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BLAQUELINE: Was the reaction different because you were not the one that performed the song or was that just a normal reaction for you?
LINK: No, no…it was different because it was not me performing the song. I knew I was a writer on the record and I did the background vocals. Now when I heard “Whatcha Gone Do” which was the first song that was actually me and I was performing, I lost my mind!
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BLAQUELINE: Why did you switch from gospel to R&B?
LINK: No particular reason. I just evolved from gospel into R&B. I know my music is edgy, but it is still gospel rooted (if you really listen to it). Growing up I did not see many gospel artists make it professionally, although there were a few.
BLAQUELINE: Do you think you can go back to performing gospel live on the big stage?
LINK: Yes, for sure. I always said that one day I want to do a gospel album. That’s a goal of mine. I would love to cap my career off with a gospel record.
BLAQUELINE: When you heard your music for the first time on the radio, how did you feel?
LINK: Actually, the first song I heard was recorded by someone else. I knew that it was coming, but I still felt a sense of accomplishment and I could actually say I achieved a goal. But I did not jump up and down and turn flips.
BLAQUELINE: Was it a song that you wrote and someone else performed?
LINK: Yes, it was actually the song “My Body” by LSG.
Lyrical
BLAQUELINE: That’s exactly what I am talking about. Where were you when you heard your first song “Whatcha Gone Do?”
LINK: I was actually on a road trip with about 25 friends, headed to Prairie View A&M University to a convention. We pulled over to gas up and the song came on the radio. Can you imagine 25 of us and the excitement? It was absolute pandemonium.
BLAQUELINE: You still hold your gospel roots very close to you, how did your family feel about this transition, especially since you became a sexy icon on stage?
LINK: They did not have a problem with it because they saw me perform gospel and R&B. It was not something that just came out of the blue. It was not a shock factor at all.
Messiah
LINK
R&B Recording Artist, Link was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. His vocal roots stem back to his days as a young man singing in gospel choirs. But in 1998 his album “Sex Down” was released and his song “Whatcha Gone Do” hit the Top 40 Charts. This set the stage for his erotic lyrics and deep soulful melodies to be heard all over the world. However, he never strayed far from the comforts of his gospel up-brining. Read more about my personal interview with Link.
BLAQUELINE: You have had the success that so many artists long for and would love to trade places with you. But have you ever questioned being an artist “forever?”
LINK: In the past 3-4 years and the industry changing, R&B is not the same as it was when I came out in the 90’s. There is not a big outlet for R&B music. All of the changes have forced people to kick R&B to the curb.
BLAQUELINE: Why do you think the love for R&B has changed?
LINK: I am not really sure. But the industry and the economy play a major role. There used to be so many outlets for us to sell our music. Now that has all changed. It’s hard to sell music, when people can go to a particular site and just download it.
BLAQUELINE: What is your take on social media as it pertains to your career or an artists career in general?
LINK: I have mixed emotions. Me being a private person, social media is all about telling everyone – everything about you. But one way to look at it is that it's a good resource to announce events/shows, but being on social media on regular basis is not for me. However, you do have to be on social media to stay relevant.