Lloyd: Southside Pride

gt.com: R&B is a genre that can be difficult to break into, but you have managed to do very well, even working with Ashanti on your debut single. what was it like to collaborate with her on "Southside?"

LLOYD: Let me tell you this -- everytime I'm in the studio with Ashanti or Ja Rule or [Irv] Gotti, it's always an event. We always have a good time! We'll be in there joking and clowning around. And, the work comes out good and you still have fun doing it!

gt.com: absolutey! when your debut solo record was released, were you caught in the numbers game, watching the Billboard charts? or did you find that were you more laid back about the whole thing?

LLOYD: You know what? I didn't even look at the Billboards. I was so focused on my next move, I was so ready to make another move and show another side of me that hadn't been shown yet. I'm starting to get there now, slowly but surely!

gt.com: we're watching for you! now, going from being a part of a group to now being solo, how are the standard tasks, like recording an album and being on stage, different than they were when you had the other guys to accompany you?

LLOYD: Really, it's a lot more fun, I can't lie! I was able to be more creative than I was ever able to be. I was able to kick it the limit. Gotti used to put me in the studio, and they'd put a beat on it, throw me in the studio all by myself. Then they'd say, "Do what you do." That alone was something brand new for me!

gt.com: you had an interesting way of getting signed to your record label by Irv Gotti. tell us more about that?

LLOYD: I guess you could kind of say that Irv Gotti stole me from L.A. Reid! I was going to sign with L.A. and Arista Records, but right after I had seen L.A., I snuck up to The Inc office. When I first met Irv, he gave me this poker face. It's a challenge when you're trying to audition and the person looking at you has on a straight face and no type of movements or nothing. That's the kind of face he gave me, right? I figured Irv handles a lot of demos everyday and different people might come up to him with what they see as their best work. He might not be as enthused by that. So, I gave him the CD, he put it in, and the first song on the CD is "Hey Young Girl." Irv starts moving his head. He starts it over again, and is singing the song with me! Then four or five dudes from The Inc walk in, he turns to me and said, "Lil dude, that ain't you!" I said, what?! ::starts singing his song:: Gotti was like, "Lil dude, I messed with you hard, I really want to work with you, I want you to sign with me right now!" I wanted to, but I really almost felt obligated to L.A., especially because L.A.'s the reason that I met Irv.

gt.com: but, you have to admire the persistence!

LLOYD: Let me tell you something, even as a writer like yourself, there's nothing better than to have a boss that is as enthusiastic as you are, and one that respects your ambition. Being with Irv, I almost felt like he was behind me 150% no matter what I do. I felt that passion come from him when I first met him. Not that I didn't get that from L.A., but L.A. is very calm about how he handles these things. Irv is young, and energized, and that just riles me up, so I took the ball and ran with it! The very next day, I go do the showcase for L.A., and I kill it! The day after that, he calls me, right after I get off the phone with Gotti. He said, "I really want you to come to Arista, I really liked your performance." I told him how I felt, that Irv had seen my potential. L.A. said he respected it, and that no matter where I went, I would do my thing. He just wished it was with him. Coming from L.A. Reid, that just encouraged me even more.

gt.com: we bet! as a rising solo superstar, what is the most important lesson that a record industry genius like Irv Gotti has taught you about the music business?

LLOYD: Number one? Wow...okay, you know how the people hold those music seminars? The big executives sit at a table and people ask them questions about what they need to do, how long it takes, such and such. Irv will be in a seminar, where he'll get up and say, "Just make good music and everything will be alright." Straight up. All of this other stuff, it's unnecessary. It's real tough, because it's all about the music.

gt.com: speaking of the music, has there been a particular track that you've recorded thus far that has really stood out from the pack?

LLOYD: That would be "My Life;" it's a very personal track on my record that has a lot of meaning. On this record, I talk about when I was younger, my Pop being killed in New Orleans, and trying to get away from that with all the different family problems. I was having to be fifteen, but feeling like I'm on my own almost. I had to grow up faster than my other peers, because of what happened with my father. So through that, even though it was a struggle, like I have tattooed on my wrist, "No struggle, no progress." I really feel like you have to fall down to get picked back up, and "My Life" is about falling down and getting back up. Basically, the music is my way out. This is the route that I had to take, and I'm just so grateful for that!

gt.com: okay, pretend our readers are searching a music store and stumble across your latest release, "Southside." why should they buy it?

