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+"Love Tweet" Not Coming Out Today Posted: Tuesday June 11th, 2008 As most of you have probably already guessed, "Love, Tweet" is not coming out today. There has been absolutely no information on the album's actual release date from Tweet or her record company. We apologize for those faithful fans that have gone out to stores searching for the album. Hopefully some information will be released soon.
+VBE Review of "Love, Tweet" Posted: Saturday June 7th, 2008 Self-satisfaction of coming into her own. Sounds like the bad girl gone good. For her third album, 37-year-old Tweet resisted hooking up with longtime co-conspirators Missy Elliott and Timbaland for some scandalously seductive bangers. She made her name on 2002’s “Oops (Oh My)” (Goldmind/Elektra) with Tim’s gyrating production and Missy’s lyrical struts about touching her own…southern hummingbird. But these days she’s ditched the major labels and signed with Jheryl Busby’s quiet indie. And from beneath Umbrella’s shelter, Tweet has exposed herself—her inner self. No longer a caricature of strong female sexuality, here Tweet is singing gentle, nuanced songs about the life-size romantic experiences and desires of a feeling woman. On “Them There Eyes Anymore,” she juxtaposes love-at-first-sight naïveté with the awareness of how a come-and-go lover can blindside. It quickly moves from a flirty, unguarded melody to a wary foottapping chorus: “It’s like I don’t know you, it’s like I don’t know you, anymore, anymore.” Later, the confessional “Real Lady” is Charlene “Tweet” Keys’ vulnerable sister version of Alicia Keys’ declarative 2001 “A Woman’s Worth.” “Gotta treasure her worth when you’re with a real lady…I’m a diamond in the rough waiting to be found,” she sings. New-school songbirds may flaunt their sexuality, but Tweet’s been around that block. The reflective old soul now wants the self-satisfaction of coming into her own…like a real lady. (source)
+Black Girls Rule Interview Posted: Saturday May 31st, 2008 Love, Tweet is the latest CD by the southern songbird who won’t call it a comeback, but a journey of love. It’s been a minute since we last heard from Tweet. With two albums under her belt and millions of fans in toe, many speculated what happened to the songbird who took us by storm with It’s Me Again and Southern Hummingbird. Like many artist, Tweet found herself caught up in the corporate shuffle and disenchanted with where her career was heading. While taking a reprieve from the business,Tweet spent time with her daughter, reassessed her career and signed to Jeryl Busby’s Umbrella Recordings label. Reconnecting to her roots, Tweet is ready to share with her fans and the world her new CD Love, Tweet in hopes that they will love this CD as much as she loves them. As Tweet embarks on her latest destination with her new found recording family, she shares with us the importance of her relationship with her daughter, her passions and why this CD isn’t a comeback, but another chapter in the evolution of Tweet. BGR: Tweet it’s been a while, how are you? Tweet: Happy, blessed and ready to go at it again. BGR: Since we last heard from you, you’ve taken some time off to raise your teenage daughter. Was the quality time worth being out of the spotlight? Tweet: Yes definitely. It’s priceless and we’ve become closer. I didn’t realize how much I missed being on the road so I really got a chance to connect with her again, so the time that we’ve had together has been amazing. BGR: What are some of the mommie daughter things you did together? Tweet: We’d go to church together, go bowling and we’d go out to eat and shop. The talks we’d have together with no TV or distractions, was incredible. BGR: You had a follow up CD in 2005 that wasn’t promoted well and you ended up leaving the label. Describe how you felt then and now. Tweet: First of all, I feel like everything happened for a reason. It was destined to happen that way and I learned from it. It wasn’t promoted well because I was on Electra at the time and then Electra merged with Atlantic. So when I did the album, there was a certain crew of people committed to the album when the album came out it was an entirely new crew. So no one had the passion for it and it just didn’t work out. BGR: When you think about what women go through in the business, do you believe that we’ve made real inroads? Tweet: I think that as women we ‘ve kept the music alive believe it or not. Look at Alicia Keys and Mary J. Bilge, some of the top women out there doing their thing musically and making their mark in the industry. It explains why we rule. BGR: Before joining up with Jeryl Busby’s label, Umbrella Recordings, did you ever think to yourself that you were cool on the industry and this whole music thing? Tweet: That was where I was at before the Jeryl Busby offer. Once I decided on taking a break, it was a break forever. I just got tired of giving my heart and soul and pouring out my feelings on paper, singing and not getting my music respected. After awhile I felt it wasn’t worth it. So when Jeryl came, I guess I was tired of sitting back and I felt I needed to do this. He came with a great offer and said I could own my own masters and be the business woman I knew I could be. The relationship is great. BGR: You’ve been missed by a legion of fans but you’re back now with a new CD titled “Love, Tweet”. What