The tones that are thrust from Meckelle’s vocal chords create a warmth steamy enough to melt the thickest snowbed, and that may be what just what her native city of Chicago needs during the winter months. As many artists come and go, showing promise and making strides to be the best, Meckelle plans to show you that she is the best, and that she will not be one of the statistics.
She has settled on a summer release for her debut album, Pieces, and will release it from the independent point of view. Though not signed or marketed by a major label, Meckelle does not feel the need to be the next big thing on the scene. After hearing her belt out awe-inspiring tunes with little or no effort, you will see she is already ahead of her class. Take a listen.
Allhiphop.com Alternatives: Your debut album is on its way to the stores shortly. Talk about that and anything else associated with the album.
Meckelle: Well, Pieces is the name of the debut. Hopefully, it will be out by this summer. I don’t have anything tentatively, but we are looking at a summer release date.
AHHA: When you say ‘we’, are you referring to a specific label or company?
Meckelle: I’m on a small label with only a couple of people on it, so that’s what I mean when I say ‘we’.
AHHA: Most up and coming R&B talent say their early musical background comes from church. Is that the case with you as well?
Meckelle: I was three, and my grandmother…you know how they like to embarrass you in front of people? I still remember like it happened yesterday. They dressed me up and stuck me in front of the people in church. That’s kind of where it started. One day, I must have been singing gospel or something, and she caught me. She had me in church two weeks after that. I started when I was three, but I didn’t really get into it until I was thirteen. When I was fourteen or fifteen I joined the Minnesota Mass Choir, which was cool because it was an outlet and it was something else to do.
AHHA: After you see the initial response from the first album, will you be looking to jump into a major label situation?
Meckelle: Well, at this point I’m not, because I know I would have to have a certain amount of leverage coming from an independent standpoint. After the first project is out and I find out which way it’s going to go, then I’ll know what to do next. You know how you see people on TV and they got on all this bling-bling? It’s not really theirs, you know what I mean?
AHHA: It is not even theirs, and it may not even be real. {laughs}
Meckelle: Plus, every single dime they get, they got to pay it all back. So, it’s kind of like having a bad loan. I love the music side of it, it’s just the business side is kind of shady. As long as the independent thing does well for me, I can swing with that. That way, I can have more control over what I want to do, and I don’t have to worry about somebody making me do something that’s not me.
AHHA: That is true, because you will find yourself performing out of someone else’s heart.
Meckelle: If you’re not doing what you want to do as far as your own career, it gets old and you don’t want to do it anymore.
AHHA: Have the people who have heard your music previously drawn comparisons to you and any other artists?
Meckelle: I haven’t gotten that yet, but I’m sure I will.
AHHA: What is your opinion on the state of R&B right now? Do you think it is in a healthy state, or do you feel like there is a lot of repetitiveness going on?
Meckelle: In certain places with certain artists, it’s real cool. It’s not the way it used to be, but I guess everything has to change. I don’t have any real complaints right now, but it’s really different. It’s difficult to market a “real” R&B artist.
AHHA: Do you feel Black artists get fair or not so fair representation on channels like BET, MTV, VH1, etc.?
Meckelle: I guess they are represented okay. They are represented on BET definitely. VH1 is doing better than what it was. MTV is cool with it as long as it’s a mainstream thing.
AHHA: Do you feel as if there are any changes necessary with regard to the images that are brought forth? If so, what do you feel needs to be changed?
Meckelle: As far as stuff that comes out on TV and videos?
AHHA: Like the boob popping out during the Super Bowl.
Meckelle: Basically, that was not her fault. She did like two apologies and they will not let her live it down. She’s got to deal with all that backlash, and it was a mistake. You could tell by the look on her face. Technically, that was not her fault. She didn’t mean for that to happen.
AHHA: What do you plan to contribute to the music industry that no one has contributed as of yet?
Meckelle: I’m hoping to contribute because I sound different. I’m hoping to contribute or at least make an imprint. I don’t know if I want to be a megastar because that has its drawbacks, too. As long as I get to help people and make a difference, I’m cool with that.
AHHA: From a personal standpoint, what you gained thus far from your career? I don’t necessarily mean on a materialistic level, but from all aspects that you can see.
Meckelle: I’ve learned a lot and I’ve seen a lot. In order for me to get what I want the right way, I’m going to do have to do the right thing and I can’t do anything halfway. When you put half effort into it, you get half the results that you actually want. Everyday for me is always a learning experience. I always learn something different all the time. I’ve learned a lot as far as production, marketing, and just people skills.
For more information about Meckelle or to listen to samples of her music, visit http://www.meckelle.com.
