Aftermathmusic.com
Hello Mrs Watson or do you mind when I simply call you Shari?

Truth Hurts
Call me Shari or Truth (laughs)

Aftermathmusic.com
1st of all I wanna thank you for sharing your time with the fans and for this interview here in Berlin, Germany. Did you ever hear about the website?

Truth Hurts
Yes, I did. Thank you for all your love and support. And thanks to my fans. Love ya’ll.

Aftermathmusic.com
Is this your 1st time here in Germany? Which plans do you have while you’re here in Germany? Maybe a Live Performance?

Truth Hurts
Yes. It’s my 1st time here in Germany. And I love it. I haven’t seen anything yet, but it’s nice. On August 18th, I arrived Germany. A live performance? Yes, tomorrow in Cologne.

Aftermathmusic.com
To your person: The name Truth Hurts. We know it’s from Dre. He namend you according to your personality. But how would you describe yourself?

Truth Hurts
I would describe myself as very direct, never biting my tongue about what I feel strongly about and I´m a strong woman – definetely. Full!

Aftermathmusic.com
How dou you feel about beeing Aftermath’ 1st Lady?

Truth Hurts
I feel privileged & honored to be Aftermath 1st lady, but I also feel deserving being the 1st Lady of Aftermath. I work for it.

Aftermathmusic.com
How is the atmosphere on Aftermath? I mean is it all fun or rather hard work and stuff?

Truth Hurts
Both. The atmosphere on Aftermath is familiär and it’s also hard work. I’ve worked with Dre, it’s definetely very hard. You know, he works for perfection.

Aftermathmusic.com
Dre said in an interview: “If she could sing any better, she would have to be two people”. What do you think about compliments like this?

Truth Hurts
I think that’s wonderful and I think that I give him just too many compliments (laughs)

Aftermathmusic.com
You have a younger sistser, who’s 15 and your own child is 11, I think. Do you think both will take singing classes and maybe step into your foot steps someday?

Truth Hurts
My sister is 16 now and my daughter is 6. My daughter singing classes? – No, no I don’t think about it.

Aftermathmusic.com
You are from St. Louis. Do you have any relation to your hometown? I mean, Eminem is from Detroit and he’s always representing his city. Do you feel proud beeing from St. Louis?

Truth Hurts
Yes I am. I´, just there to do my thing. I love beeing from St. Louis. A lot of my musical influences came from St. Louis, so you know, I definetely claim it. But I´m not like “Ride or die” (laughs).

Aftermathmusic.com
You met Dre when he was still forming Aftermath few years ago. You wrote songs for an RnB Group called “Hands on” that Dre was trying to put together. When that didn’t work out, Dre signed you to Aftermath. Is that right?

Truth Hurts
Yes, I wrote for the group Hands on. Everyboday that was there – was party of the whole song. I wrote for Dawn Robinson, for Kim Summerson who’s the original lady of Aftermath. I think, nobody knows that she was a part of Aftermath.

Aftermathmusic.com
Did you sing on “Got me open”?

Truth Hurts
No. They were tryin’ to put me in it, at this group. We were tryin’ to get the whole remix on and put my voice on it. But it wasn’t working.

Aftermathmusic.com
What do you think about the compilation “Dr. Dre presents … The Aftermath”?

Truth Hurts
I think it wasn’t Dre. It wasn’t him at all. Dre wasn’t happy about the compilation. I think he just got married. He’s a little too happy (laughs).

Aftermathmusic.com
To your record and single: Now after working on your solo album “Truthfully Speaking” with Dre for about 2 yrs. you released your 1st single “Addictive” feat. Rakim. What did it mean to you working with a rhyme spiter like Rakim?

Truth Hurts
Well, I’ve worked with Dre more then 2 yrs on “Truthfully speaking”. The work with Rakim was great. I felt it was the ultimate privilege. I love HipHop, I love Rappers and of course I love Rakim. He’s very legendary to me. I always was a fan of him. It felt wonderful.

Aftermathmusic.com
DJ Quik produced this idian influenced song. Static from the group Playa wrote the lyrics. Did you ever expected this susccess?

Truth Hurts
I didn’t expected this success of “Addictive”. I didn’t know, people were ready for that. Over here in Europe it’s different like I think, people are more open accepting to newer and different types of music and mix up things. Everything is more mainstream. So I was a little afraid of that.

