HHR Exclusive Interview : Fanatic

 Andreo “Fanatic” Heard is a Grammy award winning, multi-platinum record producer who is responsible for some of today’s biggest hit records. From Wil Smith, Lil Kim, P-Diddy, Beyonce and Michael Jackson. Fanatic’s versatility has made him one of the industry’s elite.

 As he embarks on a new journey from Producer to Singer/Performer, he has found not only embrace, but total adoration.  Less than a month after his debut release “Who’s Loving You Know,” he has found himself on countless television and radio interviews.   Just returning from a whirlwind promo tour, we sit down to discuss his new venture in an HHR Exclusive: 

Tell me about yourself…where are you from…where were you born…where were you raised…which city and state are currently home to you?

I’m a Grammy award winning, Multi-platinum record producer/recording artist currently living in New York City who prides himself in being a student of popular music from the 50′s forward.  I was born in NY but grew up in North Carolina with an older brother and sister.  My brother, step father and real father exposed me to so much soul music growing up.  I went to an all white private school until I reached the 9th grade which exposed me to so much Pop and Rock music as well. As I got into High School I got more exposed to Soul, R&B and Hip Hop.  

What do you like about the city and the state you currently live in?

The music scene in New York is kind of dead.  There are no cliques anymore (Uptown, Roc-a Fella, Murda Ink, G-Unit, Bad Boy).  They use to have the pulse of the city.  You could feel it. Now the south runs the radio and clubs.  The only thing I like about NY is the fashion and the millions of beautiful women.  There are so many different mixes of races.  You have no idea what they are. You just know they are beautiful.  I think that’s the way God intended it to be at the end of the day.  

Have you written any songs?  Tell us about that experience.

I’ve always been a writer but mostly just lyrics and I would have someone else do melody.  On my project I’m doing both. I only feel like a couple of writers out there could write for me.  Ne-Yo because he knows how to dissect every aspect of a relationship and Ryan Tedder because he knows how to tap into what women really feel and would say. Those guys are not afraid and somehow know how to put their male egos aside and tap into their sensitive side. My writing has been like therapy for me. When I’m hurting the words just spill out.  I have no fear of being too sensitive or emotional. What I write is real and what I truly feel is real. Most male artist wouldn’t express that side but after really analyzing some of Prince’s lyrics he taught me to say what’s in your heart no matter what people think. I have and the response has been positive so I won’t change.  

Are you considered a dancer, and what type of dance do you do?

I use to dance a lot but I found that you get too sweaty and if you get lucky and a woman wants to take you back to her place everything ends up all salty.   

What inspires you as an artist be it singing a song or writing a song?

Writing inspires me more than singing.  Writing is powerful. It touches people. Makes me feel like Superman. It’s like you have a voice that can affect people’s lives. A lot of today’s artist abuse that with writing about materialism and sex.  Its ok for a few songs but 16 songs on an album about that is a waste of time. 

Have you ever been in love? How does being in love or never having been in love influence you as a performing artist and as a songwriter? 

Not sure how love effect me as a performer.  I imagine temptation will play a part in all of that.  As a writer it’s great. I write about how incredible being in love with this woman makes me feel or how bad this woman has hurt me.  The fly thing is that when the record is on the radio she is the only one who knows who I’m referring to.  If the record is a hit it speaks to her all day.  Everyday!

Whom have you signed contracts with as a musician?

I’ve been fortunate enough to produce some of the biggest artist ever in popular music from Michael Jackson to Beyonce. It was cool.  Especially Beyonce’.  We had a really special chemistry but didn’t really get the chance to explore it because of other projects I was working on. The first day we talked for 2 minutes and then silence.  Day two we talked for 2 hours non stop.  I would like to work with her again but in a situation where we are just recording and experimenting.  No concept of direction on inhibitions.  She has the gift of interpretation.  That’s special and also rare. Michael Jackson was cool too. He was focused!  He warmed up vocally for 2 hours.  Who today even does that?  One of the song writers in the session Teron Beal studies Michael Jackson so closely he knew Michael sketches cartoon characters in between takes and when Michael left he ran into the booth and snatched up the artwork. I told him that was going to be worth millions one day when he dies.  I wish it wasn’t worth anything right now!  

How does your age flavor or temper your style as a recording artist and as a songwriter?

Age doesn’t mean anything to me. Alicia keys introduced me to Prince once at a show and as I was standing there I heard him tell Chris Rock technically you only have one birthday. That’s so true.  Why keep trying to relive that moment.  It only effects my writing in terms of experience.  I could write about being so in love with a woman all day.  Its like I picked the lyrics out of the air.  I’m a hopeless romantic.  I’m so in touch with a woman’s heart now. When she hurts I instantly feel guilty.  I’m also more in tune with her body now.  When we are in sync and the chemistry is right sometimes I just want to stop right then and take in the moment, tell her how beautiful she is and how much I’m in love with her at this second.  

What genre of music do you consider your work to be? 

I would classify my genre as Pop but Pop in the since that it will be popular with everyone because it has elements from many different genres all carefully mixed into one.  From the vocals.  To the music.  To the image.

Are you successful abroad as well as in the United States, or is your success only a United States’ phenomena?

