Cornfed's Corner: Trina Broussard on Surviving Motown (Pt. 2)

Welcome to the ear of the people, the ear of soul, the Cornfed's Corner.

Last week, we Cornfed Campers took a Gen X stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about the cult film classic, Love Jones, and its accompanying soundtrack of twenty-something Black Bo-ugie-hemia. Shortly after discovering that the iconic film and score of my youth is now 11 years old, I took a look in the mirror to investigate how those 11 hung on my mug. Shortly after I picked myself up off the floor, I wiped a nostalgic tear from my eyes and mysteriously found myself at a MAC counter in search of miracle cures.

Spotting a sales girl, I offered pleading eyes and silently pointed to my mug. Giving me a quick once over, the Botox Barbie sadly shook her head as though I'd come much, much too late, poor thing. "You need everyt'ing, every'ting," is what her Miss Swann impression said, but her upturned lip of putrid smells said "Chile, please, this ain't alchemy we doin' over here." Sensing her skepticism about my commitment, I opened my palms of Visa Gold and in my best Oliver, quoted Regina Belle, "Make it like it was." Botox Barbie stocked me up with an assortment of masks, toners, moisturizers and something she suspiciously termed "concealer." Sensing I was treading into RuPaul territory, I informed her that, while desperate, I was not yet ready to appear as a replacement tenor for the Deele. "Nobody's will know; just a little dab around the eyes to refreshen and restore!" the MAC Nazi conspiratorially whispered.

Realizing that I was now a reconstruction project akin to the restoration of the Sistine Chapel, I paid in full. Of course, I didn't use the make-up-"cough"-concealer. No, no, the greasy fresh face you see above came after a decade of anxious anticipation finally lifted off my worry lines, after one magically satisfying listen to Trina Broussard's original debut, the ten-years shelved, Inside My Love. Thanks to the UK's Expansion Records' fortitude and David Nathan's music store, you too can be soothed and lulled into believing you're young and "restored" again through this soul classic we've been waiting for. And apparently Trina's not done offering more antidotes for aging souls. But, I'll let her tell ya'll all that. Now, grab a votive, fill that flute with bubbly and get yo' classy self corn-fed. 

Intimate Moment on IM: Trina Broussard

Last week: In Part One, Trina discussed surviving SoSo Def Records and her loyalty to Jermaine Dupri. Check it out!

C.C.: So, even after So So Def shelved you (Inside My Love) and you found yourself working in retail. You never gave up. Through the storm, you were an actively working supporting vocalist and then Same Girl came out on Motown to critical acclaim. But it seemed like the project wasn't promotionally supported by the label. I heard some of the producers on Same Girl weren't even aware that it had dropped when it did. What happened?

Trina: When I signed with Motown things in the industry were really changing. There was not a lot of love from the label. But I can say I met some great people who were really trying to make some things happen for me, but there were things that were beyond their control. That situation only made my determination stronger!

C.C.: So, are you through fooling with the majors after so many mishandlings?

Trina: Yes! I'm doing it independent.

C.C.:  LOLOL, I hear yah. How was it to work with such A-list producers like Commissioner Gordon (Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse) and Raphael Saadiq on Same Girl? And how is it that you always ended up surrounded by such A-list talent, Ms. Trina?

Trina: I always try to surround myself with the best. It can only make you better! It was an honor to work with Gordon in the studio!!! We've had some great moments and some of the funniest stories to tell while recording. He was like my Fairy Godfather in the studio! Mr. Saadiq = a dream come true!

C.C.:  I bet they just love them some Trina too. LOL. Okay, so after all that SoSo Def grief, your original debut album, Inside My Love, got released this year. How did it finally get released and did you know it was coming out?

Trina: Yes, Ralph Tee from Expansion Records in the UK told me he was going to be releasing it when I was in the UK last Nov touring with Rahsaan. Ralph and I kept in touch and he made it happen!

C.C.:  Now are you making money off of this venture or is it just about finally getting the album out there?

Trina: Yes, I'm making money off of this project!

C.C.: So folks need to go out and cop Inside, so we can keep Trina on the stage where she belongs. No mo retail for our star! LOL.

Trina: Thank you! I got love for everybody who works retail. It takes a lot to appease customers! RESPECTFULLY!!! LOL

CC: LMAO. Lots of folks have commented on how timely the material still feels nine years after it was originally recorded. Does the album's critical success feel like a vindication of sorts?

