SWV: “We’re Taking It One Day At A Time!”

First things first, please introduce for me the members of SWV…

Cheryl “Coko” Clemons

Leanne “Lelee” Lyons

Tamara “Taj” George

You all recently unleashed the 2nd season of your WEtv reality series SWV: Reunited…However, and with that being said, apparently you, Taj, have been experiencing some medical problems as of late which sound like they may be very serious — Is everything okay with you?

Season 2 of SWV: REUNITED (began) airing on August 14th (at) 10 pm/9pm CST. You can definitely count on (more of) the drama! I have had 2 major seizures over the last 5 years. I am grateful for the last one, because it literally saved my life! During my exam, the doctor discovered that my right lung was full of mucus. I had pneumonia and didn’t know it. I would have continued to work until I literally suffocated myself. I had no idea. As a result of all of the coughing, singing and straining, I bruised a small polyp on my vocal cord into a mean little sucker that makes my voice sound like I smoke. I’m in therapy now to correct it.

I know for the sake of the show and ratings, and to especially keep your viewers locked in, you are probably not able or allowed to reveal and/or divulge too much about season two — But what exactly can you tell me? And, how actually will it measure up to the first season of SWV: Reunited?

Season 2 is longer! We went from 6 to 12 episodes. All I can say is tune in every Thursday for all of the hot mess and cat fights that took place while we were filming. “Hunty”, I had to step outside of my character a few times! Just because I’m nice doesn’t mean I’m soft. I can defend myself.

In having said that, because it is being billed as 100% unscripted television, is that truthfully the case with SWV: Reunited?

Now if it wasn’t, do you really think I’d tell?! Of course it is.

Leaving off last on season one, there was definitely a power struggle between both you and Lelee with front-woman Coko, especially in dealing with her solo career and future aspirations, that doesn’t really seem to be something still ongoing much throughout this new season?

No, we nipped that in the butt? That was all coming from someplace else. SWV will always be Coko, Taj and Lelee!

Besides, of course, SWV: Reunited, what’s up with any new music?

We’re in the process of recording our album. Plans to complete the new album by the time the show aired didn’t work out. You’ll be able to hear a few of the songs we started recording on the show. I Missed Us [their 2012 return] is still an incredible album and available until we finish the new one.

Because it has been more than two years removed since your solid, yet commercially panned comeback/reunion LP I Missed Us, have you all steadily or continuously been writing and recording?

Yes, we have!

How then does the new material either differ and/or compare to previous SWV efforts?

We’re trying to be current, while being true to the sound that started it all. It’s hard to compare.

At this time, are you all still contractually bound to Mass Appeal Entertainment?

Yes, we are. Our next album will be with Mass Appeal.

Is Mr. Jeff Robinson, of MBK Entertainment, still active with managerial duties, or is that responsibility exclusively on Cory Taylor again?

No, he isn’t. Cory has been activated.

Longevity, what do you all attribute yours to?

Great, quality music. We are blessed!

Do any of you have any other outside/additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from entertainment?

I love sports! I co-own an ABL [American Basketball League] basketball team in Houston, the Sugar Land Legends. Lelee co-owns a mortuary in Atlanta. Coko owns a shoe store, the (C&T) Shoe Bar (in Virginia), and a barber shop, Millennium (Quality) Cuts in Virginia Beach.

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

Gratefully, we’ve paid enough dues over the last 23 years in the music industry to not have to worry about fitting in anymore. With that being said, there probably won’t be another era like ’90’s music for a while with the deterioration of R&B music. It seems like real good R&B is fading. SWV, Joe, Keith Sweat, R. Kelly, Ledisi, Chrisette Michele and Mary J. Blige, are doing everything to keep it alive. Some of the younger artists are trying as well. Chris Brown is known for his pop/dance songs, but that young man is a true balladeer.

How have you all either changed and/or evolved since your whole inception into music?

We’ve grown into mature adult women in our 40’s with husbands, children, businesses and other responsibilities. Every day is an evolution.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

There’s too many to name one. Everything! The good, the bad and everything in between. Any part of a successful career is a blessing.

What’s next for you all, SWV?

We’re focused on SWV: REUNITED and our next album. We’re taking it one day at a time!

Any “closing” thoughts?

Smooches and Deuces to all our fans! — We hope you enjoy season 2 of SWV: REUNITED!

Twitter: @TajGeorge @Only1Coko @LeleeLyons @THEREALSWV @SWVReunited

By: Todd Davis

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