The album is titled, “The Growing,” appropriately titled as he transcends what hip-hop is today. His debut album released on InFam Records this year includes hits such as ‘So Right’, ‘All They Want’ and ‘Baby Food.’ El took the time to interview with Center Stage Magazine. Where was he? El is in the studio. He is truly living and breathing his music, creating upbeat tempos. He records daily and is on his grind clearing the way for the new brand of Debarge in the industry.

CENTER STAGE: How did you get with Infam Records?
El: It’s my record label. My producer and I started the label. We have been working for the last four years trying to make it happen.

CENTER STAGE: Sampling your music, I really like 'All They Want' and 'So Fly', who inspired All They Want? It was obviously someone behind that right?
El: (laughs) A compilation of ladies. Some of my friends had experiences as well as myself and what I’ve seen overall with the masses as well. I know a lot of people think that the song is dealing with just money, but the fact that I have what you want, and what you need, I will buy it at the same time they are jumping off. That’s how the game is I guess.

CENTER STAGE: You said your friends have the women, are you trying to put all of this on your friends? I am sure you are a lady’s man so what’s good with you and the ladies?
El: Of course, (laughs)
 
CENTER STAGE: At least you admit it.
El: No no, I’m not trying to front any, you are kind of right.

CENTER STAGE: I can see why, but you know… what made you go into this musical direction with a mix of hip-hop and the singing together? You have a voice so why didn’t you just make an R&B album with your singing?
EL: We really just wanted to showcase our record label. We put everything out just to basically get it out. The practice and opinions can roll off but at the same time, I’m getting exposure and we are getting the label out, through it all.

CENTER STAGE: Definitely
El: To answer your initial question, about what made me sing, when I was younger, my mom raised me and we had the Box, it was a channel where you could order music.

CENTER STAGE: Yeah the Juke Box Network, you could order a great deal of music.
El: Because of my father, people wanted me to sing, but I was always singing. When I got older, I began to write the songs and it really became important to me. In high school, I was turned on to hip-hop as well. I was independent and rebellious and I could speak on what I was going through so I got into hip-hop. I figured I could have something important to say with my music, whether it’s singing or hip-hop, so I want to be known for that as well.

CENTER STAGE: Do you feel that you have to live up to your father’s legacy in any way? Is that what caused your rebellious way?

El: I feel like people wanted me to live up to his legacy, more than I did. It is not something that I necessarily felt that I had to achieve at all. It was what people placed upon me. They would say you have big shoes to fill.

CENTER STAGE: How did that affect you, as a child, but also as an artist? Do you feel like if you don’t do as well as El DeBarge Sr., it would be defeating your drive?
EL: Actually, it’s all good because I’m not really into how people perceive it or what they say. I’m me and I’m doing what I want to do. I have always been very independent. As a child, it gets to you, but it wasn’t too long before I got over that.

CENTER STAGE: So what gave you that final push? Was it your own self-esteem, your own resolve to go ahead and do it or was it that you wanted to prove all of the naysayers wrong?
El: The final push came from a conversation. I remember having a conversation with my mom. I was in Inglewood Park and my producer was on his motorcycle dipping out a lot and always over his mom’s house. I called my momma’s house to tell her that I really didn’t have any drive. I wanted to play music, but here I was over his mother’s house playing video games. I couldn’t find my drive. I just couldn’t focus. I remember everything she said but from that point on, I realized I had to challenge myself and force myself to push so hard and it became all I wanted to do and I couldn’t say anything else.

CENTER STAGE: Who are your influences in music?
El: I have gotten many comparisons, but I would say I sound like me. I mean sometimes I sound like father and sometimes like Al Green. I mean I would just like to say that I sound like myself. I have developed my own sound overtime. I might just have to chock that one up to versatility.

CENTER STAGE: If you had a chance to perform with other artist, if you had a choice, besides your father, besides the Debarge family, who would it be?
El: Usher, Justin Timberlake, because they get down, it is as if I’m trying to do what they are doing on the stage. I am not one to humble myself at all when it comes to performing. I would love to get that opportunity. IT would be awesome. I wouldn’t let them down.

CENTER STAGE: They dance and play instruments do you dance or play instruments?
El: I’m self-taught on the keys and I dance. I have been in and out of various dance classes, I dance quite well. I can play the keys but I can’t’ read the notes.

CENTER STAGE: So you would say that you have an ear for music.
El: Yeah, some of my influences are Marvin Gaye, and earth wind and Fire

CENTER STAGE: We know this isn’t the only thing you have cooking. (El’s Uncle Chico Debarge is not only an R & B singer who has made hit songs with Joe, he is also appearing in radio queen, Wendy Williams’s autobiographical film, ‘The Queen of Media’) Do you have any film offers in the works?
El: I’m always open for it. I have done some things as a child, like commercial and print. I am really working on the music side of things but I wouldn’t turn something worthwhile down (as far as acting).

El is definitely talented and of course, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. We expect to hear and see more of El Debarge Jr.


Kamah Alicia Scott
Freelance writer
www.kas.mysite.com


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