Interview with pop singer Natalie. Her last album was the 2006 release "Everything New." The former NBA Dancer is recording tracks with well known hip-hop producer E-Poppi and she is preparing to release new music soon.

What can you tell me about the new music that you are recording?
Natalie-Well the new music I'm recording, as you know I have two albums under my belt, 2005 was my first CD and 2006 was my second. I took maybe a few years off, not by choice, but sometimes things kind of happen for a reason. However, I ended up meeting a producer here in Houston by the name of E-Papi who has produced for some inspirations of mine Missy Elliott and Beyonce as well as worked with Keyshia Cole and I could go on and on and on. Coming from my style which was kind of that soft, R&B driven melodic a lot of ballads. Coming from that style and hooking up with somebody like this, the beats are hard hitting and very universal, its very different than the past, but different in very good way. It still sounds like me but a little different. There are a lot more up-tempo tracks.

So its more urban?
Natalie-I would say its more urban. Yes, but a lot of things are urban now a days. In my opinion its more urban.

How many tracks have you recorded so far?
Natalie-I don't have an exact number. I have a little studio in my home. Prior to working with E-Poppi I probably have over 30, 40 tracks that I was writing for myself as well as trying to get submitted for other artists. Now working with him I've been in the studio and we have about 5 or 6 songs done.

Are you still with Latium Records?
Natalie-No, I am not.

Are you independent now?
Natalie-I'm independent yes. I like to say I'm a free agent that's how I like to call it. I learned a lot in my experience with an independent label like Latium and I was just ready to move on and take my career to a higher level and so hopefully with these majors who are looking at me now I'll find the right one.

In your time off besides music what else have you been up to?
Natalie-Oh girl. You know I come from a strong background of dance with the fact that I was a NBA dancer before I even signed a record contract. I still try to associate myself with dance during my time off here in Houston. I like to dance. I have a dance studio here in Houston that I have access to. I'll work with kids around here, I'll hold hip-hop workshops for kids and teens around here for kids who want to dance. For those who can't afford dance classes I'll do a one day thing. I'll have them come and learn a little hip-hop routine kind of like the stuff they see on TV. Everybody wants to be a hip-hop singer or a rapper. I try to take my time and include that in what I do and try to give as much to the community I guess if you want to call it community service. That's kind of what I do in my spare time. I do the dance choreography thing and the dance teacher thing when I can.

Have you ever thought of doing any of the dance reality shows out there?
Natalie-Everybody is always like, "You should do "Dancing With The Stars," and I'm like as a professional dancer prior to signing a record contract and being a pop artist who dances and sings "Dancing With The Stars" it looks fun and it looks like it would be a challenge with all of the ballroom stuff they have to learn and everything along with the technical dances. I'm not a big reality fan as far as me being on a reality show or a dance show. I would rather just watch.

I remember your song "What You Gonna Do?" with Bun B from your last project. Did you get to really go out and promote that project?
Natalie-Bun B is one of the greatest and most down to Earth people I think that anyone will be able to meet. I'm happy for his success where it is now. To make a long story short he was ready to shoot a video. He was happy to be on the song, he loved the record, and with both of us being from Houston people kept saying, "Oh this is going to cross you over," and this is going to be huge but unfortunately someone made the decision at the record label to scratch that song and to start pushing a pop record which they felt would be bigger and better than that record. Sometimes labels make these choices where they think its going to work and unfortunately it doesn't work the way that they wanted it to. As far as "Everything's New," that's the album that "What You Gonna Do?" was on it was a great record, a lot of radio people hit me up about it, and said that they liked it and they were willing to play it but it was scratched. That's some of the inside stuff of what happened. Some people just think that the song didn't do well.

I remember your first song "Goin' Crazy," really blew up. Does that seem like a really long time ago or is that really fresh in your mind?
Natalie-It seems like a long time ago. When I count the years its really not bad. This is typically how an artist works. Its been 3 years since that song came out. What makes it kind of seem old is that I have a sixteen year old sister who is in high school and she's on the dance team and her friends make it a big deal that I'm her sister, and I'm just like "Oh whatever," but it's funny when they say, "Oh I used to listen to "Goin' Crazy," in junior high," or "when I was 11." They're basically telling me they're 16 now or they're 17 and they're telling me they used to listen to my song when I was little. I think, wow it's time for a new record, but it's cool, it was a big record for me and I'm happy.