makes this CD different from the last two? Tweet: “Love, Tweet” is a CD all about love. It’s different because I’m laid back and I took it back to Southern Hummingbird where it’s smooth yet with a few up tempo tunes . We’re still using the same producers from the first album and the only difference is that it’s 2008 and another year. BGR: What was it like working with your producers on this CD? Tweet: Nissan is like my brother and he’s been there since the beginning. Working with him is like baking a cake, it’s easy. He always tells the truth and I can depend on him to make sure that it works out and sounds great. Novel is someone totally fresh and new. It was my first time working with him and he’s incredibly talented and just to work with him was amazing. Warren Campbell, wow it was an honor to work with him. He’s so talented. He’s worked with Brandy and Mary, Mary and it was just an honor to work with him because he gave me the track and allowed me to do me. BGR: I understand you worked with T.I.? Tweet: T.I. is so down to earth and I just feel like I’ve known him before. The song “My Dear” was for his album and he allowed me to use it as an opener. He gave me and my daughter advice and he’s just a breath of fresh air. Being around him is so cool because he’s level headed and an old soul. BGR: I listened to some of your new music and I heard some vintage Tweet as well as some songs that sounded a bit exploratory. Are there any standout cuts that have any meaning to you? Tweet: You were right because, with some of the music I was exploring because I didn’t want to be kept in a box. I didn’t want to keep that southern hummingbird coming all the time. Love Again is like my favorite song of all time and it was a song written by Charlie and his wife Brittney. It’s one of those records that you can play all day. There’s another song called Alone, which is acoustic Marvin Gaye sounding and it’s one of my favorites because it’s just raw. Trouble, which was produced by Warren, is one of my favorites as well. BGR: I don’t know if this is fair, but would you say that this is your comeback CD? Tweet: No, it’s not a comeback CD. I still have more to do and I don’t feel I left. So I can’t really say it’s a comeback. It’s just a Tweet album in another chapter of the novel. BGR: Many of us remember you being introduced by Miss Elliot. What is your relationship currently and will the two of you ever work together again? Tweet: We’ll always work together. I think it’s a chemistry that we’ll never forget because we’re still sisters and friends. This just happened to be my venture that I wanted to do by myself. Sometimes you have to let go and branch out and that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it without the help of anyone else. BGR: Give us the evolution of Tweet. Tweet: One day I asked my daughter “am I a good mother”? She said, “you’re wonderful and I appreciate you for who you are”. Before I had this going out and drinking thing and now she says that I’m so different that she can’t remember who I was back then and she says that I just appreciate you. I believe all of this has to do with my relationship with God and the fact that I’ve gotten stronger because of God. So there has been an evolution. BGR: I f you could set the record straight on any one item or misconception, what would it be? Tweet: That I am six feet two. I’m five four on a good day. BGR: Really? You look taller. Tweet: I think it’s my long legs and my short upper body because on camera it’s just all legs. Secondly, that I’m underrated. I don’t ever like that word. I may not be as huge as everyone else and that’s not a problem for me. My Grammys are those letters I receive from people who say that I touch their lives and stop them from committing suicide. I’m not underrated, I’m blessed. BGR: Do you have any outside ventures that you’re working on? Tweet: Within the next year I hope to open up a lounge called “Birdies” with my step sister. I also want to hit the clothing market as well and remake a movie. I don’t want to say which one in case someone else remembers it and then puts it out. Other than that, I’m working on open mike night in Atlanta and touring and being around the people. Right now my life is amazing and I can’t wait to see what else is in store. (source)
+Tweet SaveOurSoul Inteview Posted: Monday May 19th, 2008 Tweet has an 8 minute interview with SaveOurSoul, a website from the Netherlands. Some of the things that she says include; "Love Again," "Alone," "Reasons," and "Trouble" are records that are must-listens on her upcoming CD. She plays guitar on "Priceless," and is planning to do an all-acoustic record called "Acoustically Speaking" in the future. And, the only thing she wasn't able to accomplish on this record was collaborations with Andre 3000 and Pharrell—but there are plans to make that happen. Listen to the Interview here
+Tweet Performing With The Dresden Soul Symphony Posted: Monday May 12th, 2008 I have added 19 pictures of Tweet performing as a part of The Dresden Soul Symphony, a German concert show with Joy Denalane, Bilal, Dwele, and Tweet, in Dresden, Germany on April 26th. Click on the thumbnails below to see the full-sized images. 
+Tweet in Inked Magazine Posted: Monday May 12th, 2008 Tweet was featured in Inked Magazine on April 30th. Below are the articles and pictures. Click on the thumbnails below to see the full-sized images. 
