Lonny Bereal is gearing up for the release of his upcoming debut album on Notifi Music Group, "The Love Train," which is preceded by hit lead single, "Favor," featuring Kelly Rowland. The singer/songwriter previously helmed tracks for other artists such as "Thought You Should Know" by Keyshia Cole [Geffen Records], "Over" by LeToya Luckett and "I Wanna Be" by Chris Brown [Jive Records]. In this exclusive interview with Monica Mania, The R&B crooner talks about "The Love Train," collaborating with former Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland & LeToya Luckett, and so much more. Enjoy!

Hamada: How did you get into singing and songwriting? 

Lonny: Grew up in a musical family. Playing & singing in church as a kid. Had the luxury of family & musician associates who got me auditions, or just got me hired with no audition. I actually started songwriting with my cousins, Kenny & Charlie. Developed over the years & Tank took me under his wing. Tank actually got me my 1st placements & stamped me as an official songwriter.

Hamada: What can we expect from your upcoming debut album, "The Love Train"? 

Lonny: Great, baby-making, love music with elements of past successful artists, who inspired me as a child. That talks about the ups & downs of a relationship. Also just some good'ol music, to have fun to. 

Hamada: Whom did you collaborate with on the project?

Lonny: Adonis Shropshire, Song Dynasty, Troy Taylor, Tank, Chris Brown, Kevin McCall, J-Doe, Teyana Taylor, J. Marlon, Seven, Warren "Oak" Felder, Eric Hudson, Tyrese & Jamie Foxx so far. There's more in the works!

Hamada: Which musicians you'd like to team up with if given the opportunity?

Lonny: Swizz Beats, Pharrell Williams, John Baptiste, Rodney Jerkins & Bryan Michael Cox.

Hamada: Tell us about your lead single, "Favor," featuring Kelly Rowland?

Lonny: It's a song I co-wrote with Chris Brown, Teyana Taylor, Kevin McCall & J. Marlon. The demo actually leaked last year & people fell in love with it. When, I actually chose to keep the song because of the excitement of Ira Dewitt, I reached out to Kelly & asked her if she'd get on it! She jumped on it immediately & now the world is hearing the results.

Hamada: Your initial collaboration with Rowland was on her sophomore album, "Ms. Kelly," where you've penned songs such as "Still in Love with My Ex" and "Better without You." Have you noticed any difference in her as an artist when you've collaborated with her again on "Favor"? 

Lonny: I was actually blessed to be a part of 12 songs, on the Ms. Kelly project. 2 of them, on the European release, & 3 on the Deluxe Edition. I definitely notice the growth in her voice. The confidence she has now & there's just a NEW glow on her.

Hamada: Besides Kelly Rowland, you've also written "Over" for LeToya Luckett, who's a former member of the Destiny's Child camp as well. How was it like working with her?

Lonny: It was fun! I actually got a new found respect for LeToya's voice while working with her, for the 1st time! She's dope! We had a lot of fun! She's a true artist.

Hamada: Have you decided what's the second single going to be?

Lonny: Not yet. I have a lot to choose from. It's kinda hard right now. I'm narrowing it down though.

Hamada: List some of your favorite songs recorded so far for 'The Love Train,' with brief liner notes about each one of them.

Lonny: "Long Ride" is just a feel good, classic R&B song. I love it! "Expected It Anyway" is a song of truth, with an old school feel to it. "Shawty I Love It" is a hot/sexy R&B song with a feat. from Tank. Still waiting to hear Trey Songz verse. Gonna be CRAZY! "When a Soldier Cries" is definitely a BIG Grammy song. I have some special features on it! "Dim The Lights" another sexy, strip clubbish song. I could go on & on about "The Love Train."

Hamada: Describe yourself in 5 words.

Lonny: Goofy, spiritual, loving, forgiving, determined.

Hamada: Tell us something that most readers will be surprised to learn about you.

Lonny: Growing up, I didn't wanna be a singer. I ran from it. I wanted to be a drummer.

Hamada: Which artists do you listen to nowadays?

Lonny: R. Kelly, Tank, Chris Brown, Usher, Beyonce', Keri Hilson, Kelly Rowland, Trey Songz, Miguel, J-Doe & Drake.

Hamada: What are the qualities that you look for in a partner?

Lonny: Understanding, spirituality (God factor is a must), ambition, a sense of humor, a family person. Gotta be adventurous & spontaneous! Oh & she must have a sexiness about her!

Hamada: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Lonny: Having fun! With a wife & kids to come home from. On my 5th or 6th album. Still touring. In & out the studio. Still successfully writing GREAT music. Taking vacations whenever I feel like it! LOL...

Hamada: In any message you'd like to convey for your fans all over the world?

Lonny: The message of love. I want the world to REALLY understand what love is. It's unconditional. 1 Corinthians 13! Love doesn't hurt people. People, hurt people & you can't define "love" based on an experience with a human being. God IS......

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British group SoundGirl has dubbed their upcoming debut album “Something to Dream About” and will release it later this year via Mercury Records. In addition to lead singles “I’m the Fool” and “Don’t Know Why,” the set is expected to boast productions and songwriting contributions from Toby Gad (Livvi Franc, Kelly Clarkson), Heather Bright (Alesha Dixon, Britney Spears), Andre Harris (Mariah Carey, Usher Raymond), Karen Poole (Janet Jackson, Alexandra Burke) and Harvey Mason Jr. (Toni Braxton, Jennifer Hudson).

