With her new single, "The One You Need" featuring Fabolous, off her debut album, "You, Me & The Radio," on heavy national rotation, the pint-size, self-appointed delegate promises she won't let anything get in the way of full conquest, not even her alter-ego...
VIBE.com chatted up with Rochell about her music, her inspirations, and her multiple personalities.
Vibe.com: For your first single, ”The One You Need,” you bring fellow New Yorker, Fabolous, to spit fire alongside your sultry vocals. How did that collaboration come about?
Megan Rochell: It was actually my A&R's idea. He has a good relationship with Fabolous' manager. He played the song and Fabolous loved it! Fabolous then laid his verse and after I heard it I was very excited. It was definitely a good look.
right Do you generally get that excited about R&B nowadays? Do you feel like it's been pushed to the backburner the last few years? Furthermore, do you feel like it's making a comeback?
Megan Rochell: Oh yea, R&B is NOT what it used to be. I don’t know what happened, it just changed with time I guess. It just turned into this big rap convention. It’s crazy; I feel that I am a new chapter for R&B. I am the beginning for what a song should be, clearly, the definition of what a song right now is a beat and a melody.
How would you describe your project?
Megan Rochell: Oh man, I consider it to be a classic! It was definitely a good look. You know, each song is a real life experience. It’s a feeling, it’s something you can relate to. I believe my material is more versatile and mature. It’s a mixture of love, soul and pop as well. It also includes the different personalities, emotions and feelings that I have. Are there any collabos?
Megan Rochell: Fabolous is the only collaboration. I worked with the hottest producer, Rodney Jerkins, because I’m a huge fan of his work. I do have some local producers I’ve worked with like The Underdogs from L.A., The Corner Boys from Atlanta, and, of course, Ryan Leslie.
You mentioned Biggie was a huge inspiration for you. How and when did you decide to pursue your music? How did you eventually get into it?
Megan Rochell: When I was eleven, I went on Apollo, that’s when I knew that I wanted to be on stage. I wanted to perform in front of people. I wanted to be a star. And from that day forward I just kept working at it and getting stronger and practicing more and exposing myself to people. People would ask me to sing and I would sing right on the spot, and that just helped me. Praying to God to help me through, and between those two things, that's what brought me here today.
This is a little off-topic, but I've noticed some singers these days have alter-egos. You wouldn't happen to have one, would you?
Megan Rochell: Yes! I feel her on that because I have an alter ego myself. There’s Megan and then there’s Rochell. Put together there is a person full of energy. I also rap, I started rapping when I was seven and that’s a major part of who I am. On my second album I will definitely expose that.
What do you see for yourself aside from music? Any thoughts on crossing over?
Megan Rochell: There is fashion, acting- because I am definitely a character. I can be a funny person and I can be serious. It’s crazy I want do so much! I want to write for other artists, I want to own a company. I love to eat so I want open up my own restaurant. I also am a shoe freak so I plan on launching my own shoe line. I have plenty of ideas to guarantee me a spot in this industry for years to come!
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Comments
1.
Teairra says:
Yo Meg Im Puerto Rican,Indian,Cuban N Part Vietnamese So Im A Little Of Latino/Everythang But So Any Ways Are You Gonna Do Another Song Or When Is Yo Album Drops
August 29, 2007 at 6:56 pm