Bobby Valentino is no stranger to the R & B scene. When he was younger, he was a member of the group Mista. If you don't remember the group, you might recall the hit song, "Blackberry Molasses." Valentino is back with his second Disturbing tha Peace solo release "Special Occasion."

Shelia Goss: How did you end up on Disturbing Tha Peace?
Bobby Valentino: When I got out of college (Clark Atlanta University), I had two or three albums completed. DTP heard it and they loved it, so they signed me.

Shelia: Are you from Atlanta?
Bobby V: Yes.

Shelia: You were in another group when you were younger. Why did you decide to go solo?
Bobby V: We had a lot of things going on within the group so everybody just decided to go their separate ways.

Shelia: What kind of experiences have you had since your last album?
Bobby V: The experience of having money in the bank, having my own things, a house/condo...being able to do some things I've always wanted to do and not have to worry about money no more and being able to buy my mama the car she's always wanted.

Shelia: What feeling would you like listeners to feel when they hear your new CD "Special Occasion"?
Bobby V: I want them to feel good...feel the soul...feel the goodness of R & B.

Shelia: What challenges, if any, did you face putting the album together?
Bobby V: The challenge to try to outdo my first album, which I feel is an R & B classic album. I ended up recording sixty or seventy songs. The first album was so good. With this one, I'm really trying to top it.

Shelia: What producers did you work with?
Bobby V: I worked with some of the hottest producers like Rodney Jerkins, Bryan Cox, Sean Garrett, Dre & Vidal...I did my research on them and wanted to put them all together on one CD.

Shelia: Sounds like you had a hands on approach.
Bobby V: Oh yeah, always. I am the executive producer on the album.

Shelia: Any duets on the CD?
Bobby V: No. I did a duet with Shareefa, but it didn't make the album, but it was a really hot song.

Shelia: I haven't seen a video. Are you working on a new video y et?
Bobby V: I'll be shooting one in the next couple of weeks.

Shelia: According to some of the websites out there, some folks are comparing you to Ray J. Why do you think they compare you to him?
Bobby V: I never heard that comparison.

Shelia: How do you juggle your personal life with your career?
Bobby V: Doing music is my job and it's what I want to do so if I don't have a personal life that's alright with me right now.

Shelia: Is there anyone special in your life right now?
Bobby V: No, I'm a single man.

Keep updated with what's going on with Bobby Valentino by visiting one of his websites: https://www.justbobby.com/ or www.myspace.com/bobbyvalentino.



7 Random thoughts with Bobby Valentino:

1. Besides your own CDs, what CDs do you play to set a romantic mood? Jodeci (Diary of a Mad Band)
2. What's your favorite color to see on a woman? Any color. I like a woman with pretty feet.
3. Do you prefer a woman to wear heels or flats? I like seeing a woman in stilettos.
4. Her hair pinned up or hanging down? Either way
5. Dress or Jeans? I think a dress looks better.
6. Makeup or no makeup? No makeup. I want to see the real woman. Maybe a little lipstick or mascara, but a natural beauty.
7. Do you prefer a long romantic drive or walk? A romantic drive.

Interview by Shelia M Goss, an entertainment writer and national bestselling author of My Invisible Husband. Visit her website at www.sheliagoss.com for more information.