Blu Cantrell made her debut in 2001 with her smash single “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!),” which was the lead single from her So Blu album. The song soon became an anthem for women who were cheated on by their man. Cantrell’s debut album was a success, as it reached the number eight position on Billboard 200.
Following the success of So Blu, Cantrell released her sophomore album, Bittersweet, in 2003. The album included lead single “Breathe,” which gained international success. The song was very successful in the U.K. where it peaked at the number one position on the UK Singles Chart.
Despite the success of “Breathe,” Cantrell’s album sales for Bittersweet weren’t as thrilling as the sales for debut album. From that point, Cantrell took a hiatus from making new music and focused on acting. In 2007, she starred in a musical stage play titled Gossip, Lies, and Secrets. The following year, she appeared on NBC’s Celebrity Circus.
Fast forward to now. Cantrell has announced that she is working on her third studio album, which is slated to release in 2013. She recently released her new buzz single titled “S.O.S. (Tell Me Where You At).” Cantrell recently spoke to us about her forthcoming album, her hiatus from the music industry, making quality music, and acting.
Check out our interview below.
Keithan: Many fans have wondered where you have been all of these years. Why did you decide to take a hiatus?
Blu: There was a really big change in the sales of music with the whole Napster thing. Right about that time, there was so many record companies that really went under because of it – the sales of downloading CD’s online. I was in the midst of a tour overseas. What I basically did — because I just don’t just cater to the U.S. my songs have been number one worldwide — I went overseas and toured throughout this time of all the turmoil in the business in the U.S. I tried to stay busy until everything was grounded and stabled…I stayed overseas for about five years.
Keithan: While you were overseas, did you find it easier or harder to build and maintain your fan base there compared to the US?
Blu: Actually, it’s just as much hard work. I think a lot of people think everything is a fantasy – glamour, glitz, videos, cars, diamonds, cars, and style – but they really don’t understand what it takes to get to number one. It’s really hard work, regardless of where you are. But [overseas] we have a different way to go about things. We set things for a demographic for just one group of people – one race. There are so many multicultural people and everybody just accepts everybody in Europe. They are more about going in and being hands-on. You know, buying the CD in the store [and not] going online and downloading it. It’s just a little difference but it’s all good either way.
Keithan: That’s good that you don’t have to worry about catering to different groups of people.
Blu: Yeah, that’s not what music is about. You have artists who go pop or crossover, and that’s considered to some groups of people as selling out. It’s not about that. Music is music. Music is universal. When it’s universal, it communicates to everybody. It’s not about anything but the music and the love for music. Music does not have a color.
Keithan: I definitely agree with that. You recently released a buzz single titled “S.O.S.” How did that song come about?
Blu: I always try to talk about what all of my girlfriends and all of my friends are going through and try to relate to them like therapy. Usually what I’m singing about, I’m going through at that time. I will talk about how to get over it, a resolution. That’s what I talked about in“S.O.S.”
Keithan: That’s one thing I love about your music. It’s so relatable!
Blu: I feel very blessed. It came from the heart. When you sing from the heart, people feel that and they know it’s genuine and real.
Keithan: On Twitter, you said “S.O.S” wasn’t your official single. When do you plan on releasing your comeback single?
Blu: It’s not really a planned thing. We’re kind of just watching it, seeing where it goes. The first single is going to be amazing and it’s absolutely outstanding. We have a big surprise with somebody that’s really big that’s collaborating on the song. We really don’t have a definite release date. But I can tell you that after the New Year and the first quarter, we will have the album out.
Keithan: How will your new album differ from your previous releases?
Blu: The first album, So Blu, was the first chapter. The second chapter was Bittersweet. This is the third chapter, but this is the new beginning — kind of like being reborn because I am doing it on my own. I’ve learned from so many amazing mentors like L.A. Reid, Diddy, Jay-Z, Biggie Smalls, and Andre Harrell. I’ve been around these people and they taught me so much. And they’re all very powerful, creative, and brilliant men. I was like a sponge, that’s where I pretty much got my idea and wisdom to create this process on my own.
Keithan: Are you able to name any producers or songwriters you’re working with on the album?
Blu: It’s mainly just me and Justin Grammer. The energy is just amazing. We just go in and create. He’s brilliant. He can make any kind of music and none of it sounds alike. It doesn’t sound like what everybody else is doing.
Keithan: Why now? Why is this the time for Blu Cantrell to release a new album?
Blu: Timing is everything and I feel like I just wasn’t ready. People don’t understand how much work you put in for just one song to be number one. I just worked so hard and just needed time to just be myself, be around my family, come home, be a regular girl. I just needed a break. Now I feel like I’m ready to do it again. I have to take a break for myself because it can be overwhelming. No artist can say that working hard and doing what we do is easy. You need to take a break for yourself because you’ll end up self-destructing, hurting yourself, getting hooked on drugs. Believe me, I’m not innocent, I’ve been there. Right now is the time because I’m grounded, focused, and stable.
Keithan: I definitely understand that. One thing I respect about artists like you is that you’re not in a rush to throw something together every year.
Blu: That’s because [artists] think that people are going to forget about them. I’m not worried about that. If they forget, they weren’t really loyal.
Keithan: You’ve been in the industry for some time. What are your thoughts on today’s R&B music?
Blu: R&B just isn’t the same. A lot of R&B has been filtered, kind of like diluted with water. It’s getting further away from what real R&B was about. I don’t knock any artist. I’m a lover of music. I don’t think R&B is as popular or strong as it was about eight years ago. But that’s what growth is. You have to be able to grow with it.
Keithan: Who are some of today’s artists that you think are hot?
Blu: I love Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj (because she has such a great personality), Lil Wayne. We don’t really have the divas that get on stage and sing those ballads like Whitney [Houston] who was my mentor
Keithan: If you could collaborate with any artist now, who would it be?
Blu: I would have to say Bruno Mars. He’s like the guy version of me. We’re all about relationships, melodic ballads. It would be a great duet.
Keithan: That would be a great collaboration!
Blu: Yeah, right! You never know. You never know (laughs).
Keithan: You also just released a song called “Get The F*ck Out.” I really dig that song (laughs).
Blu: (laughs) That was so much fun. I did that for the fans…it’s kind of like the sequel to “Hit Em Up Style.”
Keithan: Any last words you would like to leave for our readers and your fans?
Blu: I make music for people. Don’t listen to what everybody says, the rumors and the hype. If I didn’t say it, it probably didn’t come from me. I’m all about love.
Note from Keithan: I definitely enjoyed interview Blu Cantrell. She’s so real and humble. I’m looking forward to hearing her new single soon, and certainly can’t wait for her third album to drop next year! Make sure you follow her on Twitter @RealBluCantrell and Like her on Facebook here.