LLOYD: Let me tell you this. If you like R&B, if you like a good show... I feel like I'm making an ad! ::laughs:: But if you like R&B with a little bit of edge to it, like you just woke up Sunday afternoon and go to the park, and everybody else is cooking out and having a good time, and talking, and joking around. It's pure energy. I always say, I let my music speak for itself! Check it out, I don't care if you have to go on the internet and listen to the album first. You're going to be satisfied!

gt.com: we're already in line! now, you've worked with many top names in the industry, but if given the opportunity, who would be the first on your duet wish list?

LLOYD: That's a hard question! First on my list...I'm gonna have to say Ciara.

gt.com: interesting choice! a lot of musicians, once conquering the music world, dip their feet into the waters of acting. is that something you are looking to pursue or would you rather just focus on your music?

LLOYD: Please believe me, I'm gonna do acting! When I was younger, I used to put on theater. I always liked to put on a show! I'm definitely going to get into that. But right now, I'm focused on what I've gotta do -- making music that's 100%.

gt.com: growing up in Atlanta, home to many recording industry greats, how do you think the city influences your music?

LLOYD: People in Atlanta have been all about your boy! I think it's because they've seen I've given it my all for years -- it's been a long time coming! Atlanta has always had its thing, we've always been a third coast, kind of like our own entity. While people were listening to the national radio, we were big on the local scene. I feel like in five to ten years, Atlanta is going to be strong.

gt.com: agreed! okay, your album cover proves you've got a great body -- how do you keep in shape while out on the road?

LLOYD: Awww! You know, I just eat a lot of pork rinds. ::laughs:: I gotta give a big shoutout to Steven P-I-P. We call him "Pip." He's from New York. He trains me, Ashanti, Ja Rule, and a couple of new boxers. I can't even lie and say that I'm eating right, because I'm eating everything! I just try to work out as much as possible, every other day.

gt.com: whatever it is, it's working! have you ever found yourself completely starstruck by a fellow celebrity?

LLOYD: Please believe! When I first came in, I was all starstruck type of activity. Growing up, being on stage and doing shows with people, it's built my confidence up over the years. It's like when I meet people now, sometimes I won't say nothing to them, because they're eating, and it just doesn't seem like the right time. Or, it's almost like I'm having a conversation with them, like normal people. When you're on the outside looking in, it seems crazy, but when you're on the inside, it seems different.

gt.com: we can imagine! on that note, when was the last time you found yourself starstruck?

LLOYD: I remember when I was in the studio with Rodney Jerkins, we recorded this song on the album with Lil Wayne. Rodney kept telling me he was going to call Mike, and I didn't know who he meant. So, he goes and calls Mike, while I'm working it out in the studio. He said, "Lloyd, come out here real quick, someone wants to holla at you." I was like, I'm doing this, I'm working. But he was like, Mike wants to talk to you. We were in town for the Mike Tyson fight, so that's who I'm thinking it is. He gives me the phone and it's Michael Jackson! It was so crazy to me, because I always thought if I met Mike, I wouldn't even handle words. I have so much respect for him, it was crazy, almost like a dream for me. I think if he would have been in the building, sitting down, I wouldn't have had much to say to him. But when Rodney gave me the phone, and me not knowing it was him, it didn't give me a chance to freak out! So, I almost treated the conversation like I had known Mike for years, it was a dope conversation! After I got off the phone, then I tripped out!

gt.com: what a great story! okay, what's next on your career agenda?

LLOYD: Everything! The sky is the limit! A lot of material that's not going to be on my albums, because I'm not allowed to put it on my albums. But I'm such a rebel I gotta put it out! I'm working on underground material, a lot of my A-Town friends, from Ciara to Scrappy to whoever. It's our time to shine, you know? We gotta long way to go.

gt.com: shine on, we're betting on a long career. thanks for the interview, Lloyd!