Published: Wednesday - September 19, 2007
Words by Anthony White
Cupid (Photo: Asylum)
The Cha Cha Slide, the Mississippi Mud Slide, and the Electric Slide better watch out because there is a new dance on the block. The Cupid Shuffle is a brand new dance craze that has everyone, from teenagers to grandmas, racing to the dance floor.
The steps are simple, but the artist is as complex as they come. Cupid, whose real name is Bryson Bernard, discovered his love of music as a teenager growing up in his father's church, where he also learned to play the piano. His love of music led him to start a singing group with his friends, but the group ultimately broke up. While performing as a solo artist, Bernard often sang the song "Cupid," by the R&B group 112. He sang it so often that he was actually known for it and his fans dubbed him "Cupid."
But before Bernard was Cupid, he had dreams of running track and even got a scholarship to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Despite the scholarship, he decided to follow his passion and pursue music as a career. Cupid's music is gaining support and airplay in other states, but he still lives in the place where he feels most comfortable: his hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana.
Ballerstatus.com: How was it growing up in Louisiana?
Cupid: It's a melting pot. You got people from New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Atlanta. You got all them elements in one state. I think Louisiana is the only state I know that plays other people's music consistently and it's not as politically challenged music wise. I heard so much stuff in Louisiana, it was hard to figure out what I was gonna do. I was surrounded by so many different elements. I love Louisiana. The only bad thing about Louisiana is that you can't diet there. For all the models out there, you might wanna go across the border because the food is just too good man and everything bad for you tastes good.
Ballerstatus.com: In light of Hurricane Katrina, how has that disaster affected you as an artist?
Cupid: It gave me a new respect for life. Not just the artistry because I had a lot of friends and the day after Katrina, I remember being on the bridge and having the police tell me that I can't go get my friends. It gives you more respect for life. Katrina, I'm gonna be honest. If you haven't noticed, in two years it helped Louisiana as a whole because it spread out what we've been screaming for a long time. There are a lot of artists in Louisiana doing well right now. It's a rainbow at the end of the storm. It helps you to reflect on life and appreciate it and it helps spread the heritage of it throughout the country.
Ballerstatus.com: And you still live there, right?
Cupid: I'm still there man. I've been there so long, it's home, you know? It's the most comfortable place I can find right now.
Ballerstatus.com: Is your family supportive of your music?
Cupid: Yes. The whole city is. It's like I got 7,000 brothers and 6,000 sisters. I'm definitely family oriented.
Ballerstatus.com: How would you describe your individual sound?
Cupid: Just soulful and energetic. It's just something new that I feel the industry will be open to receive. It's real energetic and I believe in singing. If you sing it on the CD, you should be able to sing it live. It's all about feeling, you know? That's why I try my best to.
Ballerstatus.com: How did you come up with the concept for your single, "The Cupid Shuffle?"
Cupid: I just wanted to put something together to introduce myself, but at the same time, brought people together as far as different ages and backgrounds. So, I just put together the dance, me and my producer.
Ballerstatus.com: There are a lot of dances out right now. What makes the "Cupid Shuffle" so different?
Cupid: I think it's a lot more soulful and it kinda displays the fact that I am an R&B artist. The fortunate thing that I think makes it different us that the music tool is more melodic and even the remix with DJ Unk and Fabo takes it to another level. It just displays that I am an actual singer. You know, a lot of dance songs are just chant, chant, chant.
Ballerstatus.com: Where do you find inspiration for your other music?
Cupid: Just life and positivity. I take every situation that I go through or that I see somebody go through and I look at the positive side cause there's two sides to every story. I try to reflect more on the positive stuff especially because if you turn it on CNN, you ain't gonna find nothing good on there. Today's news is not really good news, so I'm just trying to bring something positive to the situation.
Ballerstatus.com: So, if you could work with anyone in the industry, who would it be?
Cupid: Man, get Fantasia on the phone. I want get on there and just take it to church with her. I think that she... it's just something about that voice, man. She be blowing man. Definitely her. There are so many artists out there man, but if I had to do a duet with anyone right now, it'd be her. I'm open to any artist though. You gotta remember, two years ago, I was a fan. I'm still a fan. But, to be able to work with another artist is a blessing to me. I have their CDs in my case.
Ballerstatus.com: Since you brought up your CD case, what are you listening to right now. What's in your case?
Cupid: Ah man, straight up, I got that Musiq Soulchild. I got that T.I. You know I gotta get that T.I. I'm on that G-Unit, but Musiq is bringing it. And I'm the type of person... if I'm on your CD, I'm gonna play it out 'til I'm on the next CD. I'm a one CD dude.
Ballerstatus.com: I know you've heard about the YouTube video of the older woman dancing to your song. I've seen clips of teenagers and grandmas doing your dance. How does it feel to see your music touch everyone across the board?
Cupid: It just kinda bridges the gap, you know? Sometimes a mom and a daughter are in a car and they may not be able to communicate. But when that song comes on, you see the mama and the daughter doing it at the same time. You know, it bridges the gap. My music does that. It's a good feeling. It just brings the whole positive vibe to, maybe the club, wedding reception, whatever the case may be. It's really a good feeling to see all these different people doing it.
Ballerstatus.com: So, what can people expect from your CD?
Cupid: Real soulful and a lot of energy. A lot of people think of soulful music as just ballads and I think that I'm bringing a lot of soul and energy. I'm combining the energy, you know the dancing and the partying, with a lot of soul.
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