New Orleans native Lloyd Polite is the hottest new R B sensation in the US and looks set to match that success over here.
Singing appears to have come naturally to the 20-year-old artist, who has been in and around music his whole life. Meeting up with Urv Gotti a few years ago resulted in Lloyd being drafted into the Inc army, where he released the hit single "Southside" with label mate Ashanti.
He also recorded with southern artists, 8 Ball and MJG, Young Jeezy, Lil Scrappy, Trillville, Roy Jones, Snoop Dogg and Tango Redd.
After starting his own new venture, "Young Goldie Productions" the young musician then brought in an old friend Jazze Pha to help get the ball rolling. With Jazze Pha s Sho nuff Records (home to Ciara, Jody Breeze and Cherish) and Gotti (Ja Rule, Ashanti, Vanessa Carlton, and Seven) planted firmly in his corner, Lloyd released the monster song "You", which topped the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart and quickly recorded "Street Love" a healthy blend of old school flavour, flawless vocals and stellar production by the likes of Jasper Cameron (Nelly, Christina Aguilera, Monica) J-Lack, and Jazze Phizzle.
Other stand out tracks include the next single "Get It Shawty," "Certified", "Earthling" and Hazel. FemaleFirst were able to have a chat with the very lovely Mr Lloyd whilst he was on his travels around England earlier this week. Find out more of what he had to say below:
You have been spending time in the UK, obviously to promote your singing career.
What were your initial impressions of this country Oh I love this place. I love the people, I love the music, I love the culture - I love everything about it. The only bad thing is that I have to leave.
(Laughs) I wish I could stay man you know. The first night I came here, we managed to get tickets to see Amy Winehouse live. It was incredible.
She jams man. Her voice is just classic cool soul. I was able to mingle with the crowd and introduce myself to some of the top industry heads.
It was like being reborn or something you know - it s like you land in a new place and you just want to start over. You just want to do everything that the city has to do man. The sad thing is just that I don t really have a lot of time.
Unfortunately I came here to work and not play but for me, I love my job so there are no complaints. I enjoy everything. I cherish this because I m taking this with me for the rest of my life.
You better believe it!
London (He Laughs) I like to write about my experiences as they happen. I ve actually being writing the whole time whilst I ve been here in London.
Man this place is just full of motivation and I m really inspired to write when I m here. I d actually like to work on my next album here - maybe just hide out in a back alley in London and write, you know. Sure!
I say "Street Love" is all about a unique infectious blend of hip-hop and R B music to create a popular sound in Street Love. You take the Street side of music -hip-hop, which is rough around the edges. It s hard-core, it s raw, and it s rugged.
You mix it with the smooth and melodic sounds of love and R B to create the one thing - Street Love. If you listen to the album you get both sides. The perfect example of Street Love is the very first single which is "You" featuring Lil Wayne.
Here I am, I m smooth with R B. I ve got my melodies that s what carries me through the day and I incorporate Lil Weezy who is the voice of the Streets to give it a tougher aspect. A lot of times R B isn t really embraced or accepted by hip hop so when the Streets need R B that s where I come in.
Plus I think the Streets need more love in general man. The people need more love.
You once were the member of a band signed to Dreamworks Records named Ntoon, along with two other musicians.
As a solo artist now, do you ever miss the security of the others around you or feel lonely Yeah I do kinda miss the camaraderie of having brothers all the time. But the cool thing about being solo is that I can t point the finger at anyone or blame anyone for a mishap. If I work hard enough and it works then I can say it s because I worked hard enough.
If it doesn t work it s because I didn t work hard enough, you know what I mean. So it s almost like just being up for the challenge of asking yourself: "Are you capable of doing this thing on your own?" Having a group was a lot of fun - but I have three of my own brothers and three sisters.
So it s like, man, I have a whole other group for the rest of my life. I m going to be in a group for life and if I get fed up of doing the solo thing I can just go back home. (He Laughs) I do miss my family the most when touring but then again a lot of times I m so wrapped up in the experience of being on the road, being around new faces and seeing new places.
I always think of them when I m taking pictures - and it s all about going out and having a good time.
You ve collaborated with some huge names in the music industry including Ashanti and Snoop Dog.
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