In this interview with music legend Alexander O’Neal, I had the opportunity to get an insight into the man behind the music. Alexander talks about his new album ‘Alex Loves’, the current music scene and key issues in life today.

Ebonyonline: Tell us about your new album ‘Alex Loves’ on which, for the first time, you cover other people’s songs?

Alex: I’ve always been a very diverse artist. I like all kinds of music and there are some projects I’ve wanted to achieve before I step down from my career.
Every so often one hears a great song that they wish they had recorded themselves, and that’s how I felt about Take That’s ‘A million love songs’ for example, which is one of the songs on the album. And so putting this album together has been a good challenge for me, I can say it’s something different and I’m pleased with it.

Ebonyonline: Do you have any favourite songs on the new album that mean more to you than songs you just heard and liked?

Alex: I’d say ‘Always and Forever.’ It had been a classic song, before I even dreamt of having a record deal and it was a great honour to have the opportunity to sing it, and I put a lot into it. I’m feeling good about it and I enjoyed doing it. I’d also say ‘We’re on our way’ is another favourite track of mine.
 
Ebonyonline: What have been your musical influences throughout your life?

Alex: Nat King Cole comes to mind when I think of my first influence, as this is the type of artist my mother used to listen to. But growing up I didn’t really steer toward a musical career, as for one thing; I was too shy to sing. But I’d say my family were another influence on my musical career to come. Also James Brown was the first record I ever bought and I eventually did my 1st paying gig at nine years old, after much encouragement from my friends.

Ebonyonline: Are there any artists that have recently surfaced that you admire or are into, and what’s your take on the current music scene in general?

Alex: I’m very proud of Mary J Blige, not just for her talent, but also for what she has achieved in her personal life and how she’s been very candid about things, sending messages through her songs.

Unfortunately, on the other hand, I think there are many artists out there doing a lot of great things performance-wise, but not using the platform that they have to perpetuate good things within our communities, and it’s a vicious cycle. 
Also a lot of the time nothing substantial is really being said through their songs and the content is totally negative. And it’s this lack of taking responsibility for what’s said, and our communities that really does hurt me about our race, and the fact that we don’t always take care of each other.

You also have kids emulating artists that are uneducated and displaying ignorance, and so are now saying ‘ If he didn’t finish school and this is where he is today, I can take the same route.’ But what they do not understand is that maybe singing or rapping is not their calling - everybody can’t be a singer or a rapper. You have to find out what it is that God has planned for you.

But it is hard to totally hate on these artists, because often they come from nothing and are themselves being exploited by the music industry. But I just wish they’d take more responsibility, especially with gangster rap, rather than wondering why young girls are dressing the way that they do and why there are so many teen pregnancies in our communities. It’s because these kids are doing what they see.
Really, it’s just unfortunate to see some artists continually perpetuating the same ignorance, whilst being pimped and exploited to the maximum.
 
All in all, truly, it begins with parents providing a good upbringing of correct morals and values, along with discipline and guidance. It’s all much deeper than the time we have to talk about it, but it is a reality.

Ebonyonline: You’ve had a great musical career, and left some timeless songs. Where do you see yourself going from here?

Alex: I think it depends on God’s plans for me. I have a plan for my career, and it involves doing some focused work. But everything is coming full circle, and seeing fans of all ages consider me as a legend, and to have them feel that I’ve earned that status is a nice thing that makes me want to push on, keep going and live up to it. And so generally, I just try to be the best person I can be everyday, whilst maintaining my relationship with God.

What I present is tangible. You can know me, touch me as a person and I’m real like that. (But I think that some people misconstrue my availability with something else, and they are not balancing the scales with what I’ve achieved.) But still, I choose to deal with people and take time with them, I’m consistent, and it’s this approach that has got me by in the music industry.

Ebonyonline: Is there any person or group that you’d like to collaborate with?

Alex: At the risk of sounding arrogant, I’d say there’s nobody that I’m really set on collaborating with. Because I’d have to figure out why I would want to do it – would it be a business move or because I like them etc
There are people out there that I admire though, and if by chance we happen to work together, then that’s great too. But I still say that such a move would be in God’s hands, like everything else.

Ebonyonline: You’re respected as a singer, and seen as a positive role model for many aspiring music artists and people generally, and so what final words do you have for Ebonyonline readers from your philosophy on life?

Alex: Just try to be the best the person you can be everyday and keep your eyes open for what God has for you.