You remember her hit songs 'Smoking Cigarettes,' 'Call Me,' 'Turn Da Lights Off' and 'Oops (Oh My)'....Now the 41-year-old mega-talented and gorgeous Miss Charlene 'TWEET' Keys, also widely known as The Southern Hummingbird, returns on the scene with amazing new music here in 2K12! She is now signed with DuBose Music Group under James DuBose, CEO of DuBose Entertainment. DuBose is best-known for his television and film production, producing top-rated reality series for the likes of superstars Monica, Michael Vick, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole and more.
The pending 2K12 release of Tweet's third album titled 'SIMPLY TWEET' will be the first album released on her new label home.
Tweet makes her big return by launching #TweetTuesdays starting on Tuesday, June 5, 2K12, releasing a new song every Tuesday on her website. 'Daydreaming' will be the first track and music video released.
The multitalented, legendary, sexy and gorgeous Queen Bee put on a very entertaining show, blessing her enthusiatic fans with all of her classic hits and collabo features that she's put out over the past 17 years in the game to date. Kim even invited her good friends Eve, Missy Elliott, Sandra 'Pepa' Denton of the legendary female rap duo Salt N Pepa, Drita D'Avanzo from the hit reality series MOB WIVES (also a talented rhyme-sayer), Juelz Santana and the Bronx's own Fred Da Godson and Will Traxx to rock out on stage with her to perform their head-bangin' hits. Sexy and gorgeous model/recording artist/reality TV star Somaya Reece, DJ Kool Herc (The Originator of Hip-Hop Music), super-talented hip-hop artist Papoose, Mr. Cheeks from the legendary hip-hop group Lost Boys, and the lovely Tashera Simmons (wife of hip-hop legend DMX) were among the other notables in the building who lent their support for Kim on her big night in the Bronx, NYC! Big kudos go out to publicist Jennifer Seley of Rubenstein PR for extending the invite to me to cover the event. It was my first time ever attending the legendary Paradise Theater for an event, and for me, it was an overall amazing, fun, nostalgic evening!
RG: How would you define your brand of musicality?
KN: They call me the Rock/Soul Ballerina! My brand of music is a mixture of Soul music with a heavy Rock influence, and being that I am from Seattle, Washington, it influenced my style a great deal.
RG: When you performed at the 2K11 BET Awards as a 'BET Music Matters' artist, what was that feeling like, just to get that level of exposure?
KN: I was overwhelmed and definitely very grateful for the opportunity that BET Networks gave to me as a new, up-and-coming artist. To see a legend and an icon like Miss Patti LaBelle rehearsing during soundcheck was like a dream come true!
RG: What is PURE SOUL to you?
KN: From a music perspective, I think Pure Soul is raw! It's singing and delivering your gifts from the deepest part of you.
The voice of Cheryl Woodruff-Brooks is a unique and God-given instrument that is both passionate and soulful. If you love the music of legendary female artists such as Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Melba Moore and even Lauryn Hill, you will without question enjoy Woodruff-Brooks' amazing and dynamic musical gift with the Tuesday, April 24, 2012 release of her new album titled, MY FIRST LOVE. The multitalented and lovely Cheryl took timeout from her busy schedule to discuss the new CD, share her thoughts on the current state of R&B/Soul and Gospel music, her side business ventures and offers up words of wisdom for aspring female artists.
(Interview was conducted on Sunday, April 29, 2012)
RG: How would you define your brand of musicality?
CWB: It is Soul music at best. Lyrically, it's classic enough to appeal to the masses. It's modern Soul, meaning that the message in the music is also about what love, life and relationships are like in the new Millenium. It is also Rhythm and Blues, literally!
RG: You were indoctrinated into music at a very young age in the church singing Gospel tunes. Looking back, how gratifying was it to have gone through that initial training, especially with your mother being such an integral part of things?
CWB: That initial training was probably the best thing that could have possibly happened to me. Not only did I learn to sing, but I began to understand how important and powerful the meaning of a song was to a listener. Gospel music is ministry. As I matured in this business, I became mindful of my lyrical content. I also developed an attentive ear to harmony and pitch. I could easily jump from singing soprano to alto, and alto to tenor....It just became second nature for me. I was fortunate to have been born into a family that had a very public life, and it happened to be in the entertainment industry. My mother taught me how to be a dynamic entertainer, and made me realize the ethics of being a professional at such a young age. She required my sister and I to rehearse faithfully and taught us everything from knowing to simply smile while performing, to bowing off of the stage. I made costumes and choreographed dance routines for my sister and I in high school talent shows - all of which I learned from my mother. I would not know how to be an independent artist if it were not for my mother!
