bfm interview: Billy Paul, Am I Black Enough For You

Legendry singer Billy Paul is world renowned for his classic hits and smooth voice, but we get to see a whole new side to him in the candid and no-holds barred documentary Am I Black Enough For You? The film follows Paul around the world as he reveals in brutal honesty the highs and lows of his career, and he was just as candid when Cassam Looch spoke to him for bfm.


How important is the city of Philadelphia and what is the ‘Philly sound’?

It’s very important to me. I was born here and so many great and influential artists come from here as well. It’s a city of its own and has its own sound. I think what makes it different is the drama; you know how they say everyone marches to their own beat? Well I think Philly has its own beat as well, and it’s distinctive. It sounds easy, but it’s hard to play.

Would you say that playing in Philly is your favourite venue?

I try to feel comfortable wherever I play. I do get a lot of respect there so it is special. The reaction internationally is great as well, so even in Paris or Brazil we have great audiences. Songs like Mrs Jones are huge everywhere so I do perform a lot overseas.

Why have you decided to make a film like this at this point in your career?

Well I’m not getting any younger and I wanted to express some things that might have been hidden. I wanted to release my heart and tell people about my highs and lows and I think you get that from this documentary.

Was it difficult to make in terms of covering the good times as well as the bad times?

No it wasn’t difficult to make, we were followed all over the world by this film crew from Europe and I got to be very good friends with the filmmakers. I would say things and do things as if the camera wasn’t even there. They approached me about doing this film, and they are real fans. Am I Black Enough For You is very popular in Sweden and these guys really knew their music. They were serious about it, they flew over and followed me and it got real personal and I trusted them. It’s very important like the relationship I have with my wife is based on trust. I wish everyone could have that level in their lives.

We learn in the film that War of the Gods is your favourite song, what is it that is so powerful about those particular lyrics?

It’s very spiritual, and it tells people about war. Me and Marvin Gaye were tight and he did What’s Goin’ On, I said to him I have to do my version and I went for it. Things that had happened in my life had affected me, and I wanted to tell the world how important it was, how important people were and most importantly how important God was. If anything the song is even more important and relevant today. A lot of my songs have had that effect. Am I Black Enough is now one of the most requested songs by white people.

You talk movingly about your family and their struggles many years ago with the Ku Klux Klan and racism in general. How do you feel about America now?

There are still pockets now. But all those years, marching with Martin Luther King and Jesse Jackson means we have a black president now for ALL the people of America. I feel good about it, but Obama would not have been in the Whitehouse had all the young black AND white people voted for him so I think in some small way we all helped.

Are you still touring and do you still get the same buzz from performing on stage?

More so than ever, because I am now at peace with myself, I think this movie has done a lot for me because it’s helped me get rid of a lot of demons. We’ve also got some recorded material coming up which should be out soon.

Finally, in the film you mention your boxing days. Why did you give that up?

Yeah we had a gym and all my friends from my neighbourhood were boxers, even during my army days I boxed as well as singing. Actually I still go to the gym; both me and my wife have trainers. Miles Davis would always say “come to the gym, I’m gonna beat your ass”, then one time I got hit too hard and I said “no I’m going to sing!”... That made my mind up.

Am I Black Enough For You is released on July 3, 2009.

I think I could relate to this.

NastradumasKid said:

Me too!

This will def shed a new LIGHT on ALOT of things regarding that song and why people didn't take it too kindly.

Harlepolis said:

It's pretty sad when you're own people reject you, I know how that feels.

interesting

Looks like an interesting flick. I like Billy Paul, so I just may have to check this out.