The early 90s wouldn’t have been complete without the introduction of singer B Angie B, protégée of MC Hammer. With collaborations with Hammer to Oaktown 357, along with her own remake of the Emotions hit “I Don’t Want To Lose Your Love;” the proclaimed “Queen of Dance” was a force to be reckoned with.
After a lengthy hiatus, B Angie B is back with a new outlook on life that’s reflected in her new album Stronger Than Ever released through the Spectra Music Group label.
Time Warner Cable News producer Shameika Rhymes caught up with the singer to chat about her break from the industry and her new musical direction.
Shameika Rhymes: What direction did you take musically on Stronger Than Ever?
B Angie B: This is a different sound and direction for me. Over time you evolve, and you grow. I was totally against some stuff because it’s not really me, and not what I am now. My music is feel good music, it’s more positive, and it’s about love. Life is a journey that changes and sometimes you go through things and you’re not always going to be 21 years old. I’m a mother now so I’m very respectful now of what my children listen to. I’m in such a great place in my life right now. I sort of went back to my roots on this album. Producer James Earley did the music and I wrote the current single “Love.” James was my producer for the “I Don’t Want to Lose Your Love” album.
Shameika Rhymes: Is motherhood why you took a break from the industry?
B Angie B: I did and I really felt like when I came out it was a beginning and to see the reality of what the business really is. You take someone’s dreams and you mold them into what you want them to be, not into what you want. Sometimes it’s true, sometimes people don’t always want to hear what you have to give, and they just want to be a part of what’s going on right now. Personally I just love to sing. R&B is just a part of me and it’s in my soul. I’m just so glad that in this day and time, I’m able to sing what I like and what I feel in my heart as opposed to keeping up and conforming to what everybody else is doing.
Shameika Rhymes: Since you are often identified as a hip hop and dance music artist, do you feel like that may have put you in a box career-wise?
B Angie B: I did but even working with Hammer I had creative control to a certain degree, not exclusively; but when they got stuck I would have to come in and finish the writing (laughs). I feel like as far as hip hop is concerned and the various genres of music, I’m so all over the place. I didn’t really want to limit myself, I sing gospel, R&B, jazz, and even country so to be pegged for just one was hard because it wasn’t my dream. I went along with it. I wouldn’t change a thing as far as Hammer is concerned because I know that I would have made it with or without him because of my drive.
Shameika Rhymes: Do you think you would ever work with Hammer again in the future?
B Angie B: I wouldn’t say never, but we are at different places in our lives now. We still talk and as everyone knows we were all a very close knit family.
Shameika Rhymes: Coming back into the music industry, what are your thoughts on the state of music as a whole today?
B Angie B: I’m in real estate, so some of the things in my life have taken me away being tuned into the music industry. I watch a lot of news so that I’m politically tuned into to what is going on in the state of the world and I’m sure that’s because I have children. So as far as music goes, I rarely listen to the radio. I know the names of some artists. I listen to what my kids listen to and they are totally on another page, I don’t understand it (laughs), but it’s okay because that’s what is so amazing that there is a genre of music for everybody.
Shameika Rhymes: With June being Black Music Month, why do you think it’s important to celebrate?
B Angie B: Music is forever evolving. If you don’t know where you came from, then you don’t know where you are going, so it’s very important for us to celebrate.
For more information on B Angie B check out her website and follow her on Twitter @BAngieB4Real.