|
Post by nsyncj524 on Jul 25, 2005 19:03:52 GMT
Brian McKnight has been called one of the great love ballad writers, he has had numerous hits like '6,8,12', 'my kind of girl', 'cherish', 'anytime' and one of the most known love songs 'back at one'. he has been a writer for artists such as Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, and Justin Timberlake. So what do you think of Brian McKnight?
|
|
|
Post by lauren21 on Jul 25, 2005 19:05:41 GMT
I don't know if I ever heard any of his songs or not but he sounds cool
|
|
|
Post by SecondBestHolly on Jul 25, 2005 19:07:18 GMT
What songs has he written for other people?
|
|
|
Post by nsyncj524 on Jul 25, 2005 19:17:08 GMT
Brian McKnight
Few performers are as versatile as singer, composer and producer Brian McKnight. Well respected for his skills on the piano and guitar, McKnight can slide effortlessly from playing an R&B gig at New York's Radio City Music Hall to a sanctified gospel church in South LA to a swinging jazz club in Europe. And all the while, his trademark voice is always on point.
After 12 plus years in the game, McKnight has recorded with Willie Nelson, Nelly, Vanessa Williams, Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, Kenny G. and many more. He's sold over 16 million records, including the three million selling Back At One and the double platinum Anytime. He also won American Music, Soul Train and NAACP Image Awards.
"When I am at a concert and I play an album cut that wasn't a single and the audience sings along and knows all the words, then I feel so good. That's showing me real love. That's why I will always stay true to my core audience."
But beyond the accolades, it's still about the music for Brian McKnight. And like a young Ray Charles, his sensibilities have always cut across genres and defied music programmers who try to put him in a box. That's why the eclectic Buffalo, NY native named his latest Motown LP Gemini.
"Though I don't take the zodiac thing too seriously, I know there is something to the fact that I'm a Gemini," says McKnight, who admits his curious minded astrological sign sometimes gets him into sticky situations.
"All my life as a Gemini, people say I am so hard to read. "Oh no! He's a Gemini.' On this album I am not running away from that. I am embracing all my complexities. It's OK to be a chameleon and adapt."
And like a true Gemini, he has many passions: scuba diving, basketball, riding motorcycles and top shelf art. "I love the idea of doing something new and exciting," he says. "Music is what I do, but it's not all that I am."
Indeed. McKnight has been busy indulging his hobbies since last year's album U-Turn. In addition to moving on from a divorce, he's also kept in shape by playing guard for a California ABA basketball team called the Ontario Warriors. And this past summer, he hosted a talk show style program called "The Vegas Show" with singer Sheena Easton at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.
Just like he's done on every album since his 1992 platinum debut, McKnight's deft touch as producer and writer shines on Gemini.
"I try to mix it up. Of course I do my usual ballads, which is what everybody knows me for. But this time it was harder to write sad songs. That's just not how I'm feeling right now. I am so happy and I'm having fun again. If my last record U Turn was that 'what am I going to do now' album, then Gemini is me back in my own real skin."
The flirtatious first single "What We Do Here" has already hit number one on the Urban AC radio format. McKnight says the song is a perfect example of the good time he had making his eighth studio album. "What We Do Here" is about a man who is about to perform and asking a girl in his dressing room to give him some," he laughs. "It's a fun song."
On "She," a love letter to a woman, McKnight is joined by Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli and Philly soul man Musiq. "It's all about meeting a girl that's everything you want."
And while things get a bit risqué on Gemini, McKnight also has classic love songs for the ladies. One song is the sparkling and dreamy "Every Time You Go Away," which McKnight thinks will remind fans of his signature sound. "That song puts me back to Back At One," he says. "If there's been a song that feels like that album, this is the song."
Other appearances include New Orleans' rappers Juvenile and Skip and new jack singer Akon on the upbeat "What You Gonna Do." But instead of jam-packing his album with guest stars or hip-hop cats of the moment, Gemini still feels like grown folks' music. It's vintage Brian McKnight: A masterful writer and producer who makes timeless music.
"I always say stick to your guns," McKnight says about his musical instincts. "Listening to the radio all the time, you will only hear the same stuff. The goal is to get them to play something else. I think it's all about having that song people want to hear. Programming is important, but when the people speak, they have to follow. "
And after Gemini pleases his millions of fans, McKnight plans to follow it up with a jazz album. A big fan of the music, he has always dreamed of making an all jazz LP. And even if it doesn't play on pop radio, he will still be pleased. "What I hope to give them is an alternative to what's out there. I just love to be creative. If only ten people show up at my jazz show, then that's fine. It really is about expressing your-self. "
So catch him if you can, this ever shifting musical man who shows no sign of slowing down. Proving that the dualities of his sign are true to life, Brian McKnight remains a complex artist who won't ever stop surprising his fans.
"I always try and make a record that you can listen to all the way through," he concludes. When you accomplish that as a musician, you are headed in the right direction."
|
|
|
Post by lauren21 on Jul 25, 2005 19:19:28 GMT
sounds very professional and a lovely man also
|
|
|
Post by nsyncj524 on Jul 25, 2005 19:19:55 GMT
Brian McKnight wants you to throw out most of the things you think you know about the multi-platinum singer/songwriter and producer whose enviable record of chart consistency and success in crafting solid Pop/RB music is unparalleled. The ever-evolving 33-year old Gemini says he’s often been pegged as a squeaky clean singer who never makes mistakes or had struggles in his life. McKnight wants his fresh new album U Turn to introduce his fans to his varying moods and sides. “The whole ‘nice guy’ image has been projected onto me, especially since I was married and had kids,” says McKnight. “And part of that is true, but now I want to tell the whole story and not leave things out. Now, my children are older and they sort of understand things a lot more. My relationship with them is very solid- they know they can come to me for anything.”
