When did you first fall in love with singing? 

I’VE ALWAYS BEEN AROUND MUSIC. MY DAD IS A MUSICIAN, SO I GREW UP SURROUNDED BY IT. I SANG MY FIRST SOLO AT AGE 3, AND STARTED PLAYING THE PIANO AT AGE 6.

Where do you actually hail from?

I’M FROM ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA. I LIVE IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, WHICH IS ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES NORTH OF ROCK HILL.

Who are/were some of your earliest musical influences?

I GREW UP PLAYING AND SINGING AT MY DAD’S CHURCH. OBVIOUSLY, GOSPEL MUSIC WAS A BIG INFLUENCE. I WAS ALSO IN THE BAND AND CHORUS AT SCHOOL, SO I GOT A CHANCE TO PLAY AND SING OTHER GENRES OF MUSIC, INCLUDING; CLASSICAL, JAZZ, FOLK, ETCETERA. BEING THAT BOTH MY PARENTS ARE MUSIC LOVERS, WE LITERALLY LISTENED TO ALL KINDS OF GOOD MUSIC AS CHILDREN, INCLUDING ALL THE MOTOWN ARTISTS, MICHAEL JACKSON, PRINCE, DONNIE HATHAWAY, STEVIE WONDER, THE CARPENTERS, THE BEE GEES, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON…

Musically, what type of “vibe” are you on?

I AM AN R&B/ SOUL/POP SINGER-SONGWRITER! I KNOW THAT’S ALOT! *RUDY LAUGHS* I’M DEFINITELY A MELTING POT OF ALL KINDS OF MUSIC. I AM INSPIRED BY ARTISTS IN ALMOST EVERY GENRE OF MUSIC. AT THE SAME TIME, I STRIVE TO BE AN INNOVATOR AND TRENDSETTER. I DON’T WANT TO DO WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING. I WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A NEW SOUND. I WANT TO CHANGE THE GAME. I LIKE THE FACT THAT AS AN ARTIST I CAN RE-INVENT MYSELF WITH EVERY NEW ALBUM. ULTIMATELY, I WANT TO LEAVE MY LEGACY BEHIND THROUGH GOOD MUSIC. MUSIC THAT WILL SPREAD AROUND THE WORLD, AND TOUCH THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS.

With that being said, what prompted you to actually make a career out of this music?

I ALWAYS KNEW THAT MUSIC HAD A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN MY LIFE. SINGING AND PLAYING ARE, AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN, LIKE WALKING AND TALKING TO ME. IT’ ALMOST LIKE SOMEONE SAYING,”I WANNA TALK WHEN I GROW UP! IT KIND OF GOES WITHOUT SAYING. IT’S JUST WHAT YOU DO. WITH THE PASSING OF EVERY DAY, I THINK I DISCOVER MORE AND MORE HOW IMPORTANT THIS CALLING OF MUSIC IS TO ME. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY MY PASSION, BUT ALSO MY PURPOSE. MUSIC IS/WAS WHAT I WAS CREATED TO DO.

Now a lot of people are just now getting to know who you are after your recent signing to Disturbing tha Peace, but you’re definitely not new to this! You’ve written several hits for other artists, as well as released a pair of independent albums — Why do you feel it has taken everyone so long to catch up? And, please give me a quick run down of your accomplishments thus far?

I’VE WRITTEN SONGS FOR MYA, RAY J, AND A SONG IN THE BOURNE IDENTITY MOVIE STARRING MATT DAMON. I’VE RELEASED TWO INDIE CD’S; MORE THAN YOU’LL EVER KNOW, AND HERE WITH YOU.
I AM BLESSED TO SAY THAT MY JOURNEY HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE. EVEN WHILE INDEPENDENT, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT I LOVE FULL-TIME, AND MAKE A DECENT LIVING AT IT. WHILE INDEPENDENT, I WAS DOING UP TO ONE HUNDRED COLLEGE SHOWS PER YEAR. NO COMPLAINTS FROM ME! NOW THAT I’M SIGNED, I BELIEVE THAT GOD IS JUST TAKING ME AND MY CAREER TO A NEW LEVEL. I FEEL LIKE MY EXPERIENCE AS AN INDIE ARTIST ONLY PREPARED ME FOR THIS TIME. IT DEFINITELY CAUSED ME TO LEARN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUSINESS, AND IT ALSO MADE ME APPRECIATE EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT COMES MY WAY.

Now to bring everyone to date, how did you even come to the attention of Ludacris and DTP?

