Video Interview: Lloyd - Making Waves

His album's first single "Southside," featuring R&B; "princess" Ashanti took a minute to garner listeners, but once it rose it became a staple on both BET's Midnight Love and 106 & Park, as well as the oh-so-elusive TRL.

VIBE.com recently caught up with Lloyd, who had tons to say about the music game and his place in the industry.

You stated in a previous article "that there's a lot of cornball activity in music right now." How do you feel your album's music differs from that "cornballactivity?"

I feel like being 18, I do discuss a lot of topics that will turn some heads. A lot of guys that first come in the game take more of a "pop/bubble gum route," but I'm not sugar coating nothing for nobody. And I definitely think y'all gonna' get that feel when you listen to the album.

I know L.A. Reid was originally supposed to be in charge of packaging your album. How did you fall into the hands of The Inc.'s Irv Gotti?

Well, L.A. flew me up to N.Y., and right before I was supposed to meet with L.A. I snuck up and met Irv. When I met Irv, I played this record called "Hey Young Girl," and when I played the track for him and we got the opportunity to talk and get to know each other - the passion Irv gave me really made me feel he believed in me a 110%. And that alone is what made me want to go with The Inc.

Why do you think The Inc. is a good label for you, seeing as how there is no real established male R&B; act?

I just feel like I'm where I belong right now, I have my own space. I'm the only male R&B; act, I'm the youngest member being 18, and the only member from Atlanta. I really feel like I'm in my own league a little bit. I have a lot of room to do what I feel. As an artist, there's not a lot more I can ask for right now - I'm free!

Coming from Atlanta, how do you feel about the whole Crunk phenomenon? Do you think it's taking the attention off the hot R&B; acts?

Well, I feel like its been a long time coming. Being from the South, we've always been our own entity - that third coast. It took us a minute to even earn our respect, but it's well due. There's so much talent coming from Atlanta, just the south in general, and I know the best is yet to come.

What are some of your favorite tracks on the album?

Favorite tracks on the album? "My Life." Everytime I hear "My Life" I just have to stop. It makes me reflect on what I've been through. My Pop was killed when I was real young. Through that whole experience it made me grow up a lot faster, made me a man a lot quicker. It's made me who I am today. That song really touches my soul.

How was working with Ashanti on the album's first single?

"Bon". That's my girl! Everytime I'm with Ashanti or with Ru or Gotti, the energy that we feed each other is crazy. I really feel like she helps me get through a lot of things being a new face. Seeing as how she's already made her rounds, whenever I'm in the booth with "Bon" I have to bring my A- game. I definitely like living up to a challenge like that. "Bon-Bizzy" whad'up girl!

With Ja Rule appearing in the Southside video, has the backlash he's been receiving from the public and the media affected your thoughts on how to approach your career?

Nah, not at all. That doesn't have anything to do with me - I'm from Atlanta. I got my own thing going on right now, But Ja, that's my brother I'll ride or die for Ja. On his new album he really took it back to square one. He's making those big records. I think Ru has already proven his self so many times in the game, so he's chilling right now. Believe that. Whad'up Ru?"

To be a successful artist in today's music game, style is very important, what differentiates your style from all the other male R&B; vocalists?

I'm not trying to be like anyone else. There's a lot of prototypes in the game; people trying to walk in other people's footsteps. When people go to the right, I go to the left - I make my own path. It's the best of both worlds with me. I have a lot on the album for the ladies. But I do have another side of me, I rolls with the best of them. I got tracks for the fellas who going through it who still out on these streets doing what they got to do to survive. So, I definitely try to incorporate that. - something for the ladies and something for the fellas.

I have one last question, if I gave you a five-CD disc changer what would you put in it?

Ja Rule new album, Ashanti new album, Lil, Wayne, Coldplay, and Esthero - this chick from Canada - she's like a mix between Sade and Bjork.

Click on one of the clips to watch portions of the Vibe.com interview with Lloyd...