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Feb. 24, 2005 Eric West is the new guy on the block, who speaks humbly about his competition, meeting Michael Jackson, and his album being released summer 2005 in an exclusive interview with Mi2n.com and Useless-Knowledge.com. To those reading this might ask who is Eric West, is he related to Kanye West? Or maybe you have already seen the model-turned Actor and singer on MTV? Whatever it is, at this moment the 22-year old from Brooklyn, New York has our attention, so much, that one journalist said "Eric West has yet to release an album but is a gossip column favorite? He must be the Paris Hilton of music, famous but for what?" That doesn't seem to bother the singer who recorded his first song at the age of 12, skip 10 years later, Eric West was named by the Internet Movie Database as Hollywood's Top Fresh New Face of 2004, and appeared in Marie Claire Japan.  It's Monday
afternoon as I visit Eric on the 11th floor of a
West Side recording studio in New York where he
is still hard at work on his debut album, "Half
| Life," which according to him, should have
been released summer 2004. Walking into Studio D, Eric is behind the booth recording "Don't
Make Me Wait," which is the only song West did
not write for his debut, written by Tim & Bob
known for their work with Destiny's Child, Boyz II Men and Monica, Eric takes a break to come
out and chat, clean face, low hair cut, blue
jeans, a white t.shirt, and white tennis
sneakers, he looks as if he stepped out of an ad
for Calvin Klien or Abercrombie and Fitch,
looking better than any photo I've seen of him.
If he were gay, I might have asked for his phone
number, but he isn't friends with Paris Hilton.He seems to be shy, as he sits down to answer our questions. Mi2N: You've been recording since the age of 12, but it seems that it took 10 years for people to finally take notice. Does it bother you when journalist bash you because you are the new guy on the block and because there is a lot of focus put on you to be the next big thing? Eric West: No, it doesn't bother me, more so now it's interesting, because I hear all kinds of silly rumours like anyone really cares to read about me [laughs]. My friends call me and tell me about things they've read, even people at the label. I don't think I can get mad about anyone writing anything about me. It means people are talking, whether it's good or bad. Mi2N: Is there any truth to an Internet rumor about you being mad with a radio DJ because you were compared to Justin Timberlake? EW: Absolutely not! It's pretty weird in my opinion, I remember doing an interview with Buzz 99 in [New] Jersey, I was asked something like does it bother me to be compared to Usher or Justin, I think I said it was unfair to compare us, but I support both of them. I see Usher at events from time to time, and I'm really proud of him, but the day after the interview it was all over the Internet that I rudely hung up on the DJ, it's not true. Anything for a story, I guess.  Mi2N: Many of the
male artists today are very similar to Michael Jackson. Usher, Justin, Mario. Were you inspired
him?EW: Any and everyone in music has been inspired by the Jackson family. The world grew up on "Thriller", "Rhythm Nation", "ABC" and "I'll Be There". Mi2N: What is your opinion on the Michael Jackson child molestation case. EW: I think he is totally innocent. I met Michael a few times when I was younger, spent time with him and a group of other kids when I first started music, he is an amazing person. It's a shame, it really is, what people do to bring other celebrities down. I'm just starting out and I've already had my fair share of criticism, lies and rumors, so just imagine a lifetime of people concentrating on one man.  Mi2N: Most of the
world
would say he's guilty.EW: Yes, but most of the world made a big deal out of Janet's breast. A lot of the time, people focus so much on what other people are doing to make themselves feel better. Having spent a good amount of time with Michael the few times I did meet him, I can honestly say from the heart I feel he is innocent. I think because Michael never really had a normal childhood, he feels he missed out on so much, people never look out the millions of dollars that he's donated to homeless children, and how he's given back to so many charities. People should try walking in his shoes, having cameras everywhere you go. You would want to shut off your world and create a Neverland ranch yourself. Mi2N: Who is in your CD player? EW: Actually, we should look at my iPod playlist, I don't really listen to CD's anymore, I listen to Green Day's album a lot, Eminem's "Encore", Nas, Kanye West, John Legend, Gwen, Matt Goss.  Mi2N: When I
