UB Anniversary ReVisit: The T M H + UB Interviews

We’re concluding our year-long celebration of our 25th Anniversary, between our three e-zines, T M H Entertainment, T M Hxone and Urban Bridgez

As the longest running website for R&B online, since 1999 – The e-zine has been able to conduct some amazing interviews with R&B Royalty, as well Hip Hop Legends.
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UB has also been blessed to speak with some of black cultures, biggest icons, in film, television and literature.

In 2001 an opportunity arose for the site to interview their first artist, the late singer Nate Dogg.

When the interview was published on the website, requests began pouring in from various record labels to have their artists interviewed for the site.

After that the e-zine went on to interview the likes of Brandy, RL, Raphael Saadiq, Ann Nesby, Deborah Cox, Avant, Charlamagne Tha God, and a host of others.

In August of 2005 the name of the brand was changed to Urban Bridgez Group (UBG). The name Urban Bridgez, comes from a mixtape collection, founder Aries use to make as a teen.

Bridging Music + Lifestyle Together!

The site viewers have made UB one of the biggest urban lifestyle websites online and one of the top R&B sites for it’s entire 19 year run.

Some of the talent that have been interviewed for UB include; Denzel Washington, Kirk Franklin, Bobby Brown, Kevin Hart, Marlon Waynes, New Edition, Robert Townsand, Shirley Murdock, TJ Jackson, James Fortune, T-Pain, Tamia, Jeezy, Ciara, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Kelly Rowland, Clark Sisters, Coko, Macy Gray, Nelly, T.I., Sonja B. Norwood, Kimberly Elise, John Legend, T.I, Regina Hall, Issa Rae and the late Dr. Roscoe Brown, Mtume and Teena Marie.

Plus cast interviews with “Tyler Perry’s The Oval,” “Bruh,” “Ruthless” and “Sistas.” As well as the casts of “R&B Divas,” “The Best Man Holiday,” “Chucky,” “Saints & Sinners,” and a host of others.

The e-zine has also introduced new artists with roll-out interviews, before they ever released an album, like with Ne-Yo, JoJo, Lloyd, Teedra Moses, Mindless Behavior and Hamilton Park.

In June of 2003 for Black Music Month, TMHxone.com, one of UB‘s previous e-zines presented Round Table. A discussion with industry executives regarding the music industry. UB went on to do additional Round Tables. Participants included; Stephen Hill, Ivan Matias, Billy Johnson Jr., Russ Jones and our very own, Founder of UrbanBridgez.com AriesUBG.

Through the years many of the sites interviews have made the headlines on other sites & blogs, but no other did like the 2005 explosive interview with RL from the group NEXT! In the interview RL spoke with Aries (the two grew up in the same area in St. Paul, MN) and was very open about some of his issues within the music industry at that time. RL took jabs at J Records, group member Tweet, Destiny’s Child, 112 and Jagged Edge to name a few.

The interview was so heated that members of Jagged Edge did an interview with UB weeks later to respond to RL after reading the interview on the site with members of 112. All ended well, since then RL has made peace with all of the artists he mentioned in the interview.

Ray J called it, in the 2005 interview when asked if he got tired of being called Brandy’s little brother? “I mean she is the one that did it all for me, I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for her. I need my shine and crossover success and I think when that happens it will go away. Brandy is my mentor, my all.” Ray voiced in the interview.

In 2006, the late great Teena Maria shared with UB, what black music meant to her; “It’s been my whole life. I remember being told a story about taking me to church when I was two years old attending a Catholic church and the priest was chanting in Latin (chants in Latin). I jumped up and sang “Day….Daaaay O! Daylight come and me want to go home!” That’s pretty amazing for a two year old singing about a black man tallying up some bananas in the islands.” Teena continued; “To me, that just says the chant came from somewhere else; you know what I’m saying? I’m guessing it was just the beginning to my destiny. I really appreciate the fact all these years black people as well as black radio has embraced me the way they have. You know they gave me a ghetto pass! I thought that was so funny to me, I said this is so cool! Teena Marie has a lifetime ghetto pass (laughs)!”

