On Dance with Me, Debelah Morgan Joins Soulful R&B and Beat-savvy Pop -- on Her Own Terms
R&B and pop diva Debelah Morgan didn't achieve the winning combination of R&B, gospel, and pop on her third album Dance with Me without a struggle. After two disappointing albums for two different labels, Morgan recorded her third album the way she wanted to -- in her basement with the help of her brother Giloh. The triumphant disc showcases her Mariah-esque, five-octave range and her love for sweet, uplifting songs. Barnes & Noble.com's R&B and Rap Editor Tracy E. Hopkins spoke with the blossoming songbird about her comeback and the state of contemporary R&B.

Barnes & Noble.com: Why do you think your first two albums weren't that successful?

Debelah Morgan: When I did the first album Debelah, I was signed to a production company and they wanted me to do more of a hip-hop album, which is not me. At that time, I really didn't understand how the music business worked, so I allowed other people to tell me what to do. I was very unhappy and I started to gain weight, and that took away from my marketability as an artist. Even though I think it's more about the person you are on the inside, in this business there is a certain image you are expected to live up to. I also had legal problems. So the combination of those factors led to me being dropped.

B&N.com: Atlantic dropped you?

Debelah Morgan: Yes, they did. This is a very unforgiving business. No one is waiting around for you. It's not what they can offer you, it's what you can offer them.

B&N.com: Did you sign with another label for your second album?

Debelah Morgan: For my second disc, I was signed to Mercury. Everything was great. They were going to release the pop and R&B album that I wanted to make. Then Polygram was bought by Universal, so then I was moved to Motown. And somewhere in the process, opinions started flying and they didn't want me to make the album that I had envisioned. But I was under contract, so once again I had to go along with the label's vision. That album, It's Not Over, was only released overseas. But to support the record, I toured 14 different countries, and that experience made me even more determined to make the kind of album that I wanted to make the next time.

B&N.com: How did you end up back at Atlantic?

Debelah Morgan: After my second album, I filed for bankruptcy. But in 1999 -- that was the last year that I filed -- I was released from bankruptcy on my birthday. That was my birthday present. So to celebrate, my brother Giloh and I went into our basement in New Jersey and decided to finally make the album that we wanted to make. We brought the songs to our management, and they loved it. We gave Universal the opportunity [to release the album], but they didn't like it. We gave it to a few other labels, and they were undecided. So then we came back to Atlantic. Talk about karma -- Atlantic thought the album was awesome. They didn't want to change one note, and they were totally accepting of me, which is the most incredible reward. So I feel like my life has come full circle.

B&N.com: Who are some of you biggest musical influences?

Debelah Morgan: I'm inspired by the whole Motown and by Minnie Riperton and Stevie Wonder -- there was a time when that music was pop music. I love Whitney, Mariah Carey, Celine, and Toni Braxton -- those are the women whose footsteps I would love to follow in.

B&N.com: Did you call your disc Dance with Me because most of your songs are dance driven as opposed to ballads?

Debelah Morgan: I think so. Life is really tough these days, and I know that when I put some music on, I want something that's going to uplift me. So that's the kind of music that I wanted to make. There are really only three ballads on the album, which are pretty passionate. But I really miss the days when my brother dragged me along to one of his college parties and everyone was having fun. It wasn't so much about guys wanting to take you home. It was about having fun and dancing.

B&N.com: What are your favorite songs on your album?

Debelah Morgan: The first single "Dance with Me" is my favorite. My second favorite is "I Remember," which is going to be the second single. I get happy when I hear that song. Then I also love the gospel song, "Everything Will Be Alright," because that's what I kept in the back of my mind throughout this whole process.

B&N.com: What music are you listening to now?

Debelah Morgan: I bought Mary Mary's Thankful. I am a very big fan of certain country music -- I love Faith Hill. I love the ballads and the emotional place that they write from. I have Christina Aguilera's CD. I have Toni Braxton's The Heat -- I love the song "Spanish Guitar."

B&N.com: In Billboard you said you love Lionel Richie's songwriting. Was Richie a big influence?

Debelah Morgan: Yes, definitely. I loved "Hello" and "Ballerina Girl" -- the melodies are so beautiful. Those songs didn't demean women or talk about love in a nasty way. These days, when I turn on the radio, it's like nine out of ten songs is putting someone down. Today's songs are more about sex than about love. Stevie Wonder also wrote beautifully.

B&N.com: What artist would you most like to work with?

Debelah Morgan: I would love to sing a duet with Joe -- he has an amazing voice. I wouldn't mind singing a duet with Christina Aguilera -- I think she has a soulful voice. Sisqo would probably be a lot fun to work with, but I wouldn't want to sing the kind of songs that he usually sings. Also, out of the boy bands, I really like 98 Degrees.

B&N.com: It's great that you have such a pop sensibility, because I think many R&B artists are limiting themselves by sticking to the same formula.

Debelah Morgan: There is a very stereotypical sound in R&B music, and I think that breaking out of that would be great for the audience. I would really encourage young people to go to school and become more educated about music. Learn how to pick up an instrument and play it. In the urban music community, we're sampling all of these great musicians, but we're missing out on becoming great musicians in our own right. We wouldn't have Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, or all of the great pioneers if they simply sampled what someone else went to school and learned how to do.

August 11, 2000
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