Robin Thicke: In The Thicke Of It
Artist:
Robin Thicke
He’s signed to Pharrell’s Startrak label, has sold nearly a million albums and has famous fans including Will Smith and Perez Hilton. But for Robin Thicke, success has been far from overnight. He tells Hattie Collins why he’s so happy to finally have it...
Your name has been hot for years – yet you’re only just now blowing up. What gives?
(Laughs) Yeah, things are finally going better. Who knows, maybe the music wasn’t ready to connect before or maybe we didn’t market it right, but everything happens at the right time. So it’s nice to be appreciated for what you do, finally.
How did it feel watching artists like Ne-Yo, Justin, etc blow up while you’ve sat on the sidelines?
(Laughs) Frustrated, angry, envious, jealous... all of that tough stuff that we go through. And that’s what my album The Evolution Of Robin Thicke is about; trying to learn from your mistakes and trying to get rid of your fears and just focus on some positively.
How have you evolved personally since your first album, 2003’s Beautiful World?
I think the biggest difference is that I used to spend a lot of time worrying about different things and then a lot of my fears came true. I realised that I sure wasted a lot of time – I might as well have just given my best. Instead of worrying about what you don’t have, I concentrate on what I do have; my family, my friends, my wife.
How does wifey (actress Paula Patton) feel about your success?
She’s my best friend and my A&R so she has a lot of input. We collaborate on just about everything because we trust each others opinions. We’re just really excited to be able to do what we love to do and not be in debt.
Hmm, how does that feel?
It feels good!
How did you link with Lil Wayne?
He was a fan of my first album and when he saw my manager he asked if he could take the song Shooter, and put it on his album. I said of course because I think he’s the best out there and so everything fell into place. I just think he’s dynamic and original and humorous but he’s also gangsta and sexual – he covers it all.
Tell us about the Cocaine track.
Living in Los Angeles and going back and forth to New York and Miami, I happened to realise it was everywhere but nobody talks about it. It’s all very hush-hush. So I figured I’d write a song about it.
How did you ink with Pharrell?
He approached me. It was funny, I never prayed for help before, but I ended up praying for a few months and all of a sudden Pharrell showed up - who knew Pharrell was an angel? Pharrell is as special as it gets; he loved my music just the way it was; he didn’t want to work on it or touch it, he was really just trying to help me catch a break because he really liked what I did. He didn’t have to do that at all and so that shows how big his heart is, to help out a struggling artist that he thought deserved a shot
So Justin Timberlake. You’re pretty similar...
I don’t know... whatever. I think he’s a real talented dude but I don’t think our music is anything alike.
Ok lets move on, swiftly. Why do we need Evolution... in our lives?
Because it will make your sex better and heart stronger and it will make you think of the people you love the most and help you get through the day!
The Evolution Of Robin Thicke is out now.
RWD Magazine
myspace.com/robinthicke
He’s signed to Pharrell’s Startrak label, has sold nearly a million albums and has famous fans including Will Smith and Perez Hilton. But for Robin Thicke, success has been far from overnight. He tells Hattie Collins why he’s so happy to finally have it...
Your name has been hot for years – yet you’re only just now blowing up. What gives?
(Laughs) Yeah, things are finally going better. Who knows, maybe the music wasn’t ready to connect before or maybe we didn’t market it right, but everything happens at the right time. So it’s nice to be appreciated for what you do, finally.
How did it feel watching artists like Ne-Yo, Justin, etc blow up while you’ve sat on the sidelines?
(Laughs) Frustrated, angry, envious, jealous... all of that tough stuff that we go through. And that’s what my album The Evolution Of Robin Thicke is about; trying to learn from your mistakes and trying to get rid of your fears and just focus on some positively.
How have you evolved personally since your first album, 2003’s Beautiful World?
I think the biggest difference is that I used to spend a lot of time worrying about different things and then a lot of my fears came true. I realised that I sure wasted a lot of time – I might as well have just given my best. Instead of worrying about what you don’t have, I concentrate on what I do have; my family, my friends, my wife.
How does wifey (actress Paula Patton) feel about your success?
She’s my best friend and my A&R so she has a lot of input. We collaborate on just about everything because we trust each others opinions. We’re just really excited to be able to do what we love to do and not be in debt.
Hmm, how does that feel?
It feels good!
How did you link with Lil Wayne?
He was a fan of my first album and when he saw my manager he asked if he could take the song Shooter, and put it on his album. I said of course because I think he’s the best out there and so everything fell into place. I just think he’s dynamic and original and humorous but he’s also gangsta and sexual – he covers it all.
Tell us about the Cocaine track.
Living in Los Angeles and going back and forth to New York and Miami, I happened to realise it was everywhere but nobody talks about it. It’s all very hush-hush. So I figured I’d write a song about it.
