Oh, wow! Having worked with such legendary producers, what do you consider to be the biggest professional lesson that you learned from them?
The one really big lesson is just to always be myself. I think that's something that's a lot easier said than done when you're in the music industry. A lot of times you have to do things that you may otherwise not be so comfortable with musically if you had everything your way. But one thing that working with them has taught me is that it's always your way. At the end of the day, the only person I have to answer for a failed attempt or a successful release is me. So they were absolutely correct.
In comparison to some of your previous work, you took a bigger role on the songwriting side.
A bigger role on the songwriting side, a bigger role in picking the overall tone of the album…I was involved from beginning to end, every step in making the album from the packaging to the photo, everything. If this album succeeds, it will be because the team that we put together has worked hard. I have worked hard as well, you know what I mean? I believe that people have actually noticed the difference in me personally and in my work.
Well, a great deal has transpired in your personal life, including your marriage to Surata Zuri McCants. Since Love Is has been dedicated to your wife, what have you found love to really be?
In the beginning, I wanted to name the album Love and Inspiration but the record company felt that the title made it seem like it was a Gospel record. Since I had released a Gospel record two albums prior, I understood their reservations with that because every song on this album other than "I Can't Help It" – that was just a fun work – I felt a spiritual connection with the song. I felt like – especially with me just getting married last June – this was an album that married people or anybody that's truly in love would listen to these songs and feel that when I'm singing, I'm singing because I'm truly in love with somebody. You know, the Bible talks about love in 1 John 4:7-8, it says "Love one another because love is of God." Everything that God is is love. The title is inspired by love and that's especially why I chose that title.
Article comments
1 - carmel
Truly wonderful article. Thank you.
2 - Fan of Ruben
Thank you for such a great article.
3 - Mary
I am so glad you are back with a new cd. I love to hear you sing. I work until the early hours of the morning and every morning, I play Shout to the Lord..Ruben, you are truly an ambassador from Birmingham. You brought the town together during season 2. What I love about your voice is that you are smooth and have such a loving quality when you sing...You are a blessing.