Why Don’t You Fall in Love with Amerie?
With her luscious voice, assured singing power, and refreshing appeal, Amerie spoke about her second album, Touch, released after her debut record, and her career going forward.
Interview by: Minako Ikeshiro
It’s been just over two years since Knockout. The Black‑American beauty Amerie is back. With the theme song of the Will Smith–starring rom‑com Hitch as her first single—a savvy marketing move—Amerie’s return gets off to a light, buoyant start. Even in our in‑studio interview, she delivered full service with gestures.
This conversation is translated, lightly edited for content and clarity, follows below.
Your previous album, All I Have, got a terrific response—are you satisfied with it yourself?
“Yeah, from the moment I started making the album, I was enjoying it, and being able to turn everything I felt at that time into music was crucial. Last time I channeled emotion into songs, but this time I wanted to express more sensuality and sexuality. In these two years, I’ve also gained experience in film and TV. I think the timing is perfect.”
Which movie?
“Final Daughter? The one Michael Keaton is in—it comes out this week.”
You were such a good student, you even aimed to become a lawyer?
“My mother wanted me to become a university professor.”
Which department?
“Probably world history.”
Here in Japan, your multicultural background has been warmly received. How do you think it’s influenced your career?
“Even before my career, it was just normal for me. My father was in the military, so I was surrounded by people of all backgrounds—Hawaiian and Filipino, Spanish and Black, Korean and Mexican… I thought that was just how life was.”
Did you move around a lot growing up?
“Yes. I moved all over the U.S., and overseas I lived mainly in Korea and Germany. I was in Japan for a short time, too. From a very young age I learned that no matter how different the country or culture, human nature is the same—and I think that was a great lesson.”
So far only the tracks have been released. The title track “Touch” is completely up‑tempo. Did you aim for an overall up‑beat, danceable feel?
“Yes. I was totally into that vibe. Even though management said we needed slower songs, they let me do as many club tracks as I wanted until I was satisfied, then we shifted gears and worked on the slower material. The song with Carl Thomas is a mid‑tempo slow jam; with Vidal Davis we did a ballad; and Red Spyder also produced a slow track. He’s known for his work with G‑Unit but said he wanted to do more slow tracks—almost like straight‑up ballads. It’s surprising, and I’m grateful when producers step outside their comfort zone. That balance, I think, is the highlight of this album. Even the title track with Lil Jon is completely different from his usual work.”
Was anything completely different from what you expected?
“On the whole? No. I prepared thoroughly… Before I started in this business I read All You Need to Know About the Music Business…”
When did you decide, ‘I’m going to be a singer’?
“I always wanted to be in management, but by the ‘90s…”
Let’s talk about this album. Your last one was directly overseen by Rich Harrison—how does this one feel?
“He’s the main producer again; he did half the album. Just last week, I finally worked on the last track, a duet with Carl Thomas—exactly the song I asked for. He wrote his verse on the spot and is putting our song on his next album, too! I respect him so much as an artist. When I was making my first album, there was a moment I felt stuck, but listening to his record reignited my inspiration and drove me to finish RCB’s album.”
Which other artists appear?
“Nas—he had me on two tracks of his album, so we’re used to each other. It’s not about boosting egos but about making a great song, and to me that’s real.”
The first single “1 Thing” and Jennifer López’s “Get Right” are remarkably similar beyond having the same producer—and you’re on the same label. Was that intentional?
“Hmm… honestly, it’s really just the same producer. The drum pattern being similar is a big factor. Remember when the Neptunes first came out? It was the same then. But even on their tracks, what Jay‑Z did and what Noreaga did sounded different, and I think it’s the same principle.”
How did you hone your writing skills?
“I’d been writing even before my first album. On the last record, Rich Harrison did a lot and I loved it, so that was great—but this time, I wanted to put exactly what I had to say into the songs, so I wrote or co‑wrote every track myself. I’m also the executive producer, and I co‑directed the video. I had a clear vision of how I wanted to be heard and seen, so I brought that to life.”
The first single is the theme for Hitch—a movie about a love master. Are you good at love yourself?
“I’m an excellent advisor. Whether I can put it into practice in my own case is another story (laughs). My parents are very blunt—they’d say, ‘If a guy comes on like this, here’s what he’s really thinking,’ or ‘Someone who does this isn’t a true friend.’ Since childhood I’ve been good at reading situations.”
If your career were a book, what chapter would you say you’re in now?
“Hm. I feel like a newcomer all over again, so rather than chapters, my first album was volume one and this feels like a completely new volume two. I learned from the good and bad of last time and have entered a new book.”
I don’t think you’re anywhere near the final volume—but do you have concrete goals?
“I enjoyed acting, so I want to pursue that more. I’ve always wanted a career that mixes Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, and Nicole Kidman. Life can be long or short depending on how you live it, so I want to build the right career. I don’t know how many volumes it’ll be, but I want it to be fulfilling.”
You did a full promo tour around Japan last time—what stood out most?
“The food. I could eat anything. In Europe. I was always hungry, but in Japan for a week, I ate Japanese food for every meal except breakfast—and never got tired of it. It’s close to my mom’s culture, and everyone was so kind and polite that I felt right at home. It was a bit disappointing that I had no time to shop, though.”
Finally, is there any message you want to convey through it?
“I don’t have a specific ‘message.’ I simply wanted to be open and show my personality—inner and outer—and return to everyone as the new Amerie. This album realizes that.”