Published: Thursday - June 15, 2006
Words by Willow
Cheri Dennis (Photo: Bad Boy)
Cheri Dennis' beginnings mirrors most R&B artists -- a move from the church choir to the world of secular music. That is where the comparisons stop. Artists often say they are regular and down to earth, but Bad Boy's new princess has too many years in the game and just as many years working for one of the industries heavy hitters, Mr. Sean "Diddy" Combs. There's a lot of pressure on Cheri Dennis right now, being that Diddy's resume includes tastemakers like Mary J. Blige and Faith Evans. But, does the trend of the Bad Boy label has had its share of problems with artist being unhappy cause a problem for Cheri?
Being the optimistic person she is, the above hasn't shaken her faith at all. The fact that the Bad Boy roster isn't as thick as it used to be, awards her the opportunity to get the attention she needs as she steps out of the background to the forefront. Without even knowing it, fans of Diddy's "take that" approach to music know the voice, but now are getting the chance to see the face. For those who don't know, Cheri Dennis has lent her vocals to the "Making The Band 3" theme, "Ooh La La," and Bad Boy compilations The Saga Continues, We Invented The Remix as well as Ma$e's "All I Ever Wanted."
Sit back and relax and allow Ballerstatus.com to reintroduce you to the self-described bugged out new first lady of Bad Boy Records, Cheri Dennis.
Ballerstatus.com: How long have you been singing?
Cheri Dennis: I have been singing as long as I can remember. I don't remember my first revelation of my ability to sing, but as long as I can remember, I've been singing.
Ballerstatus.com: You know I have to ask, did you get your start singing in church?
Cheri Dennis: [laughing] Of course, in my grandmother's church choir.
Ballerstatus.com: Who are some of your influences?
Cheri Dennis: I grew up around music, but I really love Prince, Madonna...not for the singing so much, but I love her iconic status. I love that she's always been able to stay relevant and current and that is really hard to do in an industry that is so fickle and evolving so fast. You know this month, you're really hot and next month, they don't like you anymore. I am just really gassed about Madonna in that way, how she's been able to transcend. But other than that, I am not really star struck that way. I just love music. It doesn't matter who it comes from.
Ballerstatus.com: Do you play any instruments?
Cheri Dennis: No, my voice is my instrument.
Ballerstatus.com: How would you best describe Cheri Dennis?
Cheri Dennis: I would describe me as this bugged out girl with a carefree spirit. And I think my music reflects that. My music is really upbeat. Nothing too heavy that'll make someone jump out the window, although we do get a little heavy, but nothing to deep. This is an introduction to the voice, to get you familiar with Cheri Dennis, because we have a lot coming.
Ballerstatus.com: But, you've been around for a while now, singing hooks and things like that, right?
Cheri Dennis: Yes, it's been a long time.
Ballerstatus.com: After all this time of being in the biz, do you think this was the right time for you to come to the forefront?
Cheri Dennis: I don't think it was my choice at all. It was God's choice. He's been in control of my situation from the very beginning and you know it wasn't my choice at all. I wasn't able to dictate that. The label wasn't able to dictate that. It was a divine power that said, "Your time is now."
Ballerstatus.com: You mentioned iconic status, for all intents and purposes, you are signed to a label whose head (Sean "Diddy" Combs) is an icon in his own right. How does it feel to be apart of a label like Bad Boy?
Cheri Dennis: It's definitely a blessing. for me. I grew up listening to Biggie and Mary J. Blige. I admired those people. So, for me to come here and be signed to Bad Boy, it's definitely a gassed up feeling. I'm very excited, but I just try to keep everything in perspective. With that excitement, there is a level of humility and I just thank God that I was put in a position to do something that I love. I know there are girls out there who can sing a million times better than me, but you'll never know them. So, being where I'm at is a very humbling experience and I thank God for that.
Ballerstatus.com: You are very talented as a vocalist, but at the end of the day, this is a business. In mentioning Diddy, you have to mention some of the people who have been signed to Bad Boy who felt he mistreated them financially. As a businesswoman, how have you secured your career to keep that from happening?
Cheri Dennis: For me, I just keep my faith and put God first in my life. That's their story and their story doesn't mean that's it going to be my story. As long as you keep God first and you are aware of everything that is going on around you -- keeping your eyes and your ears open -- you should be okay. In anything that is successful, there's always going to be the ups and downs. I am realistic. I don't think this ride is going to be all up. I have prepared myself for the things that may not go right at that moment and most importantly, I am keeping God first with my ears and eyes open. Like I said, their story doesn't have to be me. And I don't know the details of their story, so I can't really speak on it.
Ballerstatus.com: Your vocals are very soulful, but R&B is very hip-hop driven. How will balance showing both sides of you?
Cheri Dennis: You know, I am young and I am product of hip-hop. I am hip-hop, I am apart of this culture, so it's not like I have to prefer on one over the other. It's not hard for me to find that balance, even though I'm a singer and my voice is very soulful. I listen to hip-hop. I talk the slang, so it's not a hard balance to find.
