100% Beverley Knight9 comments

100% -Beverley Knight

www.beverleyknight.com

She’s 100% the real deal when it comes to international fame and being the reigning UK queen of soul. Beverley Knight, over the course of 15 long years, has cumulatively had over one million album sales, performed countless sell-out shows, and made tremendous collaborations with everyone from Take That, Prince, Carlos Santana, Chris Martin and Stevie Wonder, to many more. We thought it befitting to feature an exclusive interview with this most talented lady, coinciding with the global release of her album ‘100%’, which hits stores today!

1. How far do you feel you have come from 1995, when you released your debut album?

In the years I have been making music I have literally matured in every way. I am not the same totally green naive person I was back then and yet from Flavour of the Old School (1994) to now, does not feel like 15 years! It feels like yesterday in some respects!!!

2. When did you experience a turning point in your career? How was it a turning point?

When in 2001 “Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda” became a huge hit, I knew nothing would be the same again. With one song I had become a “mainstream” artist. The album sales and fame grew, and the creative control I had enjoyed began to slip from my fingers. You must be prepared for the highs and lows of success and what it brings. Importantly, I began to finance all my touring myself which was the most important part of my career because that’s how you build and sustain a fan base. Financing my own tours through my own production company paved the way for me to eventually set up my own record label. That was the second turning point in my career.

3. How and why did you decide to set up your own record label Hurricane Records? Which other artists does this label represent?

I left Parlophone/EMI for a variety of reasons. I had come to the natural end of my relationship with them and I felt that they – and every major label – are in danger of becoming obsolete. The digital age means that someone like me can gather a team of marketing/ advertising/distribution people around them, and go and make, market and distribute an album more easily than ever. The internet has been instrumental in making that happen. I got some private investment and used that and some of my own money to set up the label. At the moment I am the sole artist on Hurricane Records.

4. What can your fans look forward to hearing in ‘100%’, your album released just today? Will they be surprised?

“100%” will be no surprise to older fans who remember songs like “Made it Back” and “Damn”. To newer fans they will hear a more up to date, contemporary sound and maybe be surprised at the “modernness” of it! Everyone will be surprised and I hope happy when they hear my duet with Chaka Khan!

5. Why have you named the album ‘100%’?

The album is called 100% because it represents the level at which I do everything. I put 100% of myself into every aspect of my music and my shows. Also, I have 100% control over this album!! instead the compromises you have to make with a regular record deal! The title track describes the level of effort I put in and commitment I have to the relationship I am in too.

6. What is the track ‘Every Step’ about? How have fans reacted to it so far?

The song Every Step is my summary of the life I have lived thus far. I am happy with it, and if I were to live on earth a second time, I would change nothing! From the reaction to the track, neither would the fans!! They seem to love it!

7. Where do you derive your creativity and influences in music from? Who & what are you inspired by as a singer?

I was given the gift of music at birth, and I am so grateful for it. My Mum and Dad are both musically minded; the creativity in music comes from Mum’s side of the family. Most of us through that bloodline are musical, including my sister Cynthia and my brother Adrian. I was influenced by Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and the biggest music influence on my life was and is Prince.

8. Who directed the new video ‘Beautiful Night’? What feedback have you received about it so far? What do you like about this video the most?

JT is a well respected British director and shot the video. It is such a beautiful looking video; I love the story of beautiful night being described through dance. The reaction has been fantastic!

9. You were recently put in ‘Twitter Jail’ as your fans are calling it. Can you tell us how and why this happened? Have your fans been able to successfully protest against this injustice? Why is it important for you to interact with fans online?

I exceeded the amount of tweets one is allowed to send in any given hour. When you go over the limit, they “lock you out” of twitter, meaning you can’t send any tweets for an hour! It keeps happening to me as I actually reply to my fellow tweeters!!! Sadly twitter have not granted me a “get out of jail” pass yet! I love to chat, and my fellow twitteroos like to chat to me. When I was growing up, my idols were as remote as the moon, now with social networking sites, I can be a bit closer to my fans.

10. Are you a big Michael Jackson fan? How did you feel when you learnt of his death?

I admired MJ a great deal, I wasn’t a superfan, but always thought of him as being a very special talent. I was saddened, but not surprised at his death. I did not see how he could live to old age with the amount of pressure and troubles in his private life. He got his wish; he never will grow old now.

11. You contributed to a tribute video for MJ on Mobo:TV. What message did you want to send out through it?

I wanted people to remember the entertainment contribution he made to the world, which was immense. It was in danger of being utterly lost because of the shocking and often disturbing details of his life away from music.

12. Why did you decide to allow giving out a free copy of your new single ‘Every Step’ to your fans, for 2 weeks?

The reason I gave away “Every Step” was as a taster to the rest of the album. When you are confident in the album you have made, you can afford to give a sample away to get people excited! The fans have spent money on my music and kept my career alive; this was a little thank you.

13. When will you be going on tour next? Will it coincide with the release of your new album?

The album is released 14th September, and the tour kicks off in Ipswich, UK, on 3rd November. Can’t wait!

14. Have you ever considered performing in this part of the world [South Asia]?

I would love to perform in South Asia!!!! I just need to get my album released there, and then get a South Asian promoter!!! Sir Jimmy Choo keeps telling me I must go!!!

15. What charity work are you involved in these days, and why is doing social work important to you?

I have been involved with the same charities for years now, The Terence Higgins Trust, Health Initiatives (HIV/AIDS charities) and Christian Aid, and also various cancer charities. It is important to help sustain the ones who are unable to sustain themselves. So much has been given to me in life; I must therefore give back.

16. Which artists would you like to collaborate with in the future?

It would be great singing with a legend like Aretha Franklin. More than anyone, I wish I could have sung with the father of soul himself, Sam Cooke. Sadly he died a decade before I was born.

17. What is your secret to success as an artist?

I don’t think I have a secret. I have worked hard and consistently for 15 years. I am driven, and I love what I do!! I have a great team of people who support me and most importantly, I have built my career slowly and surely, built I hope, to last.

18. What message would you like to send out to your South Asian fans and readers of Ink?

Thank you for all the years of support and I am desperate to come and perform for you!!!!! Tell your promoters to book me!! LOL!!!!

** Beverley’s album ‘100%’, hits stores globally today! -Get your copy now!**

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