Juneteenth Performers CONTINUES
A Conversation with Sybil By April Mial
I was thrilled about the opportunity to interview Sybil, “a Dynamic Soul Diva considered to be the
possessor of one of the most beautiful and exceptional voices in the music industry today.” She is a disco icon (80s and early 90s) with smash hits “Don’t Make
Me Over” and “Walk On By.” She will perform at the 10th Annual NC Juneteenth
Celebration on Saturday June 21st in downtown Durham.
I caught her between teaching classes, and I found our interview to be delightful,
insightful, and full of energy. (Sybil’s responses are in italics)
How are you?
I’m well. Thank you.
What are you doing these days?
I have two lives. One, I am still writing and creating songs and two, I am a Lead
Achievement Coach at a community college; been doing that since 2003.
So how did you get into music?
When I left college, I wanted to go into law school, but had a strong communications background, so I worked for a publishers company. The rest is history. Prior
to hit song “Don’t Make Me Over” I had produced four records underground and
found success there. The opportunity to go mainstream came when there was a
shift in music – people wanted a vocal over a track that had a rhythm. I was 23
when I had the hit.
Has music always been a part of your life?
Yes, I’ve always loved music. I was exposed to theatre at an early age. When I was
in college, I was involved in different talent shows, competitions…sang with a
band. I worked during the week, but did my music on the weekend. My cousin is
Maxine from En Vogue and my mom was a part of a group when I was growing up.
How would you describe your work?
I have always created and sang lyrics that I am proud of. That is important to me.
The choices that I make are conscious. In this business your name was at risk to be
questioned, and I never wanted to do that. I grew up in the church and church was
important.
Any challenges you’ve faced by being in this business?
I have embraced that I am not going to be everyone’s flavor. I was told that I was
big [overweight], which made me start to question my ability to sing with what
I looked like. Over the years, I started to diminish myself. After “Walk On By” I
started feeling as if I was trying to fit in a mold – and that was not natural to me.
As I got older, I realized that I can become who I truly am – and realized that if
20
Sybil who is considered a legendary boogie/house/
soul/pop music diva, first debuted on the club charts
in 1986 with the infectiously funky “Falling in Love”.
Since then, Sybil has gone on to release an astounding
array of smash club singles across various charts and
genres, including 1987’s “Let Yourself Go”, “My Love
Is Guaranteed” which are considered club anthems
to many house and dance deejay aficionados. March
of 2011, Sybil released “Troubled Waters” on an
independent label. Overseas, she managed to earn
top 5 hits with her rendition of the Harold Melvin
and the Blue Notes, “The Love I Lost” and “When I’m
Good & Ready”. Sybil has impacted the charts in over
30 countries, and continues to tour abroad singing for
causes near and dear to her heart.
people didn’t like it, it’s okay. Be true to who you are.
Where have you found musical success?
I worked with premier UK producers (equivalent to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis) and
found success in the UK with “The Love I Lost” and “When I’m Good and Ready.” Those
songs have sold a lot of copies. I have done well in the UK because they embrace the
artist and the artistry and you don’t have to fit a mold, but just create good music.
What do you want to tell young people going into the music industry?
You have to be clear about what you want to present. You stick by yourself and don’t
compromise. People will respect it. Also, ask yourself will you be pleased with what you
have put out there. I am not ashamed of the work I’ve done because it comes from an
honest place, even though it may not be a number one hit. I also tell my students who
are inspiring artists that I don’t want to hear their demo until they have a GED. Society
will spit you out unless you have an education. They [my students and aspiring singers]
owe it to themselves.
Are you working on a new album, and if so, how is this album different than the others?
Yes I am. It’s almost finished. It is more adult, soul, and dance music. I’m talking about
more mature things. It’s not a particular genre. Also, I am the executive producer. I
don’t have a label telling me that this is what I need to be.
What’s your favorite color?
Orange because it represents energy.
What do you want to gain from this new vamp for your career?
I want people to share my gift – no matter your age, you can still have vibrancy. You can
look like me and still have a voice. I want people to embrace new product from old soul.
Life continues to go on and on – [I encourage people to] live life to its fullest and being
open, honest, and free. Do not allow yourself to be slowed down or shut down by what
other people say. When you come from an honest place, it is an alright place.
How do you feel about performing at Juneteenth?
In 2012, I couldn’t fit it into my schedule and there was some life changing things at that
time, but last year I am excited to perform…and even more excited to be invited back!
I am familiar with what Spectacular Magazine is doing, and I want to be in an environment that fosters positiveness and the reason we should celebrate our lineage.
With everything that is happening socially and politically, old and young people need
to be inspired. Old people should change practices, yet, incorporate new concepts.
We should help our young people be better citizens with the idea of overcoming and
celebrating challenges.
Juneteenth Performers CONTINUES ON PAGE 21
SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE | June 2014 | www.spectacularmag.com