Trina: I'm grateful people feel that way about the music feeling or seeming to be timeless. That has always been my mission to record what I hope would be good, timeless music.

C.C.: What has kept Trina continuing to push forward after so many close calls to the stardom your talent deserves? And what's next for you?

Trina: The gift is from God, himself! The moments when I'm able to perform live and give back to my fans and get love from them as well is priceless. My faith, family and friends keep me going. The next step for me is releasing a new CD and gearing up to do some live shows with it!

C.C.: Life of a Libra is the next album, titled after your sun sign. Who is on the production side of Libra and what can fans expect from you? You're not going all John Legend electronic on us? Or are yah? I know you been hangin' with that eclectic Ms. Ra Re!

Trina: Yes, Life of a Libra is the next phase and I'm really excited about it. Darrell Freeman is on the production side right now. I can say with him I have truly found my true musical confidence. Although I love John Legend and some electronic...not this album! We will see what the future holds!

C.C.:  Well, you done drank up all my sweet tea, so I figure its time to show you the door. Tell these good folks when they can cop Life of a Libra, while I escort you to the door, chile.

Trina: I must say it has been a pleasure! Life of a Libra will be out in October '08, no later than Nov 08'! Look for the first single, "Off My Mind" soon! Next time we will have a Long Island Iced Tea to serve! LOL

C.C.: Now yah talkin'! One mo' thing fo' we go; any duets on this here project?

Trina: I'm still working on that. If it happens, I think everyone is going to be shocked-including me!

C.C.: Well alright we'll close with that teaser...Stay blessed, chile, and keep sangin'!

Trina: Thank you! Peace & Blessings to ya!

Cornfed Notes

• Bastardizing the poetry that was D'Angelo's legendary TORSO video, "Untitled", the boys of Pretty Rick covering H-Town (Really? Hadn't heard that the H were cover-worthy. But, oh...ok) decide to do the closest thing to tired male stripper routines we've ever scene in a music video. Uhm, dudes? Kissing your ownself in your video with only other naked dudes surrounding you isn't sexy for the ladies, it's cheap and stupid. Not to mention it raises the kinds of questions that tank record sales of talent-less pin-up boys who need abs and estrogen crushes to sell singles. Not that we're saying you don't have tal...oh, who are we kidding?!

• Ya'll know we like to make jokes on Cornfed's Corner about a lot of things, but we don't play when it comes to health. This week R&B and jazz icon, Natalie Cole, revealed that she recently discovered she is suffering from Hepatitis C infection. It looks as though she acquired it over 20 years ago, back when she was an active drug user. It's a terrible shame that after having so courageously turned her life around and kicking her near 20 year bout with heroin and cocaine that the ghosts of the past would threaten her life now. She is not alone. Some 4 million people in the U.S. suffer from Hep C (4 times the number of HIV/AIDS victims), a potentially fatal blood borne illness. The slow-burning disease can take up to 15 years to be symptomatic. So, Natalie probably didn't know she'd been infected for years, as most routine physicals do not check for Hep C unless requested. Please everyone (including non-drug users) ask your physician to be screened! It could save you and your partner's life.

• We gone be all over da world, chile! All ovah da world! In two weeks, Cornfed's Corner will be reppin' SoulTracks on The Dave Brown Show, broadcast throughout Europe on satellite radio through Sky and on the web through http://www.solarradio.com/. Dave's show is one of the UK's most established soul music programs around. We'll be choppin' it up with Dave and introducing the latest track hotness in soul every Monday at 10am (3pm in the UK). Listen in, Cornfed Campers!

Track Love: 12 "New" EPs, Singles and Album Cuts Worth Your Gas Money

 ___________________________________________________

L. Michael Gipson is a cultural critic, music journalist and a lover of all underdogs; poverty becomes him

See past "Cornfed Corners"

Trina Broussard on Surviving So So Def (Pt. 1)

Marko Nobles' Talks Indie Dayz for Indie Music

Dain Harris Is All Grown Up & Ready To Sang

Kev.O Talks Sun, Runs and H.U. Fun

Mo' Jazz and Rogiérs' Talks Sexual Eruptions

Jazmine's New Single, Marcell Russell on Spittin' Truth in Soul

Lemar, Tim Dillinger and more

Alice Russell and opening thoughts