Lloydβs anticipated new EP Tru is due out this Friday (Dec. 9), lead by the title track, which has been climbing the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, currently at No. 16.
But, donβt call Lloydβs five-year absence a comeback. βIβm simply picking up where I left off,β Lloyd told Billboard. βItβs not a comeback. Iβm just making up for some lost time.β
And heβs doing so with the most introspective and honest material heβs ever presented, as fans will learn on the forthcoming EP. Beyond the single and its remix featuring 2 Chainz, the EP is comprised of the tracks βHeavenly Bodyβ featuring Rick Ross, βHoldingβ and βExcited.β
βIβve never attacked the content of my life like this,β says Lloyd. βThe EP and album were inspired by all kinds of biographical storylines of the past few years. And the bottom line message is that thereβs nothing wrong with being who you are. I really enjoy the fact that no one is perfect or imperfect. Thatβs the message Iβm sharing.β
Career success aside, Lloyd says his five-year recording hiatus was more about simply living life than anything else. During that period, he helped his sister graduate from medical school (βa big moment,β says Lloyd), watched his niece being born, earned his GED (βwhich I wouldnβt have considered beforeβ) and also learned to play the guitar. Out of that came something else he hadnβt initially anticipated: a renewed openness to experiment musically and lyrically.
βThe only thing that can get in the way is yourself,β says Lloyd. βAnd now here was the chance to work on more intimate and experimental material. I didnβt expect to put βTruβ out. I wasnβt even shopping it so I didnβt imagine it would mean any kind of a resurgence. But a friend through a friend through a friend heard it and found me.β
As for his provocative photo on the Tru EP cover taken in north Georgia, Lloyd says its another offshoot of his βway more fearlessβ outlook. βThe same kid fans met before is still deep in me,β he explains. βBut this Lloyd is more comfortable in his skin, having eliminated so many fears like how you might look to someone or what someone else may think of you. Thatβs what Iβve tried to tackle with this photoβand my new music.β
The Tru EP is available for pre-order on iTunes now. Coming next year is Lloydβs first album since 2011, Out My Window, via the singerβs Empire-distributed label Young Goldie Music.
via Billboard
(Photo by Ben Styles)
Read more at
Lloyd on Being 'Tru' to Himself: 'I'm Simply Picking Up Where I Left Off' | ThisisRnB.com - Hot New R&B Music, Videos, News