WELL, I HAD HEARD SOME YEARS BACK THAT DTP WAS INTERESTED. AT THE TIME, I WAS PROMOTING MY SECOND RELEASE, HERE WITH YOU. OBVIOUSLY, NOTHING EVER CAME OF THAT, SO I CONTINUED TO STAY ON MY GRIND. THEN, RANDOMLY WHILE OUT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING LAST YEAR, I RAN INTO ONE OF THE LABEL REPS. HE INFORMED ME THAT DTP WAS STILL INTERESTED. I GAVE HIM MY MOM/MANAGER’S (MOMAGER’S) CONTACT INFO. MY MOM INVITED THEM TO COME UP TO A SHOW I WAS DOING IN CHARLOTTE. SEVERAL OF THE A&R/LABEL REPS CAME UP FROM ATL FOR MY SHOW. THEY LOVED IT, AND SO THEY ASKED ME TO SHOWCASE A FEW WEEKS LATER FOR LUDA, CHAKA ZULU, AND JEFF DIXON, ALL OF THE CEO’S AT DTP! THE REST IS HISTORY.

Songwriter is the name of your forthcoming third solo LP, and first for DTP — Explain the title’s derivation?

SONGWRITER HELPS ME TO KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE. I WANT TO LEAVE A LEGACY BEHIND THROUGH MY SONGS. I WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD WITH MY SONGS. ALSO, IT’S DEFINITELY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT PEOPLE KNOW ME AS A SINGER/SONGWRITER, BECAUSE I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY TO THEM. I HAVE A VERY CLEAR ARTISTIC VISION OF MYSELF, HOW MY MUSIC SHOULD SOUND, WHAT SUBJECTS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, ETCETERA. THE AWESOME THING ABOUT IT ALL IS THAT SINCE SIGNING TO DTP THEY’VE GIVEN ME THE CREATIVE FREEDOM TO BE MYSELF. IN FACT, THEY’VE GOTTEN BEHIND MY VISION, AND THEY ONLY WANT TO ENHANCE IT.

Who all did you enlist in regards to the album’s production?

SO FAR, I’VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH SOME PRETTY AWESOME PEOPLE. I WROTE SEVERAL SONGS WITH THE JUSTICE LEAGUE, WHO DID THAT BIG RICK ROSS/JOHN LEGEND RECORD. I WROTE THREE SONGS WITH JOHN OATES, OF THE FAMOUS DUO HALL & OATES. I WORKED WITH SEVERAL OTHER GREAT PRODUCERS, INCLUDING; KENDRICK DEAN, AND L.T. MOE. LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, I WROTE WITH MY LITTLE BROTHER, MYKAL STAR. HE IS AN AWESOME UP AND COMING PRODUCER, AND I AM DEFINITELY BLESSED TO HAVE HIM ON THE TEAM.

Are there any special cameo appearances to look out for?

I’M NOT GONNA SPOIL THE SURPRISE!

What exactly do yo attribute yoursuccss to?

DEFINITELY HAVING GOD ON MY SIDE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. NOT ONLY DID HE GIVE ME THE GIFT OF MUSIC, BUT HE HAS OPENED DOORS FOR ME TO SHARE MY GIFT ALL OVER THE WORLD. HAVING MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY AS A SUPPORT SYSTEM HAS ALSO BEEN CRITICAL. THEY KEEP ME GROUNDED AND ENCOURAGED. HAVING GOOD TRUE FRIENDS IS VERY IMPORTANT, TOO. BESIDES THAT, I THINK HAVING A STRONG WORK ETHIC, AND A GENUINE PASSION FOR MUSIC, REALLY HELPS TO SEPARATE THE GOOD FROM THE GREAT. OVERALL, I’VE BEEN PERSISTENT, AND ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME TRYING TIMES, I REMAINED FOCUSED ON MY VISION. NOW IT’S COMING TO PASS.

Aside from this music, what else will your artistry bring?

YEAH, IT’S A LOT OF THINGS THAT I WANT TO DO. I THINK MY ARTISTRY IS ONLY THE BEGINNING. I DEFINITELY PLAN TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES MY MUSIC CAREER WILL BRING.

How do you view the current climate of today’s R&B artists — Are you content with it?