told my niece I
was going to interview you, she asked to see a
picture, and then said you look like Usher, but
much cuter. Do you think you look like him?EW: [laughs] Not really, I have heard it before, I had a meeting a few months ago with DJ Galbis, as we walked into a pretty good Mexican restaurant here in New York, one of the employees ran up to me and said I was just getting a camera, I thought you were Usher. [laughs] As musicians we have to stick together. It would be shady for me to hate on the kid because of his success. It's a waste of time. Mi2N: We should talk about your album, "Half | Life". EW: Yes! Mi2N: I believe it was last month I read that you wrote a song about AIDS. Why? EW: I did, it's called "Wires", I wrote the song in about 5 minutes, back when I started working on the album I didn't see myself writing a song like "Wires," until a friend of mine told me about a situation going on in his life, so that's is what inspired the song. It's a scary thing. It really is. Mi2N: The reaction was extremely positive, especially in the media. EW: It was. Even CNN called to find out more about the song and Yahoo.com said their article about the song was read by over 100,000 people in the first day. Mi2N: How would you describe the album? EW: It's eclectic, there is something for everyone, if you're a rock fan you'll enjoy "Letting You Go," which is probably my favorite song, if you are into R&B and Hip Hop, "Half Life", "Can't Be Friends" will probably be your favorites, but again there is something for everyone. I could never just do a straight R&B record, or pop record, I like variety. EW: I'm not too sure yet, but I'm guessing "Half Life". Mi2N: I read that you also have a single coming out with Galbis? EW: Yes I do, He's a really good friend, I'll be featured on his single from his new album, it's actually a Drum and Bass track that will probably be out before my official single, it will hit dance clubs in the states and Europe. Mi2N: You'll also be doing your first movie, a film produced by Adam Sandler. EW: That won't be until the end of the year.  Mi2N: Is there
anyone you
are interested in working with in the future?EW: There are a lot of people, I'd love to do an action movie with myself, Mark Wahlberg, and Janet Jackson, that would be crazy, plus I loved the Italian Job. Music wise, I'd like to do something with Jonny Lang, that would be interesting, Babyface, Lauryn Hill. Mi2N: I also read that you would like to work with Madonna. EW: Yeah, Madonna would be a cool collaboration actually. Maddy and I are cool, I've met her a couple of times, next time I'll talk to her about it [Laughs]. Mi2N: While waiting for you to come and chat, I spoke with your publicist Nicole, and she mentioned you will be working with numerous top designers on your image. EW: We are actually, Salvatore Ferragamo, Alessandro Dell'acqua, Alexander Mcqueen, Andrew Mackenzie, Angelos Frentzos, Dsquared, Gaetano Navarra, a lot of amazing designers, just trying to be innovative and different. Bring something new to the pop and R&B world.  Mi2N: You were
discovered by Black Eyed Peas hottie Fergie, how
did this happen?EW: I've known her for nearly 9 years now, I called her a few days ago actually, to update her on my project and congratulate her on her Grammy win. She was extremely helpful in the beginning stages, teaching me how to use my voice properly, levels and so on. I'm extremely grateful to have had her in my life, through her she helped open a lot of doors for me. Mi2N: Is there anything interesting about you that most people don't know? EW: Interesting? Probably not. [Laughs]. I'm pretty boring, ask my friends. [Laughs]. Maybe the fact that I'm a true New Yorker, I still use the train, mainly because I don't know how to drive, so it's so easy for me to jump on a train to go shopping or to the studio, so if you ever see me on the train, say Hi [laughs]. Mi2N: Eric we look foward to the release of your album, and hope that you have the best of luck. EW: Thanks for coming to hang out with us, and thanks for the support. Eric's debut album "Half Life" will be released late summer, it will include the songs "Half | Life", "Wires", "If Only I Knew," "Don't Make Me Wait", "Black Rose" and more. Visit www.eric-west.com for the latest news on his project. Thanks to Nicole Madison, BMGE, and Full Picture for putting together this interview, and special thanks to Eric West and his staff. ------------ About the author: Matt Dimmock is a writer for dozens of publications ranging from Playboy, Mi2N and Rolling Stone. Email: matt.dimmock@journalist.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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