Singer Bertell took some out of his schedule to chop it up with Reviews & Dunn.
Reviews & Dunn – What can you tell us about your new single “Privacy”?
Bertell – “Privacy” is a modern-day love song. That I believe is a brilliant way of me showcasing soul and pop to a world lacking love, strength, and vulnerability. It’s walking the line of wanting to be your best at love without denying the fact that in today’s culture, sometimes it doesn’t work, but we can still try. The song was my way of giving myself to the art with my own music first, lyrics second, and lastly, my vocals.
Reviews & Dunn – Who were some of your early musical influences growing up?
Bertell – My early musical influences were The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Isleys, Al Green, and Charlie Wilson. Then that grew into Aaron Hall, R Kelly, Jodeci, and Jagged Edge.
Reviews & Dunn – Who was the first major artist that you opened up for on tour?
Bertell – I first opened for Bobby Valentino, now known as Bobby V, on a few radio dates.
Reviews & Dunn – I loved the cover artwork for your second album Sun Up Sun Down. What was the vibe you were going for with the cover?
Bertell – I was trying to capture a classic album feel that didn’t lean too much on an image of me but an overall image that shows the music’s vibe. It’s the end of the day but the beginning of the night, the sun setting in.
Reviews & Dunn -How did you link with Bryan Michael Cox for the song “Beat It Up”?
Bertell – I didn’t link up with Bryan on “Beat It Up. “Super Producers TA and Kwasi Kwa produced the song. I already was in a joint venture deal with Bryan and Capitol Records by the release time.
Reviews & Dunn – Some of the artists you’ve worked with include T-Pain and Bun B. What female singer and MC are on your bucket list for collaborations?
Bertell – H.E.R would be on my list. She’s a gift from God and genuinely talented. As far as female MC’s Megan Thee Stallion, we both grew up in Houston, so it’s only right.
Reviews & Dunn – Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole both reach out to sample “Southern Moonlight” for their next album. Who are you giving permission to first?
Bertell -That’s a hard one! Because I love Kendrick music, but I would go with J Cole for that particular song.
Reviews & Dunn -In a game of NBA 2K, who is your go-to team?
Bertell -Right now, it would be the NETS. I’m going to have a shooting field day.
Reviews & Dunn – What are your musical plans post COVID?
Bertell – Tour, Tour, Tour. I want to be out there with the music lovers giving them the best show I can deliver.
Reviews & Dunn– Is there anything you would like to add, and where can fans find you on social media?
Bertell – All my social media is @Bertell4ever. I just gained ownership of my YouTube and subscribers. So I will be spending a lot of time there – please subscribe and turn on notifications.
my latest interview guest Vocalz Iz. The singer has just embarked on his latest business venture and took out the time to chop it up with me.
One of the greatest things in life is when you can interview one of your on-line friends as they live out their dreams. Shout out to my man Denny “DJ Soulchild” Sutton who blessed my platform with an interview.
Hip Hop Head and author Justin Jones is currently in the final writing stages of his second book ‘Hip Hop Was Dead: The State of the Culture 2003-2007’. That book covers a 5-year era of Hip-Hop and how the culture was affected during that period. Mr. Jones took some time out, though, to chat with me about his debut book Street Dreaming: Reading Nas’ It Was Written.
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