Lloyd Talks Flirting and Taking Amy Winehouse To Dinner

02 June 2007

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Lloyd - New Orleans native Lloyd Polite is the hottest new R & B sensation in the US and looks set to match that success over here. Singing appears to have come naturally to the 20-year-old artist, who has been in and around music his whole life. Meeting up with Urv Gotti a few years ago resulted in Lloyd being drafted into the Inc army, where he released the hit single "Southside" with label mate Ashanti. He also recorded with southern artists, 8 Ball and MJG, Young Jeezy, Lil Scrappy, Trillville, Roy Jones, Snoop Dogg and Tango Redd. After starting his own new venture, "Young Goldie Productions" the young musician then brought in an old friend Jazze Pha to help get the ball rolling. With Jazze Pha’s Sho’nuff Records (home to Ciara, Jody Breeze and Cherish) and Gotti (Ja Rule, Ashanti, Vanessa Carlton, and Seven) planted firmly in his corner, Lloyd released the monster song "You", which topped the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart and quickly recorded "Street Love" a healthy blend of old school flavour, flawless vocals and stellar production by the likes of Jasper Cameron (Nelly, Christina Aguilera, Monica) J-Lack, and Jazze Phizzle. Other stand out tracks include the next single "Get It Shawty," "Certified", "Earthling" and Hazel.

FemaleFirst were able to have a chat with the very lovely Mr Lloyd whilst he was on his travels around England earlier this week. Find out more of what he had to say below:

You have been spending time in the UK, obviously to promote your singing career. What were your initial impressions of this country

Oh I love this place. I love the people, I love the music, I love the culture - I love everything about it. The only bad thing is that I have to leave. (Laughs) I wish I could stay man you know. The first night I came here, we managed to get tickets to see Amy Winehouse live. It was incredible. She jams man. Her voice is just classic cool soul. I was able to mingle with the crowd and introduce myself to some of the top industry heads. It was like being reborn or something you know - it’s like you land in a new place and you just want to start over. You just want to do everything that the city has to do man. The sad thing is just that I don’t really have a lot of time. Unfortunately I came here to work and not play but for me, I love my job so there are no complaints. I enjoy everything. I cherish this because I’m taking this with me for the rest of my life. You better believe it!

So London or New York then - which is superior to you

London (He Laughs) I like to write about my experiences as they happen. I’ve actually being writing the whole time whilst I’ve been here in London. Man this place is just full of motivation and I’m really inspired to write when I’m here. I’d actually like to work on my next album here - maybe just hide out in a back alley in London and write, you know.

Can you tell us more about your new album "Street Love" for the people that haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet

Sure! I say "Street Love" is all about a unique infectious blend of hip-hop and R & B music to create a popular sound in Street Love. You take the Street side of music -hip-hop, which is rough around the edges. It’s hard-core, it’s raw, and it’s rugged. You mix it with the smooth and melodic sounds of love and R & B to create the one thing - Street Love. If you listen to the album you get both sides. The perfect example of Street Love is the very first single which is "You" featuring Lil Wayne. Here I am, I’m smooth with R & B. I’ve got my melodies that’s what carries me through the day and I incorporate Lil Weezy who is the voice of the Streets to give it a tougher aspect. A lot of times R & B isn’t really embraced or accepted by hip hop so when the Streets need R & B that’s where I come in. Plus I think the Streets need more love in general man. The people need more love.

You once were the member of a band signed to Dreamworks Records named Ntoon, along with two other musicians. As a solo artist now, do you ever miss the security of the others around you or feel lonely

Yeah I do kinda miss the camaraderie of having brothers all the time. But the cool thing about being solo is that I can’t point the finger at anyone or blame anyone for a mishap. If I work hard enough and it works then I can say it’s because I worked hard enough. If it doesn’t work it’s because I didn’t work hard enough, you know what I mean. So it’s almost like just being up for the challenge of asking yourself: "Are you capable of doing this thing on your own?" Having a group was a lot of fun - but I have three of my own brothers and three sisters. So it’s like, man, I have a whole other group for the rest of my life. I’m going to be in a group for life and if I get fed up of doing the solo thing I can just go back home. (He Laughs)

I do miss my family the most when touring but then again a lot of times I’m so wrapped up in the experience of being on the road, being around new faces and seeing new places. I always think of them when I’m taking pictures - and it’s all about going out and having a good time.

