The Perfect Day
The Men of "Making the Band 4" are ready for their close-up.
On the 26th day of August in 2007, Diddy did just what he said he was going to do – he made the band. Brian Andrews, Michael McCluney, Qwanell Mosley, Willie Taylor and Robert Curry were brought together by the man himself to form a male R&B super group.
With the second season of “Making the Band 4” in full swing and the release of their first album only days away, Willie Taylor took time out to chat with us to tell us about life on season 2, and the even better days ahead.
Willie: How you doing girl?
D920: I’m doing great! How are YOU? You’re releasing an album!
WT: Yeah, and the feeling is great!
D920: How different is the attention and the hustle now than it was when you were just one of the guys on the show?
WT: It’s actually crazier than I thought it was going to be. The response we get when we’re out here talking about our single – it’s ridiculous. People feel like they know us, so they love us.
D920: Do you think the reality show aspect of your lives is going to be a blessing or a curse?
WT: To me, I felt it was going to be a blessing. Of course people get to see your flaws, but they also get to see you grow. They can see me down, but then they know I’m going to pick it back up. And I think it’s great promotion for the album.
D920: What was the toughest part about having to do this with the cameras on?
WT: The roughest thing was us just being able to come together when we were just in competition with one other. We all came in singing against each other, and then we had to calm down and realize how we each fit in the group. We did get through it though.
D920: The single is hot. It kind of caught me off guard.
WT: (laughs) Thank you, thank you.
D920: Talk a little bit about it.
WT: It’s called “Got Me Going,” and it was produced by Mario Winans and Diddy, and written by Bryan Michael Cox. It’s a smash – it shows a lot of versatility.
D920: What else can we see on the album? We watched you record a lot of songs…
WT: The album is just ridiculous! We were able to work with some heavy-hitter producers, and it came out phenomenal. We got love ballads, breakup songs, we captured everything and it came from our soul, so every song you hear, you can put yourself in that place.
D920: Is there a song that you have a more personal connection to on the album?
WT: There’s a track called “Come In” that The Runners did that’s one of my favorite songs. It’s one of those strong hip-hop tracks, but it’s a ballad on top of it. It’s just about if her man ain’t treatin’ her right; let her know she can come over here with you. Come in, my door is open.
D920: Was it intimidating working with that level of talent? Did you give some input or did you sit back and kind of let them tell you what to do?
WT: The producers came in with the songs ready and prepared for us to record, but they wanted it to feel natural so they gave us some freedom to sing the way we wanted to sing.
D920: Were you scared? Don’t lie!
WT: Man, it was just an honor to be that close to people like Bryan Michael Cox and The Runners.
D920: Are you starting to get used to everything yet? Is it routine to just do phoners and hang out with Diddy?
WT: It’s becoming easier now. At first we were still soaking everything in, but now we pretty much got it and we’re getting more comfortable with it.
D920: Are you ready for what’s about to happen to you? I mean, the attention you get from the ladies already has to be nuts. But what’s about to happen…
WT: I’m ready (laughs)! The numbers are huge now, and I know it’s going to double or triple or who knows? I’m trying to get prepared for it.
D920: Well we love what you’re doing, so we’re ready for it!
WT: Thank you! That’s what keeps us going!
Pick Up Day26’s new album on March 25th and see for yourself!
