Upcoming girlband Second Nature consist of lovely beauties Margeaux Fernandez & Cheria Young, and they are currently in the process of recording their debut album which promises hot productions from Beau Dozier (Nicole Scherzinger, Samantha Jade), Poli Paul (Christina Milian, Teedra Moses) and Damon Elliot (Kelly Rowland, Jessica Simpson). I caught up with the promising duo to talk about their forthcoming LP, dream collaborations, touring with Jesse McCartney, and so much more … Enjoy reading and don't forget to post your thoughts :)

 

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Hamada: - How did the two of you know each other? And whose idea was it to form a girlband?

 

Margeaux: - We met when we were 15. I started going to the church where Cheria grew up, and we became friends instantly through the worship team and bible study group. We also ended up singing for all of the church events together. I think it was me who kind of pulled Cheria into being in a group. We were already singing backup for Jesse McCartney and it just seemed right.

 

Hamada: - What's the secret behind your artiste name, Second Nature?

 

Second Nature: - The secret? Lol!!!! Definitely no secret! We kind of just picked it from a list thinking it made sense that music is like second nature to us.

 

Hamada: - Are there any plans of releasing your debut albums this year? And have you decided upon a title yet?

 

Second Nature: - This year like 2007?! Lol! We doubt it cause we're still recording and putting our album together. We've been through so many different stages as a group that it shows through our music. It's a good thing though 'cause once it does come out it'll be 100 percent our sound! As far as titles, that'll just hit us one day soon like,"That's it! That's the name!"

 

Hamada: - Whom have you worked with in terms of songwriters/producers? And whom would you love to hook up with in future recording sessions?

 

Second Nature: - We've worked with Beau Dozier, Poli Paul, Damon Elliot, Phenom, Eddie Galan & Drew Lane from Trilogy to name of few. They're all so great! We'd love to work with Timbaland, Justin, Kanye West, ooh and The Clutch!

 

Hamada: - Tell us about some of your favorite songs that have been recorded so far?

 

Second Nature: - Well, there are different favorites for different reasons. Our very first song was awesome cause we recorded it in a hotel room on tour. All ghetto style with a small mic hanging from a lamp shade! For real, it was great! Then there are songs like "Watch Me" from Trilogy that was a favorite from the beginning because it was written in about 30 min and when we first heard the track we knew it was gonna be dope!

 

Hamada: - Do you believe in the myth that "3 is the magical number for girl groups"? And have you thought about adding another member?

 

Cheria: - We've thought about adding a 3rd member several times. At first we actually wanted a 3rd member but never found the right girl.  So I don't know about 3 being the magical number but Margeaux and I have a great thing going with the number 2...lol... Who knows? Maybe 3's a crowd in our case.

 

Hamada: - What sets Second Nature apart from other duos such as Black Buddafly, Brick & Lace, Myxx and Brit & Alex?

 

Second Nature: - The same things that separate Destiny's Child from the Dixie Chicks or The Donnas from The Cheetah Girls … different faces, different styles and different stories ... It's all love.

 

Hamada: - Why do you think it's harder for girl-groups to stay together?

 

Second Nature: - For the same reason it's hard to have four sisters, lol! When you're in a group it's not just about you. Everybody in the group has to compromise and come to a mutual agreement with everything. Maybe that's why we've stuck to just the two of us.

 

Hamada: - Do both of you argue a lot? Or is it smooth sailing all the way?

 

Second Nature: - We never argue! We've had an intense conversation maybe twice (in the almost 10 years of our friendship ... not too bad ... lol), but we respect each other and love one another like family so it never gets ugly.

 

Hamada: - Are you afraid that because of your strikingly beautiful looks, listeners will underestimate your vocal abilities?

 

Second Nature: - Lol! That's funny! It's hard for us to even consider ourselves strikingly beautiful but I don't think people pre-judge us just on our looks.

 

Hamada: - If you could record a duet with any artist, whom would you choose? And why?