Ballerstatus.com: In the marketing of women in the business, a lot of times they have to half sell their music, have sell themselves and sex-pot it up walking that thin line between classy and trashy. At the end of the day, sex sells. Are you okay with that or do you go back and forth with the label about your imaging?
Cheri Dennis: I am a complex woman and by no means am I one or the other. I am sexy. I like sex and yes sex sells. I enjoy being a woman and putting on clothes that may be a little risqué or revealing, but we as humans are complex creatures and I think people get it confused thinking we have to be one or the other. There is the gray area, but you can be sexy and be smart. And I feel like why as women do we have to find a balance? Why can't we be both?
I don't let trying to find a balance dictate how I dress or what I do. If I feel like putting on a sexy dress and stilettos today and you don't like it, you just have to deal with it because I don't have to be one or the other. I can say that I am okay with my sexuality and still talk about politics in the next breath. When I look at my pictures and I am looking sexy, I don't feel like someone forced me to be like that. My label didn't tell me in order to sell records you have to look this way or that way. It might have been me that day that said I want to put on the tight jeans and revealing top. When you talk about balance, I hate having to be put in these boxes where I have to choose.
Ballerstatus.com: You were very passionate in answering that question, were you offended by that?
Cheri Dennis: Oh my God, no. I am just very passionate when I speak, I am sorry.
Ballerstatus.com: Tell me a little bit about where you're from and how you developed your style.
Cheri Dennis: I'm from Cleveland, Ohio. Being from the Midwest gave me an equal amount of exposure to the different sounds in music. I'm in the middle, so I got the East Coast, down South and the West Coast and it gave me a well-rounded interest in music and all kinds of sounds. I would also have to say that gave me an appreciation for all kinds of music and the willingness to try different things.
Ballerstatus.com: How often do you take the time to look at your body of work and say, "Cheri, you're all right?"
Cheri Dennis: I do it everyday. Everyday that closes for me, I just thank God and tell him you gave me this opportunity to work hard and get to this point. When people compliment me on my music, I take it with a grain of salt. I thank them, but I never let it get to a point to where I think I am doing something too special. I am just a girl who happens to be able to sing. There are people out there saving lives and healing the strife of the land and I am just making music. I try not to get too caught up and keep it moving.
Ballerstatus.com: With the star power of Kanye West, Nelly and you being from Ohio...Lyfe Jennings is doing his thing, the Midwest is getting its shine on. How does it feel?
Cheri Dennis: It makes me feel good to be apart of a movement that though it's in its baby stages, we are shining and I am proud of where I am from.
Ballerstatus.com: This new single "I Love You" is blowing up. Tell me about the new album and how you hook up with Jim Jones?
Cheri Dennis: This song is a real universal and infectious song, something everybody can relate too, which is why it was my first choice. It's not too heavy, a no brainer and the album is the same way. It's about love and relationships, but not real dark. No one's going to slit their wrists.
The Jim Jones thing came about because Jim Jones and Puffy have a relationship and he was around at the time at Daddy's House doing some stuff and it seemed like the smart thing to do. And he's a dope artist. We have Yung Joc on the remix and he is a sweetie pie and very talented artist. Ryan Leslie produced it and he's dope too. He did about three tracks on the album. My album is not a big change, it's hip-hop soul, but it's a refreshing voice and I think people need a change right now.
Ballerstatus.com: Who are some of the other producers and songwriters you worked with?
Cheri Dennis: I do write some of my own songs. Producers I worked with are Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins and Mario Winans -- some really dope producers and some known some unknown. For me, it's not about a name, it's about whether you're bringing the heat.
Ballerstatus.com: Are there any other features from hip-hop artists?
Cheri Dennis: No, other than Puff, Jim Jones and Yung Joc. It's really about the introduction of Cheri Dennis.
Ballerstatus.com: You mentioned the here today, gone tomorrow atmosphere of the industry, and it's as if there is no room for other vocalists like you because Beyonce is the "it" girl. How are you going to combat that?
Cheri Dennis: It's interesting that you ask that -- and I don't say this to diss anyone because there is room for all of us -- yes, Beyonce is the "it" girl, but then you have all these other people who kinda look like Beyonce. But for me, I don't think I'll have to combat that because I don't look like that. Who I am as a person -- even if I wasn't a singer -- I wouldn't be walking around with the same hairstyle everyone else has and same clothes because I never wanted to be seen as trendy or common. When everyone walks around looking the same, it's just too ordinary for me. So for me, that is the way I'll be on the another end of the spectrum. From the hair to the clothes, I don't think I look like anyone else and that's what will set me apart from the rest of the artist out there. Not to mention I am this real bugged out girl -- you see how you and me are laughing and kicking it right now -- that's just who I am my personality will set me apart.
Ballerstatus.com: I thank you for that, I love conversational interviews, I hate doing those rigid Q&As.
Cheri Dennis: Your welcome, but that's just who I am. That is why I got into this business. I love connecting with people and the money is cool, but the best part of what I do is connecting with people. I enjoy sitting talking with you because I love that you are interested in my music. When people are receptive that makes me feel good.
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