LeVelle: Full Of Soul & Love

Now let’s hop right into this lead single / video, “ONLY IF” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?

This track came from Collene Wilson. It’s really something I stand for. Speaking on love and letting the significant other know how much their love means to you. The song basically says no matter what we’re going through, your love is superior to me.

Of course “ONLY IF” comes courtesy of your semi-recently released sophomore collection, PROMISE TO LOVE — Conceptually, what does that title represent both to and for you?

Promise To Love is my promise to love you no matter what. In all aspects of my life.

How then does PROMISE TO LOVE either differs and / or compares to that of your debut, My Journey Continues?

My Journey Continues was a place of me pressing forward no matter what came my way, and no matter what I was faced with. Promise To Love allowed me to get back to the era of love, and knowing it’s okay to show love and to be in love again.

As a songwriter, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration from?

My life experiences, and things I’ve seen or heard someone go through.

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for LeVelle?

Both of my sides are musically inclined, so I’ve been around music all my life…but when I started singing, knowing I was touching people along the way, is what really drove me to purpose my passion. Seeing other people happy brought joy to me.

Now you’re a native of Kansas City, MO, correct? So growing up in “the Heart of America,” who all did/do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

I would say people like Charlie Wilson, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Dave Hollister, The O’ Jays, and Tank. Great guys like that.

In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and/or style?

A guy with a lot of passion and style, full of soul and love.

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?

I want them to get that there’s good clean music still out there. There’s still good love music out there. R&B is not dead. Overall, I want people to know they can be happy and it’s music that the whole family can listen to.

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Right now for me, I would have to say Charlie Wilson because of the things I’ve seen him bring to the table in his passion for music. He’s been an idol of mine. I would also say Gerald Levert. He’s one of those people I wish I could’ve seen live. Just his energy and his stage presence is everything to me.

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

That’s a good question! Probably the T-Mobile Center in my hometown. The reason being that it would be a completion of me performing at every arena here in Kansas City.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of R&B?

I am. I feel like no matter what you’re doing in the music business you have your own lane. For me, I’m in the era of trying to bring back love and passion. I’m receiving great love, and people are receptive to it. It’s a great thing to know that people still do love and care about great music.

What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?

Being consistent, and staying true to who I am.

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

Music is what I want to do. I would probably want to get into some TV or some acting.

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

I would say just singing with Charlie Wilson on stage.

What’s an average day like for you?

Phone calls, meetings, interviews, and trying to stay with music. Writing different concepts as well.

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…

I enjoy interacting with the fans. They make us who we are. I go live a lot to interact with them. Answer questions if they have any. If we are at a concert, I’ll stay there and take photos. They make us who we are.

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?

My favorite part is to grace the stage and see people happy. I don’t have a least favorite part, I think.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Keep God first. Do it because it’s your passion, and stay consistent.

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

Continuing doing what I’m doing, and making people happy.

As for the immediate, what’s next for you, LB?

Setting up for tours. More interviews, and touching the world so they can put a face to the song that they hear.

Any “parting” words for our readers?

As I always say…if no one has told you, I love you, stay blessed and keep pushing no matter what you are faced with.