Trace TV.com Interview [translated by titouille24]


"As I am", her 4th album (if we include the live one) goes out on October 23rd.
The native of Harlem returns to us with a different sound. A real breath of fresh air - as the other artists distinguish themselves rather by their lack of originality and their evident formatting.The album of which we in had the luck to listen to 5 fragments exclusively could amount in brief to: freedom. Her association with the guitarist John Mayer or lyrics writer Linda Perry (both much more known in the environment of the rock than the hip-hop or of soul) is the best illustration of beautiful Alicia's new found freedom.
As she says it herself. " The music is a whole ". No need of borders!

We talk about your musical evolution.

AK : I think I am much more mature today. I know better, I know what I want and what I do not want. And my music shows the effects of its simplicity.

The album?

AK : Each fragment is my favourite.
I know that it maight be quite bold to say that; but it is the truth. All these songs are different, they have their own story.

Was this album the most difficult to make? It is often said that the 3rd album is most difficult...

AK : The album in itself was not difficult to make.
But what I experienced this year made this process a little difficult.

In what way ?

AK : This year was very difficult on a purely personal basis. I worked all year round.
Then I appeared on my first film "Smoking Aces". I never stopped working, I felt under stress, pressure... I really needed to take a break. And when I finally could return home to rest. One of the people who is most precious to me in the world was suffering. It was very hard to go on and at the same time that enabled me to grow...

What do you think of the current state of the R&B ? How do you fit in with other R&B artists ?

AK : I am not in competition with anybody. I have my own style with me, But as regards to the current state of R&B... I believe that nobody takes risks today thus it becomes a little tedious. But the talent is there. What it needs is a little more variety. It is necessary to make room for different styles. This message is addressed especially to the radios and televisions. Be more daring. Propose those which deserve it!!

Taking into account your evolution, do you regard yourself a singer of R&B?

AK : The music is a whole for me. I find that there are far too many divisions, categories, labels today.
When one thinks of it, rock'n'roll, rap or r&b - all these kinds musics have the same base. All these separations are superfluous in my opinion. I do not want to be put in a category. I do not want to have of label. I preach freedom. I make music - that's all.
I intend to make a song with the "White Stripes" for example. It won't be for this album but it might be for the next one. I would like my music to be a mixture of Aretha Franklin, Janet Joplin and Wu Tang ! That would be awesome!

Can you speak to us about collaborations on this album?

AK : There is a piece with Marsha Ambrosius de Floetry, John Mayer and Swiss Beatz. All these collaborations were brilliant. I in the future hope to be able to make some more, in particular with Marsha.


You made some interesting things recently: films, a book... What are your next projects?

AK : The music, I concentrate on my music. And for the moment this album takes all my energy. You should concentrate at one thing at a time. It is something I learned...

(27.07.07)
Link to original french interview click here.