Chico DeBarge

Posted by Jawn Murray on Nov 6th 2008 2:12AM
Filed under: BV Buzz, Entertainment

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By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Chico Debarge

Soul crooner Chico DeBarge is readying his return to music scene.

The youngest of the DeBarge family of singers, the 42-year-old vocalist (whose full name is Jonathan Arthur DeBarge) has inked a new deal with Kedar Entertainment and his forthcoming album, 'Addicted' is slated for release early next year.

In preparation for his sixth CD, DeBarge phoned me from Chicago, where he now resides, and we had an incredibly candid conversation about his family, his previous relationship with Nona Gaye, drug addiction and his troubles with the law.

So you're back in business with Kedar Entertainment, where you released your previous albums 'Long Time No See' and 'The Game.' How did that happen?

Actually, it was an attractive deal and it allowed me to not go backwards. It was more of a step up situation because going back would mean going back to the same predicament between the artist and the label. He offered me an attractive deal which meant that I could have my label and basically benefit me as a shareholder. It's a joint venture. Joe is with Kedar too. Just being back with the team was attractive, not just the monetary. It's something that I've been wanting to do for a long time and for it to happen like this is a blessing.

It has been five years since you released your independent CD, 'Free,' on Koch Entertainment. Why so long?

When you hear this album, you'll hear that I took my time. I could've released a single, but it seems like the radio kept changing so drastically. I wanted to see where I could be felt because I've already released an album that was a feel type of album that had a lot of sensuality to it and it was a sound. If I didn't stay on that and at least make something that I felt was a classic tChico Debargehan I wouldn't be doing myself or the music industry any justice. I tried to dig deep and go back to the natural live sounds. The topic matter is very important because this is very edgy and very true to what I've been through in life. It's a storybook as well, but it's not beating you up with the story.

Were you recording continuously during your five year hiatus?

I recorded maybe four albums and I just got in the groove last year of knowing what I wanted this to be and what I was feeling and how to express it musically as well as vocally. It kind of just birthed and it happened naturally so I feel comfortable to release it at the top of the year on February 22, 2009. Spring will be coming and love will be in the air. I love people being in love so I'll be able to smile.

How do you balance being a parent in the music business ?

It's very hard and I used to feel bad because my relationship with my kids used to be telephonically. I realized that if you need to do that telephonically and the little times that you do have you need to spend that with your children. That's all I had to give because I was giving to them in another area. Sometimes you have to sacrifice. Hopefully, with me being a businessman I'll be able to sit back and take a break with just the kids and watch them sprout up and blossom.

And how many kids do you have now?

I have 6 kids and they range from ages 20, 14, 13, 11, 10 and 3.

You dated actress Nona Gaye for a while. Tell me about that.

I was with Nona, we had a relationship. It kind of ended about a year and a half ago. That wasn't a good thing, but it had to end for my health's sake. It wasn't good for either one of us. We weren't good for each other.

It was around the time you were with her that you battled with substance abuse, right?

Around 2003 I had gotten stabbed and laid low for a while because there was a lot of chaos surrounding that. I got addicted to the painkillers that I was prescribed. As a result of that, I went into a tailspin. I got addicted and then I got more addicted to street drugs like heroin and it was a hell of a battle. It was a rough battle. It's something that I want to talk about because I don't want to hide it. I want it to be a message. You can take your mess and make it a message. When I told you about the CD, I wanted to reveal everything that I've been through. I don't want to just come off as a celebrity. I'm a person that's normal and in the streets and deals with everyday life like everyboChico Debargedy else. I deal with the demons in my life just like everybody else.

So much of your life you have shared in both your music and in interviews. Is it hard being that open with people and do you worry about what people's perception of your honesty will be?

I used to. I battled with that because I wasn't really confident with who I was. I needed people to validate, approve and affirm who I was at that point and I think that's what kept me on shaky ground. It kept me guessing and waking up each morning trying to hide from me, from the wor - Black Voices Buzz

have long forgiven Chico DeBarge for bringing to the general public these examples of hair "juicyness" and midriff-baring outfits. It was the 1980s after all, and besides, he returned from jail in the '90s with a smash of a record that was Long Time No See. The number of jams on that album were nearly endless. After taking a five-year hiatus from recording--an ocean of time in the music industry--Chico is back with a new album, Addiction, coming next month. In short, the album's first single "Oh No" is the business. It's one of those songs that you'll listen to over and over again because...it's grown. And it's real R&B, not a computerized attack on your eardrums by a self-obsessed moron. "Oh No" can be purchased from iTunes, and the full album will be released July 14th. Can't wait.

- Soul Bounce Magazine

JimShoes interview with Chico Debarge live at the holiday inn. Dominique Rawls of Jimshoes Entertainment caught up with Chico to interview him about his music, life, magazine and what the furture holds for him.

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