BlackVoices Music Feature Story
Five Questions With Megan Rochell
By Marcus Vanderberg, AOL Black Voices,
Posted: 2006-04-21 22:31:49
You’re probably saying to yourself, Megan who?
Five Questions With Megan Rochell
Kelly A. Swift, Retna
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Name: Megan Rochell
Current Release: ‘You, Me and the Radio'
5 Questions Quotable: I felt like I wanted people to know that I’m this young girl from Brooklyn that can really sing.
Back to Black Voices Entertainment
But if history tells us anything about the last R&B Def Jam artist to bust out on the scene from nowhere (Ne-Yo), then you will be hearing a lot about Megan Rochell.
Discovered by Nathan Morris, of the recording group Boyz II Men, the 20-year-old songstress recently finished recording her debut album ‘You, Me and the Radio.’ The Brooklyn native tore up the ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ stage at 11 as a five-time winner and hasn’t looked back ever since and can currently be heard on a track titled ‘Momma’ on Ghostface's new album, ‘Fishscale.’
Rochell went 5 Questions with Black Voices as she discussed her debut album, (due in June), and touring with R&B sensation Chris Brown.
You were discovered by Nathan Morris of Boyz II Men. Growing up, what was your favorite Boyz II Men song?
‘End of the Road’ and ‘Water Runs Dry’ were two of my absolute favorites. But ‘End of the Road’ was my second favorite. I just love the song, the melody, the video. It was just hot for me.
Lauryn Hill (unsuccessfully), performed ‘Who’s Loving You’ on ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ when she was 12. You performed ‘Before You Walk Out Of My Life’ when you were 11. How was that experience and what was the reaction from the audience?
That experience was amazing. That was my first time performing in front of a huge audience and when I was on stage, I just felt so comfortable. I felt like I wanted people to know that I’m this young girl from Brooklyn that can really sing. The reaction from the crowd was, screaming and hollering, like oh my god, I can’t believe this little girl.
Your debut album is titled ‘You, Me and the Radio’ How did you come with that?
‘You, Me and the Radio’ is basically an intimate connection with the listener and me. Giving them the opportunity to listen to my music on the radio, something we all grew up on. Since I was a little girl, that’s the only thing I listened to was the radio. I didn’t get an allowance and I couldn’t go out and cop my own CD’s at the time. I just always listened to the radio and when L.A. Reid proposed that title I was like wow, that’s perfect.
The album is complete. It has 13 tracks and the songs are absolutely amazing. I worked with so many great producers and writers. Ne-Yo, he wrote a joint on my album. Rodney Jerkins did two joints on my album, ‘The One You Need’ and ‘Heartbreak.’
You also have a younger sister who sings as well. Is there any friendly competition between the two of you or does she look up to her big sis?
She’s the little sister, I’m the big sister. So it’s like she looks up to me. She kind of wants to follow in my footsteps but I’m encouraging her to do whatever she feels is right for her. Her voice is amazing. She sings gospel. Who knows what might happen in a couple of years. I started off singing in the church, now look. Expect big things from her. She’s on my level and she’s only 13.
You toured with Chris Brown and worked with Ghostface. What has it been like working with a rising star in Chris Brown and a rap legend in Ghostface?
Working with Chris Brown is amazing because all of the shows are sold out so we are dealing with a hyped audience of kids that love him. I’m a fan of his music. He has just a beautiful personality. He’s just a fun dude to be around. It’s amazing, it really is.
Ghostface, I didn’t get a chance to meet him. I just went in the studio, heard the track, and I did what I had to do and I was out. Hopefully the time will come where we will get to meet each other and say hello and all that.
Discovered by Nathan Morris, of the recording group Boyz II Men, the 20-year-old songstress recently finished recording her debut album ‘You, Me and the Radio.’ The Brooklyn native tore up the ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ stage at 11 as a five-time winner and hasn’t looked back ever since and can currently be heard on a track titled ‘Momma’ on Ghostface's new album, ‘Fishscale.’
Rochell went 5 Questions with Black Voices as she discussed her debut album, (due in June), and touring with R&B sensation Chris Brown.
You were discovered by Nathan Morris of Boyz II Men. Growing up, what was your favorite Boyz II Men song?
‘End of the Road’ and ‘Water Runs Dry’ were two of my absolute favorites. But ‘End of the Road’ was my second favorite. I just love the song, the melody, the video. It was just hot for me.
Lauryn Hill (unsuccessfully), performed ‘Who’s Loving You’ on ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ when she was 12. You performed ‘Before You Walk Out Of My Life’ when you were 11. How was that experience and what was the reaction from the audience?
That experience was amazing. That was my first time performing in front of a huge audience and when I was on stage, I just felt so comfortable. I felt like I wanted people to know that I’m this young girl from Brooklyn that can really sing. The reaction from the crowd was, screaming and hollering, like oh my god, I can’t believe this little girl.
Your debut album is titled ‘You, Me and the Radio’ How did you come with that?
‘You, Me and the Radio’ is basically an intimate connection with the listener and me. Giving them the opportunity to listen to my music on the radio, something we all grew up on. Since I was a little girl, that’s the only thing I listened to was the radio. I didn’t get an allowance and I couldn’t go out and cop my own CD’s at the time. I just always listened to the radio and when L.A. Reid proposed that title I was like wow, that’s perfect.
The album is complete. It has 13 tracks and the songs are absolutely amazing. I worked with so many great producers and writers. Ne-Yo, he wrote a joint on my album. Rodney Jerkins did two joints on my album, ‘The One You Need’ and ‘Heartbreak.’
You also have a younger sister who sings as well. Is there any friendly competition between the two of you or does she look up to her big sis?
She’s the little sister, I’m the big sister. So it’s like she looks up to me. She kind of wants to follow in my footsteps but I’m encouraging her to do whatever she feels is right for her. Her voice is amazing. She sings gospel. Who knows what might happen in a couple of years. I started off singing in the church, now look. Expect big things from her. She’s on my level and she’s only 13.
You toured with Chris Brown and worked with Ghostface. What has it been like working with a rising star in Chris Brown and a rap legend in Ghostface?
Working with Chris Brown is amazing because all of the shows are sold out so we are dealing with a hyped audience of kids that love him. I’m a fan of his music. He has just a beautiful personality. He’s just a fun dude to be around. It’s amazing, it really is.
Ghostface, I didn’t get a chance to meet him. I just went in the studio, heard the track, and I did what I had to do and I was out. Hopefully the time will come where we will get to meet each other and say hello and all that.
2005-03-16 19:03:00
