My City: Detroit’s R&B Legacy Lives Through John Brown (Exclusive Interview) Posted by Nathan S. on 05/28/10 | Filed under Features, My City, John Brown

Detroit gave birth to modern R&B when Motown was founded in 1960, so it's only right that the city has turned out on one of fastest rising R&B stars in the game, John Brown. In the latest edition of our My City series, Brown talks about Detroit's musical legacy, his dedication to making R&B the whole family can listen to, and much more. And as an added bonus, check out the video for Brown's new single "Imma Love You Right" at the bottom of the page.

RefinedHype: How did your early years in Detroit, the home of Motown, influence your music today?

John Brown: Coming from a city with such a musical history I wanted to be the best singer I could be. I always felt a lot of pressure to be good at singing because, I did not want to let my family, myself and my city down.

RefinedHype: After moving to New Jersey to pursue a record deal you spent some time moving around. What did you learn on those travels that's helping you find success now?

John Brown: With moving around so much you had to try and quickly adapt to new people, and new surroundings. It was scary at first but it was something that I quickly got use to. Meeting new producers, and people at radio now it reminds me of my early years. It's been a lot of fun getting to know new people. Especially, producers, and artists that I have looked up to for years.

RefinedHype: You're now back in your native Detroit, a city that's currently experiencing some pretty hard times. What do you feel like you can offer Detroit to help it recover?

John Brown: I feel that I can offer the people of Detroit an escape while listening to my music. I want to be a positive role model to the youth of Detroit to show them that there is a better way to live your life instead of the drugs and gangs that are out there. I want the parents to be able to listen to my music with their children so they can feel that It's ok to listen to my music. I hope to one day be successful enough to lend my name to help revitalize the city of Detroit.

RefinedHype: Where do you go to get inspired? Who inspires you?

John Brown: My parents, my church God. My son John Brown Jr really inspires me. I work so hard to be a success to make his life easier then mine.

RefinedHype: Last words? Shouts? Confessions?

John Brown: I want to say Thank you to the Universal/Republic Family, especially Monte, Avery Lipman, and Imran Majid for making my dreams come true. It has been such a whirlwind of events that has me sometimes trying to stop and take a look at everything because, it seems like everything is going so fast,

Shout outs: Imran Majid, Michael Horton, Troy Dudley, Erik Pettie, Universal Promotion Staff, Elise Wright, Lynn Scott, Tyrese, Tank.

Confessions. When I met Tank and Tyrese I was trying to be so cool but I was in awe being with them. I was hoping they wouldn't notice. It was crazy that I was hanging with them. I hope there will be more to come. I won't ever make another confession like this again. LOL