Bobby V, the R&B artist formerly known as Bobby Valentino, is gearing up for his next release, Fly on the Wall. With Trey Songz, Usher, Chris Brown, and others flooding and over-saturating the urban marketplace, Bobby V feels like he has it all under control. “I don’t feel the need to compete with anybody," he says. "I feel the need to stay relevant, though.” Noisevox had the chance to sit down with Bobby V during press time for his new album.
NV: How come it felt like you never pushed your vocals on your old records?
BV: Well I am now. It’s time now. It’s about sustaining the notes and showing my falsetto and vocal range. I don’t think people are not doing that anymore.
NV: Do you feel like R&B has lost its edge today?
BV: Honestly, music in this industry has become so accessible. It’s not only the fans that are making it easily accessible anymore. It’s not easy for anyone out there unless you have the proper backing from the record label.
Real R&B has the live instrumentation and has soul in it. You can differentiate between the real and fake nowadays.
NV: What do you think about technology and downloading in the year 2011?
BV: Five, ten years ago people were selling records because of the album. Now people are obtaining music for free. I have had people come up to me and say that they have my album and it’s a burned copy. What can you do?
 
With being in a recession, it’s understandable. It’s taking a toll on the industry as a whole. Nowadays you really have to know the artist to buy their music. It’s all about the connection between the artist and the public.
NV: What are your goals with this particular album?
My goals with this album are that I want everyone to hear it. Of course I want to sell a million records. We all do! I want people to really hear my music. If they hear it, they will feel it.
I also want to grow as an artist, and most importantly I’d love the chance to help someone else out. Blue Kollar is my record label now and I want to see it grow and teach others about the music biz. I thank God for the opportunity that I have. I’m on my fourth album and will continue to work hard.
For more info on Bobby V, check out www.bobbyvmusic.com.