Return of the Southern Hummingbird It started with a song that might be about masturbation. It was 2002 and R&B singer Tweet [born Charlene Keys] had spent time behind the scenes as a backing/guest vocalist on a few Missy Elliot tracks before pairing with Elliot producer Timbaland. The resulting track, “Oops (Oh My),” found sultry Tweet moaning lines such as “I was looking so good I couldn’t reject myself” and “Oops, there goes my shirt up over my head.” The ode to self-pleasure became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard R&B chart and her Elektra Records’ debut Southern Hummingbird, soon followed. Just like that, Tweet had become a major name in R&B. But because of label problems her 2005 sophomore set, It’s Me Again, took three years, a lifetime in the R&B world. And while songs like the single “Turn Da Lights Off” were infectious, the album never garnered the commercial success of its predecessor. Frustrated, Tweet disappeared, determined never to do music again. “I had started recording my second album when Elektra merged with Atlantic,” says Tweet of It’s Me Again. “People at the label that I worked with the fi rst time around were no longer there. The new team wanted me to make changes to the album, make it sound more hip-hop—which I did, but that wasn’t enough. They had me make more changes. I just didn’t want to do music anymore because of that.” So, she didn’t. She was released from her contract and Tweet was free. The Rochester, NY, native went back to being full-time mom to her teenage daughter Tashawna, but couldn’t deny her own passion to make music. When her manager at the time, Violator Management President Mona Scott-Young, called with an indie label deal from music veteran Jheryl Busby (Patti LaBelle, New Edition) and his Umbrella Recordings, which included Tweet owning her own masters, it was an offer she couldn’t refuse. “Being on an independent label, there are not too many people to answer to,” Tweet says of Umbrella. “It’s great for me because it’s more intimate. I also get to be a business woman. I don’t have to have my life and my career in other people’s hands. I now own my own masters, which everyone should.” With her faith in the music biz partially restored, Tweet headed back into the studio for her third album, Love, Tweet. “It’s a love note to the fans that have been there for me throughout the hiatus. The true fans—they inspired me to get back in.” She began writing new songs and completed six or seven using material she had already written and tracks that producers built around them. She teamed with a host of producers for the album, including Nisan Stewart (Missy Elliot, Nelly Furtado), Warren Campbell (Brandy), and Novel (India Arie, Joss Stone), to craft an album about love and loss that showed a side of Tweet other than the one from the over-sexed single that made her. Missy Elliot and T.I. are already rumored to appear. The Charlie BeReal- and Craig Brockman-produced “Love Again” is one of Tweet’s favorites. “It’s about being confused after you’ve been hurt by love,” Tweet says of the song. “It’s like, ‘Do I want to get back in the game? Should I? Would I? I could.’ It’s number one on the album because it’s that type of record.” According to Tweet, another standout track is “Alone.” “That’s my Marvin Gaye record. It’s about having a lover be unfaithful and realizing that even when relationships don’t work out you’re never alone as long as you have God in your life.” That theme isn’t new to Tweet’s life; she got her start singing in church and later joined Sugah, a female R&B group that was part of the Swing Mob, a collective that included Timbaland, Ginuine and Magoo. It was there that she met her future mentor, Missy Elliot, and got her fi rst tattoo. “I got my first tattoo, my name with a mic and a star, on my right upper arm,” she says of her fi rst piece. “I was in a group called Sugah and we all went to get tattoos at a place on Sunset Boulevard in L.A. I don’t even remember the name of the place, but I know it’s still there. I actually never thought I would get a tattoo. I just didn’t think it was me.” In addition to that first tattoo, Tweet has a hummingbird on her left upper arm (a reference to her nickname “The Southern Hummingbird”), a guitar on her stomach, and a set of Flintstones-inspired Bam Bam drums on her right shoulder. She also has a pair of eyes on her back. “I got those when I was mad at love. I decided to get the tattoo to show that I could watch my own back.” Most of her tattoos were done by Miami artist Gino, at Illustrated Ink. “He’s just so good because he free hands everything,” says Tweet. “I actually want him to touch up [the hummingbird] because she seems lonely. I may get [the guitar] fi xed up, but not a lot of people have seen it because that’s just not my style. And, the Bam Bam drums I want to get that covered with an angel and my daughter’s name.” As far as new pieces, Tweet only has one more in mind. “My sister got my name tattooed on her wrist like a bracelet, so I think I am going to get Gino to do her name in the same spot.” For now, she’s focused on Love, Tweet. Having tackled self-pleasure on the track that made her, this time Tweet is writing about loving one another. (source)
+LA Sentinel Interview Posted: Monday May 12th, 2008 R&B Songstress Tweet is Back with Third Album An Interview by Brandon Brooks, Assistant Entertainment Editor (Sentinel) Tell me where you’re originally from and how you got started in the music business? (Tweet) I’m originally from Rochester New York. I started as small as I can remember, as a small child in church and I knew I wanted to be a singer but never knew as a young child singing in my mirror in my room that I would be where I am now. But growing up listening to my mom and dad sing and just music being in the household, that’s how I began, in church.. (Sentinel) Tell me about your new album? (Tweet) The new project is titled Love Tweet. It will be out in May of 2008. And it’s basically titled that because I’ve been gone since 2005. That was the last record. Since then, I’ve been gone so long and all my fans are still there faithfully and loyally, I wanted to give them a gift You know say like someone would come up and ask me to sign an autograph, and I would put Love Tweet, this would be my gift back to them with the autograph. Its like twelve records produced by the same producers that did the first and second album. Nisan Stewart, Craig Brockman, Charlie BeReal, Warren Campbell, Marz, and