The UB Interview: Adina Howard Talks Unsung, T-Shirt & Panties, New Music & More

Serving hot sex on a platter, sultry singer Adina Howard became a star in the mid-1990s with the chart topping hit “Freak Like Me.” More than a party anthem, it was a transformative song that let the world know women loved sex and wanted it when they wanted it. And it was about their desires, not their men’s.

Almost overnight, Adina became an outspoken leader for female empowerment. But success came at a price. Since she didn’t write or produce most of her songs, she received little money from her gold debut and the platinum selling single. And after making some unsavory comments about the head of her record label, Howard was all but blackballed from the industry.

She’s ready to tell her story to Unsung. Adina Howard’s look, sound & attitude shattered the rules for Black Women in Music.

UB spoke with Adina about Sunday‘s episode of Unsung, her inspiration behind “Blasphemy,” the creation of “T-Shirt & Panties,” after her alleged beef with Brandy she shares her thoughts now, the upcoming Tom Joyner Cruise & more.

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Adina Howard: First I want to say thank y’all for my first award! I’m just saying.
(2013 UB Honor winner of Best Dance/Club Single of The Year for the single “Switch.”)

UrbanBrigez.com: Our pleasure, it was so well deserved.
Adina Howard: I was so stoked, I was like yes I finally won something (laughs).

UrbanBridgez.com: Where did the inspiration for Blasphemy come from? I love that song.
Adina Howard: Thank you! It was looking at what’s going on in society with our people.
I mean we’ve come such a long way and to fall so far behind, is really sad to me. The lack of comradery and lack of unity & compassion. The respect for one another is what provoked that song. I grew up in a era where we came together more often than not. We supported each other, more often than not. We were a community, we were a neighborhood, we looked out for one another. We had parents and neighbors who looked out for other parents children. You know what I mean. I literally grew up in an era where we knocked on the door and asked to borrow sugar. So to be able to do that and someone willing to open the door and loan you something and not have a problem with it. In return it was the same thing. To look at where we came from and to be where we are today, it’s a sad state of affairs. I thought that Blasphemy would be very appropriate to express that.

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell us about any memorable moments you had when sharing your story for this Unsung episode.
Adina Howard: For me it has to be, having my 92-year old Grandmother on the show.

UrbanBridgez.com: What do you want people to get out of the episode of Unsung, after knowing your story?
Adina Howard: I really want people to get a clear understanding of who I actual am. Where I’ve been and why I’m still here.

UrbanBridgez.com: What does Unsung mean to you?
Adina Howard: It means being able to tell my story. To get out there, to end speculation and to hear from people who actually know what happened. So for me it brings clarity and understanding.

UrbanBridgez.com: There’s a story about Brandy in the episode. I don’t want to give it away for those not aware. But I do want to ask, your thoughts on Brandy and or her music today?
Adina Howard: You know, I don’t have any thoughts on Brandy. But I will say this, I think she is a very talented young woman. I’ve always loved her voice and the past is exactly that.

UrbanBridgez.com: You really did set a tone in the industry with with sexual lyrics and image at that time. Were you ever afraid in the beginning of how it would be perceived by the masses?
Adina Howard: Those who matter, don’t mind. And those who matter, don’t mind. So no for what, why would I be scared? I was bullied in school as a child. So what I learned in that process of being bullied that it doesn’t matter what people think about you. Because no matter what there is always going to be someone in this world that doesn’t like you. So to go out into the world fearing what people will think, is setting yourself up to have anxiety. There just are people that no matter what you do and how you do it, just are not going to like you. So to that, I say fuck em.

UrbanBridgez.com: Resurrection is such a solid body of work, what was you goal when you set out to record what is now considered your return LP?
Adina Howard: To just do music that I love and to express my creativity. To do it in this day and age and in a manner in which I could do it without having others telling me how I should do it. So I was allowed to operate outside of the box.

UrbanBridgez.com: How did T-Shirt & Panties come about?
Adina Howard: Jamie approached me about the situation. We were in the studio and I think he just thought that song would be appropriate for Adina Howard. You know being I was saying be a freak like me (laughs). Jamie approached me in the studio while I was working with a gentleman name Billy Moss. He just really went over to the keys and was like hey I got this song idea an it goes like this. Then he sang some of it, because it wasn’t completely finished. When I heard what I heard, I said get it done and send it my way. Within two to three days, the song was done and I fell in love with it.

UrbanBridgez.com: Like us all!
Adina Howard: Right! (both laugh)

UrbanBridgez.com: You’re coming up next year on the 25th anniversary of your debut. What would Adina now, tell Freak Like Me Adina?
Adina Howard: You know what’s so funny. Is this question when they say what would you tell your 20 something self today. You know there is so much stuff I would tell myself. But hindsight is 20/20. But would where I be where I am today and be quote unquote relevant or even here. Had I not made the choices I’ve made to get me to this point. So it’s very difficult, because I can say that I would tell myself back then to talk less and listen more. Watch what you say in front of people. Save your money, get a little more into writing an producing and so forth. I would say all of that to myself.

UrbanBridgez.com: You’re doing a lot of spot dates with some more heavy hitters of the 90s. How have those shows been going for you?
Adina Howard: Amazing! Its nice to be on stage and share it with family. To see them and to see how they’re all prospering and growing. I don’t have time to be hating on folks.

UrbanBridgez.com: Ha! Oh yeah we’s adults now.
Adina Howard: Right, I done growed up! (laughs).

UrbanBridgez.com: You’re gearing up for the Tom Joyner Cruise next month, how excited are you to be apart of that? Congrats.
Adina Howard: Thank you! I did the Tom Joyner Cruise a few years ago and I loved it! I fell in love with the experience. First of all, understand something. When black folks are on a cruise ship and not scared, that’s an amazing thing. There’s so many of us like, I ain’t getting on no ship, you see what happened the last time. So to be on that cruise ship with all of these beautiful, well mannered, intelligent people was just a beautiful thing. So many people don’t understand that, there is so much more to us as a people then what is being shown. To have the experience to go on this cruise ship and have people just cordial and respectful. Communicating with each other and just having a great time. There was no arguing, no fussing, no fighting just a beautiful experience. For me I want everyone who has the ability and opportunity to partake on the cruise should do it. Because it’s an experience that’s indelible.

UrbanBridgez.com: Chef Adina Howard, I have to know what is your favorite dish to cook?
Adina Howard: Oh my gosh, you know it’s very hard to say. Because I just like to cook and feed people. So more often than not I just cook to feed people and make their favorite dish.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s next for Adina Howard?
Adina Howard: Movies, music an television. new music is coming this year. I definitely want to do more theater. More of a Broadway type situation. Books and inspirational speaking as well. That’s something that I truly desire to do. I have a passion for speaking to people and uplifting. So that’s on the menu for the future.

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[Adina Howard’s Unsung Airs Sunday on TV One at 9 P.M. ET/8C.]