Filed under: Exclusives, Interviews, Movies, Music
"It's important to make sure I think of my fans and to make sure that I cover them. With this record, they will be covered all over and that's really exciting," she told BlackVoices.com, during a recent interview in New York City. "Out of all my albums, this is the one that's most dedicated to my fans and I made this album with my fans in mind. I wanted to them to feel like, 'Yo, CiCi is really holding us down!'"
Called by many her "make or break" CD because of the lackluster performance of her 2009 release 'Fantasy Ride,' Ciara declared 'Basic Instinct' is a return to the sound that made her a star, while yet incorporating her growth as woman.
"'Basic Instinct,' the title, is basically me taking it back to the bas
ics of where I started. Taking it back to the base. Giving you the attitude, the aggression and the energy while still giving you the new me and the place where I am right now. It's definitely going to give you the place where I'm at as a woman," she explained.Part of Ciara's maturity has been realizing that she can't obsess over the tabloid stories and paparazzi pictures that once stressed her out.
"Let me be honest with you, it can be if you let it," she acknowledged.
A media magnet who is often photographed while out with her friends Kim Kardashian and LaLa Vazquez, Ciara confessed that she's now better at coping with the media scrutiny.
"There were points where I use to think so much about what they say," she continued. "I'm honestly in a place where I've decided to have fun. They're going to say something regardless of what you do, so you might as well let go and really enjoy yourself. I plan to be here for a long time - that's my goal - so I don't think it ever stops. Its one of those things where you have to build a thick skin, have fun and be like, 'whatever!'"
"There never was really a beef," she offered. "No one should be in the space of talking about stuff like that, not as women at least. I feel like we all should be reaching for the top and there should be nothing but love amongst us. It was important for that to be in the universe and to kind of end it because that really does not matter. That was the goal. It was all about spreading love."
Though music is her passion, the Austin-born, Atlanta-bred singer has branched out and done some acting. The singer starred opposite Adrienne Bailon ('The Cheetah Girls') in the 2006 MTV film, 'All Y
ou've Got.'In the summer of 2007, Ciara shot the film 'Mama I Want To Sing' where she played the lead character Amara Winter.
More than three years later, the movie has yet to be released.
"Well, it's funny because at this point, I couldn't tell you all the details to be honest with you," the 'Goodies' singer said about the delay. "I'm sure it'll definitely come out whenever everything is finalized and when it's supposed to."
Ciara said she enjoyed her time on the production and anticipates fans seeing the film.
"It definitely was a fun experience. I worked with Hill Harper ('C.S.I.: NY') and Charles Randolph-Wright ('Preaching to the Choir') - he was really sweet. Patti LaBelle - who is so down to earth - is also in it. I also worked with Billy Zane ('The Deep End') - he was really nice. It was a really fun experience and maybe when the time is right, it'll come out."
The Codeblack Entertainment feature also stars Lynn Whitfield ('Madea's Family Reunion').
Related Articles
- Exclusive: 'Mama, I Want To Sing!' Trailer & News
- Whatever Happened to Ciara's Movie, 'Mama, I Want to Sing?'
- Crossing Over: Letoya Luckett Makes Feature Film Debut
- Miguel: R&B Newcomer Talks Music, Touring & Learning Spanish
Black Music Notes Mar. 19
3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'
Getty Images
3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'
Jemal Countess, WireImage
3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.
Evening Standard / Getty Images
3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.
Santiago Llanquin / AP
3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.
Zomba
3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.
Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic
3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'
Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images