Terrence Howard's role as aspiring recording artist Djay in the 2005 flick 'Hustle & Flow' shouldn't have been taken lightly.Immediately following his Academy Award nominated turn in the Craig Brewer-directed hip-hop drama, the versatile actor secured a two-album deal with Columbia Records, which plans to release his debut album, 'Shine Through It' on Sept. 2.
An expert group of musicians were assembled for the self-penned opus, including co-producer Miles Mosley on upright bass, guitar, drums and piano; tenor sax Kamasi Washington; trumpet player Serafin Aguilar,;keyboardist Kenneth Crouch and viola player Tom Lea.
Howard, himself, sings and plays lead guitar throughout the set.
Despite having an iconic producer such as Rick Rubin -- who is responsible for co-founding Def Jam Records and crafting recent tracks for Johnny Cash, The Black Crowes and System of a Down – helming the project, Howard's pre-meditated thoughts weren't easily influenced.
"I wanted to hear the world according to Terry," he recently explained to BlackVoices.com.
"After listening to it I see that I'm a bit dramatic, because I can listen to everybody else's music and I can't picture anything that they're saying but with my music I can see something, and it creates images in my mind," he further explained. "So I know I'm a bit dramatic about who I am with music."Not bad, considering the album was recorded live and completed within just 11 days.
As far as letting his emotions out on songs such as 'Love Makes You Beautiful' and the title track 'Shine Through It,' the 39-year old screen heartthrob had no problem letting us know how he feels when he's on and off camera.
"Who I am, how I'm acting, that's how I'm feeling," he explained. "There's never a pretend setup, and that's how I work as an actor. I don't sit there and smile for the goddamn camera, I hate the camera and I hate the people that are holding the camera."
"I'm there for me," he continued. "People think I'm a narcissist because I always talk about me but sh*t, without me there's no world, there's no universe."
And apparently with no budget, there's no music videos.
Howard said he feels that he may have to take matters into his own hands and finance a few music videos for the project.
"They're not giving me the budget that I need," he revealed. "I have to make some other choices with it.... I'm thinking about taking a guerilla approach to it."
"So I think I want to do the videos like that and pocket all the money they're talking about giving me," he quipped.
Although the 'Iron Man' star recently shot and directed the album's first music video for the song 'Sanctuary,' he also wants to release visuals for 'Nothing Makes You Beautiful' and 'Shine Through It.'
In addition to his new opus hitting stores next month Howard, who just completed an acclaimed stint in the hit Broadway play, 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,' is also starring in the Dito Montiel-helmed movie 'Fighting,' which hits theaters next month.
Comments: (9)
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By: shell on 8/13/2008 10:28AM
The album would be good if he didn't open his mouth to sing. He sounds horrible! I heard a couple tracks and literally could not get through 30 seconds of his vocals. Stick to playing the guitar Terry!
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By: alicia on 8/13/2008 11:56AM
Love him
alicia
http://www.wifeytype.com/
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By: Nic on 8/13/2008 3:06PM
"I'm there for me," he continued. "People think I'm a narcissist because I always talk about me but sh*t, without me there's no world, there's no universe."
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This man never fails to mess up an interview.
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By: Baby on 8/14/2008 8:19PM
TH is multitalented and blessed. I love his music. I was so glad that he stepped out with his own flavor and mix. It's refreshing and uplifting...not like the crappy mess that they are calling music today. I guess if he were singing about getting @$$ naked and licking this and that or slapping a b*^(%, it would be better digested in today's society. There are many of us who are mature enough to appreciate TH's music. Love does make us beautiful..congratz TH and God bless.
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By: kando on 8/18/2008 5:19PM
I totally cannot believe that he must think that he is god because he says without him, there is no world or universe. Its great to have a talent and be an actor, but to believe your own hype and not even be an A-List actor is going a bit too far. Enjoy your hour of fame but know that others blaze that trail, that you are walking on.
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By: nycme on 8/18/2008 10:41PM
TO KANDO:::
I think he means to say that without him there is no world or universe for HIMSELF..And truer words have never been spoken. We are all our own universe and/or world..Read between the lines!!
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By: Nic on 8/20/2008 9:46AM
TO NYCME:
People have to be very careful about what they say. Terrence's statement leaves too much open to interpretation. He should say what he means and stop trying to sound so "deep" and "intellectual".
People with true wisdom and intellect know how to frame their statements in such a way, that no matter how deep, you know what they are saying. You don't have to "read between the lines".
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By: FACEMONKEY429 on 8/25/2008 1:46AM
I THINK THAT TERRANCE HOWARDS STEP INTO MUSIC WILL BE A BIG ONE, NOT ONLY DOES HE PERFORM IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, I BELIEVE HE CAN PERFORM JUST AS GOOD IN THE RECORDING STUDIO PUTTING TOGETHER A CD THAT WILL BE FEAST FOR THE EARS. I PLAN ON PICKING HIS CD UP WHEN IT HIT STORES IN MY AREA.
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By: Susan on 8/22/2008 1:25PM
For all intent and purposes, Terry has it right if you consider his words in the context of WE ALL ARE THE WORLD AND THE UNIVERSE and, without any of us, all is not... I think he thinks more globally than we give him credit for and view a narrower sense of his sensibility. I can dig it really, if you believe or better still, KNOW GOD lives within you, then you are GOD, as his creation and so his statement IS universal. It makes me wonder about the ones who take offense to his statement as opposed to viewing it as the sentiments of a man who has a strong faith in himself and his right to his life, in the fullest extent. And, more exactly, it is the way, a certain color/hew of people (hint, hint) have thought forEVER about themselves and look how far they have gotten in the universe? Let me provide an example, George W. or McBush/McCain? Make sense?... I think so...
So, before you knock this young brother for his stance on his life and making the best of it, applaude his ability to see what has been surpressed in our lives for so very long.. Remember Willie Lynch and think on a higher level than what has been instilled in us all..
For all intent and purposes, Terry has it right if you consider his words in the context of WE ALL ARE THE WORLD AND THE UNIVERSE and, without any of us, all is not...
He thinks and relates more globally than we give him credit for and consequently we view a narrower sense of his sensibility. I can dig what he is saying really. If you believe or better still, KNOW GOD lives within you, then you are GOD, as his creation and so his statement IS universal.
It makes me wonder about the ones who take offense to his statement as opposed to viewing it as the sentiments of a man who has a strong faith in himself and his right to his life, in the fullest extent.
And, more exactly, it is the way, a certain color/hew of people (hint, hint) have thought forEVER about themselves and look how far they have gotten in the universe? Let me provide an example, George W. or McBush/McCain? Make sense?... I think so...
So, before you knock this young brother for his stance on his life and making the best of it, applaude his ability to see what has been surpressed in our lives for so very long.. Remember Willie Lynch and think on a higher level than what has been instilled in us all..
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