Jamie Foxx "The Soloist" Interview with Kam Williams

By Kam Williams

Kam Goes Solo with Jamie (Excerpts from the article)

Texas native Jamie Foxx was born Eric Marlon Bishop on December 13, 1967 and raised by his grandparents from the age of seven months following the failure of his parents’ marriage. Although he was a star athlete at Terrell High on both the school’s football and basketball teams, he majored in classical music and composition in at the U.S. International University in California.

The versatile actor/comedian/singer/musician/writer/producer/director got his start in showbiz in 1989 when he went on stage on a dare on open mic night and tried his hand at standup. After spending time on the comedy circuit, he joined Keenan Ivory Wayans, Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans and Tommy Davidson in the landmark Fox sketch comedy series "In Living Color," creating some of the show's funniest and most memorable moments.

Here, he talks about his new movie, The Soloist, a true story in which he plays Nathaniel Ayers, a Juilliard-trained child prodigy, who ended up homeless after developing schizophrenia. In the film, Ayers is befriended by Steve Lopez (Robert Downey, Jr.), an L.A. Times reporter who hears him playing the violin in the park.

Kam Williams: Jamie, I loved The Soloist and I’m so honored to get this time with you.
Jamie Fox: Thank you, bro.

Kam Williams: My first question is, did you get to meet Nathaniel Ayers on the streets in preparing to portray him?

Jamie Foxx: Yes I did. As a matter of fact, I snuck downtown with a little bit of a disguise and a security cat, and I just hung out right next to Nathaniel. He had no idea that I was watching him. I got a chance to see him speak to the world, and get excited, and be happy, and sad, and play his music. And I saw him preach. Watching that I was able to gather a lot of great information about who this guy was that I was about to play, without hearing anybody’s opinion of him, but just from my firsthand look at him. Later, I was formally introduced to him, and he was on his best behavior. He smiled because he gets it that they were going to do a movie about his life. And then you see him not get it, and wondering, “What’s going on here?” And then he’d swing back around and get it again. So, it was very interesting. And while all that was happening, I had a video camera on my phone that I used to record him the whole time. So, I came home, watched that footage, the footage I filmed when he wasn’t watching, and the footage I filmed when he was aware.

Kam Williams: When you mentioned videotaping Nathaniel, it reminded me of a video I saw of you on the internet at the presidential inauguration where you were using your phone to tape a student from the Naval Academy, Chidiebere Kalu, singing acappella in his dress uniform.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5CgQgDwL_k&feature=player_embedded]

He actually happens to be a friend of my son, who's producing some tracks with him. Were you really impressed with Kalu?

Jamie Foxx: Yes,

he just text-messaged me. I let him know to have some patience. I'm trying to get it all together, so when I come to him it's real legit. [Jamie starts singing the same song Kalu sings on youtube]. Whatever that song was, I called him on his answering machine, and said, "Young man, I've got some great ideas for you, I'm just trying to put it all together." I think we could really do something special with him. When I listened to his music, I just didn't think that was the way he should go. I think that he could stay clean. He could be a real beacon coming from the military, doing some great inspirational music that would also sell. I don't want him to feel like he's corny, because I know he's got his thing going. But with some of the music I heard, I was like, "That's cool," but we need to find the right music for him and then capitalize on where he's coming from. This video footage I have of him is just amazing!

Hip-hop/R&B Interview with KALU

By: I am “The Real” Jeff Stewart ©

Ladies and Gentleman, the hype is on! Allow me to introduce you to this new up and coming artist, KALU. He’s got this hot new single, “SOO Long” that is creating quite a buzz in the music industry. 4Ward Entertainment recently sponsored a “Battle of the Songz” that put KALU’s version of “SOO Long” against a version from another recording artist and it let you, the people, decide which is better. There was a huge surge of voting from listeners worldwide and let me tell you that KALU was an overwhelming success with over 280,000 hits and counting and over 600,000 profile views in less than 5 days !!! His song was getting so many hits that it shut MySpace down TWICE. With this type of attention coming out of nowhere we had no choice but to sit down and find out who is “KALU”?

First of all Kalu is not just an edgy industry name, it is his actual last name. His full name is Chidiebere Charles Kalu. His name means “God is Merciful” in Nigerian which is a strong belief of this young man. His parents, both of Nigerian decent raised him in Orangeburg, SC, where he graduated from Orangeburg Wilkinson High School in 2007. He currently resides in Annapolis MD, where he is a sophomore at the United States Naval Academy majoring in engineering.

This guy, at just 19 years of age, is on track to be considered a phenom in the R&B Hip Hop world. In addition to his music career, KALU has had countless offers of academic scholarships from major colleges and universities across the United States; as well as numerous scholarships offers to play college football and soccer. Eventually he made the decision to attend the Naval Academy, which some people would kill to even be considered for. On his decision to attend the Naval Academy, KALU told me, “it was not a difficult decision to go to the Naval Academy. It offered me a lot; a full ride, a great education and an opportunity to serve my country, and a prestige like no other. The monthly salary didn’t hurt either.”

