Hope you don't mind, let me help you with that PurpleChi;I didn't post the youtube interview that's on it, because I don't think we're allowed to. By the way, I like what she said in the vid, about New Yorkers showing them much love when they performed here during their W2A run. (We can give them much love again if they come back:-D )

Everyone knows that when you want to see a good live show with real music being sung and played that you need to look no further than Prince.

These days the Purple One is performing nearly every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. And as good as he is, every night backup singer Shelby J of NPG (New Power Generation) gives the Grammy winner a run for his money.

She’s that tight.

The Greensboro, N.C.-born singer/songwriter talked about her boss, her musical goals and what she likes to do on her off days during an exclusive interview with Jetmag.com.

Q/ What’s the coolest part about performing with Prince?

A/ He’s very generous with his light. That touches my heart because he doesn’t have to be. That’s my brother. So, when I’m singing and looking at him we have a connection. Either you have it or you don’t when you perform with people. I have so much respect and love for him and I know that he loves me as a sister. It’s just real and I’m really thankful to be part of his band and doing what I love to do on this level and learning from him.

Q/ Your bald head makes a bold statement. What prompted you to shave your head?

A/ It was definitely like a rebirth and a cleansing. I just felt like I was really coming into myself and it was a really natural thing for me to do, and it was a healthy thing for me to do. I had done so many things to my hair—you know the things that we do—tugging and pulling and pressing and tacking. I just needed to free myself from all things that weren’t natural for me.

Q/ How long have you been with Prince and how did the two of you hook up?

A/ I’ve been with him since the end of 2006. I was on break from touring with Anthony Hamilton and Santana. I took a gig with Larry Graham and we played at Prince’s club in Vegas. That’s when Prince saw me perform and that was it. We’ve just been kind of riding ever since then.

Q/ You’ve written songs for other people but do you have solo aspirations?

A/ Oh, absolutely! Right now I’m just being like water and flowing with everywhere I’m supposed to be. I have my own band Black Gypsy and we released a CD in 2009 (www.blackgypsy.com. The Shelby J Project is something that’s been in the works for a while. I don’t have an exact date when it’s coming out. The cool thing about that is that they say everything in its rightful time. I just feel like this is the best time for the best of me to be put out there.

Q/ What do you do when you’re not performing with Prince and NPG?

A/ Well, I am happy at home in North Carolina tending to my gardens and tending to my bees because I’m also a beekeeper. Everybody in the band loves my honey. I just recently got married in March, so I just like being at home with my family, writing songs and then gearing up for the next round of funk that we put on someone!

[Edited 5/26/11 10:32am]

Beekeeping, v.cool.

Interesting....love that pic of Princey!

TheFreakerFantastic said:

2elijah said:

NouveauDance said:

Beekeeping, v.cool.

Absolutely. Awesome. And pivotal.

I never would have guessed that beekeeping is pretty common among P fans

I like Shelby her positive and nice persona.

PurpleChi said:

2elijah said:

Hope you don't mind, let me help you with that PurpleChi;I didn't post the youtube interview that's on it, because I don't think we're allowed to. By the way, I like what she said in the vid, about New Yorkers showing them much love when they performed here during their W2A run. (We can give them much love again if they come back:-D )

[Edited 5/26/11 10:32am]

I don't mind at all. Thanks for posting the full text. I am on my cell phone, so it was difficult for me to post everything. Yes I was there for the NYC shows. Those concerts were just electric. I'm hoping he comes to Chicago before the end of the year.

2elijah said:

Hope you don't mind, let me help you with that PurpleChi;I didn't post the youtube interview that's on it, because I don't think we're allowed to. By the way, I like what she said in the vid, about New Yorkers showing them much love when they performed here during their W2A run. (We can give them much love again if they come back:-D )

---

Entertainment/Take 5: Singer Shelby J

Backup singer tells why she loves working with the Purple One By // Miki Turner

2011-05-23

Everyone knows that when you want to see a good live show with real music being sung and played that you need to look no further than Prince.

These days the Purple One is performing nearly every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. And as good as he is, every night backup singer Shelby J of NPG (New Power Generation) gives the Grammy winner a run for his money.

She’s that tight.

The Greensboro, N.C.-born singer/songwriter talked about her boss, her musical goals and what she likes to do on her off days during an exclusive interview with Jetmag.com.

Q/ What’s the coolest part about performing with Prince?