 

Second Nature: - Ooooh, that's a tough one! As far as working with people, The Roots is our first choice. But to do an actual duet, definitely Justin.

 

Hamada: - Describe your touring experience with teen heart-throb Jesse McCartney? And is he as handsome in person? (hee hee)

 

Second Nature: - It was a memorable experience! It was like having a big family on the road. We all were really close and still keep in touch. And Jesse was like a little brother to us. Very cool and yeah he looks the same in person as he does in his pictures, lol!

 

Hamada: - Would you rather date someone from inside or outside the music industry? And what qualities do you usually look for in a man?

 

Second Nature: - Understanding the music industry definitely helps, but either way can work. Loyalty, passion and humor are great things to look for in a man, but ultimately you can't help who you fall in love with ... At least that's what we heard on TV once, lol! It sounds right though...lol!!!

 

Hamada: - Tell us something that most readers will be surprised to learn about both of you?

 

Margeaux: - I have a three year old son, and I don't listen to the radio!

 

Cheria: - I graduated from college with my BA in Biblical Studies, and I didn't go to my first real concert until I was on tour with Jesse.

 

Hamada: - What message would you like to send out to all Second Nature fans throughout the world?

 

Second Nature: - Thank you so much for all of your support!! We love you so much!! Stay tuned ... You ain't seen nothin' yet!! See the difference, be the difference, make a difference ... XOXO

 

[Visit] Second Nature @ MySpace

Here is the album cover to Nicole Scherzinger’s debut album, “Her Name Is Nicole”, which is due 16 October via A&M Records and will be preceded by first single “Whatever You Like”, produced by Jamal “Polow Da Don” Jones (Christina Aguilera, Fergie) and co-written by Sean Garrett (Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani).

 

The full track list has yet to be announced, but “Her Name Is Nicole” will also sport collaborations with Allaune “Akon” Thiam (Mario, Brick & Lace), Kara Dioguardi (Celine Dion, Kylie Minogue), Will “Will-I-Am” Adams (Macy Gray, Justin Timberlake), Tim “Timbaland” Mosley (Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez), Keri Hilson (Mary J. Blige, Omarion), Nate “Danja” Hills (Paula DeAnda, Madonna), Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (Jennifer Hudson, Wynter Gordon), Kendrick “Wyldcard” Dean (Brandy, Karina Pasian) and The Neptunes (Faith Evans, Kelis).

Songwriter Kara Dioguardi's "Baby Love" is slated to be the 2^nd single released from Nicole Scherzinger's forthcoming debut album, "Her Name Is Nicole", which is due 16^th October via A&M Records. The joint was produced by Will "Will-I-Am" Adams, who previously collaborated with Dioguardi on tracks like: - Pussycat Dolls' "Beep" and Hilary Duff's "Play with Fire".

Model/dancer turned singer Mercedes is ready to launch her singing career in 2008 via Soulpower Music. She's currently in the studio with hitmakers Soulshock & Karlin (Keyshia Cole, Samantha Jade, Kelly Clarkson) and Cutfather (Jamelia, Holly Valance, Terri Walker). Visit her official MySpace profile and listen to the wicked joints: - "Follow Me" (produced by Soulshock & Karlin) and "Get Rich" (produced by Cutfather). All in all, if you like M.I.A.and Lily Allen, you'll definitely get hooked on Mercedes!

 

[Visit] Mercedes @ MySpace

Tisha Monique - former member of British girlband The 411 - has launched an official MySpace profile, and here's what she had to say: -

 

Some of you may know The 411 took a break from each other well over a year now, and we're in the process of recruiting a fourth member, things have moved on a bit and another member has decided to a different career path. Myself and the remaining member (Tanya Boniface) are now looking for two other girls to rekindle our music experience. Nothing is set in stone as of yet but please look out for an update. It Has been an erratic journey but growing up in stage school (Sylvia young theatre school) and training as an actress and dancer, I haven't been able to resist the temptations of my other two passions, so at the moment I'm in the studio, going for auditions, and attending dance classes just for the fun of it while also trying to pursue a modeling career:) busy eh? My new thing at the moment though is learning Spanish... that's one of my goals for this year as my grandparents are Costa Rican, it's a shame I have never made the effort, its a beautiful language, so if anyone is fluent, online lessons appreciated :)

 

This is great news, and I hope they'll recruit suitable members soon cuz I really enjoyed their debut LP, "Between the Sheets". It's a shame that they were dropped from Sony after the audience's poor reception to 3^rd single, "Teardrops". I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them to come back with another banging album.

