Sterling Simms

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 24: How did you eventually get signed to Def Jam?
Sterling: I was first signed to an Independent label, which I am still on called One Recording which is basically a Independent company with major dollars, so our goal was to put my whole album together and put it out ourselves but the things that a major label can bring to the table from their long term relationships with people and their familiar brand is something an Independent company doesn’t have. I was in LA at a music conference that was honoring Brain Michael Cox and he is a good friend of mine so I went out there to support him and network with different people and I ran into an A&R by the name of Ray Ramos so I gave him my demo and he was like he was going to listen to it and get back to me. So, the whole time I’m thinking I heard this before but he actually hit me up like 2 days later, “Where you at? I heard your music and I want to come down to Atlanta which is where I live and kick it with you.” So I’m like alright cool. He came down we kicked he liked the music but said he wanted to see how I was as a person and feel you out before I set up a meeting with LA Reid. So with Atlanta being the Strip Club capitol, we hit up a couple spots, made it rain and he was like I’m going to set up the meeting with LA and I’m still thinking like whatever, he actually set the meeting up and he had played my song “Jump Off” for LA and he went crazy off the record. LA Reid actually came in on his birthday to meet with me. This was June of last year. I performed 3 songs, I was suppose to do 5 but after I performed “Jump Off” he was like it was you can’t leave the building until we get this deal done.

24: How long have you been singing and who are some of your musical influences?
Sterling: I recorded my first song when I was 6 because my grandfather was a music composer but at that time it was against my will, you know I wanted to go and play not record songs, but with him pushing me I grew an appreciation for the art. As far as influences I would say my grandfather and I’m an 80’s baby so Bobby Brown, Al Be Sure you know back when R&B was fun.

24: What separates you from other R&B artist?
Sterling: They have a lot of amazing talent out there you have Usher, Omarion, Chris Brown and I’m just trying to be the best Sterling Simms I grew up in the 80’s and I’m trying to bring back that late 80’s early 90 R&B.

24: What’s a Sterling Simms performance like what should the fans expect when they go to see you at your shows?
Sterling: A lot of energy and I have 2 dancers that do their thing because I’m a 2 step king. I don’t do the back flips and all of that. I based my shows around the ladies and being very up close and personal and also for my Hip Hop heads I even bring a Hip Hop session where I take them back a little bit you know I just try to have with it.

24: You were on Jay-Z’s recent album “Kingdom Come” on the song “Dig A Hole,” what was it like working with him?
Sterling: I always had admired Jay-Z musically and as a businessman and working with him was amazing so if my career went down tomorrow, that would be the highlight of it you know what I’m saying, that’s my first plaque. You hear about it all the time about how he does a whole song in his head but to actually witness it is a whole another thing.

24: Since you and Jay-Z worked together on “Dig A Hole” did you guys do another collaboration for your new album?
Sterling: I’m trying to work on that now before I close up the whole album and I don’t want to jinx myself but were working on that now.

24: Your first single “Jump Off” is totally different from your second single “Nasty Girl” so describe your style?
Sterling: First off I’m a fan of music and living in Atlanta for 8 years off and on I developed that bounce and living in Philly I developed the 2 step so when you put all of that in to the pot, you got me. So your going to hear songs like “Jump Off” which is more up tempo, “Nasty Girl” that will bring back that late 80’s style and a song called “I Know” which is real Philly soul.

24: Who are some of the producers you worked with on this project?
Sterling: Brain Michael Cox, Rodney Jerkins, Corner Boys straight out of Atlanta and me and Mario (Yes the singer) started a company called Nightriders and we did a couple of songs we actually did the record “Jump Off” ourselves and I wrote 60% of my album so the fans are really going to get a feel for me and I worked with Star Gate who produced “Nasty Girl” so I have a line up of A list producers.

24: Outside of music is there something else you have a passion for?
Sterling: I want to be an actor. I want to maybe do a movie in the near future and I’m also doing a clothing line so be on the look out for that.

24: What’s next for you?
Sterling: I’m doing this production company with Mario like I said before, so we are working on different projects right now. I’m working with Cassidy right now for his project trying to put some hooks together of course Mario and his album and also I’m working with Marsha of Floetry her project is dope and I’m reading a couple of scripts.