**Through the efforst of TommyBoy rep, Lisa Brown, and to the guys of TKA, Freestylemania had the privledge of speaking to Tony of TKA about their new album, “TKA FOREVER.”**
PART I
TKA: My pleasure and I am speaking for the group, the guys aren’t here, Kayel & Angel are in the studio, but I will speaking the truth and nothing but the truth.
LouieC: Ok, First of all, how did you guys find yourselves back at TommyBoy and who was it that made the first move for this project?
TKA: Before we thought of any record label, we thought of getting back together, you know what I’m saying. We wanted to go out their & test our skills as entertainers and which we took about a year to do that. We then went to the studio, did our album and went to TommyBoy with it. We went with them because of the relationship we had with them.
LouieC: Now your new album appropriately title, TKA Forever, sounds like you guys are here to stay!! Are you all here to stay and What type of message are you all trying to send to your Freestyle Fans?
TKA: Well, the obvious is that after we left, know what I am saying, our music was still here and after those nine years that we were gone people still remembered us. Alot of love in the singles, “Maria”, “Give Your Love To Me”, and all those hits. Whether some unfortunate thing happens to us (laughter), we honestly feel that our music will last forever and we will be one of those groups that through the fans will be remembered 20 years from now.
LouieC: Ok, Before I go any further, I really want to get one question out the way , the single, “When Will I See You Again.”. I have heard many version of it which I thought were awesome especially the one done at Club Exit!!! Why was it changed so much and is the one on your album the final cut. What is your comment?
TKA: Originally, “When Will I See You Again” was suppose to be a song that was done by TKA and Joey Gardner as single for in our new album. We thought it would be great song to do, so joey produced the song and we went with it. What happened was that his proposal after we did that single was to release it with a greatest hits album. Everybody had heard rumors that we were going to come out with a greatest hits album and thought thats how we were going to our return. The last thing we wanted to do after all of those years being away was to come back to do a greatest hits album, know what i am saying. For us, it felt like it didn’t show the people that we could do anything else. It would of been our greatest hits album and the new single, thats it. So, what happen was that joey went ahead and hired different remixers to remix the song; that was when we ended our relationship with Joey Gardner and taking the opportunity away of that single coming out. We still realized that there was so much hype on that song and therefore had to re-do it and include in our album. Any other mix of that song you here has somehow leaked out through other parties, you know what i am saying. Its funny, we just got a call today, not mentioning any names, but someone wanted to put that song on their new freestyle compilation and did a freestyle mix to “When Will I See You Again” and we had to say no. Its funny because they have people always saying, “You know TKA..they are this and that…”, but its funny how they always wanna have us on their comps.., I wonder why!!
LouieC: I have had the chance to hear your much anticipated album and in your own words, what do you feel this album is and what can your fans expect from it?
TKA: To understand what we are doing, it might take awhile for our old fans to feel what we are doing who are expecting a “Tears May Fall” or “Maria” part II. What we talked about in our previous songs was LOVE, how to love, and to the titles our of songs it was obvious. Well this album what we are doing is explaining to the people how we love, know what i am saying, how we make love, and how it is to love one of us. It is our way of letting people know how we are with our relationships with songs like “Sexual Fantasy”, “One Day U”, and “Better Than Da Rest’Um.” We honestly feel we are better than the rest of them with songs like “Move Out Of My Way.” now people dogged us for our new single, “Feel The Music.” The truth of the matter is that song is the only song that TKA didn’t do in the recording studio. It was a song that was submitted by the record label and decided to do it. Know, we are behind that song. It is totally different from what we do but what we want people to know is that after 10 years music has changed. I think the question we pose to everybody is that, “If TKA would of came out with a “Maria” part II talking about she left the drug dealer and is now with a cop, would they have felt that TKA grew as group?” I feel that we wouldn’t of grown as a group if we did. I am originally and R&B writer and producer, K7 has his own style and Angel is more pop oriented but when it came to the TKA project, we went in the studio to create good music.
TKA Interview:PART II
Continues……
TKA: I think my personal favorite would be “Better Than Da Rest’Um.” Everytime I hear that song, personally, I rock that joint there. That joint right there is bangin at a club, know what i am saying. Now, the single, “You Don’t Feel It,” is a song where someone is really not living up to their end of the relationship and we all been through that. You can’t be afraid to express that. Songs that are mellow that I love are “One Day U” and the one that I wrote and produced, “Love Will Conquer.” That song I wrote for my daughter, (laughing) I know everybody says that but for real I did write that song for about 6 years ago. I feel everybody did a good job on this album. K did an awesome job as lead vocalist singing different songs in different tones. I told K, “Trust me, get in there, you have more on your voice than just “Give Your Love To Me” & “Maria.” Angel did a great job supporting the whole thing and the same went for the management. We just can’t wait for the final day to arrive on the release of our new album which is now 11-06-01. I got a call from TommyBoy a couple of weeks ago and they said that were running behind on the marketing and had to push the release date back. I told that I wasn’t mad and that it was cool. There is a political side to the business. You can have the greatest music ever but if you don’t have the people marketing it then you won’t give your music the chance to be heard.
LouieC: Elaborate more for us on the political side?
TKA: What people don’t understand is that they have to go out there the first week of the album’s release and cop that album so that we can get on Billboard and get the radio time needed to make this successful. Without that type of support, it will be very difficult for TKA to do another album. So, we got to let the fans know that we are out here putting this music out.
LouieC: You guys have a performance at backdrafts in a few weeks which I may be at….don’t know yet but anyway, will you all be playing some of the new songs off of the new album?
TKA: What we do is perform one or two songs. See, when we do a show, the crowd shows much love towards us but they want us to do every single that we have ever put out which is almost impossible. So, what we do is that we let the club play some of our hits as well. There will come a time when we will put a band together to promote the new album so that we can do our new singles.