Michaela Shiloh is out with her cover of "Pass Out" by Tinie Tempah, so make sure you check it out! The track is slotted for inclusion on the singer/songwriter's upcoming Mixtape, "Dear Future," which is scheduled for release in July. For those who came in late, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins' protégé is known for penning "Make Me" by Janet Jackson [A&M / Interscope Records], "Don't Keep Me Waiting" by Britney Spears [Jive Records] and "Take Ova" by Shontelle [SRC / Universal Motown Records].

[Watch] Michaela Shiloh - Pass Out

Chipmunk is out with the video for his new single “Take Off,” taken from the British rapper’s sophomore album on Jive Records, “Transition.” The Trey Songz-assisted track was helmed by Jamaal “Chipmunk” Fyffe and Harmony “H-Money” Samuels.

[Watch] Chipmunk - Take Off (featuring Trey Songz)

Chris Brown is out with the video for his new single "Next to You," taken from the R&B singer/songwriter's latest album on Jive Records, "F.A.M.E." The Justin Bieber-assisted track was helmed by Amber Streeter, Adam Messinger & Nasri Atweh of The Messengers.

[Watch] Chris Brown - Next to You (featuring Chris Brown)

Franc Ocean is out with the video for his first single "Novocane," taken from the singer/songwriter's upcoming EP, "Nostalgia, Ultra," which is due on July 26^th via Island / Def Jam Recordings. The track was produced by Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, who's latest works include "1+1" by Beyonce Knowles [Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records], "Lights Out" by Nicole Scherzinger [Interscope Records] and "Good Hit" by Jennifer Lopez [Island / Def Jam Recordings].

[Watch] Frank Ocean - Novocane

Lady Gaga is out with the video for her new single "The Edge of Glory," taken from the singer/songwriter's latest album on Interscope Records, "Born This Way." The track was helmed by Fernando Garibay & DJ Shadow White, who also teamed up with the artist on "Government Hooker," "Americano," "Bloody Mary," "Bad Kids" and "Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)."

[Watch] Lady Gaga - The Edge of Glory

A new track by Wynter Gordon has hit the net on Wednesday (June 16^th, 2011). “Don’t Stop Me” is slotted for inclusion on the singer/songwriter’s upcoming debut album, “With the Music I Die,” which is due in Australia on June 17^th via Big Beat / Atlantic Records. The track was produced by Warren “Oak” Felder, who previously teamed up with the artist on the Sterling Simms- assisted “Insomnia.”

Other musicians backing the “Dirty Talk” singer on the project are Dernst “D’Mile” Emile (Jennifer Lopez, Toni Braxton), Makeba Riddick (Beyonce Knowles, Jessica Simpson), Free School: Jean Baptiste & Mike McHenry (Chris Brown, Cheryl Cole), Miriam & Olivia Nervo (Kylie Minogue, Miley Cyrus), Nicole Morier (Pixie Lott, Britney Spears) and Mike Caren (Amerie, Faith Evans).

Melanie Fiona has teamed up with Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins on new material for her upcoming sophomore album, “The MF Life.” The super producer’s latest works include “He About to Lose Me” by Britney Spears [Jive Records], “Just Can’t Get Enough” by The Black Eyed Peas [Interscope Records] and “Take Ova” & “Perfect Nightmare” by Shontelle [SRC / Universal Motown Records].

Other contributors on the follow-up to “The Bridge” are Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis), Andrea Martin (Jordin Sparks, Alexandra Burke), Jack Splash (Livvi Franc, Alicia Keys), Johnta Austin (Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton), Ernest “No I.D.” Wilson (Janet Jackson, Estelle Swaray), Priscilla Renea (Mary J. Blige, Cheryl Cole), John Legend (Chrisette Michele, Keri Hilson) and Reginald “Syience” Perry (Beyonce Knowles, Marsha Ambrosius).

“That’s More Like It” is slotted for inclusion on Selena Gomez & The Scene’s upcoming album, “When the Sun Goes Down,” which is due on June 28^th via Hollywood Records. The track was helmed by Katy Perry-penned track was helmed by Billy Steinberg & Josh Alexander, who are also responsible for “Too Little, Too Late” by Jojo [Blackground Records], “Over It” by Katharine McPhee [RCA Records] and “Perfection” by Leona Lewis [Syco Music / J Records].

The follow-up to “A Year Without Rain” is confirmed to boast additional productions and songwriting contributions from Toby Gad (Alicia Keys, Robin Thicke), Meleni Smith (Alicia Keys, Natasha Bedingfield), Emanuel Kiriakou (Celine Dion, Whitney Houston), Priscilla Renea (Melanie Fiona, Cheryl Cole), Martin “Max Martin” Sandberg (Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne), Bonnie McKee (Livvi Franc, Kelly Clarkson), Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald (Kelis, Christina Aguilera), Nicole Morier (Pixie Lott, Wynter Gordon), Greg Kurstin (Lily Allen, Kylie Minogue), Espionage: Amund Bjorklund & Espen Lind (Alexis Jordan, Miranda Cosgrove) and Sandy “Sandy Vee” Wilhelm (Taio Cruz, David Guetta).