How did you ink with Pharrell?
He approached me. It was funny, I never prayed for help before, but I ended up praying for a few months and all of a sudden Pharrell showed up - who knew Pharrell was an angel? Pharrell is as special as it gets; he loved my music just the way it was; he didn’t want to work on it or touch it, he was really just trying to help me catch a break because he really liked what I did. He didn’t have to do that at all and so that shows how big his heart is, to help out a struggling artist that he thought deserved a shot
So Justin Timberlake. You’re pretty similar...
I don’t know... whatever. I think he’s a real talented dude but I don’t think our music is anything alike.
Ok lets move on, swiftly. Why do we need Evolution... in our lives?
Because it will make your sex better and heart stronger and it will make you think of the people you love the most and help you get through the day!
The Evolution Of Robin Thicke is out now.
RWD Magazine
myspace.com/robinthicke
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Comments
MGW
03 May 2007, 18:52
03 May 2007, 18:52
From now on, I going to need these interviews to have a little more BACKGROUND research done on the artist. Robin is NOTHING like Justin Timberlake, and anyone who listened to Robin's music would know that. Robin is R&B/Soul, Justin is POP. These are two different genres, they sing about different things, the production of their songs are different, and they have different life experiences. The Justin comparison is starting to get old among these ignorant and unknowledgeable individuals who ask such questions and write these articles.
Michelle
04 May 2007, 00:52
04 May 2007, 00:52
I agree with you totally, Robin had me hooked from the first time I heard LWU and no other singer has ever had the effect on me before.
It would be nice if the interviewers would try and come up with some original questions at least. But I guess it's all like cattle to them, get them in interview for 5 minutes and then next. Especially since so many come and go. But this boy has staying power and isn't going anywhere for a long time. You keep doing your thing Robin, your true fans are here for you thru thick and thin. We love you and think you are sexy baby, don't ever doubt it.
It would be nice if the interviewers would try and come up with some original questions at least. But I guess it's all like cattle to them, get them in interview for 5 minutes and then next. Especially since so many come and go. But this boy has staying power and isn't going anywhere for a long time. You keep doing your thing Robin, your true fans are here for you thru thick and thin. We love you and think you are sexy baby, don't ever doubt it.
brittany
04 May 2007, 03:42
04 May 2007, 03:42
i love robin but why in the world would people keep on comparin him to justin robin is a thousand times better and obviously he doesnt like to be compared to him by the way he says it in the interviews but i wouldnt want to be compared to him either he is his own person i love him just the way he is not like justin
Sara
04 May 2007, 13:58
04 May 2007, 13:58
I agree with everyone. I think that the only reason that people compare him is b/c he is singing "black" music and everyone has the same thought about Justin. Please do not get me wrong, I think that Justin is a great artist in his own right, but there is really no comparison musically between the two. Robin is more sensual and for adults where Justin is more playful and for the kids. I am just glad that he is finally starting to get the attention he has long deserved. I think that the first album was great then and I think that this album is great now. I just cannot wait to see what is next for him. I wish him all the best in everything that he does.
Rochelle
05 May 2007, 13:31
05 May 2007, 13:31
I agree with all of the above. I have never heard of Justin T., so I doubt that he has the same appeal for me as Robin Thicke.
I am very, very selective in this regard!
All I know is that I immediately connected to Robin's lyrics and sound...so very heartfelt and soulful. "Can U Believe" is my favorite track in his latest cd and I'm glad that he just released a video of this song.
Love it, and all his music and interviews. Kudos to Robin, his wife, family, friends, and all those who believed in him.
God is good!
I am very, very selective in this regard!
All I know is that I immediately connected to Robin's lyrics and sound...so very heartfelt and soulful. "Can U Believe" is my favorite track in his latest cd and I'm glad that he just released a video of this song.
Love it, and all his music and interviews. Kudos to Robin, his wife, family, friends, and all those who believed in him.
God is good!
Carla Martin
29 May 2007, 03:08
29 May 2007, 03:08
Here you go honey. I knew you would want this.
Carla
Carla
jerry
22 Jun 2007, 18:09
22 Jun 2007, 18:09
the very first time i heard robins voice i knew he would be the number one every women needs in her music collection he is just the best no one can top him and i hope no one does i love robin thicke .xxxx
DLS
30 Jul 2007, 01:05
30 Jul 2007, 01:05
The only comparison between Robin Thicke and Justin T. is they are both white. Robin is an ARTIST. Justin is a clever marketing strategy. Robin is sexy, has a superb voice and truely is an amazingly talented songwriter and performer. I saw him live when he opened for Beyonce recently and his recordings do not do his voice justice. I will gladly pay any amount to see him perform live. Justin needs to take some tips from Robin on how to be a true artist and performer.