In 2007 the site spoke with T.I. and he explained why he had decided then to get into acting “I’ve always been the class clown. Just very theatrical even before I got into music. I got famous because of music, but I was always someone people would say, you should be on TV. Just a really silly person with a personality that made people interested in me. I would always go the extra mile to make people laugh.”

In 2008, one of our favorites Brandy shared with us how she comes up with some of her amazing vocal runs; “I just hear crazy things in my head and just go with it. I’ve been hearing different melodies and different things in my head since I was a kid and my dad used to have this 4-track and I would just always record on it and put it down.” Brandy continued; “So I started very young doing that and I do the same thing in the studio to this day. I just do it and even if I mess up. It’s interesting because even when I mess up in the studio, that’s when something good is born. I always mess up in the studio (laughs).”

In 2012, Bobby Brown spoke with UB and we asked him how has he been able to have such tough skin with so many negative things said about him over the years? “Yeah that’s my mother man. My mother always told me, just stay down to earth and don’t let what people say bother you. You know, I just hold my head up despite of everything. I know who I am, so it makes no difference to me what people think.”

In 2012, legendary Stephanie Mills shared with UB her biggest obstacles she faced in her career; “My obstacles have always been that I didn’t want to follow and do what everybody else was doing. I just wanted to do my own thing, just sing and do my shows and do it when I wanted to do it. In the business what happens to artists is you’re only looked at as a product! Sometimes that’s too painful to bare for alot of artists.” Stephanie continued; “I think for Whitney is was too painful for her to bare she was really a product and for Michael. That’s something that you really, really have to adjust to and kind of get it under your skin. You do realize it when you’re at that level. When I was at that level when Never Knew Love was winning the Grammys and stuff, you’re really a product and it’s too much to bare!”

In 2021, one of our favorite hometown talents Stokely shared with UB, the best advice he was given by the late great Prince. “Stick to your guns, say what’s inside of you, regardless of who you think is going to throw darts at you. In this industry, you have to have some tough skin to be in this thing. So just stick to your guns, and let people throw darts, in the end you will win.” Stokley continued; “I think that’s the thing people loved about him, he was himself. Black man joy, all the way, start to finish! All of the different genres, he fired on every cylinder. But specifically he did say, you have to express yourself. And you have to do that in a way, where it’s just you, something he said directly to me.”

Just this year, UB spoke with Keshia Knight Pulliam about the 40th Anniversary of “The Cosby Show.” “I was on that show from 4 years old, to right before my 13th birthday. So so many milestones happened, to riding my big wheel on-set, to all of the amazing co-stars we had, from Sammy Davis Jr. to Dizzy Gillespie to Lena Horn. Having the opportunity to meet greats in history from Marian Anderson, you name it.” Keisha continued; “The great thing about that show, is it did so much to educate, while it entertained. Everything was intentional, from every piece of artwork, etc. So a lot of people didn’t realize that when they were seeing these things and they were impacting them. And it was about culture.”

During Black Music Month every year, UB celebrates the month with new interview features and exclusives. Starting in 2009, when the website hosted it’s first Interview Series, UB posted a brand new interview (some days multiple) everyday of the month. That included artists, songwriters, actors, producers, and executives.

Including; Shanice, Estelle, Christian Keyes, Jagged Edge, Lil Mo, Keke Wyatt, Rahsaan Patterson, and Cali Swag District.

That same year, UB hosted The “Love 90’s R&B Interview Series” that kicked off with Grammy award winner singer/songwriter Faith Evans. Faith spoke to UB about 90’s R&B, her thoughts on the change in R&B in recent years as well as her favorite songs she has recorded, plus she spoke about her then upcoming reality series “Diary of A Diva,” later changed to R&B Divas. The interview series also featured Keith Sweat, Mint Condition and others.

