It’s been some time since we last heard from R&B singer and songwriter, Tweet. Today, she’s back and happier than ever working on a new album and promoting her latest single “Enough” off the newly released EP, Simply Tweet.
The EP, complete with five new songs, offers up a the angles of Tweet we’re used to. Smooth, sultry and soulful, a combination that’s almost always sure to spark things up.
AllHipHop.com got the opportunity to chat with Tweet to talk new music, her “case” against Twitter and whether or not she’s on good terms with Missy Elliot and Timbaland.
AllHipHop.com: We keep hearing ‘Tweet is coming back’, we’re ready.
Tweet: I’ve been ready since 2007 to put something out and it’s finally here.
AllHipHop.com: Why do you think it’s important now to release your music, than five years ago?
Tweet: From five years ago up until now, I’m writing about stuff that I go through. I’m ordinary just like everybody else. I just go through everything everybody else go through. Love lost, love found, happiness, joy, all the emotions and everyday life experiences. That’s what I write about. That hasn’t changed. These are things out of my diary.
AllHipHop.com: Talk to me about “Enough”, the first single off of Simply Tweet.
Tweet: It’s the first song we’ve released from the EP. I’m excited about that one.
AllHipHop.com: People can say what they want to say, but no one can say that you cannot sing.
Tweet: I’ve never professed to be the best singer in the world. I just do me and that’s what it is.
AllHipHop.com: Do you like the sound of what you’ve been hearing? For what music is right now?
Tweet: I don’t really do music to compete or try to stay in the now. I just do what comes from the heart and what I feel. It’s definitely coming out the way I expected it. Just good music.
AllHipHop.com: Are you working with any of the same camp?
Tweet: Production wise, it’s the same guys that did the first two albums, Nisan Stewart, Craig Brockman, Jubu Smith, same folks.
AllHipHop.com: You’re pretty much an open book.
Tweet: Pretty much. You basically know what I’m going through or have gone through because of my songs.
AllHipHop.com: You have a big spiritual influence. Do you see gospel in your future?
Tweet: Definitely. I come from the church and right now, what caused me to take a break, was to get my spiritual life together. It was lacking at the time. In 2005, I just needed to get myself together. I have to give God back his glory because if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be singing and I wouldn’t have the gift.
AllHipHop.com: Southern Hummingbird was ten years ago. It wasn’t like you flopped. The album fared well, surpassing gold status.
Tweet: I’m very grateful for that. Happily knowing that people still want to hear the music is such a blessing. I’m excited to give them what they want. This is what I love to do and I’m just happy to share it with those that want to hear.
AllHipHop.com: Outside of the EP, what are you working on?
Tweet: We’re finishing up what we have to do for the album, which is pretty much done. We’re putting out videos for this EP. On tour, doing shows and hopefully more to come, overseas. Just trying to get myself out there and consistently giving people shows because I wasn’t able to do that from the second album.
AllHipHop.com: How soon do you think we’ll get an album?
Tweet: Summertime, and if not the summer, then September, but it will definitely be this year.
AllHipHop.com: Are you doing it independently?
Tweet: Yes, through a major distributor.
AllHipHop.com: What’s your take on artists like Miguel, Frank Ocean, Dawn Richard and some of the new people out now?
Tweet: I love Miguel and Frank Ocean, I think with music, it’s enough room for everybody to do what they love to do. There’s a lot of creative people out there so I just appreciate the different types of music. They’re putting out great music so I’m happy where it is.
AllHipHop.com: Do you think that soulful music has a place right now?
Tweet: Definitely. It’s missing, that’s the only thing I would add to that. Not that it’s gone or it left, or it’s on its way back, because music is music. It will never leave. It hasn’t been on the mainstage or in the forefront, but people are craving real music. Instrumentation, real life music and things they can relate to. Everybody’s not in the club, everybody’s not popping molly’s. Everybody’s not drinking. People live regular lives and they go through pain and hurt and happiness. They want to hear about those things.
AllHipHop.com: So you don’t see yourself doing a song with Trinidad James anytime soon?
Tweet: [laughs] If it makes sense. There’s no reason why two different artists couldn’t make a record. It’s about quality.
AllHipHop.com: You’ve worked with Lil Mo on the “I Love Me” record. Can we expect more collaborations?
Tweet: Yes. We go way back. I’m a sucker for talented people, with real issues and real music. That’s a sister of mine so we’ve got to stay together.
AllHipHop.com: A lot of people don’t know but you’ve been around for a while, before Southern Hummingbird was released, working with Timbaland and Missy Elliot. What’s your relationship like with them these days?
Tweet: We still talk. Actually, I just did a couple of records with Tim for his album, not knowing if they’re going to make the album or not. We’re still family, that will never change. Our schedules didn’t allow Missy and I to do any records on this album, and I just wanted my supporters to get me this time. Since I’ve been gone so long, I didn’t want to flood them with collabs.
AllHipHop.com: Do you ever see yourself doing business or being signed to them?
Tweet: No. At this point I want to take the head of business. Have my own label and do things that way.
AllHipHop.com: Twitter is very popular and the term “Tweet” has an entirely new meaning to it. Have you thought about changing your name?
Tweet: No. If anything, Twitter would have to change something up. I was here first, and they took everything that I brought to the table. I brought the bird, the name and I will never change. I’ve been Tweet since I was a little girl. It’s not a phase name, that’s who I am. My father gave me that nickname, so no way am I changing that at all.
AllHipHop.com: It was rumored that you sued them or tried to take them to court. Any truth to that?
Tweet: No, it’s no rumor. I didn’t go that far, yet.
AllHipHop.com: You thought about it?
Tweet: Yes, there is a case, and there is room for that. I haven’t really pursued it fully yet.
AllHipHop.com: Anything else the people should know?
Tweet: I’m trying to reassure people that the music is coming. It’s been years since I’ve been saying this. A lot of stuff has happened since this whole hiatus. I wish I had a camera with me the whole time, so you guys would know. It’s coming out and I’m excited. That’s about it.
Simply Tweet is available on iTunes, here.