Sterling Simms is a new R&B artist on Def Jam. His first single is âNasty Girl.â
**STERLING SIMMS-âNASTY GIRLâ **
**Sterling Simms
ALBUM RELEASE INFO TBA
DEF JAM**
Myspace: myspace.com
âNasty Girlâ AUDIO
WM Hi: https://tinyurl.com/2×5pln
WM Lo: tinyurl.com
Real: tinyurl.com
About Sterling Simms
Choosing classic soul auteurs Teddy Riley, New Edition and Brian McKnight as musical inspiration could have been imposing for some, but in the case of newcomer Sterling Simms the truth is in the grooves. Like the missing link between new jack swing and the current R&B scene, Sterlingâs debut disc is a welcome detour from the usual scenarios laid down by his contemporaries.
âMy main goal while constructing my album was to create a different kind of soul album,â the Philadelphia native explains. âI wanted to capture diverse sounds that I once jammed to on the radio when I was a kid.â The first single, âJump Offâ is the perfect introduction to Sterlingâs skills. Be it the bedroom or the club, âJump Offâ can provide the soundtrack.
âMe and one of my writing partners Steve-O were in the studio one night, and âJump Offâ just flowed out of our pens,â Sterling explains. âAfter he had penned the hook, all it took was forty-five minutes for us to complete the song.â
On songwriting, Sterling commented, âI think the best songs are those many people can relate. In all of my songs, whether written by me or others, I want to convey truthful experiences that will connect with the public.â
Perhaps the most stellar club track on Sterlingâs debut is the addictive âWorth Your While.â Produced by the Cornerboys, the song became a Sterling favorite on first listen. âWe had been in the studio for two days, but when I heard that beat, I knew I had to make it mine.â Like the best of new jack swing, âWorth Your Whileâ balances soul and hip-hop. âAs soon as I heard it, I knew that record was the one.â
Growing-up in Philadelphia, Sterling reflects, âThere were times when I felt a little rebellious and just wanted to run away from it all.â âBetween my mom and grandfather, who also wrote and composed music, I realized that this was to be my life.â
After his grand-pa took a six-year-old Sterling to a recording studio for the first time, his future was sealed. âTo this day, whenever I write a song I dedicate it to my grand-pa. I feel like Iâm living his dream.â In addition to his childhood lessons, Sterling also performed in local theater productions as well as scribbling song lyrics in his notebook.
Moving from the city of brotherly love to Atlanta when he was fifteen proved to be a culture shock in more ways than one. âI went from hanging in front of the corner store to eating chicken cheese steaks to eating fish and grits,â Sterling jokes. âBut, living in Atlanta was one of the best things for my music. I always tell people, Philly made me into a man, but Atlanta made me into an artist.â
The diversity of Sterlingâs artistry can be heard on track âSingle.â Opening with supple simplicity of an acoustic guitar before layering on keyboards and vocals, âSingleâ is the perfect anthem for those who feel those who feel tied down in a relationship. Reminding one of the balladry of Babyface, âSingleâ is not a break-up joint, but itâs still far from a love song.
Produced and written with his creative team known as The Knightwritaz (âBecause some of our best work is done after darkâ), Sterling says, âThe idea for that song came to me when I was dating a girl who just stressed me out. I would be in the studio working a session and she would be on the phone working my nerves. Weâre no longer together, so I suppose that song had something to do with it.â
Back when Sterling was nineteen, before he had made any real contacts in the music business, Sterling was trying to perfect his craft as a singer/songwriter while slaving the day away at an ATL carwash. âThere were these producers who worked at the shop named Mr. Fist and Diggie Don who were working with Lil Zane,â Sterling says. âThey were the first guys who took me seriously as an artist and gave me my first break.â
Sterling penned a deal with Sony Records that later fell through. âPersonally, I got tired of the ups and downs of trying to be an artist and decided to concentrate on just songwriting. For me, writing is the greatest therapy in the world. If Iâm feeling tense, I can always sit down and pen a song. I know thatâll make me feel better.â
Forming the creative clique The Knightwritaz with six other writers, Sterling wrote songs for Mario and Tyrese. Sounding like an R&B version of the X-Men, Sterling explains, âWith the Nightwriters, we feed off of each others energy as well as help each other out. Weâre all friends, but we also get the job done.â
As luck would have it, one of Sterlingâs demos fell into the ears of another production company,âOne Recordings.â Coincidentally, Ray Romulous, an up and coming Island Def Jam A&R executive, heard of Sterling and delivered his demo to âAntonio âL.A.â Reid, Chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group. âAfter all those years, the hard work had finally paid off,â he laughs. After presenting Mr. Reid with fourteen songs, Sterling was signed to the label. âWorking with âL.A.â was a dream come true,â says Sterling. âHis track record as both an artist and executive speaks for itself.â
Laying it down hard with a voice soft as silk, Sterlingâs debut definitely shines.
(courtesy of ThinkTank Marketing)