Meant2B

Under the guidance of an entrepreneurial young manager, Meant2B is making their mark on the R&B scene throughout the midwest. Through a combination of hard work and natural ability, these young men have managed to come a long way in a relatively short time, and are garnering major label attention. If a group's ability to sing a capella holds any indication of talent, a recent performance has convinced this interviewer that Meant2B is for real.

(Ezo was not present at interview)

LOUD: What type of group is Meant2B?

SNOOPY: Meant2B is an R&B group. We do ballads. We do club songs. We write about life experiences.

LOUD: The name Meant2B suggests fate. How did fate play a role in the forming of the group?

TRE': We chose the name Meant2B because all of us come from different places and different backgrounds. I came from Omaha, Nebraska; Dele came from Norman, Oklahoma; Ahmad came from Kileen, Texas;Eric from Davenport, Iowa; we all happened to meet up at UCO (University of Central Oklahoma).

LOUD: How long have you guys been together as a group?

DELE: We've been together for two years.

LOUD: Do you remember your first performance?

TRE': Our first performance was at a wedding. We sang Jagged Edge "Let's Get Married," and she had about 50 bride's maids, so we sang the song over and over and over.

DELE: Our voices were getting hoarse, and our throats were drying out, and we didn't have anything to drink, just-- (singing) meet me at the alter--over and over again, it was funny.

SNOOPY: The first real stage performance we had was at Will Rogers, opening up for Melvin Riley. It was kinda cool. I remember we were in the back, we were praying right before we got ready to go on, trying to calm our nerves and get everything ready. It was a real wild experience.

DELE; Yeah, and we had matching outfits, which we'll never do again (group laughing). Never match again. We just, we match in color. We don't do everything all N'Sync; thats not cool to me; (laughs) it's not cool.

LOUD: Now you guys are doing some pretty big shows. Who have you opened for?

DELE: We opened for JaRule, Tank, Amanda Perez, we sang the national anthem for the Lakers game, Melvin Riley, Candyman, Color Me Badd, Joe. We also sang the National antem at Redhawks and Blazers games and we do our own shows...there probably more, we just can't remember.

LOUD: What would you say was the best show?

SNOOPY: For me, personally, I would say the best show was the Amanda Perez show, because we did some new things, incorporated some new choreography into the show; it was just a well balanced show; we were together vocally and we had the best crowd response ever.

LOUD: How have the audiences responded to you overall?

DELE: A lot of pulling and grabbing and trying to take us off the stage, mostly the females. I'm not saying the guys are grabbing, the guys are in the background nodding their heads.

SNOOPY: In Oklahoma City the crowds don't always take well at first; they have to sit there and listen to you for a little bit, then when they realize,hey,they're kinda good, you know, they start warming up to us, and it's real cool.

LOUD: How often do you guys rehearse?

SNOOPY: Usually we try to rehearse twice a week. But when a show is coming up, like two weeks before a show, we hit it hard.

LOUD: Competition is fierce for record deals. What's unique about Meant2B? Why should a record label sign you?

DELE: Everyone in the group has individual talents; we all have vocal ability, we all can dance, there's not one person over shining another. It's basically a blend of great talent.

TRE': We have the ambition and the drive to succeed; a record label would be signing someone who can make them some money.

SNOOPY: I think what sets us apart from other groups is that we could put out a group album and then any one of us could come out with a solo album. Also, we're learning other aspects of the business; we're not just sticking to singing. We all have the capability to write original material, and we can produce. We're multi-dimensional.

LOUD: What was the name of the single they have been playing on Wild 97.9?

DELE: It was called "Back-Up Plan."

LOUD: What was that like? Hearing yourselves on the radio.

DELE: It was crunk (laughs).

TRE: It was very exiciting. It's always been a dream of mine, and it came true. Hopefully, that' just the beginning.

SNOOPY: It was real cool for me. I was coming out of Wal-Mart and I was in my car, and , when I heard it, I just started screaming like in the movie "Five Heartbeats."

LOUD: What would be your dream show? If you could open for anyone who would it be?

SNOOPY: I would love to do a show with Usher. He puts on a great show. The best show would be B2K opening up, then us, then Usher, then Missy Elliot or Jay-Z or somebody.

TRE': My dream show would be Jennifer Lopez. Enough said.

DELE: I'd have to agree with that J-Lo, but, the coldest artist out there, he might be going through some problems right now, is Michael Jackson. I would open up for Michael Jackson.

LOUD: Do you have girlfriends?

Meant2B: no comment

LOUD: Closing comments?

SNOOPY: I'd tell everyone to keep looking out for us; I think that you'll like what you hear.

TRE': I appreciate all that everybody has done, and I hope they support us in the future. Much love.

DELE: I just want to thank everybody for giving us their time, and the arena for us to be able to do this , to develop our talents, and, basically, it comes down to giving us the chance to...what was the question again? (group laugh)
- LOUD magazine / written by: Rob Crissenger