| It's been a little
bit since we last heard from Tweet. She first got her shot
in the industry via Missy Elliott and her third LP, "Miss
E. So Addictive.” Most known at the time for her powerful
vocals provided on the track "Take Away", she
immediately received comparisons to the late great Aaliyah.
Coincidentally, the track was a tribute of sorts to hip-hop
& r&b's fallen angel. She went on to provide more
vocals not only for Missy Elliott, but also on the second
LP from Timbaland & Magoo. She was then ready to make
her debut as a soloist. Her first offering, "Southern
Hummingbird,”was labeled a classic by many r&b
fans. Led by the hit singles "Oops, Oh My" and
"Call Me,” Tweet was praised for her soulful
demeanor. While many of the songs were of a darker nature,
Tweet insisted that she pulled directly from her own life
experiences. Fans were able to relate to her lyrics right
away, and she became an immediate success. After taking
a few years off, along with providing more background vocals
for Missy Elliott and a few others, Tweet has returned with
her second offering, appropriately titled, "It's Me
Again." We recently caught up with this southern hummingbird
to chat about the new album and everything else that's going
on. Take a few moments to check out TWEET.
It's so great to talk to you Tweet.
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule.
Tweet: It's no problem.
You say that you've been nicknamed
Tweet for quite a while now. Where did the name come from?
Tweet: I have no idea. Everybody
in my family wants credit, but nobody knows why or what
the meaning is behind it.
You used to be in a group called
Sugah. Around what time was that?
Tweet: From 1994 until 2000.
You received a production deal with
Devante back in the mid-nineties..... What happened with
that deal?
Tweet: That was Devante's group.
You and Missy met about the same
time you had this deal, right? Tweet: I actually met Missy
back in 1994, when she was a member of Sista. I had auditioned
to be in Sugah. That was how I met Missy, and we just lost
contact for a few years.
So how was it that the two of you
came back in contact?
Tweet: She needed background vocals
done on her album "Miss E. So Addictive", and
she called me, so I did those.
I've read in your bio, as well as
different articles, that when you did finally receive a
call from Missy, you had been contemplating suicide. What
was going on in your life at the time for you to be at that
level?
Tweet: Nothing! You know, the career
was not happening, and everything just hit the fan at the
same time.
You hear from so many artists that
their families had been their biggest supporters. Could
you say the same thing? How integral was family in your
life at that time?
Tweet: Yes ! They were definitely
very supportive. All the time.
So now you're signed to Missy's label,
of course ? The two of you seem so close now. What would
you attribute to the good relationship that you have with
her?
Tweet: I don't know. I guess it's
because we're out to do the same thing, which is give the
world some good music, you know, timeless music.
When Southern Hummingbird hit, it
seemed like things got off to a slow start. Why do you think
that was?
Tweet: I have no idea. You know,
Oops was a great thing, though.
Definitely ! It was a really good
song. It caught a lot of people on to what you were trying
to do, and of course, you're still here, so it says something.
Tweet: Thank You.
Many of the songs on Hummingbird
were of a darker nature, so to speak. Now, it's like a total
turn-around. What went on between that cd and now ?
Tweet: Just life, in general. Three
years, you know, of just living, and turning 34, and just
life.
Now, nobody would ever think you
were that old.
Tweet: Definitely! So, just happier
times right now. I'm at a different point in my life right
now.
Now that you're on the second album,
do you feel the sophmore jinx at all ?
Tweet: Kinda, sort of in the beginning,
because I felt that because everybody loved Southern Hummingbird,
I had to duplicate it. Then I thought about it. I'm not
in that place anymore, so why would I ?
News surfaced about your work on
this new album over a year ago. Why has it taken so long
to get you back out there?
Tweet: Well, Elektra merged with
Atlantic, so I had to wait until the smoke cleared. What's
going to set this album apart, not only from your first
album, but anything else that's out now?
Tweet: Vocally, a lot stronger. That's
about it. Honest lyrics.
Who all is producing this time around
besides Missy & Timbaland?
Tweet: Nisan Stewart and Craig Brockman
who did the first one. The Soul Diggaz and Harold Lilly,
and Walter Milsap.
I considered your first album moreso
your introduction to the world, you know, everybody getting
to know exactly who you were. What are you giving fans this
time around? What topics and subjects are you dealing with
now?
Tweet: Just life experiences, and
love and hurt, and you know, how to get over it.
You actually feature your daughter
on the cd, right?
Tweet: Right ! Now what made you
do that, seeing as how you want to keep her away from the
industry?
Tweet: Because it's my daughter,
and why not ? It's not as a career, but as a treat, you
know.
How has it been, balancing your career
between your family life?
Tweet: I've been fortunate enough
to have a family that supports me, so you know, it's been
cool.
Now what else is happening for you
besides the new album, because you're also doing the lead
song for a new Kojak project, right?
Tweet: Yeah, and that's about it.
Touring.
Looking back at your entire career,
although you're only two cds deep, what one thing can you
say you're most proud of ?
Tweet: My daughter, and being able
to touch the world with my music.
And what's been the biggest lesson
that you have learned thus far?
Tweet: Wow! That you don't have to
compromise yourself or your work.
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