Novel. I just kept it simple and kept it Tweet. So it’s coming out in June 2008 and its all about love and my personal life experiences as the before records, which is in your face lyrics talking about what I’ve been through. (Sentinel) I know that you are working with Jheryl Busby, tell me about that relationship and how you got hooked up with one of top the music executives? (Tweet) Mona Scott, again from Violator (Management) while I was in limbo I didn’t know what wanted to do with the music business. I was just sitting home and just writing to myself and really not focused on if I wanted to come back or not. Mona Scott called and said Jheryl Busby wanted me to give me an opportunity to be a business woman as well as do the music I wanted to do, no compromising. So we got on the phone and made a great agreement. He promised to stand behind it 100% and so far it’s been exactly what I expected. For me to be able to do it with out any compromise was great. (Sentinel) Who would you like to work with or who are some people in the future that you looking to collaborate with? (Tweet) I have a list of maybe four people. That’s Dre (Andre 3000), Pharell, Amy Winehouse, and D’Angelo. Until I say I’ve had enough with this music I have to work with these people. (Sentinel) What separates Tweet from other artists? (Tweet) Everybody’s talented in their own right and I don’t take anything away from anybody but I feel I have music for the soul. Lyrics and subjects that people really don’t hit on in a certain way. I think its soul music that’s missing because I think right now in the industry we have a one track mind which means to me we can put on one record and everybody sounds the same and it sounds like the same track playing with different lyrics. So I think right now I think I will bring the soul back to the music. (Sentinel) I always ask our readers to submit questions for artist interviews and one that I came across often was, are there any problems with Missy or Timbaland or will you ever work with them again? (Tweet) I will definitely work with them again it’s just at this time I had to do this on my own. It comes a time when you got to grow up. Sometimes the child has to leave the nest so its time for me to do it on my own because I felt like I was depending on Tim and Missy which that doesn’t mean they wont be on this album either, we just haven’t had the chance with scheduling to do anything. We are still friends, we still hang out and stuff like that. Its still love but I am just doing it on my own right now. (Sentinel) What advice would you give to young women or just even young artists with aspirations of getting into this business? (Tweet) Make sure that you have your own voice and to not compromise. That’s the biggest thing because in this industry you are not going to find to many loyal people so make sure your camp of people around you are for you and you don’t have too many yes people around you. And make sure you know exactly what you want. What type of music you want to sing so you want fall in that what’s going on today, follow the leader and I want to sound like such and such and all of that. But be your own person, be your own artist and never compromise and keep God first, that’s the number one thing because what is for you will be for you if it’s in his will. (Sentinel) What about the Tweet outside of music, what are you up to now a days and what are you doing when you are not recording? (Tweet) If I’m not recording I am going to church honestly. My relationship with God has definitely been the number one priority beside music. Back at home (Atlanta, GA), is where my church is located, Global Destiny International, and it Bishop Thomas Weeks, III. I think just by developing my relationship with God I become more humble and with the situation with me on the last album everything not working out, God has taught me that it’s a process through everything. So with my relationship in God. I go to church and just become stronger in him to deal with the music business because it’s a thing to deal with. Other than that I am with my daughter Tashana. (Sentinel) Is there somebody taking up Tweet times, a special someone? (Tweet) I’ve been single for two and a half years by choice and that is only because God hasn’t sent me the one I need to be with. I am not into dating; I’ve never been into dating because it’s a waist of time for me. So I am just waiting on that right person. I don’t have time for games so that’s just what it is. Love, Tweet will be available in stores June 10th 2008. (source)
+Singersroom.com Interview with Tweet Posted: Monday May 5th, 2008 Tweet: The Real Songbird For aspiring artists who’ve been grinding hard for years to make it into the recording industry, none of the aforementioned factors seems very important. When you’re outside the circle all you want is to be inside. Although if you ask R&B singer Tweet, it’s not that simple. After Tweet’s second album, "It’s Me Again," the singer got lost in the shuffle between merging labels. Losing her status as a priority and her staff at Elektra Records when they folded into Atlantic, Tweet wanted to quit music and be a "mom" full-time. Luckily for Tweet, independent label Umbrella Records and their owner Jeryl Busby wouldn’t allow that to happen. Singersroom: Let me just say, before we go on, speaking of your albums, "Smoking Cigarettes" [from her 2002 release Southern Hummingbird] was one of my favorite songs by you. I just had to ask, what inspired you to write that song? Tweet: Just true circumstances, I mean at that time I was writing directly on what I was going through at the time. Bad relationships you know? The song is talking about what I was going through. Singersroom: Gotcha! What have you been doing since your last album [2005's It's Me Again] aside from working on the release of this album? Tweet: Nothing really, I kind of just took myself from the industry and just put all my time in being a mom. Singersroom: I hear that! You worked with your daughter on your last album. What was it like working with your daughter? Tweet: It was awesome! I mean I knew how talented she was, but just to watch her in the studio and how natural it was to her was amazing. Singersroom: That's awesome! So your new album is titled Love, Tweet, what’s the release date for that? When can we go get it in stores? Tweet: June 10th is what I'm hearing now. Singersroom: Are you still involved with Timbaland and Missy's projects and are they involved in this project? Tweet: