Interview with R&B singer Jaheim prior to the release of his album The Makings of a Man.

Tell me all about your new album?
Jaheim-It's the greatest one ever. Out of all the albums out this year, it's the hottest one of them all. The album is a milestone project that's reflecting how I've grown and changed and surviving my ups and downs and vibing with other people just putting my story out for the world.

I was checking out your Myspace page and it said you are recovering from a bad car accident. How are you recovering from that?
Jaheim-I was doing pretty good until yesterday. I had a bad twitch in my neck, ya know?
I've been working so hard and not resting enough. So I decided to jump my ass on a plane and come home.

Where is home for you?
Jaheim-New Jersey. I feel better now. I had two days to sleep. I slept for two days straight.

I was checking out your Myspace and you said you were inspired by the late Luther Vandross and Teddy Pendergrass. Have you ever had a chance to meet either one of them?
Jaheim-Well I've been inspired by Luther Vandross. That's my favorite singer out of all the singers. I've been inspired by Sam Cooke. I can't say I've been inspired by Teddy Pendergrass, but me and Teddy are great friends. I've learned from all the sampling that most of my producers use who Teddy was. I always heard the songs I just didn't know who it was. I couldn't put a face with it. All I knew was that he was in a wheelchair. I didn't grow up a fan of Teddy's. I couldn't put his face with the songs. But in my time that I came up in the 80s it was Luther. Luther was the singer of my time. I learned that Teddy Pendergrass used to be the man. When I met Teddy it wasn't a good thing. He thought I was trying to take something from him. I had to give him a little bit of history, but now me and him are great friends.

Have you been touring to promote your new album?
Jaheim-I have been touring on a promotional tour doing spot dates here and there and I'm so ready for the world that I have to keep going to see these chiropractors to get my body right, because the body gets stressed out always running around.

What's your live show like?
Jaheim-It's the realest thing you've ever been to baby. You're liable to get somebody hurt at one of my shows. I hit them notes they drop like flies.

Have you ever had any women try to get up on stage and try to grab you or anything?
Jaheim-All the time. I might get some nice panties too.

You have so many romantic songs. Have you ever sang at a wedding?
Jaheim-Well why wouldn't I? With a voice like this? The first time I sang at a wedding was 1994. I was only what…I was like 15 or 16. I got paid $100. Back in those days that was good money.

I read that you have a foundation. What can you tell me about your foundation?
Jaheim-My foundation is set up for people who are less fortunate to have anything from owning homes, to sort of give back to the community a chance to buy a house that is not expensive and how to be homeowners and we take the children and take them on basketball trips and tournaments, football, I'm working with young boxers. I have my own boxer named Gabriel Vargas, a 16 year old cat, will be 17 soon. He is going to be the future. I'm working with him real hard trying to get him to that level. Trying to teach these kids they can have everything I have. One day I might need them for business or something.

Jaheim on his foundation

What are some things that you do in your free time?
Jaheim-I relax. I read my Bible. I spend quality time with my family. Spend time with the woman in my life. What else do I do in my free time…play pool, go bowling, it's been awhile since I bowled though. I like to have fun. I try not to think about music at all.

I know you had a little time in between albums. What did you do during that time as far as your career is concerned?
Jaheim-Everything I just told you.

A lot of R&B singers do stage plays in between albums. Have you ever performed in a stage play?
Jaheim-Not yet but I'm thinking about doing a lot of new things in the 08 to promote my life and my career.

How do you find the inspiration to continue to do music?
Jaheim-That's a good question. I don't get paid a lot of money to make these records. It is not about the money. Although I sit up 24/7 and record from my soul to give you guys one of the best records ever, I may make 17 cents a record, it aint nothing, I like to make people smile, I like to make people happy, hopefully I can turn that around, it ain't about the money though.

Related Links-http://www.myspace.com/jaheim
http://www.jaheimmusic.com/

Jaheim-interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, and Thabiz.com 2007

Visit Dorrie on the web at www.sparkledoll.com or add her as a friend at MYSPACE.
Jaheim-interview may not be reprinted, copied or distribute without permission. You may link to this interview.Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, thabiz.com December 2007.