NO! I WON’T BE CONTENT UNTIL I’M ALL UP IN THE MIX! *LAUGHTER ENSUES* JUST KIDDING! SERIOUSLY, I THINK THAT EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. I DO BELIEVE THAT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, AS A WHOLE, IS AT A TURNING POINT. I FEEL LIKE THE MASSES ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING NEW AND DIFFERENT, AND I REPRESENT A WHOLE NEW BREED OF ARTISTS THAT ARE UP NEXT. MUSIC IS ALWAYS CHANGING. I’M JUST GLAD TO BE A PART. I PROMISE THE WORLD WON’T REGRET HAVING MET ME.

Tell me something personally about you that your fans wouldn’t already automatically know?

I’M A SIMPLE GUY REALLY. I’M VERY FAMILY ORIENTED. I DEFINITELY TRY TO ALWAYS REMAIN HUMBLE AND GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BLESSING, NO MATTER HOW SMALL. I DON’T LIKE COCKY PEOPLE! I AM VERY MUCH A PERFECTIONIST WHEN IT COMES TO MY MUSIC…BUT, SO WAS MICHAEL JACKSON.

Like music, what are some of your other great loves?

MUSIC! SERIOUSLY, I EAT, BREATH, SLEEP, MUSIC. I RARELY HAVE MOMENTS WHERE MUSIC ISN’T INVOLVED IN MY LIFE IN SOME WAY. BUT ON THOSE RARE OCCASIONS, I LIKE HANGING OUT WITH MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WORKING OUT, BOWLING, GOING TO THE MOVIES, ETCETERA.

Ultimately, what is your 5 to 10 year plan in entertainment?

I WANT TO BECOME A MULTI-PLATINUM GRAMMY AWARD WINNING ARTIST, SONGWRITER, (AND) PRODUCER. I PLAN TO EVENTUALLY HAVE MY OWN ARTISTS, AS WELL AS MAJOR LABEL ARTISTS, THAT I CONTINUE TO WRITE/PRODUCE FOR.

As for now though, you have your just released holiday EP Last Christmas — What prompted your decision to record this project?

HONESTLY, CHRISTMAS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE HOLIDAYS. WHEN MY CEO, JEFF DIXON, ASKED ME TO WRITE AND RECORD SOME CHRISTMAS RECORDS, I WAS REALLY EXCITED AT FIRST. THEN, I LOOKED AT IT AS CHALLENGE JUST BECAUSE IT’S SOMETHING I HAD NEVER DONE BEFORE. AFTER RECORDING THE FIRST SONG, I GOT INSPIRED. I DECIDED TO CREATE A FIVE SONG EP. I RECORDED THE SONGS, THEN WENT AND HAD THEM MIXED AND MASTERED MYSELF. I WASN’T SURE HOW JEFF WAS GONNA RESPOND, BUT HE LOVED IT. HE TOLD ME THAT WHAT I DID REMINDED HIM OF SOMETHING THAT LUDACRIS WOULD DO. NEEDLESS TO SAY, DTP EMBRACED THE LAST CHRISTMAS EP WITH OPEN ARMS, AND WE’RE CURRENTLY PROMOTING THE RECORD NOW.

What would you tell your listeners they can expect from the Last Christmas EP?

YOU CAN DEFINITELY EXPECT TO HEAR GOOD CHRISTMAS MUSIC ON THIS CD! WHILE CREATING THE MUSIC, I ENVISIONED MAKING CLASSIC CHRISTMAS RECORDS THAT ARE TIMELESS, AND THAT PEOPLE WILL PLAY AROUND THE HOLIDAYS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. MY GOAL WAS TO MAKE SONGS LIKE DONNY HATHAWAY’S “THIS CHRISTMAS,” ETCETERA. THERE ARE THREE, NEW ORIGINAL SONGS, INCLUDING MY BRAND NEW SINGLE “LAST CHRISTMAS,” AS WELL AS TWO NEW ARRANGEMENTS OF CLASSIC CHRISTMAS CAROLS. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING ON THIS EP FOR EVERYBODY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ONCE YOU’VE LISTENED TO IT. I DEFINITELY WANNA GET YOUR FEEDBACK.

With that being said, do you have a favorite Christmas story or memory that you can share with our readers? What has been your all-time favorite X-Mas gift? And, what do you want Santa to bring you this year?