So what I really needed to know is that with all this success when did singing come into play? Kalu said, “I started singing when I was 4. I was playing nearby my mom, who is a teacher and a parent she was talking to. For some reason an old cheerios song from a cereal commercial popped in my head and I just started singing. Both of them, the parent and my mother turned to me and were shocked. They were like; I could really sing.” Then I asked him how he knew he was more than just ordinary, something special, He told me, “The more I sang the more attention I got. I figured, hey, most people probably can’t do this. I started singing in front of a people in church and they moved me up to the adult choir when I was 7.”

His musical influences include some of the great artist like Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Al Greene, Lenny Williams, The Temptations, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, Earth Wind and fire, Whitney Houston, The Isley Brothers, Dru hill and Jamie Foxx. The list probably goes on and on because this kid really loves music. When asked who are the three artist that he would like to feature on his first album, Kalu said; Jamie Foxx, John Legend and Lauren Hill, all known for their talent and

their take no prisoners, swagger.

KALU was given the opportunity to sing for newly elected President Obama at a pre-inauguration concert. He said, “Afterwards I had an opportunity to mingle with some celebrities; I ran into Jack Black and sang a little something for him. He had to be impressed because HE INVITED Jamie Foxx and his crew” [to hear KALU sing]. “Jamie Foxx was so impressed he broke out his personal video camera to record the event, and invited me to contact him and plan to do some work together.”

KALU talked about his decision to pursue a music career and how he hooked up with 4WARD Entertainment CEO Rick Lee through his best friend Chris Lee at the Naval Academy. “I was just blessed to be given an opportunity. I sang for Mr. Lee on a trip with him and Chris, and the rest is history. They believe in me.” About the song? “It has my name all over it, it was made for me, when Rick presented the song to me I contacted Daze out of Kentucky and Rick hooked me up with L Blaze out of Washington DC. They are the hottest brothers in the production business! We took the song to a whole nother level. It truly is me all the way.”

So then I got to the question all the young ladies out there want to know. I asked him how the ladies were treating him, being a nice looking young man with a great voice; and if he has a girlfriend. KALU says “Well the ladies have always treated me nice. I am single at the moment and know how to treat a woman that is worthy of my affections. So ladies if you think you’re that special someone hit me at www.Myspace.com/4wardentmgmt. I do love the ladies, especially the real ones with the beautiful smiles.”

As we started to wrap up the interview I just had a few more questions for KALU. I asked him what he wanted to accomplish in the music industry, and where did he see himself 5 – 10 yrs down the road. He said, “I want to be as successful as possible by making good music. I also want to try and incorporate the feelings of the 90’s in our generation.” Down the road he sees himself “on stage performing and doing what I do best, singing.” To end, I asked him if there is anything he’d like to say to his fans and he offered this: “I just want to thank everyone for all their support. I want to make my fans happy, so I assure you that there will be more great music to come.”

First and foremost there were many things that impressed me about this young brother. He definitely has the drive to be successful in whatever path in life he pursues. Whether he is KALU the music artist, Mr. Chidiebere Kalu at the Naval Academy, or just Chidi to his friends and family he is well rounded and destined for success. He has a down to earth personality, a ton of street smarts, and plenty of swag, all characteristics that will take you far in today’s market. I was in awe of this 19 year old. And while he understands that his future is bright, he also knows that he has much more to accomplish and only through hard work and dedication will he be able to attain the goals he has set for himself. So music world take note, and look out for this hot new artist known as KALU.

For a complete transcript of this interview, or permission to use this article, contact I am “The Real” Jeff Stewart at realjeffstewart@aol.com, or Rick Lee at http://www.myspace.com/4wardentmgmt

TRT Latoya Interview

Back in February I had the unique opportunity to interview 4Ward Entertainment’s hot new R & B artist Kalu for TRT Publishing. Well ladies and gentlemen the hype continues! Recently I had the great pleasure of interviewing LaToya Lloyd, who will co-star with Kula in the upcoming video for Kalu’s hit single ‘Soo Long’. Toya, as she is affectionately known, beat out hundreds of young ladies in a contest put together by 4Ward Entertainment CEO Rick Lee, COO Mike Baylor and Chris Lee. I was part of the final selection committee and let me tell you; there were some very talented and smart young ladies to choose from. Once we narrowed it down to the final three, they each went thru a somewhat grueling interview process. At the end of that process, Ms. Lloyd was our winner! Personally, I felt LaToya had the “it” as they say. She had the style, charm, charisma and personality that spoke volumes and made her stand out in my mind. So when 4Ward Entertainment asked me to interview LaToya for an article for publication, I jumped at the chance.

LaToya Lloyd is a 19 yr old college student at Midlands Technical College in Columbia, SC. She was born in Junction City, Kansas to a Turkish mother and an African American father, giving Toya has a unique biracial heritage. She has a 5 yr old sister whom Toya proudly proclaims allows her “to strive to be the best role model in her life.” Growing up a military brat, Toya has lived all over the world, including Italy, Germany, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Maryland. She considers Maryland her home, where she spent her high school years and graduated from Westlake high School in Waldorf MD. She eventually wants to transfer to a 4 yr university and major in Fashion Merchandising or Broadcasting Communications. As she put it “I just love the entertainment industry!” By the way fella’s, Toya is currently single, by choice, she says, because “I’m just trying to remain focused on my goals so I can have a successful career for the rest of my life.” She is truly a fan of Kalu and his music.

