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Christión Back With New Set
A Starpoynt Exclusive
Christión slid onto the urban music scene in 1997 with a couple of hits that included "Full Of Smoke" and the cover
of "I Wanna Get Next To You." I say "slid" because it was word of mouth more than anything that brought
them and their debut release, "Ghetto Cyrano," to the lime light, although this dynamic duo was the first release
coming out of Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella. At that time, Roc-A-Fella was just getting its feet wet, so the underground growth of Christión
that turned into Gold-certified success seemed a good start for the then fledgling label and Christión.
Fast forward to 2005 and the two members of the R&B group have come back on the scene with a new release, "Project
Plato." So the question becomes "Where have they been?"
Kenni Ski and Allen Anthony were the original crew called Christión. Anthony, who is Ski's brother, has stepped away and
is replaced by T. Ross, who actually sang background for the group. After the release of "Ghetto Cyrano," Christión
appeared on the "Backstage" movie soundtrack (2000) and "The Roc Files" compilation (2003). Ski has been
producing tracks for Aftermath Records, DJ Clue, Sky Balla', Frank Stickums, Young Jet, Dawn Robinson (En Vogue), his brother
Allen, Cat Kim and Reign, as well as working on numerous film and television projects. Ski has also been producing and fine-tuning
an innovative sound he describes as Hip-Rock-Soul.
Ski tells Starpoynt the long period (nine years) since the group has released an album doesn't bother him. "All good
things come in time. I know it sounds cliché, but I truly believe there's a season for everything. I want to thank all the
fans that have patiently waited for our return. I know it's been a minute since ya'll heard from us. Allen decided to release
his solo album with the Roc while I wanted to pursue more avenues of the business."
While the likes of Jay-Z and Dr. Dre have sung praises for Christión, the duo does not have kind words for the current
state of the hip hop/R&B market.
"Shit has got to change," Ross comments. It's appalling the amount of brain poisoning crap they have on TV and
radio, compared to the lack of anything symbolizing real life and real issues. I'm not trying to put anyone down, but what
happened to the soul."
"Everyone," Ross continues, "says they're tired of the same old shit on the radio, but no one wants to
take a chance on the real shit."
Ski adds, "Believe me, there is a market for real talk ... Christión proved it before and we intend to do it again."
Yeah, let's get to the real meat.
STAR - You mentioned radio is weak right now in terms of the content of the songs. I've worked with a few indie artists
myself over the last few years and it's hard as hell to get radio to step out on a record, no matter how good it is. There
seems to be a mystique about records from major labels, even if they're crap... A major label record will almost always get
played before an indie record that's just as good or even better. Now, here you are coming back after what can be considered
a lengthy hiatus and you're not with a major label this time. So... what are you going to do to get radio to pay attention
to your new music?
SKI - I'm not sure if we can do anything to get radio on it. All we can do is promote the record. Hopefully our audience
will speak for us and make radio pay attention. If we're banging in the club, radio will have to catch up. If our audience
gets the message... we'll be using other forms of marketing to get to people in addition to radio. A lot of people use iPods
and other tools now that gives the
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additional access to new music beyond radio.
STAR - What have you learned in the last few years that you were able to apply to this new album?
ROSS - Everything stems from the streets now days, especially as the younger set goes. We want them to know who Christión
is and deliver our new message. We think they can learn from our experiences as expressed on our album.
STAR - Did you guys have any musical training coming up? Do you write your own material? Can you read music? Play instruments?
SKI - We grew up in the church. We learned to sing by listening to all the great artists and from our experiences in church.
We learned from older musicians that we met along the way as our careers developed. We set up our own group and played with
the older cats, too. We do write and produce the majority of our records.
STAR - Talk about the album... what are some of your favorite tracks?
SKI - It's a continuation of the first album. We're presenting more chapters in the lives of Christión. I'm proud of all
the tracks
ROSS - I love them all. Mt favorite depends on the mood. If I want to go out, it's "Presidential Suite." If
I want to get nasty on the dance floor, it's "Where Your Girl At." There are a lot of tracks on the CD with different
moods.
STAR - What can we expect from Christión in the future?
SKI - To constantly try to push the envelope as far as our music. Today it's so easy to repeat or replicate what's already
out there. With us, our songs are original and represent us, not a trend or the hottest producer. Each song is its own experience.
We keep trying to write about the different things that go with good and bad times, things people can relate to.
ROSS - Every song is a new experience. We are very cynical about what we write... we want to present the best product
all the time for our listeners. It's up to the artists now to take it to the streets and reach the people whom will appreciate
what we offer. That's how we did it before and that's how we'll do it again.
STAR - What advice would you give to young people aspiring to be recording artists?
SKI - Learn whatever you can about whatever instrument or choice you are going to pursue, whether it is singing or playing.
Listen to what Aretha is singing about and how she is singing it. Stay true to the art form and learn it. That will take you
further than you can imagine. So if radio disappears tomorrow, you can still go out and play your guitar, you can still go
somewhere and do a show. Go sing with a choir... it's excellent training. You'll find the choir director or keyboard player
used to play with Lakeside or sing with Sly Stone. They have a lot to offer.
STAR - Who are you listening to these days... what's in your CD player?
SKI - A lot of old school... we listen to everybody, from Muddy Waters to Otis Redding, The Game, Anthony Hamilton, Sade,
Kenny Rogers, Earth Wind & Fire, Bill Withers, Ambrosia, Chicago. Of course we love Marvin Gaye. We do have songs that
will take you back.
STAR - What's special about Christión, what's new, that will make you stand out?
SKI - We're just true of the art form. We love R&B and try to stay true to the original creators of this great art
form.
"Project Plato" is in stores now. Singles being serviced to radio are "Let 'Em Know" (CHR Rhythmic,
Urban) and "I've Grown" (Urban AC).
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