I’m just getting started but successful to me was women leaving comments on my myspace page saying my lyrics really spoke to them.  Success is whatever you decide it is. Everyone wants to be as big as Michael Jackson but someone has to be Jay Holiday.  Which isn’t bad because some where tonight he is getting paid to sing “Bed’ and then taking a beautiful young lady back to the hotel. 

Do you play any instruments?  Which instruments do you play?

I always tell people that I play the Dictaphone.  Because I always sing all the instruments into it and then have musicians come in and play my ideas.  I play well enough to program but the demands of producing don’t allow me to master an instrument.  I actually use to say that but now I’m learning bass. I practice for hours each day and learn a lot from YouTube videos.  I’m getting really good.  No one is a lead singer playing bass these days. Its always the cliché lead guitar.  Then they try to group you with Prince, Jimi or Lenny.  I’m singing and playing bass like Paul McCartney, Rick James or Bootsy.  I’m even playing it like lead guitar with distortion and solos. I figure if you’re going to be taken seriously as an artist you better learn to play something. What if Prince tells you to come to his session and jam? Also I feel that’s why music is suffering these days.  Not that many people play instruments anymore.  The computer does everything for you. 

Where have you performed?  What was your favorite venue?  What was your least favorite venue?

I’ve only perform a few times in New York City but the response was really good.  I got comfortable on stage really quick.  I was like “Really?  If you like that then wait till I get my show really tight. You are going to love me.”  I decided to stop performing until I could get the band together.  I want it to be something really special visually.  You can’t just jump out there until it’s all together because there is always someone out there with a camera phone that puts you on YouTube the next day. You’ll end up looking crazy if you don’t have it together.  

Is there an overriding theme to most of the songs you write and/or sing(play)?

The theme of the songs I’m writing and the concept to my album is the break up period of a long term relationship. I’m calling the album “The Electric Love Hangover”.  Its like Marvin Gaye’s “Here My Dear” album.  It’s every step and emotion that you go through after the break up.  This album is going to be that record that the girl who breaks up with her college sweetheart listens to while driving all the way home on fall break.  

Which label are you with now? 

Right now I’m independent and in no rush to sign one of those 360% deals but I have some things going on with a new well established manager, records coming out on other artists and a TV deal that will even the playing field when we start meeting with labels. 

What has been your greatest challenge as a musician and as a songwriter?

The greatest challenge for me has been trying to consistently get in that moment that I was in when I recorded the record.  I actually need to find out how to create a new moment that is as equally special.  

What advice do you have for people who want to break into the music or the Recording Arts Industry? 

My advice to people trying to break into this business is that this game is 75% mental and 25% talent.  You have to know in your heart that you were meant to do this and not let the ups and downs affect you.  It should be more about “when it happens” versus “if it happens”. 
 
 

Tell us about your experience with Alicia Keys.  What happened and are their any other stories you want to share? 

I met Alicia Keys when she auditioned for Vincent Herbert when she was 16.  She was in a girl group.  The group sucked but there was something about Alicia that stood out even back then.  I wanted to work with her but the guy that brought her to us was hating.   Then I met her again up at my lawyer Tia Gilford’s office when Jeff Robinson used to have an office next door.  She was so patient as she keep getting ready to come out and then getting pushed back again.  She never thought it wasn’t going to happen.  She was always confident but not cocky. I thought that was so fly and sexy.  Plus the humble girl you see on TV is really her.  We exchanged numbers once and were suppose to go out but I got her voicemail on that day and since we had already planned it I took it personal and didn’t even call back.  See!  The beautiful ones hurt you every time!!!  I saw her again through the window of the Hard Rock Cafe when I was walking down the street and pretended I didn’t see her.  She just smiled like “I know you see me.”   A few months later she was all over the radio.  I felt like shit!  I saw her once after that at a Prince concert and she called me over.  I kissed her on the lips and whispered “Fanatic” in her ear.  It caught her off guard because she didn’t recognize me.  She thought I was some stranger that kissed her.  My look had changed a little since she had last seen me.   She then showed me crazy love like only Alicia can and took me backstage to meet Prince.  I was a little disappointed that she didn’t know “777-9311″ when Prince was playing it and she was singing.  She’s very real and very cool.  I hope to work with her someday. 
 

Looking ahead what do you want your legacy to be? 

I want my legacy to be that I’m well versed in every aspect of music.  From a producer.  To an artist.  To a writer.  I want to be like Rick Rubin, Quincy Jones or Prince.  Also and that I know my music history.   

How can your fans gain access to your music?

You can get the single on itunes (Fanatic-”Who’s Luvin U Now”). 

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/whos-luvin-u-now/id362701396?i=362701402&ign-mpt=uo%3D6

Find me on the web at www.myspace.com/experiencefanatic and youtube.com/thefanaticexperience  

Is there anyone you would like to acknowledge for offering support to you in your career?

My Mom and Dad, My Grandmother and Nana, My brother and cousin.   
Most of all my woman!  She’s my freedom in disguise.  

Interview by: Angela Severiano

–  
Andreao “Fanatic” Heard 
Grammy Award winning/ multi-platinum producer/recording artist 
245 8th ave #355 
NY NY 10011 
myspace.com/experiencefanatic