Blackstreet – Interview

After three years in the studio, Blackstreet is back with the appropriately titled Finally. I recently spoke with Chauncey Black to see what to expect from the new album.

Where did you get the name Blackstreet?

We came up with the name Blackstreet from, previously there was a member in the group by the name of Joseph Stonestreet and my name Chauncey Black. So we took the Black off of my name and the Street off of his name and put it together and called it Blackstreet.

How has your new album, Finally , evolved from your last album, Another Level?

Blackstreet always likes to be different when we do anything that we do. So, we basically tried to stay on that different vibe for this new album.

Did the addition of Terrell Philips play a big part in that?

Of course. Terrell has a phenomenal voice and he is a great singer and Blackstreet is definitely going to benefit with a singer like Terrell.

Whose idea was it for the concept in the video for “Girlfriend/Boyfriend”?

The video was basically Teddy Riley’s idea and it was a great video with the pinballs and everything. We just tried to do something a little different.

Did you want the futuristic feel of the video to go along with your new sound for the year 2000?

Oh, yes. Like I said before, Blackstreet always strives to be different. We try to fit the occasion for each season.

What do you think is Teddy Riley’s secret to turning out hit after hit? I mean, it seems everything he touches turn to platinum.

I think that one of his secrets is not being overexposed. Teddy’s not all over the place and involved with everything that you see. Teddy comes out once every three years with a hit.

You last toured in ’96 with New Edition. Do you enjoy being on tour or would you be content in the studio producing or writing?

Personally, myself, I would much rather tour. I like the live thing: getting closer to the people and enjoying the stage. I even think that for the rest of the guys it’s the same. I mean, we all love the stage and performing for people.

When I listened to the new album, “Yo Love” and “Black and White” stood out as my favorites. What are some of your favorites, as well as the group’s favorites?

I think what you just said. “Yo Love”, “Black and White”, “I Think About You”, and “Drama”.

What was your feeling when your single, “Take Me There”, appealed to such a large audience by being on the RugRats movie soundtrack? And was that a main goal for Blackstreet, to put out a record that could appeal to a younger audience as well?

Yes, because right now the kids don’t have too many role models out there and Blackstreet wants to be one of the kids’ role models. And we enjoy doing things for, like, Nickelodeon because it not only makes us happy, but it is another angle for our music to be heard.

Is it true that originally you weren’t interested in the RugRats song, but some of your kids said that it would be a good move?

Yes. That is true too. When we first got together with the idea of the RugRats, we weren’t too sure about it. But then the kids heard about it and that we were offered it and they made us change our minds and said that we can’t come back in the house unless we do it. (laughs) So we did it.

Was it because the group wasn’t familiar with the RugRats cartoon?

It wasn’t that we weren’t familiar with it. It’s just that we never thought of it like that. It was a great idea, and the video was great, and it ended up being a great song.

What can you say about all of your fans? And what do you want to say to them?

I would like to say to them to stay in school, obey your parents, don’t drink and drive, and keep God first in your life.

What do you think you and the group will be doing to usher in the new millennium?

I really don’t even know. I hope that we are alive. To tell you the truth, I am a little concerned with the computers shutting down and everything. Also, we’re working on a secret project so keep your eyes open for that.

+ sam conjerti