for like 4 years. I never
started writing it. I ran into a young lady and I really
thought the conversation was real cool. Everything was
real cool. She was the one. I think she was my definition
of awesome.
You come from a musical family. Did you ever consider
a career outside of music?
Gerald Levert- No.
I tried sports, you know football. They hit me hard
one day and I quit. So I was back in the choir room.
Basically, I wanted to do it from the beginning. I wanted
to just write, that was my intentions but I started
seeing the reactions I got from singing. I said let
me try this. I kept writing and singing songs to people
trying to get my stuff out there and then finally something
popped. We had a guy who had an independent label We
had a song that me and my dad had written called "I'm
Still." It was the first record we put out that
charted on Billboard. From them on we went to different
musical conventions and Atlantic was the first one.
There were a lot of companies like Geffen and Island,
but Atlantic got off quick with the money. It's about
getting paid. We had just got out of high school and
even though my father was doing well I always wanted
to be able to support my family or help support my family
or bring something to the table.
I know you had a couple of big hits in the 80's
with Levert.
Gerald Levert-A
couple! (sounding shocked at my lack of knowledge)
You know what I mean I, remember "Cassanova".....
Gerald Levert-A
couple??? Do you know…
I was a kid in the 80's, but I remember. You know
I was only like 9 or 10 years old then. I don't remember
all of the songs from the 80's. I remember more of the
recent stuff. My question was going to be how did you
go from the group Levert to Gerald Levert the solo artist?
Gerald Levert-Actually,
what was happened was Syliva Rhone, I know you know
who she is, Sylvia we were like sister and brother and
it was around 1989 when she came around and she said
they were about to give her a situation at East/West.
It was called East West Records. She had a group En
Vogue and she wanted to sign me as a solo artist. I
was like, "I don't know if that is something I
want to do." She said, "You can keep your
deal with Atlantic as the group but I wasn't to keep
you. I want you over here as a solo artists." So
I had two deals.
Just for the record, is LSG done or is there going
to be another LSG record?
Gerald Levert-I
don't know. Everybody asks me about LSG and I think
if it was left up to us, yeah but we have to get the
right situation. It's something that we really, really,
really have to have some people behind us.
You have a really dynamic live show. I've met you
before, I'm sure you don't remember because you meet
so much press but you seem like such a cool guy.
Gerald Levert- I
try to have fun.
How many shows do you do a year? It seems like you
perform a lot?
Gerald Levert-Umm…it
depends on what year it is. How I feel or what's happening
in the marketplace. A lot of it has to do with how I
feel. If I feel healthy, I do it. I put a lot of effort
and time, a lot of me into doing concerts. It's not
just about singing some songs each night. It's about
making those songs stories and making it to where people
can really relate to the songs. It's like you go buy
a record for one reason but when you see it in concert,
you want to see it interpreted a certain way.
My favorite video of yours is "Funny."
What is your favorite video of yours?
Gerald Levert-It
was supposed to be continued. "Funny," in
the end I am trying to get out of the Range Rover when
I reach but the record company didn't want to spend
any more money. I was so mad. Let's see, my favorite
video. "Taking Everything-The Remix." It was
with the little girl from Parenthood.
"Taking Everything" the remix, not the original
but the remix. In the video we were arguing and we ended
up breaking up and I was standing in the rain and it
went to this opera thing. Remember that?
I remember the song, but I haven't seen the video.
I'm going to find it. I am going to look on Launch.com.
Outside of music, what do you do in your free time?
Gerald Levert-Try
to rest. Just try to rest. Or I might go out. I write.
Or I'll be around my family.
Speaking of family, my husband wanted me to ask
you how are the O'Jays and your dad doing?
Gerald Levert-Great. Their new album is called
Imagination. It's a good album. They have a lot
of great producers.
Have you and Teena Marie had a chance to do any
dates or performance together? (Gerald and Teena's
song "A Rose By Any Other Name" is a hit and
featured on Teena's album La Dona)
Gerald Levert-We
didn't get a chance to perform but before Rick James
died her and him were on tour and I came to a show in
Detroit. Me and Rick go back. That was my boy. We came
in that night he kinda had an attitude. "I don't
know what you are here for. I'm about to rip this. I'll
show you love, I'll show you love but watch the show,
watch the show."
I later on came to find out when me and Teena did the
video for "A Rose By Any Other Name" Rick
had a problem with me doing a duet with Teena. That
night they almost got in a fight because he thought
she was putting me ahead, that we were going to do the
duet during the show and I was going to come on stage
and try to upstage him. We had no plans. We had recorded
that record about 5 years before the album came out
so I didn't even remember how it went. So if I would
have got up there I would have looked like Boo Boo the
Fool. So it didn't really make sense but it was a shame.
He died the next year and we never really made amends.
He didn't really hurt my feelings, we talked he acknowledged
me, but to find out he was salty about that situation,
kinda....I don't know.
I was actually going to ask you about that. I had
a question. It is Black History Month. Over the past
few years we have lost several legendary musicians.
I was going to ask you to share your thoughts on an
artist and disclose whether or not you all worked together.
You have already shared your feelings about Rick. Did
you all ever have a chance to work together?
Gerald Levert-No,
but in L.A. they used to have these sit in with the
band things at the club.We would sit in with the band.