The 2012 Interview Series featured even more talent as interviews were featured with; Bobby Brown, Lenny Williams, Jody Watley, Stephanie Mills, Will Downing, Leela James, Soul For Real, Taral Hicks, K. Michelle, and CeCe Peniston.

Also in 2012, the book “Kelly Rowland: From Destiny & Beyond” from Chloe Govan, featured a quote from UB‘s 2007 interview with Kelly Rowland.

Due to the pandemic, video interviews began to take place more in 2020. Instead of phone conversations, they were face to face, for UB‘s audience to actually see the interviews on a regular basis.

To date, between all of the e-zines, UB has conducted over 500 talent interviews.

The 2009 press interview with Christopher Wallace Jr. for the film “NOTORIOUS,” has over a million views.

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We strive to have interviews with talent that are much more candid and not your basic “industry” questions. We are all about being the best we can and we have some of the best representing us at UrbanBridgez.com.

Though it may not always be easy to interview talent we strive to find ways to connect with them to make the interviews much more enjoyable for them than the standard.

A large portion is listed below, take an archival look at some of our Interviews in the last 25 Years!

112 (2004)
112 (2020)
4EY “The Future” (2015)

Aaron Jennings + Grasie Mercedes (2023)
Adam Saunders, Leslie Uggams + David Koechner (2023)
Adina Howard (2014)
Adina Howard (2019)

Akon (2011)
Alexis Samone (2021)
Angelica Vila (2020)
Ann Nesby (2002)
Anthony Hamilton (2006)
Antonique Smith (2012)
Antonique Smith (2015)
Arlen Escarpeta (2024)
Ashley A. Williams and Jeff Logan (2023)
Ashley Olivia (2023)
Ashley Silva (2022)
Avant (2003)
Avant (2006)
Avery*Sunshine (2017)

AZ (2004)
B. Monét and Jon-Thomas Royston (2024)
Big Tigga (2003)

BluPrint (2021)
Bobby Brown (2010)
Bobby Brown (2012)
Bobby V (2010)
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (2011)
Boney James (2003)
Boney James (2022)
Boney James (2024)

Bow Wow (2005)
Bow Wow (2007)
Bow Wow (2009)

MC Brains (2012)

Brandy (2002)
Brandy (2012)
Brandy (2020)
Bri Steves (2022)
Bria Danielle Singleton (2023)
Brian Angel (2012)
Brian Hooks (2014)
Brian McKnight (2004)
Brian McKnight (2013)
Broderick Jones (2022)
Brooke Valentine (2012)
Carl Tart (2023)
Carl Thomas (2004)
Carl Thomas (2011)
Cassi Davis (2021)
Cassidy (2004)

Cassie (2011)
Cast of Aurora: A Love Story (2023)
Cast of BET’s Bigger (2021)
Cast of Bad Dad Rehab: The Next Session (2021)
Cast of Bold and Bougie (2024)
Cast of Chucky (2024)
Cast of BET Presents The Encore (2021)
Cast of Fallen Angels Murder Club (2022)
Cast of For The Love of Jason (2022)
Cast + Producer Talk Games People Play (2021)
Cast of Grown & Gospel (2023)
Cast of Haus of Vicious (2022)
Cast of The Horror of Dolores Roach (2023)
Cast of Kold x Windy (2024)
Cast of Saints & Sinners (2022)
Cast of Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Story (2022)
Cast of Mahalia (2021)
Cast of Riches (2023)