[Visit] Tisha Monique @ MySpace

[Watch] The 411 - Dumb (produced by Red Eye)

Here's an unofficial video for Joanna's "Out from Under", taken from the soundtrack to the movie "Bratz". The track was co-written by Shelly Peiken (Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ashley Parker Angel) and Arnthor Birgisson (Janet Jackson, Jessica Simpson, Danity Kane). I really like this joint and hope that it will be included on the follow-up to her debut LP, "This Crazy Life". The as yet untitled sophomore set will feature collaborations with Alonzo "Novel" Stevenson (Kelis, Sugababes, Joss Stone) and Frankie J (Paula DeAnda, Christina Milian, Natalie).

[Watch] Joanna - Out From Under

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British R&B songstress Estelle has earmarked February 2008 as the release date of her forthcoming sophomore album. The set is executively produced by John Legend, who previously hooked up with the “1980” singer on tracks like “Hey Girl” and “Free” – taken from her debut LP, “The 18^th Day”. Other musicians expected on the as yet untitled set include Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean (Jennifer Lopez, Fantasia), Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Lamya), Will “Will-I-Am” Adams (Mary J. Blige, Fergie), Cee-Lo (Nicole Scherzinger, Faith Evans) and Kanye West (Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys). Tracks that are tipped for inclusion are: - “More Than Friends”, “Just a Touch” featuring Will-I-Am, and “American Boy” featuring Kanye West.

Here is the video for Remi Nicole's new single, "Go Mr. Sunshine", taken from her as yet untitled debut album. The set doesn't have an official release date yet, but expect DOPE productions courtesy of Johnny Douglas (Gabrielle, Kylie Minogue) and Future Cut (Nicole Scherzinger, Kelis).

 

[Watch] Remi Nicole - Go Mr. Sunshine

Here is the video for Paula Campbell's debut single, "Ain't Nobody Stupid", which was directed by our very own Ciara. The track is lifted from her forthcoming debut album, "I am Paula Campbell", due later this year via Sony Music. Production duo Carvin & Ivan (Chante Moore, Faith Evans) executively oversaw the project, whereas among the additional musicians expected are Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Jennifer Hudson, Teedra Moses), Makeba Riddick (Toni Braxton, LeToya Luckett), Brian Kidd (Enrique Iglesias, Tiffany Evans), Warryn Campbell (Brandy, Heather Headley), Dre & Vidal (Mariah Carey, Amerie) and songwriting team The Clutch: - Ezekiel Lewis, Keri Hilson, Candice Nelson & Patrick "J.Que" Smith (Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Lopez).

 

[Watch] Paula Campbell - Ain't Nobody Stupid (directed by Ciara)

In a recent interview with Fashion Rocks magazine, singer/actress Jennifer Hudson talked about her debut album’s musical direction, and here’s what she had to say: -

 

“It’s not hip-hop,” she says firmly. “Let’s just say that. I don’t have anything against it, but it’s not the music that I like to sing. There’s some pop in there, and some R&B-soul, but,” she pauses for emphasis, “not hip-hop.”

 

The as yet untitled set is expected to drop in November via J Records, and among the A-listers drafted for the project are Kaseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean (Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez), Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (Christina Milian, Mary J. Blige), Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel S. Eriksen (Beyonce, Jessica Simpson), The Underdogs: Harvey Mason Jr. & Damon Thomas (Toni Braxton, Fantasia), Durrell “Tank” Babbs (Aaliyah, Kelly Rowland) and John Legend (Whitney Houston, Keyshia Cole).