Sunshine Anderson: Forget What You Heard, I'm Here
Published: Monday - February 5, 2007
Words by Kennita Hickman
Sunshine Anderson (Photo: n/a)
Before Destiny's Child and Keyshia Cole... there was Sunshine Anderson. Back in 2001, her song was the anthem of women, angst and frustration. Her debut single, "Heard It All Before," was everywhere. BET and R&B radio loved her. And, the enormous amount of airplay helped her debut album, Your Woman, go gold and secured her a spot on R. Kelly's tour.
And, then nothing. No strong follow-up second single... no more tours. It was as if the sun had set on Sunshine's career. After such a strong following, her departure from music seemed sudden. But, how can an artist who's sold over 500,000 albums literally vanish? Sunshine wondered the same thing and after a six year departure, she's back with Sunshine At Midnight, her new sophomore album... and a response to how she spent the past six years.
Between talks of her new album and outlook on life, she opened up about Tyrese, and rappers who shouldn't sing.
BallerStatus.com: So, how's your day going?
Sunshine Anderson: Pretty good, pretty good. How about you?
BallerStatus.com: It's going okay. I was listening to the CD. I love "Sunshine At Midnight."
Sunshine Anderson: Really?
BallerStatus.com: I do.
Sunshine Anderson: That's so great. You're the second person that has said that to me. The second interviewer that has said that to me.
BallerStatus.com: "Sunshine At Midnight" is a really great song.
Sunshine Anderson: Thank you. Thank you. That's a song that I wrote actually. It's my ode to the music business. I'm talking to the music business and speaking about a time that was really dark in my life. I wanted people to know what that song and the title of the album [meant]. Even in your darkest hour, you can still have Sunshine At Midnight. When you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, you know... you can still shine.
BallerStatus.com: And, during that dark time... could you see the light at the end of the tunnel? During the five years after what happened with the other label, what was that like? Did you want to come back to music?
Sunshine Anderson: I was actually really scared. Really unsure. Not having anyone to trust... When you look up and feel like the only thing you wanted in life f---s you... you right. For a minute, I felt like "Maybe this isn't for me." Sometimes, it can get so nasty. The one thing that you wanted to do all you life... it just makes you question whether this is it. So, that's a part of why I've been gone so long.
I totally isolated myself and withdrew myself from music, the music community and the industry. And, I had to take some time and think about what had just happened, what had just taken place and why was it over now having had the success that I had, really after that one record sold damn near 100,000 copies. I go on the tour with R. Kelly and four months later I'm back at home. It was devastating. And, what happened was I signed a record deal with Atlantic and then Warner Brothers. And, they were saying that it was going to be another year before they released my project. I didn't want to sit still, so I asked for a release and they granted me a release and let me walk away with my album. So, I signed with Matthew Knowles and Music World in August 2004. And, there was a period of time where I didn't hear from him. He was going through some things with his label. So, there were a few let downs and there was times when I thought "maybe I will be a one hit wonder." That was never in the plan, though.
You asked what did I do and I just got tired of partying and kicking it. I just got tired. I have a college degree. And, after a couple years, it was like "Okay, what am I going to do?" And, that's what Sunshine At Midnight is. I could sit here and let the days pass me by or I can make the conscious effort and a conscious decision to move forward with my life. February 13th of 2006, I was going to cosmetology school. Thank God Matthew called me in March. My daddy told me "If the ship sinks, are you gon' go down with it or are you gon' fight to stay alive?" That was the deciding factor for me. Sometimes, you have to take the "black sheets" down from the window and see what's going on outside in order to know what you want. It was a long process... a slow process... I learned so much. I learned so much about myself. I got in my car one day, packed it up and moved to Atlanta. And, I've been here every since.
BallerStatus.com: Let's talk about Sunshine Anderson from the first album to now. The look is different and the music sounds different. "Something I Want To Give You" (first single) compared to "Heard It All Before" (first single from debut album)... both great songs. But, it sounds really different, like the melodies, instruments sounds great.
Sunshine Anderson: "Something I Wanna Give You" is my "Heard It All Before, Part 2." That's what I call it. On "Heard It All Before," you heard all the lies -- baby this, baby that. On "Something I Wanna Give You," it's like, "Okay, you didn't get it on the first song, so I'm giving you your freedom. You gotta pack your things and go." So, it's cool. It's produced by Walter Millsap.
