understand the language I was using to speak to the audience. She does Soul and R&B. We came up with the concept. It was a challenge because she was still in college and could only record when she came home. I was trying to release by Valentine’s Day. We finally got it recorded, and the song was very popular. The younger generation really grabbed onto it too. A lot of kids are in love today, and it was a perfect love song for the season. What better way to tell the person you love.
U.G. Digital Mag: A lot has to do with the overall sound of your music. I can’t say enough how much I love it. Anybody listening can tell you put in a lot of work. It’s very polished, and people look for that. A lot of younger people are understanding where music comes from, and they are digging deeper. In that respect they can appreciate you.
Xavier Keyz: There will come a time that R&B comes back. History repeats itself.
U.G. Digital Mag: I don’t even think it has gone anywhere. I just think that a lot of artists lack the skill and knowledge when it comes to promotion. They’ve lost the ethic and don’t work the projects the right way. You have some artists who do big numbers, and make really good music. People like Tyrese, and especially Tank. Things are moving in the right direction.
Xavier Keyz: Absolutely. R&B isn’t dead, it just doesn’t get pushed like before. Being that it’;s not being pushed, and the labels gear it more toward commercialization, the labels are in competition.
U.G. Digital Mag: So what is the answer to rebuild?
Xavier Keyz: The answer is better publicity. Get it in front of more people, and really work to boost it more. I speak for everyone, and no just me. Tyrese spoke a lot about R&B not being pushed, and not being on Top 40 stations, and the more people hear the sound the better it will do. If it’s properly promoted, it will do well.
U.G. Digital Mag: I would like to see music get to a point where artists take the reigns and do everything themselves. Tyrese made it clear that when you’re not getting that support, you should get to a point that you can do it yourself. You know what needs to be done, so you should be able to make it happen.
Xavier Keyz: I agree with that. Why would you want someone else calling the shots? You want to have those creative wants. I love being independent because I can put out what I want, when I want. You have to learn your core audience. That’s one of the things I was scared about. I would always ask how to figure that out. But over time, you learn.
U.G. Digital Mag: What are your plans now that the album has been out there, and it’s doing well?
Xavier Keyz: I just got off a promotional tour. I try to record ahead of time so I can have off time.
U.G. Digital Mag: It’s funny how when you follow your passion, there’s never really off days, but it still isn’t work.
Xavier Keyz: Right. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.
U.G. Digital Mag: So you’re recoding new material for sure. The tour you just finished, how did you decided where to go?
Xavier Keyz: My manager handled most of it. Some of the shows were really good, and some were lacking in terms of crowd. You have to get used to that when you’re building your audience. The shows get bigger and bigger. I’m currently recording for the next album. I’ve also started looking for producers for the next album. People ask why i record this way, but I do it so I can space things out like I want.
U.G. Digital Mag: I think it makes sense. I know many artists who work that way. You can ultimately take time away as you need.
Xavier Keyz: I’m putting together a timeline for everything, but new music will be on the way.
U.G. Digital Mag: What’s the biggest lesson from everything?