No, not at all. We're still friends but our schedules are different, so we really haven't had time to hook up. Singersroom: Some sites, particularly the black blogosphere, hinted in the past that Missy may have neglected working with you in favor of working with Keyshia Cole. Do you want to address those rumors? Tweet: Oh no! I mean I haven't read anything like that, but thank you for keeping it real. I don't know. Missy is an opportunist I guess, and whatever's hot at the time that's what she's gonna roll with. Singersroom: I had a chance to listen to a few tracks from the album and they were straight fire. I loved every last one of them. What are you trying to convey to your fans with this album? Tweet: I'm just trying to put good music out there and to show that I haven't changed. I'm not running with the mainstream. I'm still gonna put the same in your face lyrics out there, you know? I'm still Tweet despite of what happened to me in the business you know? I'm still gon' be who I am. Singersroom: What do you think about the mainstream music out right now? The musical landscape seems to be particularly commercial and everyone seems to be prepackaged. Tweet: I don't really listen to the radio. I keep my old school on like Marvin Gaye and all of that. I listen to gospel music and stuff like that just to be inspired. I just think it's a little bit overproduced sometimes. It's kind of unbelievable. Like a lot of these people are unbelievable. I don't believe what I think is a gimmick and things like that. And then with all that out there you forget about the real artists that are really struggling to make it and it shouldn't be that hard to get out there. Singersroom: I definitely like how refreshing this album is. It's got such a good sound to it. What inspired you to put out this type of record? It honestly is different than anything so far this year and last year. Tweet: You know I just kind of went in the studio with the same producers as the first two records; we did stuff that sounded good to us, you know? We just wanted to do music. We didn't say "well let's make it this way to reach these types of people." We just did music. We didn't have no set standard or anything. I work with musicians, not just people that sit behind a keyboard and press a button. I work with people that really know how to play instruments, you know, and things like that. Singersroom: That's what's up! Speaking of the real music, I'm a huge jazz lover so I was happy to see "Them There Eyes" on this album. I also remember you had "Big Spender" on your first album, or something like that was real jazzy, real big band-ish. So are you a jazz lover and did that influence this album, aside from "Them There Eyes?" Tweet: I mean I love all kinds of music. "Them There Eyes" was performed by Diana Ross in the movie "Lady Sings the Blues." That's one of my top favorite movies. I watch it a lot. I just wanted to, you know, pay homage to her and Billie Holiday and that whole thing. I just always wanted to do that part in the movie. I just wanted to do it. I had to. Singersroom: Talking about the movie, would you be interested in ever doing movies if the opportunity presented itself? Tweet: Definitely! I would definitely take it seriously to where I would want to have enough time to study and get into character; whereas with "Honey," I only had a couple of days. It wasn't a big role. I would really want to get into it. Singersroom: You worked with T.I. on this album. Tell us a little bit more about what it was like working with the self-proclaimed "King of the South," and how you two connected for that song. Tweet: First of all it was a breath of fresh air to work with him because he's such an old soul and he's so sweet; so down to earth and cool. It's like working with my brother. [They] asked me to come to the studio and they wanted to try me out on this record, so that's what happened. Singersroom: It sounds really good. Did he really sing on that song? It sounded like he actually kind of sang on it. Was that his voice? Tweet: It was like a chant. Yeah, he definitely did. Singersroom: Wow! It came out really well. I was surprised. It sounds like it was inspired by the ATL flavor. Tweet: It really wasn't my record. We just got our hands on it to put it out as a street record...for the DJ's and people like that. Singersroom: A lot of the songs out right now are very sexual in nature. I like your song "Remedy." It talks about, correct me if I’m wrong, holding out physically for the right man. That’s not a topic that a lot of artists are singing about right now. Tweet: Well that’s a real lady’s record. That was written by Charlie Burrell and his wife. I didn’t write that record, but I fell in love with [it] and that’s why I did it because of the message. The image of our women right now is that what we want is the first thing smoking, you know? We’ll do whatever we have to do to get that man that’s gonna take care of us the rest of our lives, really not knowing who that person is and they not knowing who we are. If we just hold out God will send us who we need to be with. That’s exactly what that song is [about]. Singersroom: I can dig it. That was one of my favorite songs. So what else is on your plate with the release of this album? Tweet: Well we’re putting together a small tour. They’re getting it all together. I’m just working on touring this whole year, you know, with this album and everything because I didn’t get a chance to do that the second album. That’s my main concern; grabbing hold to whatever I have to [in order] to get on that road and put that music out there. So just look out for it! (source)
+More "Love, Tweet" Promo Pics Posted: Sunday March 9th, 2008 I have added 4 new "Love, Tweet" promo pictures. Click on the thumbnails below to see the full-sized images. 
