When it comes to writing hit tunes, R&B singer Jeremih (psst: he turns 24 on April 17!), is never short of inspiration. Between his Billboard Hot 100 no. four smash "Birthday Sex" off his 2009 eponymous debut disc and his latest chart climber, "Down On Me" featuring 50 Cent (off the upcoming All About You), sex continues to be the subject matter that keeps on giving.
So, of course when the single star turned up in my office last week I had to ask him all about it. What did he have to say? Wipe the sweat off your brows and fix your hair, ladies, and read on.
UsMagazine.com: Some people thought you would be a one-hit wonder after "Birthday Sex," but it keeps coming! How does that feel?
Jeremih: It feels surreal! I was looking at the charts the other day on my e-mail just to see my name above Kanye West and Rihanna and the big names out right now. It just feels good to be able to create another number one record.
Us: And you’re on the same label as all those guys, right?
J: Yeah.
Us: Have they given you pointers? What have your experiences been with Kanye, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber?
J: When I first met Rihanna we all actually went out to dinner, and it was such a surreal feeling then because I didn’t understand what I was doing. I set up the talk because I was learning the industry and everything happened so fast for me. She always said just to stick with it. She's a big fan of my music. But out of all of Def Jam, I still haven't met Kanye or Mariah Carey.
Us: You met Bieber, right?
J: I met him a couple times.
Us: What's he like?
J: He's cool, man. I first met him when things were starting to bubble up because he obviously got signed before I did. But while my records were doing what they were doing, he was kind of really getting noticed and getting recognized. I thought he was a pretty talented little dude. I'm not surprised at all about where he is right now.
Us: There are all these dudes in R&B right now, and Chris Brown kind of stepped down a little bit, but there's you, there's Jason Derulo, there's a lot of R&B guys out there. So do you think there is a lot of competition?
J: I can't say that Chris Brown is where he used to be right now, but I think he's definitely doing his thing and coming back. I think he's getting back to the music and entertainment now and past the drama with Rihanna. But, man, there's a lot of competition! Trey Songz is definitely doing his thing. He's competition because he takes off his shirt to get the girls going crazy. But competition is really what inspires me. I just know what I have to do to be able to keep up and keep people entertained and really glued to what I’m presenting to them. But if it was up to me, I'd rather be the dude that's never been seen and is just dropping records.
Us: Oh, you don't like performing?
J: I've grown to love performing, but three years ago I'd be performing other people's records, but now to be able to write a song, record it, hear it on the radio, and then go on stage and see millions of people singing it with you, it's a great feeling.
Us: What do you think the secret is to these hits? What is it that makes every song you’re putting out take off?
J: Sex! Sex, man. I don't think the world will ever get tired of sex. I'm not saying that's all the type of music I make because it's honestly not. I think that's what the radio chooses to play or what the label chooses to pick for me to portray, you know? I make all types of music, but right now the hits have definitely been for the clubs, something for the DJs, something for the ladies, something for the fellas — sex, dope lyrics, and dope beats.
Us: So what's next? You have a new album coming when?
J: Right now my second single is doing pretty well. My first single was called "I Like" featuring Ludacris, and it did pretty well, but not as well as "Down on Me," which is going on its sixth week at number one on Billboard. "Birthday Sex" only did one week. And a big shout out to 50 Cent because he definitely stamped it and was the marketing genius behind it all.
Us: What do you think of his crazy tweets?
J: He's not just being funny — that's really how he is and out of all the artists that I've met in the last two years, he’s probably been the closest. He is crazy, but he's definitely a genius with everything he does.
Us: Who else are you going to be collaborating with?
J: I've written for a lot of artists so far, and I can definitely say I would love to collaborate with Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, and Adele. She's pretty dope! I love making music, and there's no type of music out there that I can't make.
Us: We have a lot of ladies that read our site. So, are you single? Dating?
J: Single as a dollar, man!
Us: Is there a celebrity crush that you have? Like a famous woman you’d love to hook up with?
J: I love Cassie, I love Zoe Saldana. I don't care who Rihanna has been with, I love her. If I could put all three of them together, that would be my one celebrity crush.
Us: Do you do anything to keep in shape like with your performances or stuff like that? Workouts?
J: I do moreso now that I've been on the road. I definitely try to stay in shape, so I hit the gym every other day..
By Ian Drew for UsMagazine.com. To read more of Ian's blog, click here, and don't forget to follow him on Twitter.
