by Demetris D’Autrice Reynolds
It’s been a little over a month, since the arrest of Kyle over an assortment of drugs, weapons charges during a sweep of his Decatur, Georgia, home. The police discovered a 13-pound bag of marijuana, two guns and $6,000 in cash. Seven people on the premises were arrested and were arraigned. All will face another hearing on October 24. It is not known what their specific relationship to Kyle Norman is.
Norman is expected to face an array of felony charges related to the marijuana as well as the original charge that he was the recipient of stolen property. But the recent release of Hard will now have you focus on the music that has made Jagged Edge an urban fixture.
It has been a solid two years from the last Jagged Edge album … Jagged Little Thrill. So as I prepare my questions I ponder what to ask one of R&B’s best male vocalists. They get down and dirty on ballads (they write all their lyrics from scratch). Plus, they know how to lace these same lyrics with emotional bravado and keep it real. It ‘s a love journal that describes the urban relationship on every level. Brandon, Brian, Wingo and Kyle emergence onto the scene in 1997 with “A Jagged Era” was the part of the young urban renaissance that has seen TLC, Outkast, Monica, Usher, blossom and simply blow up Atlanta to a music mecca. Oh yeah, let’s not forget their competition on the ATL homefront and national scene – 112. Rumor has it there is battle to see who is the best group between the two. Well, 1999’s J.E Heartbreak did spawn the #1 single of the year the wedding anthem “Let’s Get Married”, and the romantic selections “He Can’t Love You” and “Promise.” 2001 saw J.E take it up a notch with another anthem for the clubs “Where The Party At?” featuring Nelly. So, the question who’s the best R&B quartet remains the same.
Well, at this moment I’m getting my questions together so that I will be prepared for the interview with Jagged Edge not knowing what to expect. I’ve been informed by management not to ask any legal questions regarding Kyle’s case.
Of course was I was going to ask… but that’s cool. And as I wait I’m listening to the new CD again for the third time in a row! Even though that’s a lot, I continue to listen … one more before I spoke to Wingo. The fourth album titled Hard can’t depict how tight the album is. Although the twins are absent, Wingo plays spokesperson for the group until a surprise from Kyle attaches his thoughts on J.E being back on the block, Jermaine Dupri, their new projects and unlocking doors in Milwaukee.
Wingo – How are you doing?
D’Autrice- What’s going on man?
Wingo – What’s going on boss man?
D’Autrice – Just chilling … enjoying the album.
Wingo – Ah! Thanks a lot man. It’s our fourth baby we are just blessed to be here. You know what I mean?
D’Autrice – Listening to the album and following your career the past six years I’m seeing some Temptations and O’Jays influences happening with you guys. Now that’s longevity.
Wingo – Yeah Man! You know what I’m saying that’s actually why we got in the game; we just want to be considered a household name in the end. Just like The Four Tops, O’Jay’s, Isley Brothers and Temptations have been around for years …you know, we just want to be considered as one of the greatest.
D’Autrice – Well, you’re doing it. You guys are laying the foundation. On the latest album, Hard, who are some of the producers you worked with?
Wingo – Well, actually we got into the production side our selves. You know what mean? We produced over half the album but we got a couple of tracks from J.D. (Jermaine Dupri), a couple from Jazzy Phae, Brian Michael Cox who did like maybe two or three and we did like the rest of the album.
D’Autrice – Ah man, I applaud you’ll on that.
Wingo – Thanks man! I appreciate it.
D’Autrice – Okay, what does 581 stand for?
Wingo – 581 is actually the address we use to rehearse; that’s the twins (Brian & Brandon) mother’s house and Kyle lived there also for like two years. So, that was like the meeting ground for us. You know what I mean? It was the honey comb hideout. (laughs)
D’Autrice -Tell me about the Street Katz?
Wingo – Yeah, the Street Katz is a group that we have coming out who are basically two rappers, one by the name of Joe Black and one by the name of Big Duke. You know what I’m saying? Their album will be coming out soon. You know what mean?