RG: Now you just recently released your new album, 'MY FIRST LOVE' independently. For consumers of good, quality music, how would you promote 'MY FIRST LOVE?'
CWB: I am promoting MY FIRST LOVE by appealing to those who enjoy good music, raw talent, and can relate to the emotion of love. That encompasses people globally. However, I am seeking to target the same type of listeners who have come to appreciate songstresses such as Jill Scott, Chrisette Michelle and Marsha Ambrosius. Some of my promotional material has depicted people in a happy relationship, and I hope to keep the movement of 'falling in love' alive in today's world. Looking at the data that I and my staff collected leading up to the release of the CD, we found out that women of ages 25-45 years old are playing my music, and men of ages 35-55 years old as well. Social networking has become a very useful tool in getting the word out on my music. With internet radio websites, most subscribers can hear the entire CD before making a purchase and have the opportunity to hear snippets of my songs along the way. I have truly tried to create a reality setting along the entire MY FIRST LOVE project to pull people into my real-life journey as an Indie artist. Thankfully, I am acquiring fans in India, the Virgin Islands and Sweden! As an Indie artist, I do want to move beyond the American borders.
RG: Who were some of the producers and songwriters you collaborated with on the CD?
CWB: I am blessed to have come from a family of musicians. I collaborated with my cousin Ron Smith, who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and has worked with a number of independent artists. I worked with my cousin Jim Walton from Chicago, Illinois, who primarily produces Gospel music. I also worked with my cousins Phil and Thomas Egler, who are from Chicago as well. Last, but not least, I collaborated with Sabre 'Franchise Tief' Johnson from Atlanta, Georgia, who wrote the track NOBODY. Franchise has worked with several artists who are signed to major record labels, such as the talented male group Hamilton Park. Most of the songs on the CD were written by myself, and I vocally arranged and performed the background singing as well.
RG: What are your thoughts on the current landscape of the R&B/Soul and Gospel genres of music?
CWB: No matter what people may say or think, R&B/Soul music is still alive and well! It has been transitioning into Neo-Soul, but at the end of the day, it's still just Soul music. Many of today's younger generation who listen to Hip-Hop also listen to artists such as Anthony Hamilton, Mary J. Blige, Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette Michelle. It's good music because they simply make great songs. With Gospel music, it has made a radical change as far as the mainstream goes. There are times where I can't differentiate the sound of some Gospel music from R&B and Hip-Hop. I think that those changes have done more good than harm. A younger generation who may not attend church service or who just don't gravitate to the traditional sound of Gospel music may have now been drawn in to fully appreciate and enjoy it.
RG: Outside of your music, you have a few nice endeavors that you currently have going on. Share with us what you do on the side.
CWB: Well, while staying at home and taking care of my infant son, I decided to start sewing again. It led me to start my own accessories company called NILAJA. I even received a design patent for one of my handbags. Thanks to a few friends, plus good marketing, my products have made it into the hands of some very well-known celebrities, such as Venus and Serena Williams, Kanye West, Beyonce, Kim E. Whitley and Common. I plan to devote more time to the business once my schedule permits. I've been growing NILAJA for eight years to this point. I also work with my husband, caring for 12 boys at a private boarding school.
RG: What is the most important piece of advice you can give to a talented young lady who has aspirations to become successful in the current climate of the music industry?
CWB: Know yourself, and then know the business. And when you understand the music business, then you won't fall victim to what anyone tells you. You should understand how the money is made, and you should carefully read and understand your contracts. If you want to be taken seriously, respect yourself. Harness your skills, so that when an opportunity presents itself for you to play a larger part in your career, you are prepared and ready. It is more to this industry than being visually attractive and talented. You must learn to take constructive criticism and be open to change. Stay focused on your goals, take chances and don't be afraid to walk away from something that conpromises your integrity.
RG: In five-to-ten years from now, with God's Will, Cheryl Woodruff-Brooks will be - on tour with about at least seven to eight CDs under my belt. I also see myself writing songs for other artists. I would love to write songs for the Country music genre. I plan to hopefully in the future compose music for stageplays, TV programs and motion pictures, so I am currently taking piano lessons in that regard. I will also be nurturing the development of my son Akiva's career, all along the way. He currently shows great potential at the age of nine in Film and Dance. And if I can dream a little bit, a Grammy award on my fireplace mantle! (Laughs)
RG: Thank you so much for allowing me to interview you, multi-talented and beautiful lady! May God bless you with everything you're doing.
CWB: You are so very welcome and may God continue to bless you, Ross!
