Interview: Ginuwine - Singer and Songwriter

When Ginuwine made his grand appearance on the musical stage, the world was smitten by "Pony," his provocative, Timbaland-assisted smash. And for more than a decade, Ginuwine's adoring fans have watched him evolve through his private emotional battles as he coped with the death of his parents ("Two Reasons I Cry"), transitioned from bachelorhood into the married life ("Differences"), and dealt with public life in the spotlight ("Same Ol' G").

Although he has five gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums to his credit, Ginuwine's influence on contemporary R&B has been largely underrated. In fact, many of the genre's younger artists have incorporated elements of his video performance into their acts — dancing, singing and serenading, all at one time.

On June 2, 2009, Ginuwine will release his sixth studio through Notifi Records, with distribution being handled by Warner Brother Records. In preparation for the release of A Man's Thoughts, Ginuwine managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on fatherhood, "Last Chance," and The Life.

In June 2009, you are set to release your sixth studio album, A Man's Thoughts. With four years passing, since your last release, I'm curious to know about the life events that served as inspiration for the title.

There's not necessarily a particular event but more so the growth with me as an artist and me as a man. It just was inspired with a level of maturity that I want people to identify when they hear this CD which is totally different from '96 when I first came out. There are things now that I look at in life that are totally different than I used to when I first came out. Pretty much it's a title that will show people that follow me, have been following me, that knew me from back in the day just telling a growth period, just showing me in a different light, a positive light still but just growth really. 

How has marriage and fatherhood helped you become "the best man you could be?"

I'm in a different light and apply things in my life differently than I would as a single man or a young dude that doesn't have any kids. Now I realize and see the effect of the things that I do on not only my kids but kids in general. Not like back in the day when I'd just like to do it and I do it. Now, it's more like, "What is the drawback of this? How else can this be perceived if I do this?" Taking on a marriage and fatherhood definitely had me view things differently in life. I think it's a good thing always because when you're an adolescent, you're young and you don't view things the way your parents view them, you know what I'm saying? That's pretty much it with that. 

Article Author: Clayton Perry

Over the past few years, Clayton Perry has interviewed some of the BIGGEST entertainers in music, film and television. Check out his digital archive with 180+ definitive conversation pieces.

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