A Nice Chat With KEM...

To enjoy the full KEM experience, Play one before going on...

(Find your way)



(Your on my mind)




Ms.A: What a pleasure to have you here Kem, how have you been as of late?

Kem: Its an honor and a pleasure to be here with you and the wonderful people of SAU! I have been great as of late how have you been?

Ms.A: I've been just wonderful and I'm even better now that I have a chance to sit down with the lovely Kem, I know a lot of people are interested in talking about what you've been up to as well as this new album "Intimacy: Album III" that you recently put out...you ready to chat?

Kem: I'm ready lets have at it

Ms.A: So jumping right into it its no secret that earlier in your life before the world got to know the Kem of today, you battled with homelessness, addiction and isolation from your family. With all of the negativity that we as people go often deal with in life, how did you as Kem over come these issues and make the transformation into what we get the pleasure of seeing today?

Kem: It was a long hard road, and I feel that its a testament to God, without him there is nothing in our lives. In the time of my transition I lost someone really special to me because of my addiction, so at that point I knew I had to change my life for the better and it took sometime but with God and determination it happened

Ms.A: Do you now view that loss as inspiration to do what you do now?

Kem: I do use it as inspiration. She is the topic of some of my songs and I do this for her as well as for me and my family

Ms.A: So discovering your talent there were of course many options you could've taken I.E the Straight R&B route or more of the "Popular" route. Why Neo-Soul/Jazz/ with a twist of R&B instead of the more "Popular Route"?

Kem: Because that's who I am Ms.A, I'm a Neo-Soul/jazz artist! I'm not trying to hide from the world and deliver myself as an artist I'm not.I give myself as a man to the public in my music and that's all I know how to be. I'm not trying to be a gimmick I'm a real person who loves music.

Kem Ft Jill Scott "Golden Days"



Ms.A: I bring this topic up a lot on my blog but speaking of "Being yourself" in music what are your feelings on forced music and artists who put out music that doesn't come from who they are deep inside?



Kem: I'm not gonna bash people who force music, but as you can see most of the time they might have a hot single or one hot CD.But at some point your gonna get "caught" so to speak, the people wont believe you and your artistry will show it.I would not force anything to help me sell a record and I may not have a big fan base but I have loyal fans that I feel will support me if I stay loyal and give them what they want!

Ms.A: Wonderful answer! But Kem a fan base that makes you go gold each time out in my opinion is a very solid fan base! Very Solid

Kem: They're very solid! and I wouldn't trade them in for the world. I love my fans

Ms.A: It's 01'... now your signed to Motown and the re-released of your debut album "Kemistry" with the help of the baby making single "(Which was pegged by USA today as a "Motown Classic") goes Gold, and your second album "II" released in 05' also went gold, has a feeling of accomplishment set in as of 2005? or do you as a Neo soul artist feel you have something to prove?

Kem: I don't feel I have anything to prove, I'm not a fan when artist say that.We work for the people our fans so we have nothing to prove our job is to make music that keeps our fan base happy because we work for them. If there not happy than we're fired or a better word "dropped". So I don't worry about my label bull or DJ's that's why I have a staff, I'm just worried about making my loyal fan who has been there with me happy when they pay 9.99 for the CD and they pop it in and the love it.That's what I feel I have to do



Ms.A: I don't know about you SAU but I'm excited every time I pop in a Kem album Its well appreciated. Who are some of your inspirations?

Kem: Some of my inspirations are Prince,Marvin Gaye,Luther Vandross,Erykah Badu,Teddy Pendergrass,Sam Cooke man I can go on and on forever Ms.A

Ms.A: With singers D'Angelo,Erykah Badu,Lauryn Hill and Maxwell who basically began this fusion of Quiet Storm, Jazz,Funk,R&B that is now categorized as Neo-Soul, with your latest effort Intimacy:Album III" which debuted at #2 on Billboard 200, how does your latest album keep the legacy of Neo Soul Alive?

Kem: I think "III" is the essence of Neo-Soul. I'm not trying to really go out the box I have a lane and I'm happy . I'm trying to get better in my own lane not trying to go elsewhere
so when you pop it in, I think you get the feel of true Neo-Soul





Ms.A: Now you know I couldn't let you go without asking at least one sensual question right?

Kem: OK LOL what you got?

Ms.A: Getting into the mood with Kem,What would a perfect night with a beautiful lady be in your opinion and what song would be playing on the stereo?

Kem: Hmmmmm, A perfect night with a beautiful lady would be a nice romantic limo ride to dinner to a nice steakhouse where I will have a bouquet of roses waiting by her seat at the table. We have a nice dinner, than a lovely ride back, and hopefully she would want to go back to my place where a mix of Maxwell and Marvin Gaye will be playing and I would love to run a nice bubble bath for her where.......Well, you would just have to be that special lady to find out the rest...

Ms.A: You gotta love a man that knows how to wine and dine!

Kem:LOL thank you Ms.A

Ms.A: I want to thank you so much Kem for giving SAU a nice in depth interview but my last question to you is what do you think the industry could do to get back on top once again?

Kem: I think some of the first things the industry needs to do is stop shooting themselves in the foot and we need to do our best to stop our own music from getting leaked! We need to Artist Develop that is a must that needs to return.

Kem: We need to let these artist be who they are and stop hiding them behind gimmicks that people in board rooms make up, and last but not least, they need to listen to Ms.A because she knows what she is talking about and labels should be knocking down your door trying to get you on there staff!

Ms.A: Awwww thank you so much Kem and thank you for letting it all out for SAU today I really appreciate it!

Kem: your so welcome Ms.A, I appreciate it so much you letting me come here and talk to you thank you so much SAU!

Kem's "Intimacy: Album III" is in stores now folks!