Patti Labelle

In todays fast-paced digital age its a common occurrence for the careers of most musical artist to span only two or three hit albums. Obviously no one shared this bit of info with Patti Labelle who, with the release of her 50th album Timeless Journey, shows no signs of slowing down. Recently Patti discussed everything from her new business ventures, her burgeoning acting career, and even explained why she is Gangsta.


What took VH-1 so long to invite you to do Divas Live?

I have no idea, Its been like four years. And when they put me on, Im on there with 15 people and a man. But its one of those things, but I just thank God for the blessing.

Youve been really busy promoting the album; I saw you On Air with Ryan Seacrest, The Ellen Show and Tavis Smiley and that was all today. How does Patti relax and wind down?

I go and try to find something really good to eat. And then I come back to the room, take a bath and go to sleep. I take as much relaxation time as possible.

You have not aged in the last 20 years, whats going on, Is it from eating lean like your cookbooks, or have you found the fountain of youth?

You know what, I thank God for whatever is happening to my body and my aging and all that stuff. I dont do bad things but I dont have set things that I do everyday. I work but I dont exercise as much as I should. I do look good, but not the way I should, I am a diabetic, and I need to really, really get in that water and all that stuff, but I do as much as I can when it comes to exercise.

What is the best thing about being you at this particular point in your career?

That I am so relaxed and so free. I am just blessed having a record deal, and being the first lady of Def Soul. I am just really happy about me and loving me a lot these days. I do know how blessed I am, because a lot of my peers are not in my position with a record deal. So I feel blessed.

Your music is enjoying a renaissance of sorts with Nelly and Kelly Rowland, and The Lady Marmalade girls. What is your perspective on that?

And dont forget Outkast, That is the highest form of flattery, when they do a Patti Labelle song. I did a song with Wyclef, and I also did a song with DMX. So all the young folks are making me feel special.

What young artist are you feeling now?

I love a lot of them; I love Alicia Keys, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce. And Christina Aguilera can sing her butt off.

Youve done many classic duets, like On my Own with Michael McDonald, is there any other person that you want to duet with?

You know there probably are some people. And someone else asked me that question the other day. But I havent thought of anyone.

You made the move to Def Jam, Did you ever think you would end up on a hip hop label?

No, actually they created Def Soul, its still connected to Def Jam. But I am the First Lady of Def Soul and that is a wonderful feeling. And I love the little Def Jam kids working my music.

You are kind of opening a new chapter in your life with this album; tell me about your frame of mind while recording Timeless Journey?

My frame of mind was easy. I had time with this album because I did demos for the first time in my life. I did 44 songs and I did them in my sons studio, so I knew it wouldnt cost me an arm and a leg. It was a wonderful experience doing it that way, writing the songs for the first time in my life with the producers and the writers. And I knew I didnt have to leave there until I wanted too, because they werent charging me.

This album is really empowering, were you going through something while recording it?

No, I wasnt going thru anything. I was just relaxed this time, and like I said it was 44 songs. So I had to choose 14 out of the 44. So it wasnt anything that I was thinking about that I hadnt talked about years before, except maybe my divorce being final.

The song Not Right But Real is about what you go through when your going thru something like that.

I once heard you quoted as saying If you were white, you would be a lot further in your career. What advice would you give to the other young black girls of today?

Kick them in the butt, because you have to work triple. You have to show them who you are by outdoing, out performing, out showing, and out singing. You just have to work harder because we dont always get accepted.

You have a new show Living it Up with Patti Labelle on TV One, were you not busy enough with the acting, clothing line, books, and recordings?

You know it was just something that slid in. I am happy that I did it. Its my going around and talking to people, and letting the fans see the inside of Patti Labelle's life, and the inside of my friends. Its just Living it Up.

This is your 50th album, how do you manage to stay relevant?

You know what I dont have an idea, as to why or how it happened this way. I just do what I do and I dont think about it. I dont try to stay current; I dont try to stay anything. I just go out there and do my thing. I have been blessed.

Word on the street is that you are single these days. Do you date younger guys?

Why, how old are you?

28 &

Oh God, (laughing) you know I am not looking for anyone, when the right person comes into my space I will know it. I guess I would just find out their age when I am attracted.

Whats next, what does a person who has done it all do next, Rest?

I am going to have Patti Labelle Pots & Pans, Patti Hose, Patti Pumps, and Patti jewelry. So I am going to do anything that comes my way that is tasteful.

Anything on the acting front?

I am working with Lee Daniels in Philadelphia, the guy who did Monsters Ball. And I just did Be Cool, the sequel to Get Shorty. I play Patti Labelle as a disc jockey.

Tell me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear these words

Luther Vandross

Timeless

Diabetes

Silent Killer

Hip Hop

I love it, I am the Queen of Hip Hop. I am the First Lady of Hip Hop. From what most people tell me (even though I am not a hip hop act) I have been Hip Hop most of my singing life, and thats Gangsta.

Out All Night

Mistake that they cancelled it.

Whitney and Bobby

They need a lot of love, and less criticism.


By Patrick Taliaferro


www. vibe.com

Harlepolis said:

sosgemini said:

and Rehab

kisscamille said:

back to the queen of...err the first lady of the usa.....whatever the fuck she is now being called....I am really enjoying her new cd..Some killer tunes and a lot of energy....

and you can dance to it!