Cast of Single Black Female (2022)
Cast of Summer With The Guys (2023)
Cast of Tough Love (2024)
Cast of Twenties Talk Season 2 (2021)
Cast of Tyler Perry’s Bruh (2020)
Cast of Tyler Perry’s Bruh (2021)
Cast of Tyler Perry’s The Oval (2021)
Cast of Tyler Perry’s Ruthless (2021)
Cast of Tyler Perry’s Ruthless (2022)
Cast of Tyler Perry’s Ruthless (2024)
Cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas (2020)
Cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas (2021)
Cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas (Men – 2021)
Cast of Tyler Perry’s Zatima (2024)
Cast of Under The Influence (2023)
Cedric Sanders (2022)
Cedric Stewart (2013)
CeCe Peniston (2012)
Chante’ Moore, Michel’le, Brave & Stacy Francis (2015)
Charlamagne tha God (2006)
Charlie Townsend (2024)
Charlie Vox (2013)

Christian Keyes (2011)
Chef G. Garvin (2024)
Chef JJ (2021)
Chris Richardson (2013)
Christopher Williams (2015)
Ciara (2004)
Ciara (2006)
CJ Hilton (2014)
Cocoa Brown (2014)
Coke Daniels (2024)
Coko (2009)
Coko (2013)
Coko (2020)
Courtney Nichole (2021)
Crystal Tamar (2019)
D. Woods (2009)
Damon Dash (2006)
Damez (2020)

Danity Kane (2007)

Darrin Henson (2007)
Darrin Dewitt Hensen, Christian Keyes & Erica Hubbard (2014)
Dawn Richard (2013)
Dave Hollister (2006)
David Banner (2004)
David Mesfin (2024)
David & Tamela Mann + Courtney Nichole (2024)

Day 26 (2008)
Day 26 (2009)
Deb Antney (2024)
Deborah Joy Winans (2021)
Deji LaRay (2022)
Demetria McKinney (2021)
Demetria McKinney (2022)
Denzel Washington (2012)
Derrica Wilson (2023)
Desi Williams (2022)
Dijon Talton (2023)
DJ Aktive (2019)
DJ Cassidy (2021)
DJ Mark Da Spot (2021)
Dia Nash (2024)
Dionne Gipson (2024)
The Late Dolla (2008)
Don Mancini (2023)

Donell Jones (2005)
Donell Jones (2010)

The Dream (2007)
Dustin Ross (2022)
Dwele (2005)
Dwele (2012)
The Late Great Dr. Roscoe Brown (2012)
Dre (Cool & Dre) (2006)
Ed Quinn & Kron Moore (2023)
Eric Roberson (2011)
Erica Hubbard (2014)
Erica Hubbard & Paris Phillips (2019)

Estelle (2011)
Ester Dean (2012)
Evvie McKinney (2022)
Faith Evans (2011)
Faith Jenkins (2024)
Flex Alexander (2010)
Flex Alexander & Shanice (2014)
Flex Alexander & Shanice (2015)
Famlay (2003)
Flo Anthony (2013)
Floetry (2005)
Force MD’s (2009)
Fredro Starr (2022)
Gabrielle Dennis (2023)
Garcelle Beauvais (2023)
Gary Hines (Sounds of Blackness) (2011)
Gerald Barclay (2011)
GG Townson (2021)
Ginuwine (2005)
Ginuwine (2009)
Glenda and Lumumba Roberts (2022)
Goapele (2023)
Hamilton Park (2010)

Her Sanity (2002)
Huey (2010)
iMX (2003)
Issa Rae (2013)
Ivan Matias (2012)
Ivory Scott (2023)
J. Brown (2021)
J. Holiday (2007)
J. Holiday (2014)
J. Moss (2014)
Jacob Latimore (2011)
Jacquees (2020)
Jagged Edge (2003)
Jagged Edge (2006)
Jagged Edge (2011)

Jaheim (2002)
Jaheim (2003)
James Fortune (2019)
Jarvis (2012)
Jay Ellis (2013)
Jay Lyriq (2019)
Jeezy (2005)
Jeff Logan & Ashley A. Williams (2022)
Jeff Logan (2024)
Jennifer Hudson (2013)
Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Skylan Brooks & Ethan Dizon (2013)
Jermaine Dupri, Uncle Luke, + P. Frank (2024)
Jermaine Fowler (2024)
Jerome Wiggins (2013)
Jesse LeProtti (2022)
Jesse Powell (2003)
Jessica Reedy (2014)
J-Kwon (2004)

