The Source caught up with the R&B singer during NBA All-Star Weekend to talk about everything under the sun
A couple weeks ago, NBA All-Star Weekend was in full swing in the city of New York and in the midst of the excitement, Source managed to sit down with the beautiful Jordin Sparks to talk about everything current in her life. Vibrant and full of life, the songstress shared with us a bunch of things from tips for guys on how to “woo” the women they’re pursuing to details on her upcoming album.
Check it out below..
So how are you enjoying NBA All-Star Weekend?
Jordin Sparks: It’s good, we actually got here Thursday night so we’re pretty excited about the weekend.
Have you been able to enjoy yourself and go to any events so far this weekend?
Jordin Sparks: Yea, actually I have. We went to Revolt’s All-Star party and Jordan’s 30th Anniversary party also.
Oh, how was that?
Jordin Sparks: It was a very nice event. I mean, I didn’t get to see the man Michael Jordan himself, but nonetheless it was a great party. Lots of people, the food was delicious and I had an all around great time.
That’s whats up. So in the midst of Valentines day, can you gives us the best and worst gifts you’ve ever received?
Jordin Sparks: Best gift I ever received was when I was surprised all day long. He had the entire day planned out. The night before, he told me we would just chill and hit the movies or something, but he actually had little events and things planned out for me. It was super sweet.
Now the worst?
Jordin Sparks: I mean, I never got a bad gift, but there have been years I haven’t got anything so that could count haha..
That’s surprising, would have never thought Jordin Sparks would go without a gift on V-Day haha..So for the fellas out there reading this interview, can you give out some tips on how they can “woo” the women they are trying to pursue potentially?
Jordin Sparks: Oh geez, I’m so bad with this. Okay the first thing is, you gotta treat her like a women and not an item on the shelf. It will never work and if it does, it wont last long. Number two, I think it works out well when guys think things through a little bit more. Instead of saying “let me get chocolate or flowers because it’s easy”, how about you put a little more thought into it. For example, how about you get something that reminds you of her. Say her favorite color is purple, how about you get a purple flower to give her and say “this reminds me of you” instead of just getting a random flower that has no meaning.
Ok, I got it. Get things that are meaningful and make sense. Correct?
Jordin Sparks: Right. Get something that is thoughtful. Next, umm man I don’t know what else I would say hahaha..
Alright how about this, what are some things you would want a man to do to woo you?
Jordin Sparks: Well the first two tips are actually really important so you have to be very thoughtful. I’m old-school so I like intelligent conversations and being able to talk about things that really matter. Not to mention, having a conversation let’s me know they are actually listening to me. Now not necessarily doing something, but if we are having a conversation like how you and I are having, it shows that they are aware something is happening. At the end of the day, I’m really easy, I don’t need you to buy things for me. Only thing I ask for is your time, respect and communication.
Ok, so let’s switch gears a little bit. Your ByeFelicia mixtape that came out not too long ago, where did the title originally come from?
Jordin Sparks: Actually, I didn’t even know what to call the mixtape. I been talking about it for sometime and we needed to put together the graphics for it and I was like “that’s too serious” or “that’s too cheesy” then I got so frustrated and was like “Bye Felicia” and then I was like this works!
That’s cool, that’s a really organic way of seeing things. So you haven’t released an album since 2009 right?
Jordin Sparks: Yea, it’s almost been six years.
Now you are about to come out with a new one in May. What can your fans expect from this upcoming album?
Jordin Sparks: Well the idea behind the mixtape was to give my fans a little taste of what’s to come on the album. There are some songs on there that you’re going to get the full length version of on the album along with some songs that won’t make the album and some you’ve never heard. I feel like going into the beginning stages of making this album, I finally had the freedom that I never had when making my previous album. Salaam Remi, who executive produced the album asked me, “what do you want to do” or “what you want it to sound like” and I never was asked those questions before. So being able to go to the studio with that in mind and with no set uptempo, or genre in mind was great. It was all just about going into the studio with the freedom to make whatever I liked. So fans can expect love songs, turn-up songs, pull-at-your-heartstrings songs and power ballads. So I would say the overall vibe of my upcoming album is based on feelings.
So you just mentioned Salaam Remi, how is it working with a producer such as him?
Jordin Sparks: Man he’s incredible. It’s funny, we actually met when he was scoring for the movie Sparkle. They had us meet so we can come up with something for the soundtrack and in the midst of that, conversations happened and he started asking me about my music and where everything was going. What I didn’t know was that he was in the process of getting the job at Sony and he asked me in one of our sessions what my favorite song was and I told him “All The Things Your Man Won’t Do” by Joe. He was surprised cause I told him it was one of my favorite songs of all time. He would say that he saw something different that most people haven’t seen from American Idol and maybe we can do something.
How was it when you heard that?
Jordin Sparks: I was like please help me and take me under your wing haha..So he got the job at Sony and in the past year and a half I moved over to his label imprint Louder Than Life and its been best time of my life. I didn’t realize the weight of everything when we were recording for Sparkle together, but when I went to his house and saw all the plaques on the wall, I realized it. Now he is super cool and would never tell me he did this or that, he’s would never do that at all. It just made me realize how legendary he is in the industry and how he choose to work with me.
So are you the first artist on his label?
Jordin Sparks: No, he has a couple bands and also Mack Wilds..
Can we expect anything with you and Mack Soon?
Jordin Sparks: I sure hope so, I know he’s doing some stuff now so hopefully in the future I can work with him. He actually came to show support at my video shoot for “Double Tap” featuring 2 Chainz so that was dope. Its just really nice to have the supportive circle I’ve been blessed with this time around.
Yea that’s dope. So last question, when can your fans expect to see you on the big screen?
Jordin Sparks: I’m not sure, i’m still auditioning. I’m still going to take classes because I want to hone that side of my artistry cause I was bit by the acting bug very badly and I love doing it. But for right now, music is my focus. I love acting though and if something comes up whether its TV or film, i’m going to do my best to balance the two.
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