What was your process like creating “Lifeology 101”?
“Lifeology 101” was the combination of all the things I wanted to say during that break and trying to convey that we all go through life’s lessons and we all have insecurities that we have in life. But it’s important to go after your dreams, live your dreams and never stop believing. It was like a celebration too. I was like “I finally did it.” So, that was a process. It was a great experience; one I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Speaking of lessons, what’s one of your biggest lessons you learned?
One of my biggest lessons I would say never giving up.
Let’s talk about your new album. What inspired you to continue the theme of “lifeology”?
I felt like when I created “Lifeology 101,” I created a name. I said “this will potentially have longevity,” because again I am a marketer, so I’m thinking that way from a business side — just like [Lil Wayne’s] “Tha Carter I” [and] “Tha Carter IV.” Also, I think that we are always learning. We are always evolving. We are always growing. So there’s always going to be another chapter, another session. I didn’t know exactly how I was going to play on it, but I felt like it had longevity. And then with some of the lessons I learned from the first album. I said, “You know what Winston, you may need to take that class again. You may not be ready to move on the next level yet. You may need to go back to school, retool some things and really hone some things that you thought you learned before.
Could you go into detail about the lessons you learned from your first album?
Even with the success I had, it’s still a pebble in the ocean [laughs]. There’s still so much more I have to learn, so many more opportunities that I’d like to experience, people I would like to work with, and music I like to do. I’m just scratching the surface and I didn’t realize that when I went into the first album. And when you hear “No, you’re not popular enough” even with that level of success I had, there was still more success that needed to happen before I get to the next level.
What can your fans expect from “Lifeology 101…Back to School”?
I think they’re going to get a lot more intimate conversation with me. It’s more mid-tempo and ballets on it. It’s almost like mid-tempo and ballets, and the other half is celebration. The other one I think was just me letting people know how I was feeling in terms of achieving and getting over insecurities.
Your new single “Elevator,” was also on your first album. Why inspired you to remake the song and release it as the lead single of “Lifeology 101…Back to School”?
It was a fan favorite, but because of budgets I wasn’t able to release “Elevator” as a single. [Also,] I felt like the first version of “Elevator” didn’t have enough passion in it. So I thought a great way to set the stage of me going back to school, making a change and learning more was by taking one of the songs I thought was really good, try to make it even better and have it be the first step out.
What other projects are you involved with?
I’m a Big Brother in the Big Brother & Big Sisters program here in Atlanta. I also volunteer with the University of Miami. I’m on the alumni board.
How do you want the Winston Warrior brand to be remembered?
The brand really represents smooth, sophistication, laid back, that unassuming swag, unassuming sexiness, integrity.
Warrior’s “Lifeology 101…Back to School” album is scheduled to release on October 16. The music video for its lead single “Elevator” was released last week. For more information about Winston Warrior, visit his official website www.winstonwarrior.com, follow him on Twitter @WinstonWarrior and like him on Facebook.
