Interview: Chrisette Michele - Singer, Songwriter and Producer - Page 4

I'm not really sure how much experience you have had with spoken word, but you included three pieces on the last few pages of your liner notes. You also taped live performances of each for your special-edition DVD.

What did you think of that?

Oh, I liked it! [laughing] I think that a lot of people haven't been exposed to spoken word outside of Slam and Def Comedy Jam, so it was a nice surprise. Over the years, spoken word hasn't really gotten the love and shine that it deserves, so it was a really interesting addition to your CD. What kind of background experience do you have with the spoken word artform?

I was petrified, because I have a lot of experience listening to people do spoken word and being in different lounges and cafes hearing it in New York. But I was afraid. I wanted to make sure I had all the right inflections. Spoken word is a lot like singing. You got to say something high right here or low when you get to the next part and if you don't do that right, nobody's going to feel it. I wanted to make sure I was doing it right, you know? I wanted to make sure I had enough metaphors in them. I was nervous. I do pay respect to everybody who's come before me. I'm just glad that this experience came to me. I've been doing it for awhile. 

I really liked "Appreciate Someone." What was the inspiration behind that one?

It's just what I call ABWS – Angry Black Woman Syndrome. It's a syndrome that we take into our relationships based on past relationships. A lot of times we are so upset with how we've been treated that we're afraid to treat our next love with what we want them to treat us with. Rubbing a man's feet is something that we're afraid to talk about it; it's kind of embarrassing. I just wanted to be the one who put it out there, that it's okay to be in a relationship with a lot of love and a lot of respect and let other people know about it. I don't think black men get the respect and appreciation that they should in society.

One black man that you identify as your "humble hero," in your liner notes, is your father. In fact, you state: "Thank you for giving up mom to the business and holding it down while she was away." What experiences led you to write those words?

Article Author: Clayton Perry

Clayton Perry's mission parallels that of John Hope Franklin, Marcus Garvey and Carter G. Woodson. As the founder of the NUBIANO Project, Perry facilitates the design of projects that give voice to the Black diaspora, empower the Black community, …

Visit Clayton Perry's author page — Clayton Perry's Blog