+BRE Magazine Interview with Tweet Posted: Sunday March 9th, 2008 It's All About Love, From Tweet Winter is on the wane, spring is only a month away and the ‘Southern Hummingbird' will be returning to radio's airwaves. Gold-selling R&B artist Tweet is readying her third release for a May impact. Only officially on the scene since 2002 when, under the tutelage of Missy Elliott, she debuted with Southern Hummingbird , which became a top 5 album, spawning the #1 hit single "Oops (Oh My)," she followed again with Missy with a second album in 2005 called It's Me Again . This time the songbird is on Jheryl Busby's boutique Umbrella Recordings where she says she's in charge. She's producing and writing. "Jheryl gave me the responsibilities," she says proudly. And even though Missy is no longer directing the whole show, she does join her on "Never Too Late." Also in the mix on the new album called simply Love, Tweet are Nisan Stewart, who worked with Tweet and Missy previously, Warryn Campbell and Novel. And she welcomes the "King of the South," T.I. on "Good Bye My Dear," which he not only performs on but also produces. "‘Good Bye My Dear' has that Atlanta sound, which I like," says Tweet. "Marz [the producer] called me one night and asked me to come by the studio, Grand Hustle, and it just happened. I always wanted to work with T.I. and didn't know how soon it would happen. But the opportunity came about and I went for it!" Describing the current musical plane as having a "void in the industry," Tweet explains, "The substance in most of the music is gone." Living outside Atlanta now, she says she regularly tunes into Radio One's WPZE-FM (97.5 Praise) station where she can be uplifted by the Clarke Sisters or Mary J. Blige. Stronger in her faith in God now, she says that has affected what she really wants to write about. So with Love, Tweet , this acclaimed vocalist takes us back to Southern Hummingbird where her first hit was a risqué song about self-love. This love-based album, however, addresses a new plethora of love from an artist who has had her "eyes opened." "Whether you fall in or out of love, the question of do I want to fall in love again," Tweet addresses on her favorite song on the album, "Love Again." It's phenomenal," she says, comparing it to Diana Ross' "Do You Know…" but more sultry. And then on the Novel-produced "Anymore," she addresses the feelings after a break-up when you change and come to realize, "I don't love you anymore." For an artist who loves to be on stage performing, who loves to be able to affect people, Tweet says ultimately the album is a love token to her many fans. "It's my way of giving back to my fans," she explains, and thus the closing salutation in the album title, "Love, Tweet," epitomizes her affection for those who embraced her music in 2002 and who have been eagerly awaiting her new release and those newcomers to Tweet who will find her as one of music's great talents, one who brings substance back to music. "Time will underscore the fact Tweet is one of the most talented vocal stylists to ever stand behind a mic," says Jheryl Busby, founder of Umbrella Recordings. "Known for her vocal harmonies and strong song writing, Tweet delivers her best most diverse release in her young career." (source)
+TheUrbanMusicScene.com Interview with Tweet Posted: Sunday March 9th, 2008 Hey Ya'll, the comeback of Tweet is ON!! She joins Terrill to chat about her upcoming release, "Love, Tweet", coming soon in March 2008!! She also speaks out about her influences, tour information & much more! We welcome Tweet!! Terrill: As The Urban Music Scene.com continues to move forward, we have one of the hottest ladies in the game of the Urban R&B scene, We are more than privileged and honored to share some special time with R&B vocalist Tweet! What’s up girl? Tweet: Hey, what’s up? Terrill: Nothing much, what’s up with you? Tweet: I’m just excited! I got a new release coming out, so you know I’m trying to contain all the excitement and joy I have just to be back in game again. Terrill: To be back in the game. How long has it been since the last release? Tweet: "It’s Me Again," came out in 2005. Terrill: About 3 years! OK! Alright! And of course you’ve collaborated on a few other deals too right? Tweet: Yes. Terrill: Talk to us about some of those collaborations. Tweet: Since then I’ve written.....I’m on (R&B vocalist) Monica’s record that was out for her last album, on Missy’s album and a couple other people. I can’t remember … but yes (laugh), it’s been a long time. Terrill: (laugh). It’s been a long time. Cause you bring a different flavor when you come in. It’s a different flavor. One of the flavors is just a very sensual feel for your R&B sound. Do you really appreciate that feel girl? Tweet: Yes, I mean that’s who I am. I wasn’t setting out to try to become anybody else. I want to do music the way I wanted to do it. Which is kind of funny because I never wanted to be a soul artist. I was always in groups. So to be able to come into the game and people say I have my own sound is great. Terrill: Yes, exactly. You got to find a niche. Tweet: Yes. Terrill: You got that niche and people know it’s you when the music comes on. Tweet: Right, right. That’s a good thing, that’s a great thing. Terrill: That’s a very good thing. Tweet: Yes. Terrill: Too much copy catting going on out there. Tweet: Oh of course, I’m sick of it. Terrill: Yes, I mean really, let’s be frank about it. Urban R&B has a lot of different elements now that’s being tested and whether or not you consider anything near traditional R&B, that should be left in the ear of the listener right? Tweet: Exactly, exactly. Terrill: But if I do have to bring that to your attention, was there any traditional R&B vocalist(s) from back in the day that you felt influenced by? What was one of your major influences? Tweet: Major influences. At first I have to begin with my mom and dad and the whole gospel thing from the quartet groups, The Clark Sisters and Commission. Then I move on to Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and the whole Motown era and Whitney Houston of course. That’s where my roots are. Terrill: And those roots are southern? Tweet: Southern definitely! My whole family is from the south and I was the only one who was born in New York, but other than that we are from Florida. Terrill: (laugh), That southern hospitality! There’s nothing better than just that. Speaking of southern hospitality and knowing that’s your background. What should we expect to hear on that third album. Tweet: Third album. I’ve decided because the second album was compromised of a little towards the new record label Atlantic and I did some more, shall we say, "hip-hoppish" sounds, I kind of compromised. But for this new album, I kind of took it right back to 'Southern Hummingbird'. The majority of the album is what you fell in love with in the beginning of Love, Tweet. That and then a little twist. I always have to bring a little something different. But you got songs that would remind you of a motel or a my place or a smoking cigarette or some acoustic sounding stuff that I began with. That’s what you’re going to hear on my album. Terrill: