::: NEWSBREAK



Justin, Will.I.Am, Outkast Give Big Love To Macy Gray

03.22.2006 6:00 AM EST
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/a...lines=true


WEST HOLLYWOOD, California — When Macy Gray said her new album would be big, she wasn't kidding.

Not only has the raspy-voiced songstress raked in the dynamic production duo of Justin Timberlake and the Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am — collectively known as the Jawbreakers — to helm the new LP, which is called Big and due later this year, she also locked down a collaboration with one of R&B's most celebrated vocalists.

"Natalie Cole is on the album," revealed Gray, who also laid down songs with Outkast and Sleepy Brown. Despite the A-list guests, Gray said she wanted to keep the outside influences fairly small. "We didn't need [a lot of guests]," she said. "The music is so hot that it speaks for itself." Gray also collaborated with Whiteleaf, a team of beatmakers who recently contributed to Floetry's latest, Flo'Ology.

Gray, who is currently in the process of mixing the album, said Big is "definitely the best album I've ever made," adding that it's a blend of classic Macy and new sounds. "It's [going to have] everything: hip-hop, R&B, rock and roll ... even, like, old folk music," she said. "We managed to come up with some new beats, so it's real hot."

Gray doesn't just have music on her mind. She has a small role as a madam in the Outkast film Idlewild, alongside Terrence Howard, Ving Rhames and Faizon Love (see "Outkast's Manager Swears Idlewild Is Almost Done; Group Plans Rosa Parks Tribute").

Gray will also be launching her new clothing line, Natalie Hines, this fall (see "Macy Gray Tries On Clothing Line, Rapper/Stripper/Burglar Role").

— Brandee J. Tecson

Cool! I like Macy. Her first two cd's were good. I like her unique voice and style.

cool. i hope it really is quirky and different. the idea of old folk
style songs on there makes it very interesting for me.

i'd love to hear her do her own madwoman style instead of trying to
fit a mold.

her first album was stellar and every album after that was less and
less. because she tried to be something she wasn't imo.

i hope this album finds her with her feet firm in her own mad sound
and ideas again!

JANFAN4L said:

She stole my name man.....

IstenSzek said:

I was trippin' off of that, too!

You could tell their publicist was trumping them up in grandiose terms or the writer was being too flowery with her adjectives.

JANFAN4L said:

Glad I'm not the only one who thought that was odd! I never knew they were producing shit together...The whole article actually feels more like a commiercal for the guests artists rather than her!

I dig macy.. will be checking it out

Macy is one of those artists that grew on me. When I first heard "Goodbye" I thought she sounded like Donald Duck. But after hearing her a few times, I finally came around. With that production team, She's bound to have a hit somewhere on the cd. But if Will.I Am writes a "My Humps" type song for her, I'm going to hunt him down and beat his @$$

anyone ever see her on cribs? i loved her house.

VinnyM27 said:

Like 90% of hiphop artist.

she betta pull out the weird songs.. i love her weird psycho stuff

Can't wait to hear the "whiteleaf" production! I loved what they did with "CLOSER" on floetry's album.

twink69 said:

That was a jam, indeed.

IstenSzek said:

Totally. In fact, I don't think she's ever made an album that truly lives up to her unique voice and spirit. This one sounds like it has potential.

I will by it