Estelle Talks New Album, Celebrity Crush & Agreeing With Kanye

Fresh from the Grammy Awards, Estelle says that she, in part, agrees with Kanye West, who she won a Grammy for Rap/Sung Collaboration with for “American Boy.”

Estelle’s  new album, True Romance, out February 17th should be a another hit for the singer you can always count on for a thoughtful, well-crafted hit. From American Boy to Thank You, the British export has proven she can compete in a crowded field of domestic divas.

“He’s just Kanye,” Estelle laughs. “He’s a passionate guy. I think there’s an element of truth in everything it’s just his perspective of it and people are either going to wildly agree or wildly disagree. It’s just the way he says it.”

Does Estelle herself agree with his views about “real” artists being denied a chance for awards?

“I think the Grammys are a TV show,” Estelle says. “So as a TV show it’s going to be what it is and that means controversy and things people can talk about after the fact. But there’s an element of truth to what he speaks and there’s a respect for the artistry whether it’s the Beck side or the other side. Beck is an incredible artist and he plays what he plays. Everyone has their lane and everyone should be respected in that space. It shouldn’t be more of one than the other. Balance is key and he was talking about balance more than anything else.”

Estelle says she met Kanye when she walked up to Kanye at a restaurant and asked him to introduce her to John Legend – and surprisingly, he agreed.

“It was 2003,” Estelle says. “People change. But he’s always been cool with me and he was on my first record that came out on the U.S.”

Estelle’s fourth studio album represents a little bit of departure for her. Her single “Make Her Say (Beat It Up) was one of her more overtly sexual songs and the video featured real-life couples in the foreplay of making love.

“It’s my baby,” Estelle says of True Romance.  “When my mom asks me what happened with all the kids, I’m like this is my fourth album and this is great. It’s real life, it’s about what we go through. Last time, people heard me, I was depressed, singing ‘Thank You.’”

So you can expect this album is much sexier.

When you think of albums, after ‘Thank You,’ you think what is she going to do next? I wanted to do something realistic and talk about where I am now. I’m not married yet, but  I’m not broken up but I’m not running into a relationship. And I think there are a lot of people who spend a lot of time in that space and they can relate to this album,” Estelle says.

As for her own love life, Estelle says “There are several crushes in these streets. I think he’s too young for me, but I love Michael B. Jordan, I think he’s beautiful,” she says.

True Romance Tracklisting

1. “Time After Time”

2. “Conqueror”

3. “Something Good” / “Devotion” (Passion Interlude)

4. “Make Her Say (Beat It Up)”

5. “Time Share (Suite 509)”

6. “The Same”

7. “Fight for It”

8. “Silly Girls”

9. “Gotcha Love”

10. “She Will Love”

11. “All That Matters”

12. “Not Sure” (Bonus Track)

Click the link above to hear the entire interview!

Like BlackAmericaWeb.com on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

(Photo: Sophy Holland)