Singer, Actor and Dreamgirls star Keith Robinson has released a single called "The One" on iTunes which is from his upcoming album. "The One" allows Robinson to demonstrate his sexy and soulful delivery style.
Robinson can currently be seen in a starring role in the big screen smash-hit Dreamgirls. He plays the role of C.C. White, the brother of Jennifer Hudson's character Effie, opposite Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, and Anika Noni Rose in Bill Condon's film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. The film has received 8 Oscar Nominations, an SAG nomination for best ensemble and a Golden Globe for Best Picture. Keith can also be found on three songs on the film's soundtrack including the Oscar-nominated song "Patience," alongside Eddie Murphy and Anika Noni Rose as well as his solo in the song "Family."
EUT: I saw the film a couple of weeks ago and loved it! Were you an actor or singing first?
KR: Thank you. I actually started singing first when I was really young. I used to go to acting classes with a friend and I ended up participating. The teacher thought I was good and after that I was put forward for a few auditions, I then caught the acting bug!
EUT: Had you acted in other films before Dreamgirls?
KR: I've done a few TV movies and also had a part in the Fat Albert movie which was a good experience for me. I've done quite a few TV projects but they were nothing compared to the Dreamgirls movie.
EUT: Did you know that Dreamgirls would be such a hit when you got the script?
KR: I knew it had the potential to be a success because the play itself was already a success and there was such a great cast that was going to act in the movie. I felt like all of the ingredients were there and we just had to bake a cake.
EUT: What attracted you to the role of C.C.?
KR: I can relate to Motown music because that's what I grew up listening to and C.C. was a young songwriter and singer just like I am in real life. There were other elements that contributed to my decision like the cast and director as well. I really wanted to be a part of it.
EUT: What helped you identify with your role?
KR: I drew on all my life experiences and what it was like for me to have a record deal and being a songwriter already. I also understood that the business doesn't always work in your favour and I think that really helped me connect with the character of C.C.
EUT: What was Beyonce like to work with?
KR: I knew Beyonce was going to be in the movie before I accepted the part. She was fantastic to work with and is a really cool girl. She's very hard working but also down to earth and humble. Beyonce is a team player believe it or not. The whole set had a good atmosphere to it.
EUT: Jennifer Hudson is also a newcomer to the entertainment business; did that help you both get along?
KR: Yeah, it gave us an immediate connection with each other. This was the first time either of us had been involved with a project of such magnitude. We bonded really quickly and it was kind of like we knew each other already.
EUT: Do you think your character [C.C. White] was wrong to stop supporting Effie as quickly as everyone else did in the movie?
KR: Yeah, but I don't really blame him. When you're young you want something so badly and you decide what's important. The good thing about my character is that he got a chance to redeem himself and find out that his sister was important to him as well. He spoke to a lot of people whose dreams are right there in front of them and would do anything to make them come true.
EUT: I thought he would try harder to find out what was wrong with Effie, I was getting a bit angry watching that scene!
KR: He came back for her in the end which is the important thing!
EUT: You're now doing your own music project away from Dreamgirls, did you start that a while ago?
KR: I've been working on music throughout my whole career but I always had to start and stop due to my filming schedules. It's a good time to drop the album on top of the Dreamgirls release because people will remember me from that.
EUT: What can we expect from your album?
KR: The music on my album will be a combination of hip hop and soul. I talk about real life and love and things that have happened to me and how they've affected me or how I want them to affect me. I didn't record any collaborations on this album because I wanted to make a statement of who I am as an artist. I'm a guest on my own album! I'd like to do a track with Jennifer Hudson, our labels are currently in talks about that. There was a duet we did which was cut out of the movie.
EUT: Are you still going to be acting alongside your music career?
KR: I'm still dead on acting. I just signed on to do a new TV series called Apostles which is a combination of NYPD Blue and Constantine. It's like a spiritual cop drama for lack of a better description!
EUT: What would you say to people to make them buy it?
KR: It's a fresh breath of reality coming from a new perspective of classic soul and hip hop influences. It's coming from one of their homies.
EUT: You're acting, singing, writing…is there anything else you can do?
KR: I can juggle!
www.keithrobinsonofficial.com
www.myspace.com/keithrobinsonofficial
Rashmi Shastri – February 2007
