SPOTLIGHT: CHRIS J EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW (“PUT IT ON YOU” – PLIES”)

Chris J
The Boy Hollywood

CHAMP: What are you up to Chris?

Chris J: Man, nothing much just came in from Atlanta man

CHAMP: You’re about to hit the studio and create some masterpieces man

Chris J: Yeah man most definitely I just work man. Some r & b soulful – some throwbacks man in terms of the sound. I’m glad I have the opportunity to fulfill my dreams ‘cause this been something I been dreamin’ bout since I been a kid man

CHAMP: I hear you. Now of course you’re on the new Plies joint Put It On You, and you’re officially with Big Gates. When did that all transpire and what’s your game strategy entering this new situation in your career?

Chris J: I’m fortunate to be a part of Big Gates. My strategy is to just take it one day at a time and one step at a time. I look at Gate situation as being the new No Limit of the music industry, because we got a lot of things on the plate a lot of people don’t really know about. My strategy is to just go in and just give it the sound I wouldn’t say’s missing but that soulful church or that feel good music where when you hear somebody singing, like man you feel good. You really feel what they sayin’

CHAMP: Exactly. Now you hail from Memphis and you’re a fresh face to the game. How long have you been making music?

Chris J: I’ve been making music ever since I can remember. My first song I recorded, was probably about 9 years ago. I made my first demo with about 4 songs or not and I performed in LA on the Steve Harvey morning show, so I’ve been making music for quite some time

CHAMP: Who were some of your influences when you were first touched by music?

Chris J: The first person to really do it and that comes to mind is Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson of course, and as I got older I started listening to some guys like Dave Hollister, R. Kelly, Usher, Justin Timberlake and really started paying attention to everybody and seeing what everybody was doing so I can see what’s different that I can bring

CHAMP: How rough was the process of getting to where you at and where you’re at now coming from Memphis?

Chris J:Maaaann, rough is an understatement. It was hard. There were times where I would take money out of paying bills to make a cd to try to sell a cd or open up for a star and try a give a star a cd like tell me what you think of this. That went on for years and years. I think I’ll have a documentary of ins and outs. My brother put me in a band when I was 14 years old and I was in nightclub and I couldn’t even come out  so every week I would sit there because I was so young.

CHAMP: For real. I actually wanna get your thought and views on the constant use of auto tune in todays r & b game. Do you think it’s a pro or con for the new r & b game?

Chris J: I think it’s cool man. T-Pain took it to another level when he did it. Of course Roger Troutman was the man behind that type of music. I think it’s cool and I don’t knock it or the guys using it, but me myself personally I don’t like using that. A lot of people use it ‘cause it’s just a fad and that’s what it is right now, just like clothes. T- Pain was a trendsetter of the auto tune. Some of the guys I work with, they use it a little bit. I don’t like a whole lot on my voice because I can sing but it does make the music sound a little bit better. Some people can use it and get away with it, and make a hit. If it sounds good it sounds good.

CHAMP: You have an impressive list of accomplishments from opening up to Mo Nique to co headlining the Tarver and Johnson fight. What would be your greatest accomplishment thus far?

Chris J: My greatest accomplishment I can really tell you is what I just did with Plies man for Put It On You. They took me in with open eyes and welcomed me and I’m so thankful and I thank God everyday for blessing me with this situation. I’ve prayed about being with an artist that was on fire and like the song says who hotter than me? I don’t really think anybody in the game is hotter than him. He finna do it

CHAMP: He’s the new fresh face right now

Chris J: Yup, and I thank God for blessing me with him. I was the first Memphis artist to ever do that

CHAMP: You’re breaking the mould man

Chris J: Yeah man no doubt about it

CHAMP: Now in terms of material and projects, what are you workin’ on right now?

Chris J: I’m working on my solo project. I got some nice solos that I’m doing. I just recorded my single called The Balcony and that’s coming out January 1st and it’s my hometown people that I’m working with. I’m just taking everything in, one thing at a time and takin’ a deep breath ‘cause it’s still all a dream come true. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to realize this is reality and it is happenin’.

CHAMP: I can only imagine man, I feel you on that. 09 is approachin’ and everyone has their plans for 2009. What’s on Chris J’s agenda for 09?

Chris J: There’s one thing I want the industry to know is that anyone affiliated with Gates is gon’ be some heat and I’m just gon’ call it like it is. I’m not being arrogant or being boastful, it’s just – it’s music where you say “hey man I like this, this is something I can dance to, relate to, and it’s real music”.