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Algebra brings things together: Part I
By: Raven Ekundayo
Editor@eXcapethematriX.com
There’s nothing I enjoy more than a nice free flowing conversation. What made my interview with Algebra so amazing is how honest she is. She’s also full of so much positive energy that I couldn’t stop laughing for most of the time we conversed. We attempted to get an in person interview but both of our schedules made that impossible. So I sat at home in Baltimore while she was in Atlanta. Trust me when I say this sister can SANG! And I can’t stress how down to earth she is.
Grab a cup of tea, sit down in your favorite chair and enjoy our convo.
Raven – Hey Algebra. How are you today?
Algebra – Hey hey hey! I am fine. How are you?
Raven – Lol. I’m peace I’m peace. So the 1st question I wanted to ask is the meaning behind your name. Is there a deeper meaning or is it pretty much Algebra?
Algebra – My name comes from my mother naming me….
Raven – LOL!
Algebra – Lol. It pretty much means to bring things together. I found that out later on in life and I found that to be interesting. So that’s pretty much what Algebra means. As you see in math class it makes everything equal on both sides so I think it’s really fly. I’m glad for it to be my name. Now I gotta live up to it right?
Raven – Exactly! I’m like “You think highly of it so you have to make sure you represent for it too.”
Algebra – Right! God that’s hard.
(We both fall out laughing…I told you we were being silly)
Raven – Ok. When did you 1st discover your love for music?
Algebra – It wasn’t so much a discovery I don’t think, because I’ve always been around it. I think I just kind of stopped running from it moreso than anything. I started to embrace it. I would say that music helped me discover myself instead of me discovering music. I believe music has always been there and its helped me become a better person.
Raven – From you saying that it made me think to ask you this. What are your favorite types of music? Do you have any specific genres that you enjoy the most? Or are you open to all kinds?
Algebra – I like to say that I love everything but I don’t.
Raven – Lol
Algebra – I’ve been told I’m very moody but I think that’s a good thing. What I like depends on what I’m feeling. Certain types of songs lift my spirits or keep me calm. A good Country song can make me reflect and a good R&B song can make feel something that I forgot how to feel. A good Rock or Alternative song can make me just wild-out harder than I ever have before. A good soul song can make me wanna clap my hands. You know what I’m saying?
Raven – Yeah, I hear you.
Algebra – It depends on what the record is.
Raven – I like that answer. Lol.
Algebra – Even if it’s a house record and I don’t usually like House. If it’s a House record you can’t help but go along with the beat. It depends on what’s being played.
Raven – I think it’s a great thing to be diverse. I really think it is. Especially as an artist. You know?
Algebra – Yup. I’ve learned to love every type.
Raven – Because I really love jazz now and I remember when I was 15 like (screaming) “turn it off turn it off!” Lol.
Algebra – Lol. Until you reach a certain point in your life certain songs are going to hit you differently.
Raven – Right! It’s a lot about growth.
Algebra – Exactly.
Raven – I read that you taught yourself to play the guitar. What was that experience like?
Algebra – (Laughing) I’m not really good but I do ok. I play a little bit. I mainly use it to write off of. I’m one of those who picks it up and I use it to the best of my ability. You know?
Raven – Ok hmmmm. From listening to your music I gather that you are the person playing the guitar correct?
Algebra – I play on I think like 3 records. Believe me, I’m smart enough to get a serious guitar player. Lol.
Raven – Lol
Algebra – Like I’m clearly playing on the 1st track on the record. I know enough to know that I don’t know anything. You hear what I’m saying?
Raven – Wow….
Algebra – I let the guitar players play the guitar and the key board players play the keys. I’m a great song writer but when it comes to the guitar I’m definitely a student moreso than a teacher.
Raven - I appreciate people who realize things like that. You know? Like “This is what I’m better at, but your true gift is….”. So yeah I feel that. Now you have quite a following on Myspace, videos on B.E.T., etc. Where would you like to take your career to as far as being further than you are right now? Like I tell people when it comes to my spoken word and my singing I don’t need to be this famous cat like a Justin or a Mariah that’s in the spotlight 24/7. You know? I want to be able to do what I love to do and have a life that affords me the luxury of never working on the plantation again. That’s all.
Algebra – I don’t knock the Mariah status, I don’t knock the Justin status. I think that level of success is very very relative. As far as Algebra is concerned…Oh boy I’m talking about myself in 3rd person….
Raven – Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Algebra – Lol. As far as I’M concerned I think I wanna grow. Every artist, I think to some degree, wants to gain more fans. I’m a selfish artist at times but I give a lot of myself. I want to be appreciated but I want to be respected as well. I think there’s a level of integrity that I want to maintain. So if I can sell a million records or 10 million records I want to be able to do that and still maintain my integrity. If that’s possible then why wouldn’t I want it. You know?
