Post by George on Sept 6, 2017 1:36:09 GMT -5
I completely forgot his new album came out!
Brian McKnight bridges the gap on his new album 'Genesis'
By Kevin C. Johnson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Aug 24, 2017
It has been 25 years since soulful crooner Brian McKnight dropped his first album, a self-titled effort that included his signature single, “One Last Cry.” His new album, “Genesis,” is out Friday.
McKnight says “Genesis,” the follow-up to “More Than Words” (2016), is his attempt at “trying to figure out how to bridge that gap between the music we made in the ’90s and trying to make modern music, without sounding 21.”
McKnight says he mostly does what he has always done while factors around him change.
“Technology changes. Sounds change. Who we use as producers change,” he says. “I’m 48. I can’t make a record that sounds like a Drake record, even if I wanted to. We as the older group of guys have to stay true to ourselves. I’m just gonna make great music.”
The biggest challenge he faced while making “Genesis” was to not overdo it and to not be anyone else. He says the album was about sticking to his guns, doing what he likes and matching it with today.
McKnight, known for songs such as “Back at One,” “The Only One for Me,” “Anytime” and “Love of My Life,” is aware of the younger breed of male urban artists out there today, especially Bruno Mars, Drake and the Weeknd.
“I respect what everyone is doing because they’re doing it,” he says. “I love watching Drake and his evolution. He started off doing one thing, and now he’s doing another thing. Bruno is doing ’90s R&B in 2017.”
McKnight has yet to encounter record company types who attempt to make him skew young in hopes of boosting sales. “The record company understands — and I hate to use this expression — that we have our lane,” he says.
From radio stations to a loyal fan base, there are plenty of people still keeping McKnight’s music relevant, including his recent single “Forever.”
He says the song reflects the fact that he’s “found the love of my life. Every song I’ve written (since meeting her) has been about her. I didn’t think this thing existed until her,” he says. (He and Leilani Mendoza are engaged.) “My music has always reflected my life, but this is the first time it’s been this personal.”
McKnight, who performs Saturday at the Fox Theatre with Ginuwine, makes an appearance in the new Marlon Wayans’ Netflix movie titled “Naked.” The two are friends, and on an airplane together a year ago they discussed the project. He says Wayans originally was lining up Stevie Wonder for the role.
In the film, Wayans’ character jokes that McKnight remains winless after 16 Grammy nominations.
McKnight finds relief in the fact that his brother, Claude V. Knight III of a cappella group Take 6, has 10 Grammys.
“I don’t gauge my career on Grammys,” McKnight says. “If I get one, that would be wonderful. I don’t make records for awards, except for the platinum awards. But if the industry believes I should have one, I’ll have one. If I don’t, that’s great too.”
By Kevin C. Johnson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Aug 24, 2017
It has been 25 years since soulful crooner Brian McKnight dropped his first album, a self-titled effort that included his signature single, “One Last Cry.” His new album, “Genesis,” is out Friday.
McKnight says “Genesis,” the follow-up to “More Than Words” (2016), is his attempt at “trying to figure out how to bridge that gap between the music we made in the ’90s and trying to make modern music, without sounding 21.”
McKnight says he mostly does what he has always done while factors around him change.
“Technology changes. Sounds change. Who we use as producers change,” he says. “I’m 48. I can’t make a record that sounds like a Drake record, even if I wanted to. We as the older group of guys have to stay true to ourselves. I’m just gonna make great music.”
The biggest challenge he faced while making “Genesis” was to not overdo it and to not be anyone else. He says the album was about sticking to his guns, doing what he likes and matching it with today.
McKnight, known for songs such as “Back at One,” “The Only One for Me,” “Anytime” and “Love of My Life,” is aware of the younger breed of male urban artists out there today, especially Bruno Mars, Drake and the Weeknd.
“I respect what everyone is doing because they’re doing it,” he says. “I love watching Drake and his evolution. He started off doing one thing, and now he’s doing another thing. Bruno is doing ’90s R&B in 2017.”
McKnight has yet to encounter record company types who attempt to make him skew young in hopes of boosting sales. “The record company understands — and I hate to use this expression — that we have our lane,” he says.
From radio stations to a loyal fan base, there are plenty of people still keeping McKnight’s music relevant, including his recent single “Forever.”
He says the song reflects the fact that he’s “found the love of my life. Every song I’ve written (since meeting her) has been about her. I didn’t think this thing existed until her,” he says. (He and Leilani Mendoza are engaged.) “My music has always reflected my life, but this is the first time it’s been this personal.”
McKnight, who performs Saturday at the Fox Theatre with Ginuwine, makes an appearance in the new Marlon Wayans’ Netflix movie titled “Naked.” The two are friends, and on an airplane together a year ago they discussed the project. He says Wayans originally was lining up Stevie Wonder for the role.
In the film, Wayans’ character jokes that McKnight remains winless after 16 Grammy nominations.
McKnight finds relief in the fact that his brother, Claude V. Knight III of a cappella group Take 6, has 10 Grammys.
“I don’t gauge my career on Grammys,” McKnight says. “If I get one, that would be wonderful. I don’t make records for awards, except for the platinum awards. But if the industry believes I should have one, I’ll have one. If I don’t, that’s great too.”
Heavy on the unless.
