“I always put a lot of things on the stove and whatever starts to bubble…we stir it up,” says Faith Evans. The ever-multi-tasking entertainer is calling from her homebase of California, excited about the projects she has in the mix and that first-ever headlining appearance in July at the Essence Music Festival. So while other parents are making vacation plans, this singer, songwriter, author and executive producer (phew!) will be traveling, rehearsing and working on her eighth CD.
“I’m taking meetings and trying to figure out what will be the right home for it [distribution-wise]. I don’t want it to go under the radar again [referring to 2010’s Something About Faith], so as you learn new things, you do better. I know that there were certain elements that were missing as far as the last one coming from an independent label. I didn’t put enough marketing and promotions people in pocket to let everybody know that the record was out there, so there’s people still finding out that I’ve have something out in the last few years.” The sound? Well….”I can’t even explain the vibe, it’s just incredible music that feels really good and that I know my fans will appreciate.”
But for those who need something right now, the latest single from last year’s tribute CD, R&B Divas, “Dumb,” is going to hit a video channel pretty soon (“We just got the final edits…it’s a fun video, with a retro feel just like the song.”) and the second season of TV One’s hit reality show, “R&B Divas,” has just kicked in. And if you tuned in last year, you’ll notice new performers added to this season’s cast (Former Xscape member LaTocha Scott and rapper-turned songstress Angie Stone), a new agenda (broadening their brands, putting out feelers to tour) and a LOT more tension, which she doesn’t take credit for by any means. “To be honest, as you’ll see, Nicci (Gilbert) and I weren’t as involved creatively with the stories this season as we were for the last one. There’s been plenty of talk and plenty of offers [for a tour], but until someone comes with a proposal and a deposit….hopefully we’be able to figure something out.”
Everything else is, well, as expected: her two youngest sons are thriving, daughter Chyna is studying music and making moves in her own right (“She’s at the Musicians’ Institute in Hollywood producing, writing, playing keys….she’s an engineer now and she has a whole catalog of music and I haven’t heard half of it.”) and her oldest boy, Christopher Wallace Jr. is preparing to graduate (“He wants to study film in college, but we’re not pressing for more acting jobs or anything like that right now.”) and the family isn’t letting up about the investigation into those responsible for murdering his late father, the Notorious B.I.G. “We’re just waiting until the LAPD does what we feel that they’re supposed to do. After a certain amount of years, dollars, energy, tears and frustration, we had to realize that not spending anymore money would be the smartest thing to do. we still believe that God is going to see justice served however He sees fit, but we just have to be steadfast and wait for the right time for us to make another move.”
For Faith though, it’s always been about patience and timing, lessons she’s learned personally and professionally that have helped her to remain in-demand for nearly two decades as a singer, songwriter and yes….diva. “A project might seem great, but I have to think of the bigger picture. If it doesn’t make sense, I just have to say ‘Ah, I can’t do that.’ [The longevity] is a great thing and quite an accomplishment… it just really feels like I’m in a good place. Because I am.”
http://www.soultracks.com/interview-faith-evans-2013