Of course, Missy Elliott worked with you on the first two albums right? Tweet: Yes, yes. Terrill: Is she coming out for the third? Tweet: She’s going to be involved. We’re getting it together now. At the end of, I decided that I wanted to do this on my own and she’s going to come in on the end and give me some hot tracks at the end. In a couple of days as a matter of fact. Terrill: When she touch that vinyl, man, she makes it hot! Sizzle! Tweet: Exactly! Terrill: Blaze! Make it blaze! Tweet: Right, right! Terrill: Yes, that’s cool! I highly anticipate the third album and I noticed that you had a collaboration with hip hop artist TI. You did something with him. What was it like working in the studio with him? Tweet: T.I. is such a cool person. I've always said he has an old soul. He would remind you of someone who has been here for a long time, even though he hasn’t and he was this very mellow, very cool person. He is very serious about his craft and very cordial. That southern hospitality! All of that he has within him and just a cool dude man. Terrill: Yes. He’s definitely growing and has a movie career coming up. Especially with the movie featuring Denzel Washington in "American Gangster." Tweet: Exactly. Terrill: Him and Common. But let me ask you this, TI not being so much the only Hip Hop artist you worked with, do you have any dream artist(s) out there.....it could be Hip Hop, gospel, R&B …. Is there some music artists out there today that you would wish to work with? Tweet: Definitely! (producer & artist) Pharrell & (actor & hip-hop arttist) Andre 3000. Terrill: Andre 3000? Tweet: Yes! Also, Van Hunt. I would love to do something with Amy Winehouse and Lauren Hill, if possible. That’s my strive! So, and if I could, my ultimate would have been Marvin Gaye. If he was still here or if we could hook something up with some vocals that he didn’t use. I love Marvin Gaye. Terrill: Me too, baby. He always put those tracks together that made you sit down and chill for a minute. Tweet: Yes. Terrill: Before the interview, I pulled out your previous single, "Taxi" for playback. Tweet: "Taxi," yes. Terrill: I was blazing it the other night. Tweet: Yes! Terrill: Is some of that flavor should we come to expect on your third album, "Love Tweet?" Tweet: Yes, "Love Tweet." It’s about love and giving back to the fans and the people that stuck with me throughout all of this. Throughout the times when I said I wasn’t going to do it anymore. Just for people who come up to me on the streets – wherever I am, on the web site to just say how my music touched their lives and just to give back to them and to sign my name on it. Like, "Love, Tweet...". Here you go! Terrill: Signature. Tweet: Yes. Terrill: Do have your own web site? Tweet: I have a MySpace page. It’s Tweet. It’s MySpace.com/southernhummingbird and then there’s one that would bring up the early stages. It’s MySpace.com/tweetfanpage. So you could go on there. The one with southern hummingbird is my personal one – I’ll go there and try to keep people up to date on what’s going on. Terrill: Good, good. It’s in the interview and it’s going to be published. That’s more traffic coming to you baby! Tweet: Ok, great! Terrill: How about some tours? What do you have planned for 2008 in regards to touring/promoting the new project? Tweet: I want to hit the major cities, because with the last album, I didn’t. The only tour I went on was the tour with C-NOTE. I really want this time to be on the road the whole year. So hopefully I can hit every major city, every small city, & every venue. I want to do a smaller, more intimate venue so I can sing and touch the people that enjoy the music. We’re looking into doing that now. Terrill: See and touch the people? Tweet: Yes, exactly. 'Cause I like to bring people on stage and have them dance and sing to them and have them perform also in the show. Show their talent. Terrill: Please keep me in the loop so I can possibly come to see you! Tweet: I will, I sure will. Terrill: I’ll be right on over there front and center! Tweet: I sure will (laugh)! Terrill: (laugh) That’s cool Tweet! You’re hot! You know you’re gorgeous and you got a lot going for you! And we definitely, the Urban Music Scene.com wish you the best. We hope for your success and the day’s coming that we’re going to be in video soon, so you’ll be looking at us online or something. Tweet: Right, right. I can’t wait. (laugh) Terrill: (laugh). It’s in stage works right now and we’re getting a lot of feedback from people who are suggesting that we go that route. We need to bring it back to that stage so that people can see us. Tweet: Yes. That would be cool. Terrill: So where are you now? Tweet: I am in Atlanta, Georgia, where the weather is beautiful, the people are nice and you can’t beat it! Terrill: The ATL. Tweet: Yes. Terrill: That’s awesome. That is awesome. And I know you got to be excited to be signed on to Jheryl Busby's new label. Tweet: Yes I am. Jheryl is a wonderful person, and he has given me this great opportunity. I think we all should thank him 'cause I really wasn’t going to do this again until he came with the old opportunity and wanting to push an artist like myself. In giving me this opportunity. So I Thank Jheryl, Lisa and everyone that works with him in the business. Terrill: Absolutely. That’s complete experience backing you up and hopefully that will amount to success. Keep your focus girl. Tweet: Yes I will. Terrill: Keep your focus! It’s been an honor. I thank you so much for your time today. I’m not going to hold you back from a beautiful day in the ATL!! (laugh) Tweet: (laugh) Yes! Terrill: And I look forward to doing a part 2 down the road. Another interview after the CD is released? Tweet: Yes, lets do it. Terrill: Let’s do it. All right Tweet, Thank You! Tweet: OK, Bye! (source)
+ShopTalk Interview with Tweet Posted: Tuesday February 19th, 2008 R&B Singer Tweet talks Shopping and About Her New Album, "Love Tweet" Tweet had an interview with ShopTalk. Here is a description of the interview and click on the following link to hear it. "In this episode of ShopTalk, I chat with Tweet, the R&B diva who wrote and sung that infamous song about self-love titled "Oops (Oh My)", which became a global hit and theme song for single women (and, uhh, a few married women) everywhere. She takes a bit of time to chat with me about shopping at Target, teen fashion, and self love before the release of her third album, Love Tweet, this spring." Click HERE to listen to the interview!