D’Autrice – as for the talented fans that are interested in becoming part of the 581 family; Who and were can they send there demos?
Wingo – You send them to J.O.I Studios 2356 Park Central Blvd. Decatur, GA 30035
D’Autrice- Got it. Cool.
Wingo – Fa show. Fa Show
D’Autrice – How did the break up from So So Def affect the group?
Wingo – It hasn’t affected us none because whether our fans know it or not, we’ve written every thing from day one. Every thing you’ve ever heard from Jagged Edge we’ve written. So, basically JD would just come in with his tracks and we would collaborate on songs. But, I mean it’s really not that big of a difference because it was always So So Def slash Columbia. So now, it’s just Columbia Records. You know what I mean? It’s really like hands on now.
D’Autrice – Okay, Okay so now you got more creative input.
Wingo – Well, we’ve always had creative input but yeah now in terms of music videos and stuff like that … yeah we do. We actually co-directed this first video for this album You know?
D’Autrice – Was this album done before, during, or after the split?
Wingo – Ah, it was actually both before and after.
D’Autrice – Okay. Is there a tour being planned?
Wingo – Yeah, we’re actually supposed to go out in November on a little short run for may be like a month and then we’re going over seas like may be a couple of weeks before Christmas. At the beginning of the year, towards the end of January we’re gonna go out on a big big boy tour. You know what I mean?
D’Autrice – Yeah. Okay.
Wingo – Fa show.
D’Autrice – So, you’ll have your group the Street Katz with you right?
Wingo – Yeah you outta know all our artist are gonna be on the road with us.
D’Autrice – That track 15 man is tight! (laughing)
Wingo – Thanks man.
D’Autrice – Man, the lyrics you’ll wrote it’s that beat. It’s pimpish and definitely for the playas. Jagged Edge and the Street Katz is a perfect match of singers and rappers on the same track. Man, I’ve played the disc maybe 5 times back to back.
Wingo – Ah man, thanks a lot boss man. Man; just stay down with us. You know what I’m saying because we gonna keep putting out those good love songs. You know what I’m saying because we’re about love not hate. You know what I mean?
D’Autrice – That’s the difference that I see with your verses compared to some of the other groups. I don’t want to sound as if I’m hating on other groups but Jagged Edge stands out.
Wingo – Thanks a lot man! I really appreciate that; You know what I mean, just stay down with us alright?
D’Autrice – Are there any other group members with you?
Wingo – Yeah man, Kyle let me get him.
Kyle – What’s up man? What’s going on with you man?
D’Autrice – Enjoying the music!
Kyle-appreciate it man. I mean, we just work countless hours to make sure it’s still real music. I’m here now kickin’ it with my boys and I’m not mad at rap music or anything like that because it’s the biggest selling music right now. R&B is at a low point and it’s real scarce for the good R&B. You know what I’m saying? The love ballads and that’s what we are doing man. We are keeping it real as men but yet at the same time you know it’s time for love songs.
D’Autrice- On your tour will you guys be stopping in Milwaukee?
Kyle – Ah, come on. We will be heading to Milwaukee soon. First of all, Pimpin’ Ken is my uncle and he’s always in my ear saying you know as soon as you head up to Milwaukee I’m doing that party with you’ll. You know what I mean? So, maybe we all just need to do it together. But we are definitely gonna hit Milwaukee because it’s one of our strongest spots. They love us and we appreciate the love we get out there. Plus, we got a brand new show so we going everywhere to show what we got.
D’Autrice – Well, I’ll be looking for that show because I live in Milwaukee.
Kyle – We are on our way up there so just keep the door unlocked for us.
D’Autrice – Oh, it’s unlocked! It’ll be wide open. (laughs)
Kyle – (laughs) Unlocked and wide open we’ll just come on in.
D’Autrice – Come on in!
Kyle – That’s right!
D’Autrice – Well, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule. I appreciate it. PUB
For more on Jagged Edge check out www.jaggededge.net
