H-Town: Still Taking It To The Bedroom

Please introduce for me the members of H-Town…

What’s up, this G.I. @gijackson

Let’s hop right into this new group offering “Green Light” — Tell me about this particular track? How did it actually come to fruition?

With “Green Light,” we wanted to bring back what we’re known for. Taking it to the bedroom is our signature. But, I define “Green Light” as asking you ladies to give us the “green light” to please and satisfy (your) every need to the fullest.

With that being said, it’s been nearly a full decade since the masses last heard from you all — Where exactly have you all been? And, what all have you all been up to, both personally and professionally speaking, during this lengthy musical hiatus?

Just touring and in the lab, recording to music just for fun. Thanks to the fans, we have enough hits to a point we don’t have to put out any new music. We’re doin’ it just to give the fans some new music to bump in their rides and for the bedroom. We’ve been tourin’ for the past 21 years in the U.S. and overseas. So in reality, we haven’t been on a hiatus just not in some cities yet. If we haven’t been there, we will in the future. Individually, I’ve (been) doing a lot of songwriting for other acts and managing a few acts under my company, GI Entertainment. I also have an online R&B video mix-show; Facebook like page: https://www.facebook.com/RbJamzmixshow.

Why did you all opt to take so much time off between records?

We’ve always took our time with our music. We’ll do 70 to 80 songs before you hear the 16 records we chose to release to the public. There are some of the songs that we didn’t make public (that) have somehow been leaked over the years as well. So, no, we don’t rush to put out new music every year. We like to give our fans the best of the best of H-Town.

In having said that, what was it about NOW, in 20-14 specifically, that prompted you all to decide to make this “comeback?”

I don’t see it as a comeback because we never left. But, we just wanted to give the fans some fresh, new grown and sexy music.

How has not only the business of music in general, but, even more-so, you all collectively, either changed and/or evolved since your whole inception into music?

Not much, but we have become smarter businessmen. From producing, songwriting, management, concert booking, acting and so on. We’ve learned you have to be more than just a singer. You have to be a jack of all trades that you qualify for.

It’s been reported that “Green Light” is the lead-off single from your long overdue, soon-to-be released “official” fifth studio collection Child Support — Conceptually, what does that title represent both to and for you all?

I have to thank the fans for that title because they always stress to us that they made their 1st born or babies to our music. So, there’s baby-makin’ music followed by some bedroom action. Then, comes child support for the rest of your loving life. It’s a beautiful thing:)

How does Child Support either differ and/or compare to previous H-Town efforts?

I can’t really say because we’re still recording, but you will get that traditional baby-makin’ music, with a twist of today’s music.

Longevity, what do you all attribute yours to?

Walking in our own footsteps, not tryin’ to recreate the formula to other people’s success…We have our own formula. We never followed the trends, we created our own. It’s okay to take notes from your favorite artist(s), but not to copy their whole sound completely. Be original, take what you’ve learned to enhance your craft in the areas it’s needed. True, we all take bites from each other musically, but not their whole style. You’ll never stay successful sounding like everybody else on the radio. The key is good music, lyrics and creating our own style and lane. From dancing to singing, and to the clothes we wear. Being different is what attracts people to you and makes you stand out.

Do you all have any other outside/additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

Acting.

On a more serious note, are you all happy with the current state of R&B? And, as an extension to that question, when it comes to the overall sound-scape of today’s current music trends, where exactly do you all “fit in?”

I think a lot of the new artists coming out today are only doin’ what they hear getting played on the radio. Which means to them, I need to do a record like this to get radio. But, not understanding the politics of the game, which is payola. If you don’t have the money like the “big boys” –major labels — you won’t get played, even if the song is an undeniable hit. Which makes the public second guess it and come to the assumption that what they thought was a “hit,” isn’t so. In theory, that’s why R&B is dead to the fans because it isn’t getting radio play like in the ’90’s. I like some of what’s out there, but, overall, R&B is in a music coma. In reality, if you’re not being original and sounding like the other 4 artists on the radio, you’ll be lucky (to) get (your) 15 minutes of fame. We’ve been in the music industry for 21 years, still getting airplay and touring off our old catalog. Why? Because we created our own sound. If somebody else was doin’ it a certain way, we would figure out a way and go in a different direction. Being original is very important to having longevity and a real fan-base.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s)?

Performing in stadiums with 23,000 music fans in attendance, Soul Train Award for Best New Artist ’94, over 13 million records sold worldwide…But the biggest, is 21 years of longevity and true fans. It doesn’t get no better.

Looking ahead, say five or even ten years from now, where do you all see yourselves?

I had to learn to live it one day at a time. Who knows what tomorrow may bring? More success…I’m claiming it right now! New music, “Green Light,” on iTunes!! You have not, because you ask not.

As for the immediate, what’s next for H-Town?

More music, touring, touring and more touring!

Lastly, and not to end on a somber note, but tragically back in January 2003 you all lost your brother/group-mate Dino in a vehicle accident — Can you please take a couple minutes to reflect and share with me how that loss has not only impacted the group as a whole, but also both of you individually as well? And, what do you want people to remember most about him and his legacy as 1/3 of H-Town?

Still dealing with (it), so it’s still hard for me to talk about his passing. But, I will say he was a great vocalist and we worked very good together. Writing songs for him and singing together came easy and natural. We just clicked! Like he could just hum or sing 2 or 3 words, and I knew what to write for him. He was a great singer and I was a great writer. It was a perfect marriage, and it’s hard to even think about replacing him. And, to still be touring for 10 years after his passing speaks volumes on how strong and loyal our fan-base still is to to this day. I want to thank everyone individually who are reading this for staying down with us for 21 years now.

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention? And finally, do you have any “parting” words for our readers?

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New single; H-Town’s “Green Light” on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/greenlight-single/id904313345

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