+More "Love, Tweet" Promo Pics Posted: Sunday February 17th, 2008 I have added 4 new "Love, Tweet" promo pictures. Click on the thumbnails below to see the full-sized images. 
+Tweet's MySpace Pictures Posted: Sunday February 17th, 2008 I have added 5 pictures posted on Tweet's MySpace. The fourth one is of Tweet's daughter. Click on the thumbnails below to see the full-sized images. 
+Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Interview with Tweet Posted: Sunday February 17th, 2008 After nearly bailing on the music biz, the Rochester native is back It seems like it was only yesterday when Rochester native Charlene "Tweet" Keys was flying high as the beautiful R&B upstart with a Top 10 album, a No. 1 single and a flourishing relationship with industry heavyweights Missy Elliott and Timbaland. In fact, the year was 2002 and the song "Oops (Oh My)," an ode to female masturbation, was on its way to making Keys a bona fide star. (Watch the video, below.) She would go on to deny that the song was about self-gratification (lyrics such as "I was feeling so good, I had to touch myself" would suggest otherwise), but it didn't matter. Fans couldn't get enough of the song's subdued beat and Keys' melodic harmonies. "Oops (Oh My)" reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and her debut album, Southern Hummingbird, eventually went platinum. Keys followed up her debut with the 2005 album It's Me Again and the promising single "Turn Da Lights Off." But the video for the song came and went, and apparently so did Keys. No other videos followed, radio play diminished, and Keys wound up leaving her label, Atlantic Records. So what ever happened to the girl from Rochester's 19th Ward? Well, the 37-year-old has a new record deal and is in the position of managing her upcoming album, Love, Tweet, herself. And it became clear in recent interview, that's exactly the way she wants it: So what happened to Tweet after "Turn Da Lights Off?" The business side of the industry took a toll on me. It didn't go the way I wanted it to go. "Turn Da Lights Off" came out, and then there was no push from the label because of a merger. I went from Elektra Records to Atlantic. What the people there promised never came about. I compromised and changed my album, taking my songs off and putting the songs that they wanted on there, which meant more hip-hop sounding songs. Once I did my part, and they never did what they said their part would be, I got discouraged and really didn't want to do it anymore. What brought you back? It was people coming up to me telling me how I changed their lives with my music. This is really what I love to do. Once I got over the pain of all that stuff, I was sitting around writing and Jeryl Busby (owner of independent label Umbrella Records) came to me with the greatest deal ever, and I decided to do it. How is it being signed to Umbrella? It's been great. It's really challenged me to be a businesswoman instead of having my life put in other people's hands. Now it's me. I have to make the decisions. Do you still maintain relationships with Missy and Timbaland? They're strong relationships, but this time I wanted to do it on my own. Missy has done so much. Tim has done so much. I've decided to step out on my own and be that businesswoman. They've called and asked if I need anything, but I really just want to do it on my own. Your new album Love, Tweet is due out in May. What is the meaning behind the title? This is a love letter to the fans. This will be a gift to them for all the love and support they've given over the few years that I've been gone. Do you ever get back to Rochester? You know, I went back to Rochester last year. I think it was Thanksgiving. I miss Rochester because my family is still there. I don't miss the cold, though. But that's the only thing I don't miss. I kind of wish I could go back to school for one day and hang out with all my old friends. That would be fun. (source)
+Tweet Featured on "The CARE FOR HAITI Music" Benefit Album Posted: Friday February 1st, 2008 Tweet will join Patti Labelle, Jill Scott, Natasha Bedingfield, Tpain & Wyclef Jean in a special tribute to the Women and Children of Haiti, "The CARE FOR HAITI Music Project" to eradicate poverty. The effort will culminate in a benefit album featuring original songs and selections. Carma, Inc., will serve as the compilation album's executive producer and the world music album will be released in May 2008. The CARE FOR HAITI Music Project helps to generate awareness of the extreme poverty in Haiti and to increase the visibility of the country and its proud history. All proceeds from the benefit album will directly benefit the work of Yéle Haiti and CARE and their mission to help the women and children of Haiti. Additional news, information and updates about The CARE FOR HAITI Music Project will be available throughout the year at the organization's website at www.careforhaiti.org. (source)
+New Layout Posted: Sunday January 20th, 2008 If you're a usual visitor to Tweet-News.com you can probably tell that the site now has a new layout. We figured that since Tweet's upcoming album, "Love, Tweet" is expected to hit stores on April 8th that we'd have a new look for the site to prepare and celebrate the release of this highly anticipated third album. I hope you all like the new look and make sure to browse around the entire site since many of the pages have been updated while creating this new design. Thanks to all the Tweet fans and site visitors and let's get ready for the new album!
+Tweet Performing At 'The K&D Suite' Hosted By Mychael Knight Posted: Friday January 11th, 2008 I have added 17 pictures of Tweet performing as a part of Mychael Knight’s first K&D Suite, sponsored by Hennessey in downtown Atlanta on January 9th. Click on the thumbnails below to see the full-sized images. 
+"Love, Tweet" Photoshoot Candids Posted: Monday January 7th, 2008 I have added 14 pictures from behind the scenes at Tweet's photoshoot for her upcoming album, "Love, Tweet" that were found on MySpace. Click on the thumbnails below to see the full-sized images. 
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