Dawn Robinson is back, and ready to take control of her destiny. Peep the interview below to find out what she had in common with Left Eye, where her head is at now, and what you can look for next from the legendary En Vogue diva.
Shine: Peace. How you? What's new?
Dawn Robinson: Not much. I'm good, just doing some shows on the road.
Shine: I see that you have been performing a lot lately.
Dawn Robinson: Yeah, I have been doing a few shows lately. It's been fun. We have been doing shows with BBD, Keith Sweat, Bobby Brown, and Guy. It's been great. The crowds have been great. They love us. It's just a good feeling all the way around.
Shine: So what is it like touring again?
Dawn Robinson: It's just doing shows. I wouldn't really say it is touring. We are just doing spot dates here and there. It's nice being on the road. It's a lot of fun.
Shine: I know that you're looking for a label right now. Do you care to talk about that?
Dawn Robinson: I am looking for a label for En Vogue and for myself. I actually have a label called Movemakers Entertainment with my husband. So as far as my solo album, it's going to be on that label through a major. My husband has distribution through Tommy Boy, he is an artist as well.
I am looking for a situation that is lucrative for myself, and so that everybody can make money all the way around. For people who don't know the history of En Vogue, we didn't make a lot of money and I want to change that whole scenario. I want to make sure that this time out I actually win, and that I am on top and I come out financially set as well.
Shine: What in particular are you looking for from a label?
Dawn Robinson: When you create something in the studio and you put your mind, your heart, your soul, and you write the lyrics to it, you should be rewarded. I don't mind getting a 50/50 deal as far as owning masters. But I definitely want part ownership of my masters. That's the first thing for me.
And I definitely want to come out on top of the game, with points and all that stuff. I want to make sure it is a 50/50 deal. I don't even want a production deal, not even an imprint deal. At least not a vanity imprint deal. I just want to make sure that I am in more control of my destiny than I was before. That means controlling more of what goes on my album. I don't want some A&R person telling me what should and should not go. I can listen to suggestions…if it's hot and we both know it.
Shine: How flexible do you think the majors are going to be with your request?
Dawn Robinson: Well majors tend to want to control everything, and they have the most share of the money in the end. The artist is kind of left holding the bag and it's pretty much empty. It's not hard for me to deal with a major as long as they are fair. I mean that's all that artists really want.
They want to walk away being successful as far as music, as well as being successful financially. I am always willing to deal with majors. That's fine. I mean En Vogue wouldn't be as far as we are with our name if it wasn't for a major. But we did not win in the end financially.
Shine: What's the biggest misconception labels have about you?
Dawn Robinson: I have heard that I have been difficult from business men, and I totally agree. Because I have been ran, walked over, misused, and abused in this business that we are in. And I spoke up. And a lot of people don't like when women speak up and feel like they are not supposed to do that.
I spoke up for things that I felt were unjust. I got labeled difficult, I got labeled a b*tch, I got labeled a problem, and a trouble-maker. But I think that is a misconception, because people don't know why all those things occurred.
All those things they said about me are true, but they don't know why I did those things. Left Eye was considered a trouble-maker too but she became rich shortly before she passed away. She spoke up for what was right. And anytime you speak up for what you feel is wrong and unjust-- I don't care what line of work you do-- you are going to be labeled.
Shine: Tell me about your solo album.
Dawn Robinson: So far I have about three songs done. My husband and I did a track called "How Does It Feel." We have a track from a guy out of the Music World camp with Beyonce Knowles' father in Houston. It's hot. Everybody that hears it online, they love it. My first single I'm not sure. But I tested a song on the radio and it went from being a few spins in the week, to being number one by Friday the end of the week.
And it was just incredible, I know people like the song, and people gravitate towards it. It's going to be an album that's unexpected. My fans kind of know that I would do the risky thing, but the songs that people don't expect me to do will be on there too.
Like hip-hop with a rock edge to it. When Tina Turner stepped away from Ike she had a whole different sound. It's not that I want my sound to sound like Tina's but I am going to do what people don't expect.
Shine: What do you do outside of music?
Dawn Robinson: I like to go to the movies. I like to chill when I am outside of music. Yoga and things like that. Things that just keep me calm and keep me unstressed. I am trying to develop a girl group, but that's only after I am successful again. Because it requires money and a lot of dedication.
Shine: Do you like any new artists that are out today?
Dawn Robinson: I like everybody that is out today. Especially Kanye West. Fall Out Boy, No Doubt...Beyonce is my girl. She is just one of the most talented people out there now. Usher. I mean I like everybody that's out. The Ying Yang Twins. I love everything out of the south. Everything is crunk, everything is crazy, and they don't care. They put their culture and their neck of the hoods in their music. They represent where they are from and they are not ashamed of that.
Shine: Any last words or shout outs?
Dawn Robinson: Shout out to all my fans. I appreciate people loving what we do as En Vogue and loving what I do in Lucy Pearl, and loving what I do in my solo career as well. I appreciate the fans very much for being there. Look for my solo album and look for the "Dre Allen Project."
For more Dawn Robinson check out: www.myspace.com/dawnrobinson
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