Urban Grandstand Digital: That actually answers my next question too, which basically was what you felt you offered that was missing in music these days…..
Andre Pitre: We’ve gotten away from talking about love. I have respect for all genres of music, but when you listen to the radio, there’s not enough love anymore, and that’s why we’re having a lot of issues with relationships because music is what we go to for our answers. If you want to get in the mood, and get closer to God, you listen o that certain Gospel song, but when you want to hear that love song, it’s not too many of us newcomers, or even the R&B generation now, you have them but they don’t get the airplay they need. Somebody I really admire, and I think he’s incredible, is Tank.
Urban Grandstand Digital: Man. It’s crazy you mention that. I was saying the same thing, and I’ve been following him since the Aaliyah days. He’s done so much in his career. You would think at this point people would recognize. Then I covered the BET awards this summer, and he was there wit TGT. The show was absolutely awesome. He puts so much work into it that I don’t see why some people just aren’t getting it.
Andre Pitre: Man, he has one of those albums with “Sex Love & Pain”. It’s one of those albums where you press play and the album is like wow. I met him a few times, and we’re always playing basketball and softball with whom I call the fraternity members of the industry. He’s just an all around good guy. That’s the kind of music that’s missing. The Anthony Hamiltons and Tyreses. This is the essence of R&B. This generation and what they think is R&B is different. To me, R&B is when you feel good listening, It’s not just the production, but it’s the story behind it. What are you telling this woman? It’s straight to let me hit that. It’s none of this let me take you out. When you listen to them old school songs, Lenny Williams is a good friend of mine and like a mentor. We did a production together. It’s just amazing that the song he did, people still sing it like it just came out. “Because I Love You”. That’s a legendary song. I just admire him. He still has that energy. This man is almost 70 years old and he has a tone that stands the test of time. Watching Frankie Beverly & Maze. I opened for him a few times, and it’s just amazing to see those guys. They haven’t put out a song since I’ve been living, and they still sell out. I really had a chance to appreciate them more this summer. I did a show with them new years eve, but this summer I did a show with my band. Just to watch these guys, and they gave us some great feedback. To have them give us that kind of feedback meant a lot. Every night, they give that same energy. That’s what I look forward to. 50 years from now, I want people still singing Come On Baby.
Urban Grandstand: What would you say the biggest thing was you’ve learned from the likes of Frankie Beverly& Maze, and Lenny Williams?
Andre Pitre: Humility. If I can sum it up in one word, Humility. Professionalism. These guys are legends for a reason, and they didn’t become legends overnight. They stood the test of time. Not too many artists can stand the test of time. They come out a month or two and you never hear from them again. They depend on the machine to keep it going. If you have it, it’s no denying it. It can’t be taken away. R. Kelly is another one. This dude is a genius. You can’t deny it. Beyoncé. People that are still here, it’s a reason why every time they drop an album, it’s no miss. They keep raising the bar.
Urban Grandstand Digital: Before we end, I also want you to touch on some of the community work you've done in terms of camps, programs for kids, and so on
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