Jody Watley (2009)
Jody Watley (2014)
JOE (2014)
Joe Budden (2004)
John P. Kee (2020)
John Legend (2008)
JoJo (2004)
Jon B (2004)
Joseph Sikora & T.I. (2023)
Jourdin Pauline (2022)
Journalist (2004)
Joyful Drake + TS Madison (2024)

Judge Mathis & Family (2022)
Justin Q. Williams + Dedrick Thomas (2024)
K. Michelle (2012)
Kadis & Sean (2009)
Kandi (2006)
Kandi (2009)
Kandi (2010)
Karen Clark Sheard (2006)
The Clark Sisters (2020)

Karyn White (2011)
Karyn White (2020)
Katt Williams (2004)
Kelvin Hair (2022)
K-Ci (2002)
K-Ci & JoJo (2003)
Keith Murray (2003)

Keshia Knight Pulliam & Lance Gross (2024)
Keith Sweat (2011)
Keith Sweat (2017)

Kelly Rowland (2007)
Kelly Price (2005)
Kelly Price (2006)
Kelly Price (2010)
Kelly Price (2014)
Kelly Price (2022)
KeKe Palmer (2010)
KeKe Wyatt (2010)
KeKe Wyatt (2011)
KeKe Wyatt (2024)
Kellita Smith (2020)
Kelvin Hair (2021)

KEM (2003)
Kenny & Chante’ (2005)
Kenny Lattimore (2013)
Kevin Hart (2012)
Kevin Ross (2021)
Kevon Edmonds (2009)
Khleo Thomas (2012)
Kimberly Elise (2020)


Kirk Franklin (2003)
Kirk Franklin (2006)
Kirko Bangz (2011)
Kosine (2021)
Krazie Bone (2005)
Krazie Bone (2009)
Krystal & Dedric Polite (2024)
Kurupt (2003)
Lalah Hatheway (2005)
Lamont Scales (2022)
Latice Crawford (2021)
Ledisi (2024)
Leela James (2010)
Leela James (2021)
Laura Izibor (2009)

Lenny Williams (2012)
LeToya (2006)
LaTocha Scott (2021)
Lil Scrappy (2002)
Lina (2006)
Lloyd (2004)
Lonr. (2020)
Loretta Devine (2023)
Lyfe (2006)
Lyfe (2010)
Lyfe (2021)
Mack Wilds (2013)
Macy Gray (2007)
Malcolm D. Lee (2013)
Malinda Williams (2013)
Marcus Canty (2013)
Mark L. Walberg (2023)
Maino (2009)
Mario Vazquez (2006)
Mario Van Peebles (2024)
Marlon Wayans (2014)
Marvin LáViolette (2022)
Maryam Basir (2023)

The Late Maxee (Brownstone) (2011)
Melvin Crispell III (2023)
Melvin Crispell III (2024)
Mateo (2009)
M.C Eiht (2003)
MC JB of J.J. Fad (2023)
Melba Moore (2024)
Mia X (2009)
Michael Francis Williams (2023)

Christina Milian (2012)
Michelle Williams (2005)
Miasha Coleman (2022)
Miki Howard (2014)
Mindless Behavior (2010)
Mint Condition (2011)
Mobb Deep (2004)

Monica (2009)
Mr. Cheeks (2003)
Mr. Dalvin (2020)
Mr. Serv On (2003)
Ms. Pat (2024)

The Late Great Mtume (2020)
Mýa (2021)
Najee (2013)
Nekima Levy Armstrong (2023)
The Late Nate Dogg (2001)
Nate Parker (2014)
Nelly (2004)
New Boyz (2009)
New Boyz (2010)

