This one-woman man formerly of BLACKstreet is home and doing it solo. Dave Hollister, an artist under Def Squad/Dreamworks, describes himself: "I'm a messenger. I don't consider me being an R&B artist. I think… that's the calling that God has made on my life for R&B." His new album is a hit. With all of its honesty and sincerity this album has me in a daze. It is most definitely worth buying. It starts of with the sound of rain and an intro to the last song on the track I'm Not Complete. It's more than an R&B album; it combines HipHop and his savvy street vibe. It is music to the ears and the heart. The songs are easy to relate to and speak on things we all have experienced or will.

His first released single One Woman Man is already blowing up the airwaves. Chicago '85 is all Hollister, his personal testimony. I had the opportunity of meeting and greeting Dave Hollister. At the studio in Addison, IL Hollister arrives tired from traveling and promoting his new album. We make a short and sweet introduction, have lunch and then the interview began.

We touched base on everything from being in the music industry to being a one-woman man. Of course we had to start with the music industry. I asked about his biggest fear in getting into the music industry and his response was, "People raping me, trying to get my money, you know, trying to beat me outta money and all kinda stupid percentages; and that's one thing I can't handle." During the interview Dave showed his crazy but cool side. "I just like having fun, man, life is too short to always be serious and uptight, this music business right here is too stressful you know what I mean and stress is the number one killer amongst us, you know besides AIDS."

He also gave some good advice to all of you aspiring and upcoming artists, "Learn the fundamentals when you come in this game so people won't rape you. Learn what the most, the maximum percentage a manager can get learn then minimum and give 'em the minimum. Make 'em work. Learn what a royalty point is; learn what a mechanical rate is. If you learn all of that you got the basics down so they won't rape you. That's just one of my pet peeves… I'm getting mad just thinking about it."

Not only is Hollister an artist but family is important to him and they are always "on q" with where he is and how he's doing. "…whenever I'm traveling before I go to sleep on the tour bus I call home. Before I go on stage I like to hear her voice and I like to hear my boys' voice. You know that kinda thing and then when I come home I just ask that they give me one day to sleep and then we gone."

This was an interview to remember and he had no problem laying it all out on the table. Besides just telling you what happened and how the interview went I'll let you read it for yourself and you can come up with your own conclusion. But first I have to let you know some things may be said that may offend some of you, sorry. The truth is the truth and I'm all about being real.

Q: So who is the man behind the voice besides a father, a singer and a husband?
A: David … I'm simple you know. I don't need a lot to make me happy. You know what I mean, because I guess I've grown. Singing background for a lot of people and being on tour early in my life I've done all the wild and out, the groupie thing, you know, going to the clubs and the after parties - that don't excite me no more. I'm in it to make money and to make dope music that people can feel. I mean that's all I'm in it for. I don't … I'm not really into the whole fame thing, oh I'm such and such, I sold this many records. I don't care about that as long as somebody feel me, feel my music and learn from whatever song they listen to of mine. Learn something or get something out of it or be helped by something I sung about, then I'm good.

Q: Who or what was your inspiration for this album to make you write the songs that you wrote?
A: My wife. She's beautiful, you know, inside and out. She's one of those women where if she made a mistake it hurts her. She's gone be messed up. She's just, she's an incredible person and I'm blessed that she' in my life.

Q: How do you see yourself in 10 years professionally and personally?
A: You know what, I don't even try to look into the future like that. You know, I just ask God to direct my path, because he's why I'm here, he's why I live, you know what I'm saying. He's why I'm able to do what I do. So I just pray to God and ask God to direct my path, you know what I mean. And the future, only God knows the future so whatever path he's set for me that's where I'm a go. The only thing I look to the future about is like putting money up for my kids for school you know all of that kinda stuff but other than that where ever God takes me that's where I'm gonna go.

Q: Your new single a HOT ONE … a One Woman Man: Now there's two parts to this question - What is a way... How would you put it to them that (being a one-woman man) that's the best way to go?
A: Well with me, I would have to say - first of all ask 'em, What else is out there? I mean you just mess with a whole bunch of women. Sitting around screwing 7, 8, 9 different women, one of 'em drop somethin' on you and you don't know where you got it from. It's just - for men - I don't know what it is you know. I don't know what it is about us we gotta have more than one piece of; you know what I'm saying. You know I guess it's the challenge of it all. But I ain't with that no more. You know once you got one woman, a good woman that's all you need. Cause to be honest wit' you it all feel the same to me, some tighter, some might be juicer, some might be bigger, but it all feel actually the same when you; you just excited about a different face so it's not even worth it.

This savvy "messenger" of course had favorites who he couldn't get enough of - Donnie Hathaway and Charlie Wilson. His favorite songs were Going In Circles, from Charlie Wilson and I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know and Giving Up Is Hard To Do, by Donnie Hathaway. "You know every chance I get if I see a Donnie Hathaway that I done bought about four times I'll buy it."

Staff writer - April Smith

 

R&B is certainly gaining a broader audience: new stars such as Dave Holliser, Jesse Powell, Jaheim, Jill Scott and India.Arie are bring fresh sounds flavored with old school soul - real soul - back into the genre. Some of these artists will be around for a long time; none of them are one hit wonders. They ALL have what it takes to keep creating the sounds we all love to make love to....

BIG BAER Urban Alternative brings you all the top urban stars. Next we interview Ja Rule... Coming up: Crucial Conflict and Twista!

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