It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since the release of Ginuwine’s “So Anxious.” The sensual slow jam embodies an era of R&B you can’t discuss without mentioning the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter who says he’s bringing nothing but hits to the Hyundai soundstage at the 13th annual Taste of Soul.
“I’m a ‘90s and early 2000’s lover and musician so that’s where I want to stay,” says Ginuwine.
The artist prides himself in giving nothing less of a high-energy, entertaining show. From singing to dancing and acting, Ginuwine says when he’s on stage, he draws upon inspiration from his personal list of show-stoppers: Michael Jackson, Prince, MC Hammer, Paula Abdul and Patti Labelle are a few.
Although he’s hesitant to knock the new school of R&B, the seasoned singer says he’s sticking with the nineties.
“I’ll never hate on them, I’ll just say it’s not for me. The people that came out with me are still here and I’m focusing on the people who grew with me.”
After 22 years in the music industry, Ginuwine’s music – old and new – still reaches millennials and people younger than his debut solo-album “Ginuwine…the Bachelor” (1996).
“When I get on the stage and you have those youngsters out there watching, they always come backstage and say, ‘wow, we got to step up’. And that’s how you learn,” says Ginuwine who takes notes from R&B performers like Frankie Beverly, Teddy Riley, Charlie Wilson and Keith Sweat. “We do shows man, we do shows.”
When he’s not on stage, Ginuwine says he’s just like any normal dad.
“My life is a party, so when I’m home, I’m chilling,” says the 48-year-old father of nine who just celebrated a birthday this week.
“I just enjoy what I’m doing now and don’t take it for granted. I spend as much time with the kids as I possibly can and make memories because at the end of the day that’s all you have.”
Whether or not his children follow in his footsteps doesn’t press him much, but he says a few are definitely trying.
“It’s very easy now to get on because of social media and all that stuff but the point is how long are you going to last?” says the singer. “That’s what I try to drive in to them. I try to make them understand, yea you can be nice today, but they’ll hate you tomorrow. You don’t want to be flavor of the month.”
Longevity is everything to the musician who first began his music career in the group Swing Mob, a New York-based group founded by Jodeci’s Donald “DeVante Swing” DeGrate. Eight solo albums later, and the singer-songwriter isn’t planning on stopping anytime soon.
“I’ve been out twenty-two years and I’m like, where does the time go?” says Ginuwine.
For everyone who’s waiting for something new from the artist, he says he’s working on music with Tank and Teddy Riley. But be patient, he says he won’t release anything until he feels it’s at 110 percent.
“I’m taking it slow, and not rushing anything because one thing I always felt is that you don’t want to tarnish your legacy. Whatever you put out has to be as good or better than what you already have out,” he says.
As far as his performance at this weekend’s Taste of Soul:
“I’m looking forward to coming out there and giving a good show to the people.” He says he’s bringing nothing but hits, and doesn’t plan to leave anyone disappointed.
You can catch Ginuwine on the Hyundai Soundstage Saturday, Oct. 20. And to all the ladies, he says:
“Ladies wear your red, that’s my favorite color. I want to look out into a sea of red.”