You’ve collaborated with some huge names in the music industry including Ashanti and Snoop Dog. Everyone has a public perception of these figures but can you tell us what they’re really like

The biggest surprise when I collaborated with someone would be when I worked with Andre (3000) for the remix of "You." It’s called I Want You and I say that because I’ve grown up listening to such guys since I was a kid. In the same way that some of my friends have listened to them since they were kids. To know that they appreciate, respect and really enjoy my music is mind-blowing man. To get a verse from Andre, who did it on his own, there wasn’t anything that I could of done is just freaking awesome man. Every time that I collaborate with someone is special because it’s the first time that we’re able to mix and match each other’s sounds. You never really truly really know people but the end is always good. It’s exciting - to be able to work with other people.

As I say I’ve got a lot of big dreams and aspirations. Music, fashion and like Ashanti and Snoop Dogg, acting. But for now it’s all about this.

What was your childhood like

Well I had a hell of childhood. But I wouldn’t say it was a normal child’s childhood. I didn’t really have the roller coaster rides with my friends. I didn’t really have the milkshakes or go to the latest cool spots to eat at or anything like that. I didn’t go to Prom at High School and I missed a lot of class field trips. I didn’t get a chance to really play on the football team or the basketball team for school even though I was really athletic. I was always travelling, touring and in the studio working. I wouldn’t trade it in for anything though. I’m glad I stuck with it man - look at where it’s led me. I’m 21 years old and at the other side of the Atlantic. I call it an accomplishment in its own right.

So you weren’t a teenage tearaway or anything then? Are you still in touch with anybody from your school days

Yeah - the cool thing is that with the MySpace thing, it’s put me back in contact with a lot of my childhood friends. They find me online and stuff. It’s weird sometimes to run into people that you knew as a kid after you’ve done so much as a young man. Sometimes you can’t really share the same experiences, but it’s always good to say "Hey" to an old friend.

What’s your opinion about others who haven’t made the transition from young to adult performers as well as you? Britney Spears for instance say

I’d say that it’s all about hard work and dedication - honestly! If you’re determined it’ll be alright man. No matter what you do it’s never going to be easy, especially if it’s worth having. If it is easy then you shouldn’t want it - you should enjoy the fight and embrace the grind, as I say. Embrace the grind - I’m always saying that and sounding it out to others with Irv (Irv Gotti). It’s taken me 11 years to get where I am today. Of course I would have loved to be where I am before. The one thing about music is that you have to have patience. Sometimes people don’t understand it the first time around, so you have to keep banging it into their heads until they feel comfortable. That’s ok - it all depends on your dedication to the game.

With me - I think if people gave me just a little more time, they’re gonna love it man. You know what people don’t understand change until you prove it to them why it’s necessary. In that case we just have to be the example.

Would you describe yourself as a flirtatious person

For my music - on the stage. In the studio, I’m just kinda like very bold, you know what I mean. I’m very aggressive and assertive and I go after what I want. I can say and do anything to get the girl. It’s almost like I step in the phone booth when I make music and I’m Superman, but when I step out of the studio I’m Clark Kent. I’m just a really shy guy who just wants to meet a nice girl. It’s kind of weird because a lot of people are surprised by that, man.

I’m not a vain person, not at all. My music expresses a certain kind of confidence about myself because I want people to know that I’m here for a reason and I’m here to stay. But other than that I’m just a cool guy who just wants to have a good time.

So you’ve not seeing anybody at the moment then

No I’m just really focusing on my music man. I’m trying to spread - there’s so much more that I want to accomplish. Relationships really take a lot of time so knowing that I’m on this mission I have to set aside the time. Maybe after this year of touring I might have that little bit of time. I could find that special lady over here in the UK. (Laughs)

Who’s your perfect dinner date

Probably after just seeing her - Amy Winehouse. That would be kinda interesting after a few drinks. (Laughs)

What’s the most showbiz thing you’ve ever done

I’ll tell you. When there are big concerts in the States I like to jump into the crowd. I jump on one of my best friends, my security guard’s shoulders. He hoists me up above everyone and carries me right down the middle of the crowd. I shake hands and I take pictures. I really interact with the fans and I take everyone out of the front door with me. It’s crazy.

What other projects have you got coming up - what’s next for Lloyd then

Well I’m actually touring for the rest of the year in the States. I plan on coming back over here in about a month for the Apple Store performance. It’s a special performance. I’m also collaborating with a lot of young artists. I just worked with Camelia who I’m a big fan of and Lil Weezy. I’m just standing in the studio now and trying to come up with new things. I’m actually planning on releasing another album at the end of the year, depending on how this one does. I’ve got a gang of material just waiting to be released so you never know.

Lloyd’s album "Street Love" and the single "You" are available in stores around the UK now. A super-hot remix of the "You" track featuring Andre 3000 and Nas is also available.

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