BallerStatus.com: Is this the same person who produced "Heard It All Before?"
Sunshine Anderson: No. Mike City produced that.
BallerStatus.com: Who else is on the album?
Sunshine Anderson: Mike City, Raphael Saadiq is on the album. We got a nice mix by Dr. Dre. We have some new producers on the album. Matt Maadix produced "Sunshine At Midnight." We got some great writing on this album. Sunshine steps her skills up on this album. A girl by the name of Tyra Jackson, Yummy Bingham... Layla Hathaway is singing some background vocals. Tina Campbell from Mary Mary that wrote a song. So, I think we got a pretty solid project.
BallerStatus.com: Also read on your bio, that you feel like R&B is missing something.
Sunshine Anderson: Somebody else said that to me yesterday. I think that was a misstatement. I think what's missing is R&B... for instance, where is Musiq Soulchild? Where's Carl Thomas? Where's Glen Lewis? I can name a few people for you. Carl Thomas doesn't have a deal? Like, what do you mean? I was listening to Tyrese on the radio a couple days ago saying that he has this Black Ty side of his album, where he's rapping now. And, he was like "Yeah, I got a couple of records on there with Black Ty featuring Tyrese." And, dude (the host) was like "What do you mean?" And, Tyrese said "There used to be a time where we was singing the hooks for rappers. Now, you got Jim Jones and 50 Cent singing their own hooks. They don't even come to us to get hooks anymore. Like, we're being overlooked." There's nothing wrong with that. It's just a sign of the times. Just like the earth spins on an axis... eventually things come back around. We as R&B artists have to continue singing our hearts out. And, I think people know we're here. It started with Mary J. Blige and The Breakthrough (album). Your Keyshia Coles, Fantasias... we're here. They know we're here. What's missing is R&B? It all starts from there.
BallerStatus.com: It's interesting that you mention Tyrese because that's the interview that I'm actually waiting on.
Sunshine Anderson: Tell Tyrese I said "What's up?"
BallerStatus.com: I haven't listened to the Black Ty version yet, I only have the R&B version.
Sunshine Anderson: I haven't heard it yet. I heard a couple of songs on the radio in Charlotte a couple weeks ago. They played some hot songs. That n---- is aight. He sounds good rapping. He got a few songs with some of the best rappers. He was saying that he had to really step his game up, that if he was going to do real music, he had to come with his best stuff.
BallerStatus.com: It's so interesting that you bring that up too because I was reading the bio thinking "I wonder if other people were apprehensive about him rapping..."
Sunshine Anderson: I'm not sure. I know I like it. I think we as R&B singers can do anything. Monica stepped her game up and started rapping. She raps on two-three songs on the album. I'm just saying, "Mary is rapping." Her rap name is Brooklyn. And, she sounds good. We can do whatever we want. And, Tyrese? It don't matter what he do [because] he's fine. He is so fine. He really is. And, you know what? Johnta Austin is rapping in "Turn It Up", Omarion is doing it... like [R&B singers] can this. Just don't forget we here. And, if you really want to know about it... like I don't know what's going on. Because Jim Jones don't sound good singing. The only part he sounds good on is "Ballin." He needed to get another singer on that track. But, don't get it twisted... Chamillionaire sounds good singing. When I heard him on the Ciara record, I was like "Okay." Nelly sings on his tracks... he been singing. So, if they can flip it, so can we. Just don't forget we here. 50 don't need to be singing nothing. Jim Jones... don't need to be singing nothing. I think Tyrese will be well received with this album.
BallerStatus.com: So, when might you be in the studio rapping?
Sunshine Anderson: Don't get it twisted. I had a cute little rap for a song that was going on the album as a matter of fact. So, I'm glad you asked that. The name of the song is called "My Whole Life" and that's one of the songs I like. I re-did it, but I had a rap on it (originally).
BallerStatus.com: Anything else fans should know about Sunshine?
Sunshine Anderson: I want my fans to know that I'm cool. I'm at my happiest right now. I've been given a second chance. A lot of people don't get that second chance. I'm here. I'm happy. Forget what you heard. I'm ready to sell some records. I hope the fans remember where we were at last time and that they'll go on this ride with me, again.
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