Kevin McCall does it all. The California native is a singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer. He made his big break when he co-penned and produced Chris Brown’s Grammy nominated single “Deuces.” Riding off the success of the latter tune, McCall ended up collaboration with Brown again on hits such as “No Bullsh*t” and “Strip.”
After inking a major deal with Chris Brown Entertainment/RCA Records McCall, a self-taught pianist, is now focusing on his solo career. With five mixtapes and an EP under his belt, the 27-year-old singer is working on his debut album.
We were recently invited to attend a DJ and media luncheon with McCall at DTLR headquarters. During the exclusive event, we had an opportunity to interview the “Naked” singer. During the interview, McCall dished on the Trayvon Martin case, his new single, debut album (tentatively self-titled),and musical fulfilments, among other topics.
Check out our interview below.
You’ve been pretty vocal about getting justice for Trayvon Martin and the Zimmerman trial on your Instagram, what were your initial thoughts when you first heard the verdict?
I was a little angry at first but I didn’t feel like that would actually get anything done; so I tried to think of what would be the most effective — how I could make a difference — I think it’s the best thing that I could do — not rioting or anything like that, not putting up anymore pictures [on Instagram]…probably get more black men registered to vote so that we can change laws and be more vocal and just have more of a voice…I don’t feel like our ancestors went through 400 years to fight for those rights and not use it.
How far along are you in creating your debut album?
I feel like I got three albums done already but just having those albums and having those albums have that conducive sound so that it sounds all the same — kind of like “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” — so I’m in the process of taking songs I’ve had that don’t get old and mix them with the new and putting them on the album.
When can we expect the first single from your album?
This fall…and I really want to get more involved on the college campuses and doing tours and stuff with the college kids
Do you have a title for the single yet?
I don’t have a name for the single but I’m thinking about self-titling the album because my goal in life is to become a household name and I feel like my debut album might be the beginning of that.
So being that you are a producer, songwriter, singer, and rapper, what would you say of these musical talents give you the most fulfillment?
I would say producing and singing.
And why is that?
Just the emotion you can invoke in someone else you can from singing you could make someone cry…if you go to church and somebody hit a note, you know people be getting the holy ghost and stuff like that…I’m from the church so a lot of that carries over into my music. I feel like when you sing, it’s more intimate. Rapping is just fun for me..it’s just fun to do but I really love singing.
If you could pen a song for any R&B artist to enable them to step out their comfort zone, who would it be?
I like that question. Let me think…I would work with like a female artist like a Ciara or someone like that. I think more female artists…a lot of them don’t get to have creative control over their stuff. I feel like as a songwriter, if you’re really going to write a song for somebody, it would have to be from their perspective too. So I would enjoy sitting down with like a Ciara or JoJo or any female artist — Keyshia Cole — anybody…and just really hear their story and trying to put it to paper.
RatedRnB.com Editor-in-Chief Keithan & Kevin McCall
In the meantime, stream and download his new EP titled “Sextape” here. Also, follow Kevin McCall on Twitter @KevinMcCall and follow him on Instagram @KevinMcCallJr.
