INTERVIEW: R&B, pop, and funk group 3D The Boss discuss their album ‘Push It’

INTERVIEW: R&B, pop, and funk group 3D The Boss discuss their album ‘Push It’ 3

R&B, pop, and funk group 3D The Boss released their album, Push It, not long ago, a ten-track collection of dynamic, energizing music. Made up of C. Lei Boss Lady, Lady Bass, and Saint Day, 3D The Boss uses music to inspire and empower listeners to love and maintain a healthy lifestyle, addressing issues of negative self-image, unconscious messaging, and unwarranted role-models.

Apart from the health aspect of their music, 3D The Boss’s sound is definitely infectious, blending driving dance beats with opulent vocals and shimmering harmonics. Upbeat and potent, songs like “Up On Your Way” and “Do My Dance” sizzle with bright horns, potent rhythms, and dazzling harmonies.

XS Noize caught up with 3D The Boss to learn more about how they got together, their influences, and their songwriting process. C. Lei Boss Lady | CLBL, Lady Bass | LB, Saint Day | SD

What inspired your recently released album, Push It?

3DTB: We are all players and ambassadors of The YourDay Balance Game, a health and fitness game inspired by love and balance.  We believe in the power of this game and the impact it will have on the world.  Having experienced first-hand the impact that the music game has on our health, we made a conscious choice to create music that inspires our listeners to love abundantly and live a balanced lifestyle that is healthy and fit.

How did you get started in music? What’s the backstory there?

CLBL: My parents started me on piano lessons at 7 years old.  But I didn’t really fall in love with making music until college. That’s when Jazz came into my life, and I started composing and performing locally.  From there, I toured the country with my college Jazz Band for several years before landing a tour gig with Morgan Heritage in 1999.  That was the beginning of me really imbuing a musician’s lifestyle.

SD: I started playing drums in a band in 7th grade back in 1985.  I started writing music back in 1987, and I never looked back.

LB: My mother actually started me on the piano when I was 6 years old. I didn’t take to it much. I totally resisted practising, learning scales, and reading music. So, she took me out of that. Around age 8, my parents took me to a church service – a Pentecostal church – and my life was forever changed. My background is Christian, but I’d never been in a service where there was a band! And the bassist was a young lady! She became my teacher. I took to playing bass very quickly, and I still love it!

Which musicians/vocalists influenced you the most?

CLBL: I grew up listening to so many great singers and musicians.  Some of the ones that stand out are Michael Jackson, Prince, Teena Marie, Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, and Lionel Richie.

SD: I love New Edition, Michael Jackson, Bell Biv Devoe, Boyz II Men, Earth Wind and Fire, and Bob Marley, and Jodeci

LB: I grew up on gospel greats like The Hawkins Singers, Shirley Ceasar, James Cleveland, and Andre Crouch. I’ve come to totally love John Patitucci, Victor Wooten, and Marcus Miller, to name a few. They’re dynamic musicians and continue to inspire me.

How did the three of you get together?

3DTB: Day and I first met in 2001, and I didn’t even know he was into music at that time.  I just knew he was a personal trainer and lifestyle coach. I found out about his musical abilities a few years later when we created a barter agreement; in exchange for him training me; I would come over and lay down keys on some of his tracks.  His home studio was a meeting place for several other artists as well, and we’d frequently collaborate on music.  That started us on the journey of being co-writers and eventually bandmates.  I met Lady Bass around the same time in Orlando.  Pop icon Irene Cara had hired us to create an all-female band and record an album called Hot Caramel.  When I saw how well Donna (as I knew her then) played the bass, I was totally blown away! We began talking and sharing and quickly became friends as well as bandmates. When the project was complete in Orlando, Lady Bass moved to Atlanta, and we started playing jazz together under our own names.  In 2016 Lady Bass joined 3D The Boss, and we created the current iteration of the group.

What’s your songwriting process?

CLBL: Many songs download for me in my sleep. I’ll get a melody in my dream, wake myself up, then grab my phone to record it so I won’t lose the idea. Eventually, I share it with Day and Lady Bass and see if they’re feeling it.  Even if the idea doesn’t stick, it often leads to other cool ideas.  Day and Donna often come to me with ideas as well.  It’s a very co-creative process.

SD: We either expand upon a download from Chanda, Donna or myself, or we ask our producers to submit tracks that we add melodies and lyrics to.

LB: It’s usually an inspiration from what I hear someone say, what I feel from someone else’s music or a concept from a 3D writing session.

Did your sound evolve naturally, or did you push it in a deliberate direction?

3DTB: Our sound has evolved naturally, as different members and producers have come and gone.  At the same time, we intentionally keep evolving as human beings, as artists, as musicians.  We love to ‘push’ beyond our fears and limitations! So, our sound stays relevant with the times.

How do you keep your sound fresh?

3DTB: All of us love listening to new music to see what people are creating out there in the world. I get a lot of recommendations from my piano students too.  I love that they keep me aware of what is new, hot, and fresh.

Which artists, in your opinion, are killing it right now?

CLBL: I love Bruno Mars and Anderson. Paak is doing right now with Silk Sonic.  It was such a wise move to collaborate!  I definitely plan to collaborate with both of them! Doja Cat and Giveon also inspire me.

LB: I’m vibing Aderson Paak and Lil Nas X. Anderson, with Silk Sonic, keeps soul music in the forefront. I really appreciate it because that era still has a lot to say and contribute. Lil Nas X is just a bold ball-buster! I Love his bravery.

SD: Silk Sonic, Dua Lipa, Lil Nax X, Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, Weekend.

Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?

CLBL: I really enjoy the artistry of Chris Brown, Future and Drake!  I appreciate all three of them for their unique styles and their huge impact on the music world!  Chris Brown for his natural talent, his long sustainability in the music game.  Future for his incredible swag and trailblazing trap music. Drake for the trend-setting sound he has created in R&B and hip-hop music production.

LB: I totally love raunchy, riffy lead guitar solos! Especially when they really bend into the notes! Sometimes, I think my next lover will be this dope ass lead guitarist. And I want to learn to play the guitar as well, so maybe I’m actually my next lover. And there’s not a tap of guilt in any of that for me – HA!

SD: My entertainment pleasure is Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, and Lil Nas X.

What can your fans expect from you over the next six months?

3DTB: We will be releasing our third music video soon. New merchandise will be available on our website.  We will also have other inspiring and edutainment videos on our YouTube Channel.  We anticipate returning to live performing as well.

Listen to ‘Push It’ – BELOW:

Follow 3D The Boss Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify

Xsnoize Author
Randall Radic 216 Articles
Randy Radic lives in Northern California where he smokes cigars, keeps snakes as pets, and writes about music and pop culture. Fav artists/bands: SpaceAcre, Buddy Miller, Post Malone, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Korn, and he’s a sucker for female-fronted dream-pop bands.

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