popYOUlarity:Soon you’re back with your new album. Can you talk a bit about your experience putting it all together?
Robin:I actually went through a lot of ups and downs. My first album didn’t fully reach my own expectations. When I started making this album, I kind of hit a cross road where I had to remind myself of what I was making music for. Was it just to be a celebrity, or was it because I wanted to make meaningful soulful music? I really got back into what I did when I was young, which was singing and writing songs as opposed to trying to create some special thing. I just got back to my roots. I feel like this is the best music I’ve ever made.

popYOUlarity:What makes you furious, and what opens your heart?
Robin:I think labels and cages that people think you aren’t allowed to get out of. What opens my heart: a nice smile.

popYOUlarity:What is the one mistake that you saw another person make that made a strong enough impression on you that you have made sure that you won’t make the same mistake?
Robin:Actually, I would say myself. When I put out my first album; I was so worried that it wouldn’t succeed or people wouldn’t like it, and I didn’t enjoy the process enough. I learned from that to just enjoy every second and to realize that I’m blessed to be able to sing, to be able to write my own songs. Now I’m just going in slow motion and enjoying every second.

popYOUlarity:Can you talk about the track: "Wanna Love U Girl"?
Robin:It was actually a great story. I went into the record company to play my music because I had finished most of my album. I walk in to play for the president of Interscope and Bono was sitting on the couch. So now I had to play my music for the president and Bono. I’m already nervous enough. After Bono hears a few songs, he is totally loving it and convincing the president, and I as well, that we should go make a song together because who knows what it could sound like. Bono talked me into doing a track together. So that is kind of a fun story.

popYOUlarity:When is the last time you freaked over something that, when looking back, you totally blew out of proportion?
Robin:Last night I freaked out over not having salad dressing. They didn’t give me any dressing and I hadn’t eaten in eight hours and I was so hungry. I kind of went low blood sugar berserk.

popYOUlarity:What are you aiming to achieve with this album?
Robin:Hopefully lots of money and fame and popularity (laughing). Really I just want to hope for enough success. I would love for it to be a huge success and for people to love it as much as I do. I really already accomplished what I wanted to, just to finish it, be proud of it and happy with it, because it took me two years to make it.

popYOUlarity:If the government chose you to be the next big secret agent (ie. XXX), and you were chosen to go on a life threatening mission, what special skills would you have to offer for your country?
Robin:Well, I could sing the opposition to sleep. I don’t really have many skills other that basketball, golf and music. You know what I could do; I could be like a male gigolo. I could coerce powerful women into ‘James Bond-esque’ situations.

popYOUlarity:What type of things would make you start creating music as fast as you could?
Robin:I think just attention. When I was young, girls seemed to like me when I sang, so this can’t be too bad. I figured I better go write songs, get good at this, and get lots of attention.

popYOUlarity:Can you share with us both an emotional high and low you went through recording the album?
Robin:I had a point where I was really low and I was trying to create this character of music instead of just going with my heart, and I kind if had a nervous breakdown. I didn’t know if I wanted to make music anymore because it was driving me crazy and I was drinking whiskey for breakfast. No, I just drink whiskey for dinner. The highs were that I had to believe in myself. Nobody came and saved me. I had to believe in myself again. All of a sudden these songs of overcoming obstacles, they were just very pure and powerful. I would say to people out there that if you’re going through tough a time, that’s what makes you a real person. What gives you soul are the tough times. It can’t always be perfect.

popYOUlarity:Do you consider yourself like a painter, who gets better with experience? What do you think you need to work on?
Robin:I think I need to continue working on when I have an idea just do it. Sometimes I just think, oh I might not sing it great right now or my voice isn’t in great shape. Sometimes I try and put off the moment, and I think I would like to keep staying in the moment.

popYOUlarity:What do you think of the statement: “Success isn’t a destination, it’s a journey.” Do you agree? What’s your idea of success?
Robin:My idea of success is just self-love. If you look in the mirror and you’re going for dreams, you don’t ever have to achieve them as long as you have them and are working for them. That is success.

popYOUlarity:When you were preparing the album, was it just a hope it might do okay, or has the record label been preparing you for the record blowing up?
Robin:I had always hoped that the music that I made would appeal to masses of people. I think I have good taste and I’m very critical. I don’t take the audience for granted. I try to make every second count and give them something that they would never get anywhere else.

popYOUlarity:What can your fans expect from you in the next few months?
Robin:They can see my album come out on Valentines Day called “The Evolution of Robin Thicke. They just started playing the video on MTV. I have a song that I wrote and produced for Mary J. Blige’s new album. I’m working with some other great artists for their own albums. Hopefully just lots and lots of music.

popYOUlarity:Do you have anything you would like to say to the readers of popYOUlarity.com?
Robin:Peace, love and ultra sexy!

+November 29, 2005