With her self-titled, solo debut project via Capitol Records out this month (July 25th, to be exact), and her first single, “Torn,” a heartfelt love/break-up song, on heavy rotation in every city ‘cross the country – plus paying her own “Bills, bills, bills” as she runs her own boutique, Lady Elle and having her fans – and haters alike – say her name during performances at major events like the BET Awards - this Houston-bred music child is taking destiny into her own hands and is doing a lot more than just surviving with it.
Vibe.com sat down with the Texan beauty where, in her southern twang she talked about her debut project, her relationship with Beyonce, and why becoming a solo artist was not in the plans for her.
Vibe.com: Talk to me about Letoya the album.
right Letoya: I’m very excited about it and I’m very blessed to have this opportunity, this second opportunity. Basically it’s a relationship album but I take it to the club too. I’m talkin’ about love, life, and relationships, and things like that but at the same time you can get your party on. I call it a gumbo album, ‘cause it has a taste of everything, a little bit of everything in it. I was blessed to be able to work with some great producers including Jazze Pha, Jermaine Dupri, Scott Storch, Teddy Bishop, who did the first single “Torn”, also, Brian Michael Cox who is outa H-Town and I went to high school with. I also have the Houston hard hitters on there, Mike Jones, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Bun B.
Did you do any writing on the album? Do you have any favorite tracks? Something you wanna tell us about being torn between two dudes?
L.L.: Oh yes indeed! Actually this album is me expressing myself and things that I’ve been through in the last five years. I co-wrote for like 11 out of the 16. “Torn” is one of my favorite tracks, “Tear Da Club Up”, Gangsta Grill” ‘cause it’s reppin’ Houston, and also “Obvious.”
For those that don’t know the exact details, what exactly did go down with D.C.? And, what is your relationship with the girls now?
L.L: Originally, it was a dispute between myself, Latavia, and management. Then, there wasn’t too much communication going on between the girls and we weren’t able to pull each other to the side and say here, this is this, that is that, otherwise, the problem could have easily been solved. But, at the same time, I don’t question what happens, because I know God does everything for a reason, and I definitely don’t question him. And I’m very, very happy for all of the success that Destiny’s Child has, and I’m glad I was even a part of it, but at the same time, God has blessed with so many other things. I mean one, life, two, I have my own boutique which we’re goin’ into our third year, my solo album…NEVER would have thought that because this was not in the plans for me.
Well, why not?
L.L:That was never my thing, like I was singin’ as a young girl, like doin’ my own thing since I was little, but at the same time when I was in the group I was like, now this is where it is, I like this, you know being able to have friends, and have someone to share it with. After Destiny’s Child I had no intentions of goin’ solo. But once I got in the studio and started workin’, I was like, well shoot, I can do this! But now everything is straight, like in my boutique I carry Beyonce’s House of Derion, so we have our business relationship, when we see each other it’s genuine, we hug, catch up, I congratulate them, they congratulate me. I mean it’s cool, it seems like everybody’s grown up, and gone their own ways and doin’ their thing. So there’s no hatin’ over here!
Is there anyone you look forward to collaborating with in the future?
L.L: My girl Ciara. I love Mary, I love Musiq Soulchild, and Akon!
And in closing, just a little word association. Ready?
L.L: Ooh.. ok.
Superhead
L.L: Oh my!
Kimora and Russell?
L.L: Marriage Counseling!
Dopest jeans?
L.L: Gold Sign.
Grills?
L.L.: H-Town, baby!
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