difficult has it been to keep the machine going and at a level where not only respectable, but at a level you’re used to in terms of distribution, sales, and so on.
Terry Ellis: There’s a big difference in being independent versus being signed to a label. You don’t have the funds and mobility basically, that you would have with a record label. It’s more challenging, but also it’s so much more gratifying. You get to have the say-so with creativity. We’ve never been driven by what’s going on outside of ourselves as far as creativity. Usually, what we’ve encountered with labels is they want you to tap into what everybody else is doing. That’s just never been who En Vogue has been creatively. Not having a vast number of dollars to do what we do; the true gratification comes from being true to your creativity and your passion. That’s what our fans expect from us. Being able to dig in grassroots, that’s something we never had the opportunity to do when we were with a label. Now, having to dig in and do it ourselves, it’s more gratifying. For me personally, that’s where the success lies.
U.G. Digital Mag: I think that not only that; a lot of times the key to being strong and viable as an artist goes back to how much work you put in, and obviously being independent, not having a budget, you also must work a hundred times harder, and so many artists don’t know this. They know immediately they don’t have anyone backing them, but they don’t realize that they now must really get out there and work their tails off.
Terry Ellis: It’s a catch 22 with is.
U.G. Digital Mag: Oh yea, but I love that you’re showing people it can be done. You have artists like Mya, and Keith Sweat, and they are making it happen. But En Vogue stands in the forefront. You’re doing amazing, in music and acting. I saw your Christmas movie a couple years ago, and that took me to another level. I think the platform now is amazing. Why do you think the industry is shifting more toward being independent? I think the idea has always been there that you can do this and there’s more money. If you work harder, you make more, and it’s more rewarding, but a lot of artists have never wanted to do it. Now, they want it suddenly. Why the shift?
Terry Ellis: I think it’s because of what you said. They realize the reward in being independent. The deals being offered at labels now are the 360 deals, where they want a piece of every aspect of you and your creativity. It wasn’t that way back in the day, and it’s because of digital downloads and stuff like that. I get it, but I think the shift is in our favor, if you are willing to put in the work.
U.G. Digital Mag: In terms of your new single De Ja Vu, talk about the project. When you listen to this song, in comparison to your past music, there’s a lot of similarity. You pay homage to yourselves; certainly, but it takes me back to Given Him Something He Can Feel, and that entire album where you paid homage to those before you.
Terry Ellis: Thank you. Well, as you know, it’s our latest release. We wanted to roll out with that first. We wanted to say thank you to our fans for their eagerness and waiting patiently for us. Also, it is picking up on the classic signature En Vogue sound and harmonies. We’re paying tribute to that music before us, but also with a little contemporary Bossa Nova … I’m the only one saying that [laughing] … Bossa Nova vibe to it. We really just got in the studio and let the music dictate where the track would go. With this record, we were a lot freer with our intention and how we approached the tracks. We allowed it to breathe and dictate to us. That’s what came out.
U.G. Digital Mag: I love what I’m hearing. Again, it takes me back through time, and it puts me in a grateful place. I feel like what En Vogue offers is missing in music, and so many people want to thank you for that.
Terry Ellis: Thank you so much for that.
U.G. Digital Mag: You’re more than welcome. So, this article is for our column titled LEGENDARY. What does that do for you to know that people place you in that category?