It truly is a new day in the world of the Buffalo, New York native, who has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, spurred by his 2x platinum album Anytime in 1997, the 3x platinum-selling blockbuster Back At One in 1999, and the gold-certified, Superhero in 2001. U Turn marks the beginning of a “re-birth” of sorts. With new management and the end of his longtime marriage to his college sweetheart, McKnight headed back into the studio to record his eighth album with some very personal issues on his mind. “I put all these songs on here about things that maybe I regret or perhaps wanted to change, especially with the lead single, “Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda” and “Sorry.” There are people that have been in my life and aren’t now. I ended up being a rolling stone a lot, especially with going through a divorce." The experience reminded McKnight that masculinity has to be tempered with vulnerability: the fantasy of romantic love, balanced with everyday reality.
While his personal changes altered the lyrical fabric of U Turn, the album finds McKnight returning back to the sound which got him started. Compared with his last studio album, his latest LP showcases a re-mixed version of his vintage soul. “Superhero was an artistic reflection,” he explains about where he is musically. “As an artist you have to test the water. The biggest thing is that my last three records were very guitar-driven, whereas U Turn is going back to the keyboards. I had not come full circle. Early in my career I was so associated with the piano that I decided to show other people that I play other instruments. This album, I decided to go back to my roots and play more keys.”
In many ways, Brian McKnight has an unfair advantage. His instantly recognizable falsetto has only become stronger and like wine, refined over time. Plus, like few of his fellow male singers, Brian actually plays numerous instruments including the guitar, piano and trumpet. And as he has discovered his voice, Brian’s personal honesty has helped him stay connected to his audience.
“With each album, I've given a lot more of myself each time. I almost don’t even know who I was on the first record I did when I was 19. In time, I’ve become a bit more vulnerable because I’ve lived a little more. Because my life has gone in so many directions, I’ve just allowed myself to absorb life. And because of that, this is the most personal record I’ve ever done.”
U Turn, which features blazing pairings with Nelly, Tyrese, Tank, Kirk Franklin, Carl Thomas, Fabolous and Joe, is breezy RB Pop with slick soul. The blast-off first single, “Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda,” a tale of love lost, is produced by the Underdogs, an LA team consisting of Harvey Mason Jr. and Damon Thomas. “Every single person out there goes through life and says, ‘man if I could change this or that I would.’ Unfortunately, that’s something you can’t do.”
But instead of forcing things with his co-stars, the collaborations on U Turn all occurred through real bonds of friendship. The hot-to-death “All Night Long,” featuring Nelly, will no doubt be a summer anthem oozing out of car speakers and dominating dance floors in clubs around the world. “I don’t look at the charts and say ‘let’s get with the hottest right now.’ It’s really a situation where Nelly is a ball player. We played a couple times and became friends. He called me and I worked with the St. Lunatics. I sang on that and he returned the favor. You can’t work too hard to make something happen. That’s the problem with a lot of stuff you hear on the radio right now.”
On “When You Want To Come” and “Backseat (Getting’ Down),” Brian reveals the wilder side of relationships. With “Backseat…” I was thinking what if Marvin was alive right now and making records, what would that sound like? On these songs, I’m exploring more of a sensual side than I have in the past.”
In recognition of McKnight’s accomplishments and place in contemporary music, a crop of new school male RB stars joined him on the masterful, and soon-to-be historic song, “Good Enough.” “It’s my attempt at being Quincy Jones,” he says about the song, which features Tank, Tyrese, Joe and Carl Thomas. “I wanted to create a 2003 version of “Secret Garden” (which featured the all-star line-up of Barry White, El DeBarge, James Ingram and Al B Sure). " Visually and vocally there is something for every woman on this song. The cool part is that I don’t come on [the song] until the bridge, I just enjoyed being the conductor of the whole thing.”
Though most of U Turn is produced and performed by McKnight, hip-hop super-producer Rockwilder co-produced the album’s title cut “U Turn” featuring rap sensation Fabolous and newcomer Six John. Affirming his church roots and addressing his usually reserved religious beliefs, McKnight is joined by Kirk Franklin on the rousing, “One Of The One’s Who Did.” According to Brian, the song is based on the book of Revelations in the Bible.
With an arsenal full of timeless music and a sincere connection with legions of multi-cultural fans, Brian McKnight has stood the test of time and proven that he’s a versatile, multi-talented superstar whose concerts and albums only contribute to his legend. He’s won American Music, Soul Train, NAACP Image and Blockbuster Awards. Additionally, he’s received numerous Grammy nominations. Refusing to be boxed in, McKnight has teamed up with a diverse roster of artists such as country music legend Willie Nelson and saxophonist Kenny G. Brian also produced, sang or wrote for the likes of Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, N’Sync and many more. Alicia Keys paid McKnight the ultimate homage with her sparkling rendition of his sleeper hit, “Never Felt This Way." His duet “Love Is” with Vanessa Williams was a Top 5 hit. He also continues to produce and write songs for gospel unit Take 6, where his brother Claude is a founding member.
Brian’s interests are as diverse as his musical inspirations and tastes. McKnight is an adrenaline junkie who loves the thrill of new experiences. He enjoys scuba and sky diving, and has his own professional basketball team. He’s the modern day Renaissance man.
“With the advent of hip-hop, it’s been a little more difficult to make it as a singer. I didn’t think I would be here this long,” says McKnight looking back on his incredible decade-long career. “I just do me; that’s all I can do. As a singer who is a songwriter, I believe the key to longevity is great songs. Start with a great song first, and you’ll never fail.”
|
|