Life @ Def Jam

ATF: So how does it feel to be a Def Jam Recording artist? It has to be such an honor to be on that legendary label.

Amerie: It sounds like you need to be a Def Jam artist (laughs)…But no seriously, It’s really great. It feels awesome to be over there now. I’m really happy with the new situation. The team is great; working with L.A. Reid is just wonderful all in itself. He’s a legend and he’s just amazing.  I love working with someone who is passionate about music and what he does.  LA looks at things from a creative stand point.

ATF: So why did you decide to make that jump to Def Jam? Columbia is looked at as a well rounded label, while
Def Jam is known for their heavy rap influence.

Amerie: I just felt people at a urban level would more understand the temperature. They understand the direction and the timing of things. Not that people at Sony didn’t, I just feel some of the ideas on how to approach certain things are better. I am now working with people who really live and breathe the music and the culture.

ATF: Okay, so you know coming from Columbia, their sole attention has always been Beyonce, and you had to compete with that. Now you head over to Def Jam where they have Rihanna and Mariah Carey. So where do you think you fit in at Def Jam around these “heavy weights”?

Amerie: Well you know were just very different. Mine and Mariah Carey’s music is very different as so is mine and Rihanna’s music. The thing I like about the label was that I didn’t feel any pressure. Every artist is really appreciated for their own individual sound and style. It’s really a great place to be creative.

Story Behind “In Love & War”

ATF: So what is the production like on this album? In Love & War is a very strong title.

Amerie: The concept of it was just pretty much going though the hard times and the growing pains of a relationship. There is no idealized notion of a relationship on the album. The album was going to be called Break Up to Make Ups but that changed after I wrote the song In Love & War with Warren Campbell. The album is a very Hip Hop, Soul, Rock fusion.

ATF: So where did you get inspiration for this album? Usually artist draw inspiration for their personal lives. Is that true for you?

Amerie: Most of it were things that I have been through in the past in my relationships. A couple of them were things that my closest girl-friends have went through. All of it is very very real. That’s why I think the album is so relate-able.

ATF: So is the album a little bit of male bashing or it is more like empowering for women?

Amerie: Is there really such a  thing has male bashing? You tell me who has male bashing song.

ATF: I’ll take it back to Destiny’s Child “Writings on the Wall” album. That album was full of songs against men.

Amerie: I don’t think they were male bashing. They were just telling it like it is. But I do want to say no my album is not full of male bashing songs. The songs are unisex, they cane be from a woman to a man or vice versa.

Amerie Gets Personal

ATF: So what is the “girl-talk” about with some of your close female friends?

Amerie: It’s usually about men. We talk about the stuff you guys have done (laughs). We are constantly giving advice to one another about our relationships.

ATF: So we haven’t really seen Amerie’s name in the headliners or on blogs. Why do you avoid high profile relationships or industry guys?

Amerie: I don’t have a thing against industry guys, I just think its hard to date someone who does what you do. The schedules would just pull you apart some much. Someone has to always be able to see the other person. But if your both on your separate tours it makes things difficult.

ATF: So what type of guy do you seek?

Amerie: I just want a man I can be myself with. I’m not really big into looks; I’ve never really been into looks. People use to always accuse me of falling for the funny looking guy. I would say I just like character, someone who has personality. That guy that may not be on the cover GQ, probably had more time to develop a personality and some smarts. He really doesn’t have to just rely on his looks to get a girl. I just like men who know themselves and are confident. Sometimes I can be really dorky like playing computer games and reading Harry Potter. I want someone who likes me for me.

Amerie Gives Advice To The Ladies

ATF: What type of advice could you give a girl going through a new breakup?

Amerie: The best advice I can give a woman going through a breakup with a man is to find a new one (laughs). That’s probably not the best advice, but there is something to that. Its not always good because you may just go for the opposite of what you had already. Its bad because you only really chose the new guy because he was so much different than the old one. Its best to just pretend the relationship never happen in all honesty. Just take the time to reflect about the decision you made and make better ones next time around.

ATF: Okay so how about someone who is getting into a new relationship?

Amerie: I would say just take things slow, I know that’s easier said then done though. When you first get into something everything is just so excited and you just want to see that person all the time. But you just need to take your time and learn your partner. All the red flags may be popping up but your too busy having fun with them.

ATF: What advice can you give a man pursuing a woman?

Amerie: All women love being swept off our feet. I don’t know one female that doesn’t love that. We love romance and we love taking our time with things.

ATF: So what are Amerie’s THREE favorite break up songs?

“I Hate You So Much (Right Now)” by Kelis when you really mad and fed up.

“Conceited” by Remy Ma just to uplift you and make you feel sexy again.

“Beautiful Ones” by Prince because the beautiful ones hurt you all the time.

Amerie In Closing

ATF: Why should people by In Love & War?

Amerie: The album sounds great. I really love the energy. There aren’t many albums that has a fusion of all these genres on one album. Lyrically the album is a story of a relationship. Anyone could totally relate to this project. The album is just very real!

Interview Conducted by Ian Jarrell