LouieC: Who are the people behind the production?
TKA: The people who produced this album are all from my production company. Lets see, Orion Entertainment, Ivan from TPR productions and Edwin Ramos, who this is his first large project, all did a great job.
LouieC: Are you all planning any major tour or any type of promotions such as videos in a national level for the new album or maybe hitting any cities like New Orleans, Houston, Miami, or Los Angeles? Or are you all mainly going to concentrate in the NYC area?
TKA: We definitely go out there and hang with Master P (laughing). We have done alot of shows in the past in Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, San Antonio and other parts of the country. We have been all over and hope we can do our shows there again. We are planning a tour to promote the album on all of the major cities to do what we do best. As for a video, we are trying to get a good feel from the fans on what song we are probably going to release next and do a video on that.
LouieC: I saw that you all were part of the Freestyle Rush Tour this year…how was it working with so many freestyle artists and especially with stevie B?
TKA: We actually were only able to do one day of the tour. Big ups to Stevie for that. Yeah, it was in Philly and the only thing was that it was in conflict with out studio time. We were in the process of finalyzing the album like mixing and mastering it. So, it was totally difficult to committ to a tour at that time. We weren’t able to continue and our priority was the album. We have been here since ’85 and love what we are doing and it has been a good 16 years.
LouieC: I know this may be a frequently asked question but many people wonder what the Freestyle Kings truly feel what the definition of Freestyle Music is? What would you sum up Freestyle to be?
TKA: The definition of what freestyle should be is GOOD!!! I think the art of freestyle is good but the business side of it needs to get better. There are so many artists out there that are willing to do a song but they are not taking care of their business. They don’t have the managers that are as wise about the industry as per say the POP industry. For instance, like in Royalty Rates, Production Points, and Credits. The problem is back in the day alot of the artist and even the ones now have not received their just right. Alot of producers and managers have gotten rich because of that. Artists need to the best they can but their music will only be good if the business of the side of it is good. As far as the music, just give it all you got. The bottom line is that you need to put that star quality like MADONNA does. If you do, then you will receive your just rights. There are only a few freestyle groups out there like us and Stevie B who get can get up to $10,000 a show but the majority of the freestyle artists who are not going for that star quality only get maybe $500 a show. Personally, I know of managers right now that are ripping their artist off because most of today’s artist come in with nothing and are willing to do anything to do a song!!! (sounds of frustration) In Order for freestyle to get back up at a “Major” level, this type thinkng needs to stop.
TKA Interview:PART IIIContinues……
TKA: We were all born and raised in Spanish Harlem which isn’t the worse place to grow up. It has a big diversity in music there. We grew up listening to Salsa & Merengue. But we also grew up listening to Disco, Dance, and Rap. We use to listen to different types of styles from Anita Baker to DePeche Mode. In fact, the single, “In A Manner,” is a dedication to the DePeche Mode who help us get throught many of our hard times. Right now, I have my daughter working on some things and let me tell you her voice is so developed that you would figure you were listening to Alisha Keys. Also, We are working on a 15 year-old puertican kid who has outstanding vocals.LouieC: Tony, what ever did happen to you all and Prestige Records?
TKA: Well, the president of Prestige approached us to do a deal with them through Columbia. We naturally told him to submit a proposal and to our disappointment it wasn’t to our liking. But at the end of the day, we had to do what was best for TKA. We still support him as he supports us. It was more a business oriented decision. If it came down to TommyBoy or Prestige, it would of been TommyBoy simply because of the relationship we have with TommyBoy.LouieC: Before I go any further, Describe for us the experience at Club Exit in May of 2000. It seems as if thought that was a special night for you guys. What is your comment on that?
TKA: What that was right there was the day it solidified TKA’s place in this industry. It was a magical night. It was an appreciative situation receiving all that love from the fans and you can only feel blessed. It was that night we said that this was something we need to be doing. It is so hard to even describe the feeling.LouieC: Inlight of the Terrorist attacks, Is there anything you all would like comment?
TKA: First off, its a shame that we are in this situation and going through this tragedy. I think as a nation we should sit together and be proud of the U.S. in taking their time in doing the necessary investigation. It wouldn’t of been a good thing on the day after the attacks to show some type of military action without geting all of the facts. We have learned from our past actions such as in the war of Vietnam and The Gulf that we need to be wiser. Times are changing and we shouldn’t be afraid of change. Our prayers go out to the all of the victims.LouieC: Well Tony, one final question…Where can we go to find any news on TKA..is there an email or website address? Also, if there is anything you would like to add as well..please feel free!!
TKA: Sure, we are in the process of establishing a brand new Website, WWW.TKAFOREVER.COM, and hopefully it will up soon..so keep an eye out for that. This site will contain music clips of not only our music but for the other artist that we are working on. There you will be able to get any info on us and even purchase TKA merchandise such as T-Shirts, Hats, and Jackets just to name a few. If TKA is featured on websites or articles, you can find the info on that. We are in control of this site. The entire business will be conducted in our office. This site is strictly for the fans.On a final note, I want thank you, Louie, and WWW.FREESTYLEMANIA.COM, for making this happen. I want you guys to understand that this in not a one party gig, know what i am saying. This is something we need for the fans to give us the opportunity to get it right. We believe in our hearts the album is right but, hey, if the fans don’t think so, we will go back in the studio and do it all over again.LouieC: Well, you guys are back and the album is coming out 11-06-01, Freestyle is in air..what more can you ask for?
Tony, I just want to thank you so much for taking time out for this interview. I would like to thank Lisa Brown from TommyBoy in setting this meeting up and just know that TKA will always have Freestylemania’s support! PEACE