Interview with
recording artist Scola (and former lead singer of Dru Hill)
Monica
Davis and Beatrice Davis of No Strings Attached E News had the wonderful chance
to meet up with Scola in
NSAEN: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what
you have been up to lately.
SCOLA: I joined Dru Hill
at the end of 2002 and became the 5th member for the group. Our last
project, The Dru Hill Order, went platinum. I act a
little bit and hope I can establish an acting career combined with my singing
career.
NSAEN: Where does your love of music come from?
SCOLA: It’s in my blood, my father and all of his
sisters were singers and actors.
NSAEN:
At what point in your life did music
became your passion or did you knew it was your passion?
SCOLA: To be honest with you I thought I would wind
up with the NBA since I was pretty good in basketball and really wanted to make
a career in playing ball. But I am also a naturally talented drummer and always
loved music, I didn’t think I would do singing but I knew I would for sure do
something in the music industry.
NSAEN: You grew up on the streets of
SCOLA: Seeing what the streets can do to people to
survive of course I had to do what I had to help my mom, but still stayed
positive at the same time and respect goes a long way. Seeing people get killed
in the streets over nothing and so deeply hooked on drugs that they did not
even know their own name I did not want to go that route. But I still did what
I had to do to survive. In my opinion there is nothing that you can’t do and
overcome as long as you put your energy and willpower into it.
NSAEN: What let you to Dru
Hill?
SCOLA: Actually Sico asked
me to join the group and in the beginning I declined twice because I did not
think I would fit into the group. But he convinced me and we went into the
studio and cut some records and the rest is history. The label loved it and it
took off from there.
NSAEN: What effect has the music business had on
your life both personally and professionally?
SCOLA: Before I got with Dru
Hill I already had an independent project out and had already worked in the
industry in the past so it was not as bad for me than for other artists who are
just starting out. I already knew about publishing, returns and distribution
deals, so Dru Hill had international fame and I had
regional fame and I was already into some money and knew the business.
NSAEN: Can you explain to the readers how important
it is to know the music business and educate yourself.
SCOLA: To all my fans and readers I don’t care what
you do from Wall Street to football to film and music, learn the game inside
and out and educate yourself what you’re getting into so that you gain
knowledge and know what you are getting involved in. It is a tough business and
cut throat and not everything is gold that appears to be gold.
NSAEN: You described yourself as a rose that grew
from concrete can you expand on that a little bit?
SCOLA: There was a guy who told this guy by the name
of Tony that I was like a rose who grow from concrete behind the fact was that
this guy was an addict and he saw me one day coming out of my building with
such a positive attitude and self esteem that is so rare to see in the hood,
that it inspired him to kick his addiction. He came up to me one day and
grabbed me and told me that I was the inspiration for him to kick his habit.
All I could think and say was “WOW”! That gave me a sign that I am doing Gods
work.
NSAEN: Sisco, Jazz and you
have returned to your own solo projects. Do you think it is more challenging to
build a solo career rather than being in a band?
SCOLA: It’s like anything else it’s who you know! Of
course a hit record will change the name of the game as well. But in the end it
is who you know and what you know and of course how determined you are.
NSAEN: In your own words can you describe who Scola is?
SCOLA: Scola is just a
regular guy who wants the best for himself, his family and friends. I strive to
be the best I can be in what I do. I am respectful, love music and I love
people. I am a people person. But at the same time if I feel threaten or
negativity I step away from the person and don’t want to hang around that
person. I am also a little daredevil so to speak and got a little bit of a wild
side which sometimes I let go.
NSAEN: What project or projects are you currently
working on?
SCOLA: Currently I am working on my solo project
called “ From EA 2 Cali”(named after my childhood
home on Edmonson Avenue in Baltimore) and I also have a CD out, called “Scola’s Last Treasures” featuring the hit single” Let’s Get
Personal”. The CD is a compilation of old music I had recorded before I went
with Dru Hill. You can get that on CDBaby.com
I
am also working with Versatile Records and a couple of other independent
artists, plus I also act, that keeps me busy. Basically I have my hands full.
NSAEN: Is there a specific message you try to bring
across with your music?
SCOLA: I always try to bring some positive message
through my music. I have a song called “All night long” which is dedicated to a
lot of people who have to survive standing on the corner hustling and women do
what they need to do to feed their kids. I try to uplift a person and use
myself as example. I know a lot about the temptations and what is out there I
know and also know what they are going through since I was exposed to it. But
you have to keep your faith and believe in yourself and just do it.
NSAEN: What are you future professional plans?
SCOLA: I like to blow up my own record label which
is called “Victory Records LLC” I want to concentrate on new talent that I have
some serious artist coming out on my label.
At
the same time I am trying to get my charity foundation off the ground which
focuses on unfortunate kids who are dealing with heroin addiction, alcohol and
other addiction. I go to a lot of these meetings where children addicts meet
and talk to them and try to support them in getting clean. I have a crew that
goes out and distributes clothing and toys around
NSAEN: What is your overall view of life?
SCOLA: Good question….I think being real. Life is
what you make out of it; that is the best way I can put it. Learn from your
daily experiences and even bad situation have something good where you can
learn from. There are a lot of people born rich and than you the poor and each
one can make choices to make a change and improve life. Also great friends can.
Family is so important and I believe that is what makes your life really rich.
I love my family and friends and without them I would not be Scola!
NSAEN: What words of wisdom can you share with our
readers?
SCOLA: The best thing I can say is be truthful to
yourself and believe in yourself and put God first.
