Sterling
Simms Biography
Choosing classic soul auteurs Teddy Riley, New Edition and Brian
McKnight as musical inspiration could have been imposing for some,
but in the case of newcomer Sterling Simms the truth is in the grooves. Like
the missing link between new jack swing and the current R&B scene,
Sterling’s debut disc is a welcome detour from the usual scenarios laid down
by his contemporaries.
“My main goal while constructing my album was to create a different kind of
soul album,” the Philadelphia native explains. “I wanted to capture diverse
sounds that I once jammed to on the radio when I was a kid.” The first
single, “Jump Off” is the perfect introduction to Sterling’s
skills. Be it the bedroom or the club, “Jump Off” can provide the
soundtrack.
“Me and one of my writing partners Steve-O were in the studio one night, and
“Jump Off” just flowed out of our pens,” Sterling explains. “After
he had penned the hook, all it took was forty-five minutes for us to
complete the song.”
On songwriting, Sterling commented, “I think the best songs are those many
people can relate. In all of my songs, whether written by me or others, I
want to convey truthful experiences that will connect with the public.”
Perhaps the most stellar club track on Sterling’s debut is the addictive
“Worth Your While.” Produced by the Cornerboys, the song became a
Sterling favorite on first listen. “We had been in the studio for two days,
but when I heard that beat, I knew I had to make it mine.” Like the best of
new jack swing, “Worth Your While” balances soul and hip-hop. “As
soon as I heard it, I knew that record was the one.”
Growing-up in Philadelphia, Sterling reflects, “There were times when I felt
a little rebellious and just wanted to run away from it all.” “Between my
mom and grandfather, who also wrote and composed music, I realized that this
was to be my life.”
After his grand-pa took a six-year-old Sterling to a recording studio for
the first time, his future was sealed. “To this day, whenever I write a song
I dedicate it to my grand-pa. I feel like I’m living his dream.” In addition
to his childhood lessons, Sterling also performed in local theater
productions as well as scribbling song lyrics in his notebook.
Moving from the city of brotherly love to Atlanta when he was fifteen proved
to be a culture shock in more ways than one. “I went from hanging in front
of the corner store to eating chicken cheese steaks to eating fish and
grits,” Sterling jokes. “But, living in Atlanta was one of the best things
for my music. I always tell people, Philly made me into a man, but Atlanta
made me into an artist.”
The diversity of Sterling’s artistry can be heard on track “Single.”
Opening with supple simplicity of an acoustic guitar before layering on
keyboards and vocals, “Single” is the perfect anthem for those who
feel those who feel tied down in a relationship. Reminding one of the
balladry of Babyface, “Single” is not a break-up
joint, but it’s still far from a love song.
Produced and written with his creative team known as The Knightwritaz
(“Because some of our best work is done after dark”), Sterling says, “The
idea for that song came to me when I was dating a girl who just stressed me
out. I would be in the studio working a session and she would be on the
phone working my nerves. We’re no longer together, so I suppose that song
had something to do with it.”
Back when Sterling was nineteen, before he had made any real contacts in the
music business, Sterling was trying to perfect his craft as a
singer/songwriter while slaving the day away at an ATL carwash. “There were
these producers who worked at the shop named Mr. Fist and Diggie Don who
were working with Lil Zane,” Sterling says. “They were the first guys who
took me seriously as an artist and gave me my first break.”
Sterling penned a deal with Sony Records that later fell through.
“Personally, I got tired of the ups and downs of trying to be an artist and
decided to concentrate on just songwriting. For me, writing is the greatest
therapy in the world. If I’m feeling tense, I can always sit down and pen a
song. I know that’ll make me feel better.”
Forming the creative clique The Knightwritaz with six other writers,
Sterling wrote songs for Mario and Tyrese.
Sounding like an R&B version of the X-Men, Sterling explains, “With the
Nightwriters, we feed off of each others energy as well as help each other
out. We’re all friends, but we also get the job done.”
As luck would have it, one of Sterling’s demos fell into the ears of another
production company,”One Recordings.” Coincidentally, Ray Romulous, an up
and coming Island Def Jam A&R executive, heard of Sterling and delivered his
demo to “Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group.
“After all those years, the hard work had finally paid off,” he laughs.
After presenting Mr. Reid with fourteen songs, Sterling was signed to the
label. “Working with “L.A.” was a dream come true,” says Sterling. “His
track record as both an artist and executive speaks for itself.”
Laying it down hard with a
voice soft as silk, Sterling’s debut definitely shines.