New Edition (2004)
Ne-Yo (2006)
Nicci Gilbert (2020)
Nick Arrington (2023)
Nick Cannon (2024)
Nicole Ari Parker (2023)
Nicole Rémy (2022)
Nitty (2005)
Nivea (2005)
Nivea (2006)
Nivea (2021)
Noel Gourdin (2014)
Olivia (2010)
Omar Gooding & Angell Conwell (2014)

Omarion (2007)
One Chance (2011)
Orion Jean (2024)
O’Ryan (2004)

Paul Wall (2007)
Paula DeAnda (2007)
Phreshy Duzit (2011)

Pleasure P. (2009)
Pleasure P. (2011)
Porcelan (2020)
Prajjé Oscar (2023)

Pretty Ricky (2007)
PsiRyn (2024)
Q Parker (2012)
Raheem DeVaughn (2019)

Ralph Tresvant (2020)
Raphael Saadiq (2002)
Rahsaan Patterson (2011)
Ray J (2005)
Ray J (2009)
Reginae Carter (2024)
Regina Hall (2013)
Remy Ma (2006)
Reza Sarrafieh (2022)

RL [VIRAL] (2006)
RL (2012)
Robert Townsend (2020)

Round Table Discussion – Stephen Hill (BET) | Russ Jones (J Records) (2001)
Round Table Discussion (2019)
Rose Rollins (2022)
Ruben Santiago-Hudson (2023)
Samantha Neyland (2023)
Sammie (2006)
Saucy Santana (2020)
Sebastian Mikael (2014)
Sevyn (2013)
Sevyn (2021)
Shalini Bathina (2022)
Shanice (2006)
Shanice (2009)
Shanice (2011)
Shanice (2013)
Shanice (2020)

Shanola Hampton & Mark-Paul Gosselaar (2024)
Sharissa (2002)
Shawna (2003)
Shawna (2006)
Sheryl Lee Ralph (2013)
Sheryl Lee Ralph (2024)
The Shindellas (2021)

Shirley Murdock (2019)
Silk (2016)
Sisqó (2021)
Sisqó (2022)
Sonja Norwood (2005)
Sonja Norwood (2012)
Soul For Real (2012)
Stephanie Mills (2012)
Stephen Williams (2023)
Steve Marcano (2024)
Steve Wilkos (2022)
Steven Russell (2009)
Stokley (2021)
Stokley (2021)

Sunshine Anderson (2007)
Syleena Johnson & Director Tangie B. Moore (2015)
Syleena Johnson (2017)
Syleena Johnson (2021)
T Barz (2020)
Tamaira Sandifer (2024)
Tamela & David Mann (2021)
Tamela & David Mann – Stellars (2021)
Tamia (2004)
Tank and Raejon Jones (2023)
Taral Hicks (2012)
Tasha Scott (2009)
Tationna Bosier (2022)
Teairra Marí (2009)
Teedra Moses (2004)

Teena Marie (2006)
Tenelle (2022)
Three 6 Mafia (2009)
T-Pain (2006)

T.I. (2007)
TJ Jackson (2019)
Tony Terry (2009)
Tory Kittles (2023)
Traci Young-Byron (2024)
Trenyce (2009)
Trenyce (2013)

Trey Songz (2007)
Trey Songz (2010)
T’Shan Williams (2022)
TQ (2003)
Tye Tribbett & Jekalyn Carr (2021)
Tyrese (2011)
Urban Mystic (2006)
Vanessa Bell Campbell (2023)
Vivica A. Fox (2022)
Vivian Green (2020)
Will Downing (2012)
Wynter Gordon (2011)
Xavier Prather + James Wallington (2022)
Yolanda Adams (2013)
Yukmouth (2010)

Yung Joc (2006)
YoYo (2019)
Zach Zoya (2021)

Zane (2003)