Natalie interview clip 1

You mentioned that you are a free agent, does your project have any kind of release date or are you still just recording songs?
Natalie-Well right now we're hoping to get something released in fourth quarter, you know a single to radio. If it moves good, but if it doesn't I can wait until 2009. Hopefully, the latest I put something out we've been talking would be January or February 2009. It goes by fast in the music business. I want to make sure that everything is right. There are labels that are interested in putting something out soon.

In your time off have you had the chance to record with any other artists on their projects?
Natalie-I actually got the chance to work with my close friend Frankie J. He's kind of going through the same situation as I am as far as working on his album and everything and finding a new home I believe, so he asked me if I wanted to come in the studio and work on a record with me. Those who are close to me know that writing is a passion of mine as well. It's something that I like doing. I wrote a ballad for him and with him and it came out really hot and we'll see if it makes the album.

I know Baby Bash had a big hit recently with the song "Cyclone." Is the Latin community really supportive when one artist really has a hit or is it situation where its why aren't there more artists out there doing it?
That's a good question. I think for example Baby Bash himself he just has a huge fan following and I've known him for years and since he moved down to Houston from Vallejo, California he's just had this following behind him. That guy can do anything. He could probably take a break for ten years if he wanted to and come back out and still have like a big song and a fan following. I think it depends on the artist. I've noticed that the Latin movement has slowed down and for him to keep doing it and representing Latino's or whatever you want to call it. I know for myself I've always said that I wanted to cross out of that market. I want to be an artist that's just an artist. I know when I came out I was attached to Frankie J and Baby Bash and all the other Latin artist who were doing their thing. I look up to J-Lo as an example because nobody cared that she was Puerto Rican or cared that she was Latin, she was just making hot music and it fit along with everybody else. Baby Bash is doing his thing and I hope to be up there with that guy again. He's a real cool humble down to Earth guy and he deserves it.

Natalie interview audio clip 2

I know I talked to you one time and you guys were touring together. Were those good times?
Natalie-Yeah, I remember that time. I think we were in the van or the tour bus or something. Yeah they're crazy and they're so much fun. Hanging out with those guys, that was my first tour coming off of being a Houston Rocket's power dancer. One minute I was dancing on the court and the next minute I was performing with a record. Its definitely great memories and great people. We still keep in contact it was very good times.

I know you mention working with E-Poppi. Are you really happy with the music that you are making?
Natalie-I am so happy about it. It's like every artists can say that they've gone through this. This is why the public sees artists go through so many changes. Its about finding that right person that you want to work with and for the first time my ideas are okay and the kind of music I want to make is cool and our vibe and our energy in the studio is like we're on the same page. He may come up with something that I never thought of and vice versa but together its crazy and they see me as the performer that I see myself as. I didn't get to do too much dancing like I really wanted to. I wasn't able to relate the kind of artist I wanted to be with a lot of R&B and slow driven songs. This time they said "We're going to have you dancing, and you're going to be dancing your butt off." A lot of the records are very dancey, and when I say dance I don't want to say that I'm similar to Ciara or Janet or anybody like that but I could be doing that if I really wanted to. Missy Elliott is really an inspiration to both of us. He worked with Missy Elliott and I'm a big fan of hers. We're just going off the box and going back to the Latin thing there is not a Latin artist that is doing that. There is not a Latin artist that is doing that and I'm going to make that happen.

Wow. Do you still keep up with your fans on Myspace?
Natalie-I do.

Did you ever go out and get into the Facebook thing?
Natalie-No, I haven't. A couple of people were getting on me the other day about that. I was like "I don't have time to get on the Facebook." I don't even know how to set that thing up. I'll probably do it soon. I'm sure there are some Natalie's out there. I really want to do it. I know this online thing is moving really fast and growing really big.

Have you ever had a chance to record any videos on Youtube for your fans?
Natalie-We just recently set up a video that we're about to put on my Youtube page. We actually put it out on my Myspace page. I actually want to start doing video blogs and stuff to bring people into the everyday life of myself because its so exciting.

Related Links-

http://www.nataliemusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/nataliemusic

Natalie-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.
Natalie-interview may not be reprinted, copied or distribute without permission. You may link to this interview.Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, thabiz.com October 2008.