girl blue sees the light.: OTLC

Esperanza Spalding is back again, this time with her newest contribution, Radio Music Society. It’s not exactly what you’d expect coming from the pouffy bristled singer, but let’s say the name says it all.

While this is an album sporting more popular and R&B influences, and contribution in production from Q-Tip, one couldn’t help but notice the conflation—songs about the news, the ups and downs of that old four letter word, and the personification of a cinnamon tree show Esperanza’s versatility. She could’ve crooned “Strange Fruit” on this album, too, if she wanted to, but amidst the shock value is a purity that only Esperanza can deliver.

Do you want to know what to expect when Radio Music Society drops on Tuesday, March 20? And/Or you want to LISTEN to the album yourself and get your two cents in? Those two things for you after the jump….. Flick that switch and read on.

@EstelleDarlings @AtlanticRecords

All of the fans who have been waiting for Estelle to drop All of Me in the US are officially satiated today, as the London-bred singer drops her latest album on Atlantic Records. When GBSTL caught up with Estelle a few weeks ago, we had a chat about the album, the fans waiting impatiently, and her international appeal. Read below.

Q: So how does it feel to have your album All Of Me come out after all this time?
A: It feels like, Jesus is on the main line, tell him what you want! Nah I’m joking. It feels good!

Q: We’ve been waiting for you.
A: I know. I was getting cursed out regularly on Twitter. People show their love in different ways, and a lot of the love was like, “You’re just a one hit wonder! When is your album coming out?” And I was like, “You’re just gonna shade me and love me in the same wave?” I’m a one hit wonder, where is my record, what do I say? Um, you know what? I take my time because I feel like, it affects people’s lives when I talk. It affects people’s lives when you speak and when you say things. This is something that goes into the universe and it gets played again, and again, and again and it can’t be wack, it can’t be fake. It can’t be, you know. And I’m thankful that I have a catalogue so I can just be like, hold this, hold for the love. Hold these mixtapes until the full package is ready. I’m thankful for that.

Q: What would you say All Of Me is about? It’s about falling in and out of love…
A: In and out of love, in and out of friendships, this is who the hell I am…and just becoming more a woman, becoming more a human, becoming more vulnerable. You know no one ever saw me be sad, ever, in my entire career on a record. I was the super positive tough girl. My management team was like, “You cry. We know you cry.” And I was like, “What? Where? Who told you that?” And the day I did they were like “FML she really cries!” Because I’m so positive, I believe there’s no reason to waste tears when you can find a way through it. There’s some days where, and I’m first to admit this, there’s some days where a good cry solves everything.

Q: When is the last time you cried?
A: Ooh a couple of days ago. [At my birthday] I had dinner with my team, and they got up and said speeches about me, and I was like “Is this my wedding? What are you guys talking about, what happened?" It was a moment. It was beautiful to hear good stuff about yourself when you’re not used to hearing it. And you're not used to people telling you it and believing them. And everyone else that has told you it never meant it. It was amazing. I was head down like, “Yo, you’re fucking up my make-up!”

Q: Can you talk about some of the features on your album? Rick Ross…
A: Rick Ross and Janelle Monáe are the main features. Chris Brown and Trey Songz are on a song called “International.” I love those two guys! They’re so young, they’re so amazing, and they’re growing into young men. I just love that about them. This world is hard. What they do isn’t easy. What we do isn’t easy. It seems it, but it isn’t. I’ve been watching them from [wen they were] babies. Mr. “I don’t wanna leave…” Mr. “Hey Girl [Excuse Me Miss]” Chris Brown’s first song to where he’s at now and where Trey is now, I respect that. And then to see them in places where I’m at. Like I’m an international artist. To see them pop up in Japan when I’m there and Australia where I’m there, it’s dope. It’s like, they’re getting it. I'm proud of them. The song is called “International” and [on it,] we’re just being cocky bastards. We're just talking about being everywhere at once, getting our life endorsements. It's hella fun!

Q: You are truly international now. Where do you reside now?
A: In between New York, and LA.

Q: What would you say is the biggest difference between LA and New York, and London?
A: It’s 24 hours out here. LA is actually slower. It’s closer to London in pace. New York is 24 hours. You guys have something going on every minute of every day. Literally!

Q: What time do stores close in London?
A: Like 12 AM, 1 AM. That’s like a late store. Everyone goes home and cooks and chills and hangs out. When I’m in town my people get upset. They’re like, “You’re going out every night?” And I’m like, “Yes! I’m going out every night!”

Estelle’s album, All Of Me, is in stores in the US now (and in the UK? March 12).