Angie Stone is a soul survivor. Not only has her artistry set musical precedents in a fickle industry that caters to bubblegum lyrics, but the South Carolina native has nine albums and one on its way as a testament to her longevity. Now, with a resurgence of soulsters topping the charts, Stone has proven to be one of the industry’s most dignified soul mavens. Essence.com, caught up with the chanteuse to discuss her split from J Records, her new album, her fiancé, relationship with ex-beau D’Angelo and why she’s comfortable in her own skin.
Essence.com: We’re living for the release of your new album, The Art of Love and War. What is the title’s significance?
Angie Stone: For me, it’s extremely personal because I was seriously contemplating leaving the secular set and going straight to gospel music because I was tired of my situation at J Records. I love Clive Davis, but it had gotten to the point where the label had become overcrowded and I became that go-to person for all their new artists. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m happy to work with anyone, but I would have had a lot more respect if they had said, "We really want your expertise and let's do a contract with you to work with these artists." Shy of being an insult, they allowed me to leave and then asked me to do the same thing that I was doing when I was there. I just felt like I was in a transition with the label and wasn’t receiving the support and marketing I needed for my project. Yes, everyone loves Angie but that doesn’t equate to record sales. They were not taking the same measures that they would for their other artists.
Essence.com: Would you say your talent to nurture was a blessing and a curse?
A.S.: Yes because I love helping people, I really do. I think they wanted a more youthful Angie Stone. When I realized all the divas—and I’m not hating because I adore each one of them—that they signed like Fantasia, Heather Headley, Jennifer Hudson, I made a decision to take my energy to a new home and landed at Stax.
Essence.com: You’re known for your positive lyrics. Do you ever feel pressure to be Soul Sistah No. 1?
A.S.: I don’t have the pressure but I do have a responsibility because I have allowed myself to be put in this position as a singer. I owe it to my fans to be who I am. There’s nothing fake about me. What you see is what you get. What you hear is who I am.
Essence.com: You have a song called “I’m So Happy Being Me.” Was there ever a time that you weren't content with yourself?
A.S.: Coming through the fire and through the storm of life with a strong man, my fiancé Ashanti, whom I’ve been dating for eight months and two wonderful children beside me, I’m just so happy that I have been able to maintain my integrity and get to where I am today with the right energy around me.
Essence.com: Congrats on finding your “Black Brother.” Do you think it's too soon to get engaged after only eight months of dating?
A.S.: No, it is not too soon when God chooses a man for you. I wasn’t looking for him and he wasn’t looking for me. I walked into the airport and he was working behind the desk and the rest is history. It wasn’t like we're these two drop-dead gorgeous people like, “Ah, I got to have you!” It was magic and we courted over the phone for about three months and when we finally met, we just hugged each other and I knew this was the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with and vice versa. He’s an auditor for an airline, a wonderful father to his two kids, my best friend and a good man as well.
Essence.com: When is the wedding date? Have you picked out your dress?
A.S.: Not quite yet. I know we’ll probably set a date by the end of the year, but I do know that we’re going to get married at the Atlantis in the Bahamas.
Essence.com: Would you say because of your celebrity you wear the pants in the relationship?
A.S.: I don’t want any man I can run over. What I love about a man in control is it allows them to be the kings that I always expect them to be. One thing about Shan is that he isn’t controlling to a fault, but he’s in control when he needs to be. He’s the head of the household based on the beliefs that I have through the Bible. We respect each other. We don’t spend money without asking each other, “Is this smart to do?” We don’t buy things unless it’s gifts for each other. I’ve never had a man give it a second thought, and that shows me he’s responsible. I’m just so happy with the man that God chose for me because until I allowed Him to choose the man for me, I was choosing the wrong men.
For more on this article by Kenya N. Byrd, go to Essence.com
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