Raven – Now as far the kind of things that come along with fame….are you someone who can respect the paparazzi for what it is that they do? Or do you think that they can be a bit intrusive when it comes to how far they’re willing to go?
Algebra – I think that’s another level. I don’t suffer from what a lot of other artists suffer from. I don’t have to worry about people running up to my car and taking pictures of me while I have on my pajamas. Some artists have to. I can go outside in my pajamas and I’m fine. I can still walk around my neighborhood and I’m cool. I don’t know what it’s like to be bothered by certain things. I can’t say I hate paparazzi. I think right now they’re in my favor. I want people to know about my music, I want to be able to help people with my music, I want to share my craft and I think honestly the paparazzi helps to a degree. I do believe that things can get out of hand, but what freedom of speech doesn’t?
Raven - I hear you.
Algebra – It’s ok until it goes too far. If it harms someone or something of that nature then it’s to be questioned. Who’s right and who’s wrong.
Raven – Ok ok. Well who have been some of the artists that you’ve enjoyed working with in your career?
Algebra – Artists? Well I guess producers would be artists too.
Raven – Lol
Algebra – Well they are. Lol
Raven – No I was laughing because you were thinking about it out loud.
Algebra – Yeah, I’m one of those people who feels like everyone is an artist in their own way.
Raven – I hear you.
Algebra – I absolutely LOVED (Pause)….I really enjoyed working with Kwame. That situation was (Pause). I never thought I would work with him. He’s kind of like a Hip Hop legend. When I say legend I don’t mean here and gone I mean he’s gone from an artist that’s really really major to a producer that’s really really major. He knows how to hold down both hats. You know what I mean? He’s a writer and he does all these different types of things but I really enjoy working with him as a song writer and as an artist.
I love working with Joe. In my eyes Joe is like an R&B blueprint to me. I know my music is boxed into Neo-Soul a lot of times but to be able to tour with him, and to see the way his fans respect and love what he does is an amazing thing. Touring with him was something I’d never experienced before on that level.
I also enjoy working with Bryan-Michael Cox. He wears a lot of hats as well.
Raven – Yeah he does.
Algebra – I feel like a name dropper. Lol. But these are the people I’ve learned from and these are the people that I respect. Bryan worked on Mariah’s entire album pretty much, and to see someone of that caliber still maintain the integrity of the craft is amazing. I won’t say that’s it, but I’ve worked with producers and artists that aren’t even on this album like Anthony Hamilton. You know? Real people who you might catch at Waffle House here in Atlanta. Real people who are making moves.
Raven – Ok. So imma hit you with this now. What does music smell like to Algebra? What does it taste like and what does it look like?
Algebra – Lol. Boy what you trying to get outta me!?
Raven – LOL!
Algebra – What does music smell like? Hmmmm. Well let me talk about taste. Ok look, I’m a southern girl….
Raven – Lol, right right….
Algebra – Music tastes like my mother's macaroni and cheese, her collared greens, her dressing, her black eyed peas, OH! On Sunday mornings when you can’t really eat until it’s dinner time, you can smell it all day long and you know what it tastes like because you’ve had it all your life. That’s what music is because it’s like when you take a bite it’s like you’ve never had it before because it’s so invigorating. The cooking that your mama be….well that’s IF your mama can cook.
Raven – (Falls out laughing)
Algebra – It smells like. (Pause). The smell (Pause) mmmm. It’s a lot of smells. The smell doesn’t come from. OH! You know what it smells like? You’re asking me hard but easy questions. Lol
Raven – LOL! Right!
Algebra – You ever been in love and your partner has a certain scent? And one day you just walking in the park or you’re walking somewhere and you smell it but it ain’t him? And you look around and you don’t see him but you smell him. There you are thinking about him for the rest of the day. That’s what music smells like. Like that scent that you’ll never forget, especially when you’re in love.
Raven – Hmmmm. Ok ok.
Algebra – What it looks like?....It looks a lot like me….
Raven – (Caught off guard) Huh!?
(We both started to howl with laughter)
Raven – I know that’s right!
Algebra – It looks like ME! Finest thang you’ve ever seen! LOL
Raven – LOL!
Algebra – You know. I love music. I love it. I love me and I’m learning to love me more everyday and you learn to love different types of music.
Raven – YOU BETTER PREACH!
Algebra – Right
Raven – I see you didn’t have to think too hard about the look part. Lol.
Algebra – Lol. I mean I see myself more than anybody else so….
We’re not done trippin. Come back in August to finish checking out my conversation with Algebra. In August we find out the drama of the Keyshia Cole tour, Algebra’s time on Motown records and how Algebra brings parents and their kids together. She also explains to you what her music means to her and what songs touch her spirit. This sister is truly gifted and truly hilarious. Check back next month.
Check out more information and music from Algebra Blessett:
http://www.myspace.com/algebrablessett
&
Kedar.com/Algebra