A/ He’s very generous with his light. That touches my heart because he doesn’t have to be. That’s my brother. So, when I’m singing and looking at him we have a connection. Either you have it or you don’t when you perform with people. I have so much respect and love for him and I know that he loves me as a sister. It’s just real and I’m really thankful to be part of his band and doing what I love to do on this level and learning from him.

Q/ Your bald head makes a bold statement. What prompted you to shave your head?

A/ It was definitely like a rebirth and a cleansing. I just felt like I was really coming into myself and it was a really natural thing for me to do, and it was a healthy thing for me to do. I had done so many things to my hair—you know the things that we do—tugging and pulling and pressing and tacking. I just needed to free myself from all things that weren’t natural for me.

Q/ How long have you been with Prince and how did the two of you hook up?

A/ I’ve been with him since the end of 2006. I was on break from touring with Anthony Hamilton and Santana. I took a gig with Larry Graham and we played at Prince’s club in Vegas. That’s when Prince saw me perform and that was it. We’ve just been kind of riding ever since then.

Q/ You’ve written songs for other people but do you have solo aspirations?

A/ Oh, absolutely! Right now I’m just being like water and flowing with everywhere I’m supposed to be. I have my own band Black Gypsy and we released a CD in 2009 (www.blackgypsy.com. The Shelby J Project is something that’s been in the works for a while. I don’t have an exact date when it’s coming out. The cool thing about that is that they say everything in its rightful time. I just feel like this is the best time for the best of me to be put out there.

Q/ What do you do when you’re not performing with Prince and NPG?

A/ Well, I am happy at home in North Carolina tending to my gardens and tending to my bees because I’m also a beekeeper. Everybody in the band loves my honey. I just recently got married in March, so I just like being at home with my family, writing songs and then gearing up for the next round of funk that we put on someone!

[Edited 5/26/11 10:32am]

She's so brilliant! Love me some Shelbyj

I love me some Shelby J. she's a TRUE talent and artist ...

Great interview! Thanks to you both for posting. I love Shelby...she and her voice are beautiful.

JOYJOY said:

2elijah said:

Hope you don't mind, let me help you with that PurpleChi;I didn't post the youtube interview that's on it, because I don't think we're allowed to. By the way, I like what she said in the vid, about New Yorkers showing them much love when they performed here during their W2A run. (We can give them much love again if they come back:-D )

---

Entertainment/Take 5: Singer Shelby J

Backup singer tells why she loves working with the Purple One By // Miki Turner

2011-05-23

[Edited 5/26/11 10:32am]

She's so brilliant! Love me some Shelbyj

Me too!!!!

Q/ What’s the coolest part about performing with Prince?

A/ He’s very generous with his light. That touches my heart because he doesn’t have to be. That’s my brother. So, when I’m singing and looking at him we have a connection. Either you have it or you don’t when you perform with people. I have so much respect and love for him and I know that he loves me as a sister. It’s just real and I’m really thankful to be part of his band and doing what I love to do on this level and learning from him..

OH, wow. Thanks so much for sharing!

shelbyj said:

Everybody in the band loves my honey.

hope they stay 2gether 4ever they seem so close & kindred spirits..

NouveauDance said:

Beekeeping, v.cool.

Yep.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

hope they stay 2gether 4ever they seem so close & kindred spirits..

I don't know about '4ever' but, I'd love to see Prince co*produce a new album FOR Shelby.

Thanks for posting. I've loved her voice, her presence, and the positive energy she's brought since she joined the band. I find it interesting and encouraging that she has developed this kinship with Prince. I hope he keeps her around for a long time despite the crap she gets from some fans.

2elijah said:

Hope you don't mind, let me help you with that PurpleChi;I didn't post the youtube interview that's on it, because I don't think we're allowed to. By the way, I like what she said in the vid, about New Yorkers showing them much love when they performed here during their W2A run. (We can give them much love again if they come back:-D )

---

Entertainment/Take 5: Singer Shelby J

Backup singer tells why she loves working with the Purple One By // Miki Turner

2011-05-23

[Edited 5/26/11 10:32am]

Good god

O My Gosh! Shelby is a beekeeper! She is awesome! She mentioned her garden. Lady's got the funk!!

LUV THAT WOMAN! A beekeeper huh? 2 cool Thanks 4 sharing!

Nice. She seems really centered and multi-dimensional.