Chico Debarge Shares Life Through Songs
R&B star Chico Debarge is back after a five-year hiatus with a new CD called, ‘Addiction.’
The 15-track set captures in song the life of the Detroit-born crooner, who doesn’t shy away from talking about his battles with drug abuse, being incarcerated and troubled relationships.
“The topic matter is very important because this is very edgy and very true to what I’ve been through in life. It’s a storybook as well, but it’s not beating you up with the story,” the singer told me.
‘Addiction’ is Debarge’s first musical offering since his independent CD, ‘Free,’ which was released in 2003.
“When you hear this album, you’ll hear that I took my time,” he said of his hiatus. “I could’ve released a single, but it seems like the radio kept changing so drastically. I wanted to see where I could be felt because I’ve already released an album that was a feel type of album that had a lot of sensuality to it and it was a sound. If I didn’t stay on that and at least make something that I felt was a classic than I wouldn’t be doing myself or the music industry any justice. I tried to dig deep and go back to the natural live sounds.”
Led by the first single ‘Oh No,’ the album is only a sampling of the music that the youngest of the Debarge family of singers recorded during the six years he was off the music scene.
“I recorded maybe four albums and I just got in the groove last year of knowing what I w
anted this to be and what I was feeling and how to express it musically as well as vocally. It kind of just birthed and it happened naturally so I feel comfortable to release it,” he disclosed.
This CD reunites Debarge with music executive Kedar Massenburg, who released the singer’s biggest selling albums ‘Long Time No See’ and ‘The Game.’
“Actually, it was an attractive deal and it allowed me to not go backwards. It was more of a step up situation because going back would mean going back to the same predicament between the artist and the label. He offered me an attractive deal which meant that I could have my label and basically benefit me as a shareholder. It’s a joint venture. Joe is with Kedar too. Just being back with the team was attractive, not just the monetary. It’s something that I’ve been wanting to do for a long time and for it to happen like this is a blessing,” he concluded.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:47 am