I DON’T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC CHRISTMAS STORIES, BUT GROWING UP I REMEMBER ALWAYS BEING SO EXCITED ON CHRISTMAS MORNING TO OPEN MY GIFTS. MY PARENTS AND SANTA CLAUS ALWAYS MADE SURE CHRISTMAS WAS A VERY SPECIAL DAY. LATER THAT NIGHT, WE WOULD ALL GATHER AT MY GRANDMA DORETHA’S HOUSE TO HAVE CHRISTMAS DINNER. FOR ME, IT WAS THE SECOND TIME, BECAUSE MY MOM ALWAYS COOKS, AND WE HAD ALREADY EATEN ONCE AT HOME. GREAT TIMES!
I THINK MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS GIFT IS ALL THE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES I HAVE OF MY FAMILY DURING CHRISTMAS. THIS YEAR, I WILL BE HAPPY IF GOD CONTINUES TO GIVE MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND I, LIFE AND GOOD HEALTH. THAT’S ONE OF THE BIGGEST GIFTS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED ALL THE TIME. BESIDES THAT, I HOPE THAT MY BRAND NEW EP, LAST CHRISTMAS, ENDS UP IN THE HANDS OF AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. THAT WOULD BE AN AWESOME GIFT, TOO!

Your anticipated third solo album, Songwriter, is due out when? What is/will be the lead single and/or video? And, are there any current plans to tour behind it?

SONGWRITER WILL BE OUT AT SOME POINT IN 2010. WE HOPE TO HAVE THE FIRST SINGLE AND A NEW VIDEO OUT BY 1ST OR 2ND QUARTER OF 2010. I AM SCHEDULED TO DO A 50 CITY COLLEGE TOUR FROM JANUARY THROUGH MAY 2010.

What’s that “live” show element (gonna be) like?

CRAZY! I LOVE TO PERFORM LIVE. I LOVE TO INTERACT WITH MY AUDIENCES, AND TAILOR MY SHOW JUST TO CUSTOM FIT EACH CROWD. EVERY SHOW IS DIFFERENT, SO IT KEEPS ME FRESH AND CAUSES ME TO ALWAYS BE GROWING AS AN ARTIST. YOU CAN DEFINITELY CHECK OUT SOME CLIPS OF PAST LIVE SHOWS ON YOU TUBE. ALSO MY NEW MUSIC VIDEO, “LAST CHRISTMAS,” IS OUT ON YOU TUBE, TOO!

Will you continue writing for others? If so, anything coming up soon along these lines?

I WILL ALWAYS BE A SONGWRITER. I HOPE TO CONTINUE TO WRITE SONGS, NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF, BUT, FOR OTHER ARTISTS AS WELL. I’LL KEEP YOU POSTED ON ANY NEW WRITING CREDITS I HAVE. THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS CURRENTLY IN THE WORKS.

Are there any mix-tape(s) or cameos on others’ works to look out for from you in the meantime?

YESSIR! MY BROTHER, MYKAL STAR, IS WORKING ON HIS FORTHCOMING MIX-TAPE. BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR THAT. IT’S GONNA BE SUPER-COOL, CRAZY DOPE!

Is there anything else that I may have left out or forgot to ask about?

MUCH, MUCH LOVE TO MY MOM, MY VERY FIRST #1 FAN! MUCH LOVE TO MY DAD, MYKAL STAR, ALL OF MY NEW DTP LABEL FAMILY – ALL ARTISTS INCLUDED – MY MIKE CHEK ENT. FAMILY, ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND, OF COURSE, THE FANS — I WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU!

Sadly, Thursday 06/25/2009, the world lost the greatest entertainer who ever lived — What was your first reaction upon hearing the tragic news? How does Michael Jackson’s untimely passing affect, not only you, but, music in general? And, in the wake of his demise, what does this mean for the future of recorded music?

MICHAEL JACKSON WAS AN INSPIRATION TO THE ENTIRE WORLD. I THINK MUSICALLY HE INSPIRES THE ARTISTIC COMMUNITY, AS A WHOLE, TO CHALLENGE THEMSELVES, AND BE BETTER TOMORROW THAN WE WERE ON YESTERDAY. WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT MJ WAS HOW HE TOUCHED SO MANY LIVES AROUND THE WORLD IN A POSITIVE WAY. THAT IS WHAT MUSIC SHOULD BE ABOUT. THAT IS WHAT I ALWAYS WANT MY MUSIC TO BE BASED ON. MY FIRST PRIORITY IS TO TOUCH THE WORLD, AND MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE THAN BEFORE I WAS HERE.

Do you have any parting words?

GOD BLESS! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU PRISTINA FOR SETTING THIS UP. AGAIN, MUCH LOVE TO THE FANS. LAST CHRISTMAS, AVAILABLE NOW ON iTUNES, RHAPSODY, AMAZON, NAPSTER, EMUSIC, AMIE STREET, ETCETERA. IT IS THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT, SO MAKE SURE YOU GO OUT AND GET IT TODAY!