I was fortunate enough to speak to R&B artist Musiq on behalf of Think2wice.org on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at around 5:00 PM EST. He was currently on his promotional tour for his new album, Luvanmusiq, which is set to be released on March 13, 2007. But he still took the time out to chat with us for about 15 minutes, so I would like to thank him for doing that. And I would like to thank Amanda from Atlantic Records for setting this up for us! Also, I did record audio, but my recorder didn’t process it correctly and the sound is all messed up, so this time around all you can get is text. But the next interview Think2wice conducts will be full audio and text! Check out the interview below…
Dustin: Alright, first up .. this is your first album since 2003, and originally you were on Def Jam. How are you liking things with your new label, Atlantic?
Musiq: It’s cool, I’m still getting acquainted with everybody. But it’s cool so far.
Dustin: I noticed when looking at your discography, that you spell your album names very differently. Like Aijuswanaseing, Juslisen, and your new album, Luvanmusiq. How do you come up with these names, and what exactly do they mean?
Musiq: I just pretty much write it as I hear it. Nothing really subjective behind it, just … another way to be creative.
Dustin: I know a lot of celebrities tend to branch out after they make their mark in the music industry into acting, or fashion, or whatever. Do you see yourself ever doing that in the future?
Musiq: Definitely. I definitely want to get into film, more so into filmmaking than acting. I definitely want to get into fashion, I think I’ll be able to accomplish that. And just whatever else I can get to.
Dustin: When you’re writing the lyrics to your songs, what do you look for as far as inspiration? Do you base the lyrics off of your own experiences, do you base them off of what your friends tell you about their relationships, or do you just pick random topics and write about them?
Musiq: A little bit of everything. Just basically, like in general, whether it’s my perspective or someone else’s perspective, or something I’ve witnessed, or something that just attracts me. I just try to be as realistic as possible, and at the same time be as creative as possible. So it all depends on what I’m writing about
Dustin: 
“Buddy” is the first single from Luvanmusiq, I love it by the way. Is that song about anyone in particular?
Musiq: No, not in particular. Not one person, I mean, it’s just basically, a song that is directed to that part of my life. You know, I have a lot of female friends and I just draw inspiration for that song from dealing with them in many different levels and circumstances.
Dustin: Who did you work with on “Luvanmusiq,” as far as producers. And are there any tracks featuring any other artists besides yourself?
Musiq: Pretty much the same producers that I worked with on the first three. You know, Warren Campbell, the Underdogs, and a few others. There’s no features, it’s just me pretty much reintroducing myself.
Dustin: Okay, now we’re going to get a little personal. What’s on your iPod right now?
Musiq: I watch a lot of TV shows to be honest. I don’t listen to “a lot†of music. I mean, well, I do, but as far as genres, it’s really scattered. Like there’s a whole bunch of different genres from Common to John Coltrane to Bob Marley, it’s just all over the place.
Dustin: What do you like to do in your free time?
Musiq: Sleep, and I like to go out to the movies sometimes.
Dustin: Alright, this is the part of the interview called “Roll Out.” Where I give you random words, and you tell me the first thing that comes to mind.
Music
Musiq: Me
Dustin: Love
Musiq: Women
Dustin: Family
Musiq: Mom
Dustin: Life
Musiq: God
Dustin: Beyonce
Musiq: Fine
Dustin: Britney Spears
Musiq: I’m praying for her
Dustin: 
Oh, that’s good. She’s going through a lot right now, so I think she needs everyone’s thoughts and prayers. So, do you check out any celebrity gossip blogs in your off-time?
Musiq: No, not really. I’m not a big fan of gossip.
Dustin: Oh, so you like to stay out of that kind of stuff?
Musiq: Yeah.
Dustin: Oh, okay. I feel you. Well on my blog, Think2wice.org, I have a couple of questions made up from a few of your fans. Lea wants to know: Do you find it hard to reinvent your style and bring something fresh and exciting to the music world?
Musiq: As far as the music business is concerned, yeah, but personally … no.
Dustin: Okay, Bloo wants to know: How do you feel about today’s music in comparison to when you were growing up?
Musiq: It’s the same. You know, you’re always going to have that space where anyone can come in and change things. It’s just that, you know, everything is a cycle. Everything has its time, and everything has its season. You know, but it’s up to the people that involved with it to do what they can to contribute to it being better.
Dustin: What female artist are you feeling right now?
Musiq: Um, that’s new?
Dustin: Well, she can be a new artist, or an established artist, or whatever.
Musiq: Um, I guess I’d have to say Ciara. I’m liking that video.
Dustin: Oh yeah? She’d be my choice for the best new female artist on the scene. The Evolution is hot.
Musiq: Oh, is it? I haven’t had a chance to check it out, I’m just going off the video. The video’s fresh.
Dustin: Yeah, you’re going to have to check out The Evolution. It’s pretty good. Which video are you talking about? Promise, or Like A Boy?
Musiq: Uh, the first one, Promise. I haven’t seen Like A Boy yet.
Dustin: What male artist are you feeling right now?
Musiq: Robine Thicke got a nice song out.
Dustin: Oh, yeah, that’s my man right there. You’re talking about Lost Without You, right?
Musiq: Yeah, I like that song.
Dustin: Who is your inspiration as an artist?
Musiq: It would definitely have to be between Prince and Stevie Wonder.
Dustin: Okay, that’s cool. Um, back to featuring artists on your songs. Would you like to collaborate with any other R&B artists that are out right now? Because you said earlier that you usually don’t collaborate with other artists on your albums.
Musiq: Yeah, most definitely. The reason I do that is so I can establish myself, before, you know, coming out with anyone else. You know, I’d rather establish myself to the point where people can recognize me if I were to, you know, do a song with someone else. That way, it’s more of an event when I work with someone else, rather than you know, people saying that I couldn’t have did it if it weren’t for that person. I want it to be where we’re both appreciated, or even if it’s more than just the two of us, where we’re all appreciated for what we do. But yeah, I’m willing to work with almost anybody.
Dustin: Oh okay, that’s a really good way to look at it. But back to the album, Luvanmusiq. How do you basically decide which song gets to be the first single. Like, for instance, you chose Buddy for the first single. How did you choose that out of all of the rest of the songs to be the first single.
Musiq: Actually, that was a label move. They pretty much have a lot of say-so in stuff like that.
Dustin: Oh, okay, here’s another fan question from a guy named Emmanuel. He wants to know if you’ve done any underground stuff that hasn’t gotten any airplay, but still exists.
Musiq: Yeah, definitely, I’ve done a lot of stuff. Too many to mention to be honest.
Dustin: Oh okay. Well Musiq, it looks like my time is up. It was great talking with you today, and I appreciate you taking a little time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk with us. But before we go, is there anything you would like to say to your fans and the visitors of Think2wice.org?
Musiq: Yeah, just please go out and get the album. March 13, Luvanmusiq. Save up your money [laughs]. The more you support by buying the album, the more I’ll be able to bring out.
Dustin: Oh okay, I know y’all heard that [laughs]. Well man it was nice meeting you, and good luck with everything.
Musiq: Yeah, man same to you.
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