Band of the Month More music, more bands, more solo artists, all in our Band of the Month section
Artist of the Month: Loon
When we got connected on the phone with Loon, the newest star on the Bad Boy label, he was out shopping for sneakers. Though he was busy trying on pairs and scanning the racks like the fashion-forward guy he is, he stayed focused on us, too, talking about style, his love of performing, and whether his ladies' man rep is justified. Read on, then listen to his song Down For Me.
Where are you right now?
I'm actually in a sneaker store in L.A. I love sneakers. They're affordable and they're very stylish.
Do you like a certain brand, or do you like all of them?
I like all of them. Actually right now I'm into this brand called Patrick's. It's a Japanese sneaker. I like Pro-K's; I like Krisser, Pumas. You know, I like everything.
Are you into style and dressing and shopping for clothes?
Yeah, definitely. I'm from Harlem. Harlem is like a mecca for style so...
...So you don't just slouch around in a sweatshirt or something.
Exactly. But we even make those things look stylish.
Do you feel like you'll always consider Harlem your home?
Always. Till the day I'm gone, Harlem is always going to be my home. That's my summer spot. You know a lot of people like to go away, but I go home for the summer. Harlem is like very cultural, there's a sort of energy that floats in the air.
Do you still have a lot of friends and family in Harlem?
Oh, man I got too many. That's the problem. Way too many. I knew so many people before this. I had [a lot] of friends before I was a star, but right now it's like wow, I've got friends like more than I need.
So you have a lot going on now?
Oh, yeah, man. It's definitely like very, very busy.
How long have you been working with Bad Boy?
About two years. A lot of people think I been down there sitting around that way for a long time. I actually was traded from Arista to Bad Boy.
Were you glad when that happened?
Oh, yeah. I was very pleased 'cause at the time [P. Diddy] had just stepped in.
And you worked with him. [Loon appeared on "I Need a Girl Pt. 1" and "I Need a Girl Pt. 2" and wrote songs for P. Diddy.] Can you talk a little bit about what it was like?
There was a lot of pressure involved with doing that record. A lot was riding on it. The intensity of the situation surpassed the actual work that was required. I mean, it wasn't a hard record to do. It was like something that we sincerely felt at the time and we were able to project that in a very sincere manner. It was just the frustration around the record is what made it complicated, but me and Puff, we're great under pressure.
You went down there and you were only going to stay a couple of days. What happened? Why did you stay longer?
At first I was just being considered for a helping hand, just coming down to aid Puff in the situation where he was trying to finish the album. I was only being considered to write two songs — they only scheduled me to come four days. But based on my hunger and my desire to like overwork myself, I ended up staying four weeks and I wrote eleven songs. And then the rest is history.
When did they say or when did you say, "I want to do my own album"? Did that come about after all the stuff you did down in Miami with Puff, or was it always in the works?
I think that it was something that I always considered because I came as a solo artist and as an individual seeking a career as a solo artist. I don't think that I was ever gonna be deprived of that coming to Bad Boy. It was just me paying my dues to get my opportunity.
Tell us about your [self-titled] album. What sort of vibe are you trying to send to people?
Basically I'm just trying to keep it real sexy. See, I'm trying to veer away from all the things that tarnish hip-hop. I'm on a mission right now to prove that I can come out of a harsh reality, actually a harsh environment and just, you know, express other [stories] beside the things that I had to deal with or the things that might have scarred me. I'd rather remind people that you can have a good [time] regardless of what's going on. We have a war going on right now and people are partying at an all-time high.
Speaking of partying, what is it like when you perform live onstage?
Oh, man! It's the best thing in the world. Performing live is like... it's a certain type of electricity that you feel. You can rehearse your routine, but there's nothing you can rehearse for when you step out there and [the audience] will just overwhelm you with [their] excitement; screaming and hollering.
Do you get nervous?
No, never. I love it; know what I'm saying? It's like the best thing that could ever happen to you. It's what you work for. Anybody that's scared probably didn't really want that or didn't really see themselves having to deal with that.
Are there people in particular that you'd like to work with next?
I would love to work with Mary J. Blige. She's the queen. I don't care about who come out, she's the queen. I think that she's just hot and she has a very consistent record.
We hear you're an actor, too. What's happening with that side of your career?
Acting is something I've always wanted to do. Always, 'cause you know [movie producer] George Jackson is my godfather. I've always been exposed to that side of the game, so it's just a matter of time before I start to develop a craving for it.
When you were growing up, was it music that you were more into or acting or what?
Actually I liked movies more. I was a moviegoer.
I guess you know that you're a sex symbol and people say you're a little bit of a ladies' man. How do you feel about that?
That is something that I can appreciate, 'cause you know, the ladies definitely are the most loyal fans.
Really, you think so?
Yeah. I honestly think so because guys don't put posters on they're wall, you know what I mean? So I'm just appreciative of whatever comes my way as far as whatever, women...I don't like to call people groupies. I look at them like fans, so I don't use that word. It's never in my dialogue.
My last question: Are you dating anyone now?
No, I'm not.
I'll make sure people know. Good luck with finding a pair of sneakers.
Take care of yourself and tell everybody else [at ym] I said hi.
