[INTERVIEW] Brian McKnight Talks New Album & What His Last Marriage Taught Him

Brian McKnight is a certified veteran in the music game. Entering the scene in 1992, he is known for hit love songs like, “One Last Cry,” “Back At One,” and “Anytime.” Last year, Brian penned the controversial song, ‘If You’re Ready To Learn’ leaving fans (mainly female fans) shocked. TheJasmineBRAND.com recently chatted with him before his performance at Washington, DC’s Howard Theater. The Buffalo, NY native discussed his interesting humor, latest album, ‘More Than Words,’ and if he’ll ever jump the broom again. Peep the excerpts below.

You came on the scene in 1992, probably a totally different person and artist. Right now, who is Brian McKnight?

I’m the same. I’m the same person, at least I, you never know. Because perception, from someone else’s perspective is different than what you think of yourself. I think that I’m pretty much the same person. Uhmm there may be people who knew me then that may think differently like and ex wife or, people like that who say, ‘He’s completely different,’ but to me maybe my idea of myself is something that I grew into that I always thought I was and I didn’t become that until I became that. Follow that if you have a chance.

Let’s talk about ‘More Than Words.’ My math may be off, but this is your 12th studio album? How would you describe the overall ‘sound’ of this album? 

 It’s the 12^th studio album, but there’s actually 15 altogether. But it’s the 12^th one. Well, I had two Christmas albums and I had one Greatest Hits, whatever you wanna call that, and then there’s been three or four other ones that I didn’t authorize, but I wrote the songs so what are you gonna do?

It’s typical Brian McKnight except for it’s a little faster. It’s a little more fun. I’m at a different point in my life now where you know, there hasn’t been a lot of bad. So this album doesn’t necessarily reflect the idea that I’m just somewhere writing some sad song somewhere. That’s really never been me. But the albums, with the songs I’ve written and made make people think differently. I just wanted to create something that felt good.

Let’s talk lyrics for a bit. You describe your writing style sometimes as ‘tongue-in-cheek. ‘When you started, I don’t think you were perceived that way. When did the shift begin, lyrically? 

 It’s always been inside. It’s been in every song I’ve ever written actually. I think at the time people just were more romantic then. People were okay with ‘Hey I’d rather fall in love with somebody and not have it work out, than not try that at all.’ And I think that’s changed. Nobody wants to do anything that might get their heart broken now. So a lot of that has left the music. So now all that’s left is you read between the lines. Those lyrics have always been there. I’ve always been the same. I just wanted people to take my music seriously because I was a serious, I was a serious musician but at the same time I wanted to be a comedian and a bunch of other things too so I sorta mixed it all together. But in the framework it’s hard to see it sometimes because people, they don’t want to believe you can be anything than what they think they are.

What lesson did marriage teach you about yourself? 

 Not to get married.

I’d like to get in your personal business for a moment. You sing about sex and love. We actually look to you for that. What’s it like dating Brian McKnight? 

I don’t know. I don’t date Brian McKnight. I have fun. Hanging out with me can be very, very fun. I like to do lots of different things. They have nothing to do with romance, or candles or music. I’m a get out kinda guy. I mean I skydive, and I scuba dive, and do that kind of thing. I ride motorcycles. I do things that have nothing to do with what the common perception is. And if you hang out with me, trust me when I tell you, you’ll have a lot of fun.

 You grew up Seventh-Day Adventist right? When is the last time you went to church? 

 I don’t practice. [The last time I’ve been to church [is] quite some time.

If you could pick one song, as the theme song to your life, what would it be?

 Babylon Sisters. Steely Dan.

Do you prefer big boobs or big booty?

 I’m a total package man.

What legacy would you like to leave behind? 

 Hopefully my epitaph will read, “Here lies Brian McKnight. He wrote a few good songs.”

Peep the entire interview below.

The Jasmine Brand interviews Brian McKnight from Surpass Visuals on Vimeo.

For more Brian McKnight visit @ItsBMcKnight  or bmcknight.com

-@_deeroberts 

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