Macy Gray | Interview (2007)

Aries (UBG): Tell me about your new album BIG!
Macy Gray: It was made and recorded by me and will.i.am. It's a great album, my best. It's fresh and new and I've never done anything like it.

Aries (UBG): How did you come up with that title for the album?
Macy Gray: It's titled BIG because of my BIG brain, my BIG hair and my BIG butt (laughs)!

Aries (UBG): You worked with a UBG favorite Teedra Moses on the new album, how was it working with her and what did she bring to the table you feel only she could?
Macy Gray: I met Teedra through a mutual friend. I was told what a wonderful writer she was. Teedra was actually the first person I ever wrote songs with. I'm a very private person, but with her I would write some lyrics and she would come into the studio and add something. She is so cool, she's down to earth and very talented. She really helped me out a lot with this album and some of the writing. We were only suppose to work on one song, but I kept calling her back in to work on others with me.

Aries (UBG): For the first time in your career you worked with a variety of producers and artists for this album, how was that?
Macy Gray: It was really cool. It was a real eye opener for me, because I'm not that type of artist. I'm passionate about my music, so I've always taken it on alone. I'm not one for having a lot of collaborations on my albums. I'm not one to have a rap in the middle of my song, it's just never been me. So with this album, I just wanted to see what would happen. I went in not caring about how I recorded all my previous albums, but focusing on this one and wanting to do different things. All of those collaborators brought something. I'm happy I did it this way, because it's my best album, it's dope!

Aries (UBG): You speak on so many things on this album, from your ex husband to being a single parent, did you set out to make this a personal album?
Macy Gray: All of my CD's are personal actually. That's the only way I know how to write honestly. With the song OK, that was all Will's idea. He was like most people don't know that you're a single parent. The wonderful thing about that song is Will and Justin Timberlake wrote most of it. They wrote the verses and it's great because it's two men. Two guys who were both raised by single Mothers. So who better to write about it and who better to sing about it, than a single mother. That subject is universal, everyone knows a single parent.

Aries (UBG): What made you sign with will.i.am Music?
Macy Gray: Mainly because he's someone I've known for a period time. He's someone I trust! I don't trust a lot of people. I couldn't of made this CD without him. The fact that there is so much trust there, I knew I would be alright.

Aries (UBG): You have a James Brown sample on the new album, what did you admire most about him?
Macy Gray: I just admire everything that he stood for. So many people idolized him and I can understand why. He definitely was a leader of our culture and had a huge following. So many people could relate to him and the things he said and just could connect with him. Some artists have that, like Tupac did as well, Eminem does, he connects to all the little white kids who wasn't brought up in the best situations. Mary J.Blige connects to people, to all the around the way girls, who are just themselves coming up. I love all those artists. James Brown made black men proud to be them and James really spoke for them.

Aries (UBG): Tell me about your clothing line?
Macy Gray: My clothing line is called Natalie Hinds (Macy's real name). It's for all those thick girls with hips and waistlines (laughs). It's a clothing line driven for bigger sized girls. Most stores just really cater to small size girls, like the biggest size they may have is a 12. If they do have anything over that, it's like up to a 14 and it's only a few items. I wanted to create this line so girls who are not those sizes will be able to go in the store and find clothes they can fit that are dope!

Aries (UBG): You're a good actress, I personally loved you in Training Day, can we expect to see you in anymore films soon?
Macy Gray: Yeah definitely! I want to keep acting and try some more roles, I'm looking forward to it. I've been really just focusing on this new album and only the album. It's been 4 years since my last album, so I didn't want to take any time away from making it. Now that it's finished, I'll be looking over some scripts.

Aries (UBG): You managed Sunshine Anderson when she debuted, do you still keep in contact with her and what did you learn from that experience?
Macy Gray: I learned that I don't ever want to be a manager again (laughs). I've seen her on TV and I actually ran into her recently. We were both recording in the same studio. I just wish her the best and I heard her new record, I think she's going to be fine.

Aries (UBG): What does Macy do when she's not working?
Macy Gray: When I wake up I'm just in the moment really. I do what I feel I need to do, like lately I'm all about my priorities. I'm making sure I keep all of my priorities straight. Not just sitting around, but making sure I get shit together and things done that need to be. Like making sure I'm following my schedule and doing my interviews. Like I have a Dentist appointment on Thursday (laughs), so making sure I'm there for that. Just really taking care of business, that's been hard for me in the past.

Aries (UBG): What's next for you?
Macy Gray: This album, hoping that it does really good. I'm so excited and anxious about it. I just want to see what happens with it. So really right now, that is my only focus now.

Aries (UBG): Any last words for your fans?
Macy Gray: Buy my album! Have a good time, because life is too short!

Aries (UBG): It was a pleasure, continue success!
Macy Gray: Thanks Aries!