We would do that after he got out of jail. We would
hang out and go to the clubs. He was a fan of my dads.
If you listen to like Fire and Desire and all that stuff
if you listen to his voice and the Teena Marie and Gerald
Levert duet she knew that Rick was a fan she wanted
the Rick James and Eddie Levert thing. My father was
a big influence on Rick James and Rick James was a big
influence on me, so I really I hate that he passed and
our relationship ended like that.
The next artist I was going to mention is Barry
White? Did you ever work with Barry White?
Gerald Levert-Yes.
Gerald Levert-Sho'
you right.
Did you work together?
Gerald Levert-Sho'
you right.
(Okay, I don't know if this will read in print the
way it transpired, but Gerald kept saying "Sho'
you right" and I was just sitting there quiet kinda
awkward wondering if he was going to answer my question
then he started laughing. Quite a moment-Dorrie)
Okay....
Gerald Levert-Ha ha
(laughter). Yes, I wrote a song for Barry White.
"Practice What You Preach."
See you know us people that listen to the music
and us media people we don't always know the inner workings
of a song like who wrote it or who produced it. We just
know it's a jam and we like it. We don't always know
the stories behind the songs.
Gerald Levert-I
produced it. It was basically going to be my record
and I got mad at my record label because they weren't
doing something with my last album prior to that one.
The last album prior to that there was single I wanted
them to put out. I had already started the next album
and I played them "Practice What You Preach"
and they thought it was a smash. I told them it wasn't
finished, I hadn't finished it. Barry called and said
he wanted me to do a song for him. I gave the song to
Barry White. I told the record company, "I'll write
another song." I have much respect for him.
Speaking of singles, Do I Speak For The World
seems like a very social album. Will the more socially
charged singles like "Speak For The World"
or "Crucify Me" be released as singles?
Gerald Levert-I'm
going to make "Crucify Me" one. That is my
favorite song on the album. That is something that people
need to hear. I think some people think when you talk
about things that are going wrong or social issues they
take it the wrong way. "Crucify" is need to
express. Hear it and grasp it. I think everybody should
hear that record, I think they should hear the whole
album, but especially that record.
Does it surprise you that you have fans of all ages?
I know the last time I saw you perform it was me, I'm
in my 20's, my mom, she's in her 50's, and my aunt,
she's in her 60's and we all had a great time.
Gerald Levert-Where
were you at?
This was in Chicago. I don't remember where but I
know your dad was hurt and he was supposed to be performing.
Gerald Levert- Oh
,that was the day my dad broke his foot.
It surprises me, but I think it's
because I don't say things that everyone can't relate
to. If you have children you will relate to what I'm
saying. I'm trying to reach the children, the parents,
and reach some of the white folks to. Those who accept
your message. They don't want to talk about it. I'm
open to expression and I want everyone to express themselves.
Are you touring now?
Gerald Levert-We
doing promotional tour and it's so weird.
Try to get some rest.
Gerald Levert-I'm
trying to now as soon as I get done with you
Okay go to bed.
Gerald Levert-No,
No..what else.
I'm done.
Gerald Levert-I don't want to bore you. Where
are you based out of?
Virginia Beach. I met you back in 99 in Connecticut
at NBA player Vin Backer's Vin Baker Celebrity Cruise.
It was a lot of fun.
Gerald Levert-That
was a fun time. I had a ball.
News flash!
Gerald Levert Voices
Collection of new and classic duets coming Oct. 4th
Party
Player Listening Party
Listen
to album
Order
Now
Gerald Levert "Do I
Speak For The World" CD Review
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Do I Speak For The World is the latest
album from Gerald Levert. Do I Speak For The
World is an awesome album proportionally filled
with songs that will make you think, songs that
will make you want to get up and two step and as
always songs that are just right for when you want
to spend time with that special someone. Gerald
is known for his slow songs, but Do I Speak For
The World has a nice mix of uptempo songs as well
as slow jams. "Do I Speak For The World"
so reminded me of a "What's Going On?"
for our generation. This song is followed by the
song "Crucify Me." This song which is
perfect for stepping or an afternoon car ride is
a catchy song with a message everyone should hear.
The production is just great on this album. "Crucify
Me" is followed up by "Greater Later."
The first single from the album, "One Million
Times," is a really great song and probably
the perfect first single because it will appeal
to Gerald's older fans and new fans because it has
that new school R. Kelly R&B feel to it. The
second single, "So What (If You Got A Baby)"
is a slow jam that a lot of single moms will appreciate.
It seemed like a safe pick as a second single although
songs like "Crucify Me," or "Greater
Later," seem more radio friendly. Do I Speak
For The World is a really great Gerald Levert
album, it makes great music for riding out or just
chilling while you are at the crib.
Review by Dorrie Williams-Wheeler
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For more details visit Gerald's official site http://www.geraldlevert.com
Order
Gerald's Album Do I Speak For The World
 Interview
copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, and Thabiz.com 2005
Dorrie Williams-Wheeler is the author of Be
My Sorority Sister Under Pressure and the Unplanned
Pregnancy Book for Teens and College Students. She
is the founder of Thabiz.com
and Imissthe80s.com
and writes for the Rap,
Teen, and
1980s section
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