I asked Toya how she heard about Kalu & his music. Amazing, she actually had a chance meeting while attending a family reunion in NY in the summer of 2008. Kalu was NY visiting as well and by coincidence Toya and Kalu were staying in the same hotel. Toya went on to say: “I over heard him in the lobby singing on the phone to someone and I couldn’t help but compliment him on his talent. I never thought we’d see each other again.” She also told me they exchange numbers (well, the boy aint stupid!)

I also asked her what made her a fan of Kalu’s? she told me “I’m a fan, not only because of his talent, but I admire the ambition and determination that he has to go along with it. He works hard to get where he wants to be in life and I admire that.”

When Toya decided to enter the contest to be the co-star in Kalu’s video, I wondered if the newly crowned co-star really knew how much Kalu had blown up since that meeting in NY. Over a million plays of his hit ‘Soo Long’ and nearly 2 million profile views on My space in less than a month. To that Toya responded - “I realized how popular Kalu was after he won the artist contest” (4Ward Entertainments battle of the songs.) “After thousands of plays and views on his new single ‘Soo Long’, I saw that he already had millions of fans who also admired his which is amazing.” Well, I guess she knew, huh?

Speaking of the video, I asked Toya how she came to hear about the Music Video Co-Star Competition. She received a friend request from 4Ward Entertainment and she decided to look around the site. She said “I went to the page to casually look and came across the Co-Star competition banner” (The site was designed by Matt Lee.) Did Toya having any concerns or fears about entering the contest? She told me her “thoughts entering the competition were all mixed up. I thought what if I don’t get picked, what if a do, is it beneficial to me, is this even a real contest! (Whoa, sorry I asked.) But then added “after thinking way to much, I decided it’s worth a try; I have nothing to lose.”

I asked Toya whose idea was it for her to enter the contest and who had she talked to about it. She said “It was completely 100%” her ideas to enter and “no one even knew I entered because I didn’t want to tell anyone and then not make it.” So she waited, and when she found out she made the top 11, she told “EVERYONE.” So did she feel she had an advantage living at the time in South Carolina, Kalu’s home state? No she says, “I honestly didn’t feel like I had an advantage because technically I’m from MD. I knew most of my votes would be coming from the DC area.”

As she began to watch the contest unfold on My Space, I asked Toya what were her thoughts; was she nervous? “In the beginning of the competition I was a bit nervous. I saw that there were a few girls way ahead of me with votes and I thought I’d never catch up. So I advertised and campaigned so hard and had help of my closet friends and saw a progress and kept it going. (She campaigned indeed – like Obama!)

Now that she’s won Video Co-Star contest, I asked Toya how it feels to know thousands of people were following this contest and know that you won, and what has been your family’s reaction? She replied “I’m completely excited to know that I’m known among many other people now because I won. It’s a great feeling to know that there’s people out there I don’t know who’re waiting to see what I have to bring to the table and the finished product – the video itself.” And her “friends and family are just as excited as I am, if not more. They have all been asking about the details of when the shooting of the video will take place and what will I have to do. They’re my biggest support system.

I asked Toya has anyone recognized her as the girl who won the contest on My Space? While in class Toya said “someone tapped me on the shoulder and asked me if I won and when is the video being shot. She said she no idea who this person was, “but it caught me off guard and made me happy to know that people know about this.”

Now that she is part of the 4Ward Entertain family, how does she feel about the company? Toya told me “I love 4Ward Entertainment Management (good answer!) They’ve been nothing but friendly and welcoming to me. They’re a team that has goals and goes hard at achieving them. I feel blessed to help and be a part of a movement that has a successful future ahead “ (really good answer – you hear that all you aspiring artists out there? – 4Ward Ent Mgmt!)

Toya not only has been made to feel like family, she’s been involved in the process from day one for her, being included for example on conference calls with the video’s producer Ryan Franklin ( remember his name cuz you’re going to hear that name again.) Toya said “I was actually pretty surprised to be included in so much detail the whole process. 4Ward Ent always makes me feel included because they continuously ask me my opinion on things. It’s a good feeling when you feel you can voice your opinion and be part of an amazing team.”

I asked Toya to compare her feelings when she first entered to contest to now. She told when she first entered the contest “I did not know what to expect. Now that I won, I feel like I made one of the best decisions. I was welcomed to a big opportunity full of excitement.”

I asked Toya to summarize her experience thus far and to say a few words in closing.

“This entire experience so far is full of different emotions. I’m excited, nervous, anxious, and even more ambitious. My final words for anyone trying to make it are to pick a goal, figure out what you have to do to achieve it, and go for it. Opportunity isn’t going to come knocking, you have to go knock yourself. In the end it’ll pay off. It’s just the beginning for me and there’s more of me to come.”

Wow, that was a powerful closing words. I was moved as a writer and believe me I’m not touched easily. I told you guys this young lady had “IT”! And I’m FOR REAL. I’m out.