T-Pain is a new artist on Jive Records. His first single is titled "I'm Sprung." He is also a songwriter and producer. He wrote the song "You Got Nerve" on Charlie Wilson's latest CD. He's also written for 3LW, Trillville and Lil Jon. You can visit him on-line at http://www.t-pain.net.

Rappa Ternt Sanga. Can you tell me about the album title? T-Pain-Basically, explaining my transition from a rapper to a singer. I was first a rapper and now I'm a singer. Do you do any rapping on the album? T-Pain-There's still rapping on the album with vocals. The first single "I'm Sprung" is doing really well on radio. Are you surprised the single took off so well? T-Pain-Yeah, definitely. I didn't think it was going to do it. I wasn't really expecting anything from it. Is it a song you also wrote? T-Pain-I wrote and produced it. Can you tell me the story behind the song? T-Pain-I was basically with a girl, liked her, she didn't like me as much as I liked her. Basically, I was trying to do everything I could to let her know I love her and I'm married to that girl now. Listen to T-Pain I noticed that in your bio also. Do you feel any pressure being a young singer and married about to embark on a whirlwind career? T-Pain-Not really ya know what I'm saying? I have a very understanding wife. You were on 106 and Park the other day. How did that go? T-Pain-It went real good. I felt it was great and I was glad I was there at all. How did you go about getting your record deal with Jive? T-Pain-Akon helped me out with that. Akon and TJ Chapman. There was a bidding war. It wasn't hard for me. I went with Jive because they had a good R&B track record. Speaking of Akon can you describe your history with him. T-Pain-We don't go way back, but that's how I got signed to Jive. When I signed to Jive we got real tight and I signed with his label. He was helping me out with a lot of stuff and giving me advice. We have a friend relationship. Tell me about the song "I'm In Love With A Sripper?" Is it self explanatory? T-Pain-Basically, I took my homeboy to his first strip club. Shit he was saying, the way he was acting, pretty much made the song. I'm guessing it was in Florida. Are the strip clubs in Florida more fire than the rest of the world? T-Pain-No, all strip clubs are pretty much the same you can just touch them in Florida. When did you start rapping and singing and when did you start pursuing it professionally? T-Pain-Professionally, from like 2000. Just music period since I was 10. Just recording and making beats since I was 10. Were you able to share your music with anyone? T-Pain- Oh know. Who wants to hear a 10 year old. You never know you could have went on one of those TV shows or something. T-Pain-They didn't want to hear me. What is the hardest thing about being a music artists? T-Pain-I don't know. Not really hard just.... Is it alot of work? Maybe more work than people realize? T-Pain-Oh yeah its way more work. Don't plan on sleeping. What are your long term goals as an entertainer? Money lots of money. Take care of my family. That is my main goal. ;

.
T-Pain interview may not be reprinted, copied or distributed. You may link to this interview.
Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, thabiz.com October 2005.