Bubbling Under: Algebra Blessett Part II
Although Algebra Blessett's debut, Purpose, was long in the making, she revealed not even a hint of bitterness in our telephone conversation this past March. Reflecting back on her industry tenure, she laughed, "I'm always getting with people when they be transitioning. It's crazy. I'm like the transition queen." But under the direction of Kedar Massenburg who she's been aligned with since he parted with Motown, her album finally saw release this past February. Here is part 2 of my interview with Algebra, which finds her elaborating on her childhood in the church and the message behind her music. (For part 1, click here.)
On the reason why she sings
When my pastor...would ask me to sing, I'd be like, "no." I wouldn't do it. We had a small church and I wouldn't do it sometimes because I wasn't moved to do it but I will tell you this: whenever I did sing in church it was so from the heart because I needed it first. It wasn't to entertain anybody. So I think that's the difference.
Singing in church, some people can get up every single Saturday and sing and I was never that person. I sang when the lord told me to sing. So I would sing for myself first. ...Even now, in performing, every time I get behind a mic, I feel like I do it for myself first because I need it to get through the next hour, to get through the next day, to get through my life period. And I feel like if I have that purpose of doing it, then I can reach somebody else. It's all honest no matter what it is. It's kind of like my pulpit when I'm on stage. That's my pulpit and however I want to carry out my service, that's what God has allowed me to do. I know it sounds selfish, and I'm an Aries so I can me selfish sometimes, but I feel like if I can't help myself, then I can't help nobody else.
On Purpose
A lot of the songs on there are personal experiences. A lot of them are even ideas that I probably never thought I could go through and me feeling like if I ever go through this, this is what I should do. This is kind of like my plan before it happens, if it ever happens.
On the response to the video for "U Do it for Me"
That video, it was loved by a lot of people but it was kind of like misunderstood by others. A lot of people loved the video but everybody kept wondering, "Well, Algebra, where are your tennis shoes? Where are your bracelets?" ...So many people, they see me every day [but] they might not see me get dressed up to go out or where a sun dress and heels. They are so used to me being so head over heels in love with tennis shoes and t-shirts and so I think that video definitely showed another side of me but I loved it. And I know for a fact that the song itself called for another version of me.
On landing her first record deal
I went to performing arts high school and...one of the guys I used to sing with in chorus, his cousin was one of the producers that ended up signing to Dallas. I remember signing to Dallas, I didn't even know who Dallas was. So I'm a victim of that. Me not knowing stuff protects me but then it helps me and kicks me in the butt later on. 'Cause it allows me to see people for who they are outside of how everybody else sees them. And they were great guys. Everybody in my circle in high school, everybody sang, so it's always been a family situation where [they would say], "we need a girl to sing on this." [And I'd say], "Oh ok, I ain't gotta be home until a certain time so I'm gonna go."
On her long, rocky road through the industry
I'm frustrated. You can't not be frustrated when you see things that you want. And you battle because you feel like other people have succeeded and you have yet to do it. You go through those phases and you also realize that that's not true; your time is when your time is. ...I have a record out now. Yes, I would have loved for this record to be out years ago, ten years ago, if you will, but it's out now and this is my very first record but I have also seen the world, I've toured, I've been on major tours. And as frustrating as that can be not having a product in the market, now is the time for me to show and prove again even though I have nothing to prove to anybody.
On the presidential candidates
I know who I love. I know that this is a very historical place to have Hillary and Obama running and that's great. We love the fact that she's a woman but we love the fact that he's an excellent Black man. So, I mean, I love Obama's views. I really, really do. I really, really love where he's coming from and it's been a long time since we've had that as a people.
Purpose is out now. For more information on Algebra, see her MySpace page.
Tags: Algebra Blessett, Music, Soul
de.licio.us
digg
Furl
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Comments
1.
professorf says:
Algebra is cool but calculus is fresh.
I heard one of her songs on her myspace page last year and was blown away. Her tone was so effervescent. I hope she continues to get some shine.
06/01/2008 at 10:18 AM