After a 7-year hiatus, “Girlfight” singer Brooke Valentine is back, but not as the same person she left as. The Houston, Texas native left the music industry hoping to find out who she really was and returns not only knowing what her purpose is in life but so much more. Now she goes by the name of B. Valentine, has a new album coming out, as well as a buzzing single called Forever.
Brooke’s leave of absence allowed her to focus on herself and her son London, now 2 years old, who was diagnosed with a special needs disorder.
Vixen caught up with the vocalist to talk about what’s happened in her life since “Girlfight,” motherhood, the new album and more. Here’s an introduction to the new Brooke Valentine.–Krystal Holmes
VIBE VIXEN: It’s been 7 years since you released the song “Girlfight”, what is your definition of a girl fight?
B. VALENTINE: In 2005, my definition of a girl fight would’ve been beat her up [laughs] and just to stand up for yourself. When I was younger and I was in school, I had to fight and it’s unfortunate. It wasn’t something that I liked to do, but girls would just come for me. It was like, ‘Oh she’s light skin, she has pretty hair, she think she’s all that,’ and I would have to fight. So, that song stemmed from that experience in my life. Today, girl fight to me means to fight for something; fight for your rights, fight for your child, fight for your husband and fight for substance. I have friends who are fighting for their lives, fighting cancer and real things, and that’s the type of fighting we are doing right now. We have grown up.
Do you think girl fights have changed in today’s society, especially with reality TV shows?
Girl fights have changed. Now it’s more buffoonery. You’re getting paid, and I’m not referring to anyone or a certain show. I don’t know what’s real or fake because I wasn’t there, but we know for a fact people are getting paid to showcase this behavior and fight or have arguments with people on TV. I don’t know if we should be showing our young ladies that this is the way to get famous. If I had a daughter, I don’t know if I would let her watch.
Would you ever do reality TV?
With everything that’s going on with me, I do have my own story to tell. If someone were to approach me in the right way, then maybe. If I felt like it would have substance and that it would help someone that’s in my situation or that may go through my situation.
What have you been up to since leaving the scenes?
I’ve been spending time with family, finding myself. I became plastic while working on my second album. I wasn’t a real person; I was a industry robot just going through the motions. I didn’t know who I was, and at the end of the day, I had a car that I couldn’t drive because I didn’t have a license. I didn’t know who I was paying my mortgage to, someone was doing everything for me. I needed to go and learn about myself and I’m so happy that I did because now that I have my son I can teach him these things that I didn’t even know.
What was the inspiration behind your song “Forever”?
My son inspired “Forever.” He picked the track [laughs]. He was dancing to it in the studio, and I was just singing to him, kind of playing around. But as I let people hear it, they loved it, their kids loved it and they were like, ‘Brooke you should put this out.’ I was on the fence because I wasn’t planning to come back to the industry as a artist, but I’m glad I did put that out. And to be in love and talk about it. It’s a different type of love song.
VV: How would you say London has changed your life?
BV: London has given me purpose and substance and responsibility. He’s everything. He’s taught me a lot. Every morning he wakes up with a big smile on his face, and we usually wake up with a list of things to do. He just would smile and give me a kiss on the cheek and he just makes me so happy. It’s unconditional love and it’s forever; that’s what my album is about. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want people to say this whole album is a inspirational love song to her son. No it’s not. If you want to know what I’ve been doing, get the album.
How do you balance motherhood and getting back into the industry?
I don’t know if there’s a balance for that. It’s tough because when they’re with you, you got to travel with them, and when they’re not with you, you miss them so much. You feel the need to be right there. Everything I do, I have to think about him. Every time I walk outside that house and he’s not right by my side, I have to think what am I going to do, how long is it going to take, is it necessary for me to be away from London.
What’s your relationship with your son’s father?
I cant say I’m a single mother. I have a very stable relationship with my son’s father. He’s not a public person, so I don’t plan to make him one. A lot of people feel forced when they have a child to share the father, and I don’t feel that’s necessary. If he wants to make a statement, he can. But he is very much involved in my son’s life. I was blessed and fortunate enough to meet someone who loves me like I love myself and we created another person that we love so much.
Can you give me 3 tips for people to get over heartache?
First, find what drives you. What is your dream? What is it that makes you get up like, Oh I got to do this. Whatever it is that drives you, get back into and put yourself there. Second, your spirituality. Find a church home, read your bible and you will find strength in that. Third, evaluate. How important is this? Why am I letting this situation rearrange my whole life? Is this necessary? ‘Cause you may find that this is stupid and why was I crying to begin with.