SINGLTN – Skin

By starrymag | September 16, 2020

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

 

Q) How would you best describe your sound?

A) I would describe my sound as R&B soul with a universal pop appeal.

Q) Tell us a little bit about the new single “Skin.”

A) “Skin” is song about the feelings a man has the moment he sees how beautiful his woman is as she is getting ready for their date night and decides that he would rather spend time with her at home alone instead.

Q) You recently released a cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” reinventing the lyrics to better fit the current issues facing our country. Why did you decide to cover the song and what is it about John’s message that resonates the most with you?

A) I wanted to take what is happening today with the Black Lives Matter movement and my lyrics changes speaks to the heart of this movement.  I feel that if John Lennon was writing this song today, he would probably would have taken this direction as well.  “Imagine” embodies for me the incredible personal and global impact brought about by the Black Lives Matter movement and it is my hope that my interpretation of this great body of work adds to the national conversation.

Q) You also covered and shot a video for Stevie Wonder’s “Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer.” How did you come up with the concept behind the video?

A) My team and I came up with the concept. We wanted to create a timeless video that showed how a family dealt with disappointment of the breakup of a mother and father.  The little girl playing the piano in the video represented a love that once was there between her parents.  Her playing the ballad paints the picture through music of her mom leaving the family.

Q) I absolutely love the song “Congratulations.” What was the inspiration behind the song? 

A) “Congratulations” represent when a man finally decides that his playing days are over and that he only wants to spend his life with one woman.

Q) With the release of these singles, is there a full-length album in the works and if so, when can fans expect for it to be released?

A) Yes, definitely. I am working on putting together an EP to be released sometime in 2021.

Q) For years prior to becoming a solo artist, you lent your talents to such artists as Josh Groban, Alicia Keys, and Beyoncé, even joining Queen Bey to perform on her Ladies First Tour. What was the most important takeaway from your experience working with other artists?

A) Beyonce is incredible! I learned from her that practice makes perfect and to rehearse until your show is like second nature. She is a professional in every sense of the word. From Josh I learned how to command the stage while smiling and having fun at the same time.

Q) When you are songwriting, do you have a certain routine or go-to during the process?

A) When I go into the studio, I study the track to draw inspiration. I will literally do a playback a hundred time to make sure every vocal sound I hear works in the mix.

Q) Your music has been released through RB4 Entertainment, which you are the founder of. What is the reason behind the name and why did you decide to create your own company to release your own music rather than sign with a label?

A) The “R” stands for Rubin, which is my first name. The “B” is my middle initial and the (4) is a symbol of my son. I am Rubin the III and my son is Rubin IV.  RB4Entertainment represents the birth of a new extension of who I am and I launched RB4 to be in total control of my career.  When I first started out I was disappointed with the outcomes of a few deals that I got into, so this time around I was determined to maintain full creative control.

Q) Back in May you were featured on the Prudential Center’s Mini Masterclass series. How did you get the chance to be a part of that?

A) That was actually a part of The GRAMMY®  Museum’s Mini Masterclass. It was a wonderful experience. And I have a very talented PR team that does an awesome job of presenting me with opportunities like the one I did with the Grammy Museum.

Q) As we are currently in uncertain times with this pandemic, how has music helped you through this time?

A) Music is and always has been therapeutic for me, whether I’m listening to it or creating it and doing both has really helped me during this pandemic. It really helped me stay positive.

Q) Who were some of your greatest musical influences?

A) I would say, gospel artist Daryl Coley.  This man has range and vocal control that is second to none.  He’s done things I have never seen done before and can sing everything from gospel to classical to jazz. He’s amazing. I used to try to pattern my style after his, but I wasn’t quite as good. But I would like to think I am close. I would also say Stevie Wonder, of course, Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, John Legend and many others as well.

Q) What are you currently listening to?

A) I am listening to everything from current R&B to pop music, including artists like Brandy, Brian McKnight, Charlie Wilson, Billie Eillish and of course Beyonce – just to name a few.

Q) What would you like to share with your fans and supporters of your music?

A) I’ll be releasing an EP next year and will be working on my full album soon after that.  I’m also planning to do a tour once it becomes safe again.  I’m also excited about releasing a short film of my work and a few other surprises.  Fans should expect some very exciting thing for 2021.

 

 

 

 

Listen to Single “Skin”