Aftermathmusic.com
I`m convinced, you will have the same success in germany or Europe, too. Your single was more than 5 weeks under the Top 20 in the German Black Music Charts.

Truth Hurts
Really? That’s great, that’s great. Thank you Germany, thank you Europe. That’s really hot. I love it.

Aftermathmusic.com
Back in the late may attorneys filed a lawsuit against Aftermath for copyright infringement, claiming that Dr. Dre illegaly sampled pieces from an Indian movie soundtrack. What’s the situation now?

Truth Hurts
The situation is different. We could find the people, who were responsible the sample. Never anybody got back to us. We call and call and call and now, the ong is so successful they got back (laughs). That’s what happened.

Aftermathmusic.com
Ok, let’s talk about “Truthfully speaking”. This is your 1st Solo debut album on Aftermath with 15 amazing tracks. I really like the songs “Bullshit”, “Hollywood” and “Next to me”. What are your favourite ones?

Truth Hurts
Thanks Chris. I love all of them, but I think “Next to me” is one of my favourites. This will be the 3rd single after “The Truth” feat. R Kelly.

Aftermathmusic.com
You said:
“My style is a mixture of different kinds of music: Classical, Old School, Jazz & Soul. To be a great singer you have to study. I think I’ve done that…”.

Truth Hurts
What? I didn’t say “To be a great singer you have to study”. That’s not true. Somebody changed my words. But I’ve studied music. That’s true. I`m a learned singer. Some people are born singing and that is what is my gift. My gift came with a being performer, you know. And then after that I learned to sing. Earlier I’ve studied different types of techniques to sing. And that’s what helped me.

Aftermathmusic.com
But you are a song writer, too. Right?

Truth Hurts
Yes, I´m a songwriter, too. I wrote 10, 11 songs formy album and of course for other artists …

Aftermathmusic.com
Do you think, you have revolutionized the RnB Genre with your own style? Do you consider yourself as a regular RnB artist or are you more like Jill Scott, Bilal and those kind of artists?

Truth Hurts
Not revolutionized. But I’ve a different style. I`m not a regular RnB artist like Ashanti or others. Jill Scott is one of my favourite artists. Definetely.

Aftermathmusic.com
What are your thought abot the term “Neo-Soul”?

Truth Hurts
The magazines tried to categorized me, exspecially about the RnB thing. They try to categorize music and that makes it back. So I feel bad about that. Let music be music.

Aftermathmusic.com
We asked somany fans what the think about you and your album. Each one of them had the possibilty to send us one question. Bottomline: Everybody said that it is an amazing debut album.

Truth Hurts
Oh thank you so much.

Aftermathmusic.com
The most important question was: “if your album in your mind has been a success of flop and what do you plan to do or change to come out stronger”? Your 1st single generated a hype but what does Aftermath do to save you from beeing a “One Hit Wonder”?

Truth Hurts
The album sells 250.000 copies so far. And I plan to put my foot to my record company’s ass if my album doesn’t sell (laughs).

Aftermathmusic.com
Are you happy about the promotion of “Truthfully speaking”?

Truth Hurts
No, definetely not. Everybody said, this is a great album, but the promotion is so bad.

Aftermathmusic.com
Before dropping you debut album in June of 2002, you sang songs such as “Nasty mind”, “Come 2nite” or “Benefit of no doubt”. 3 Weeks ago I’ve heard the Eve Song “You know what it is” feat. Dr. Dre and yourself. Will you be features on some new songs in the next quarter? Do you have any collabo’s in the works? Maybe Nas?

Truth Hurts
Definetely. I wanna work with Nas and I hope it gonna happened in the near future. There will be others.

Aftermathmusic.com
You said, you recorded a song for Eminem’s album “The Eminem Show”. Whats up with this song? Did you like working with Slim Shady and are you interested in wirking with him again?

Truth Hurts
The song was recorded for the album, but never released. He’s definetely a star and a hard-working man, like Dre. I really like working with Eminem.

Aftermathmusic.com
Did you make songs for Rakim’s “Oh my God” and Dre’s “Detox”? I personelly expect everyone’s cd to be the “bomb”.

Truth Hurts
Yes, I did but I don’t wanna tell the name. And of course, I will be on “Detox”, definetely.

Aftermathmusic.com
What does it feel like to be working with one of the rap industries most influencial figures in Dr. Dre, Rakim, DJ Quik, Hi-Tek or R Kelly?

Truth Hurts
That’s all great. We worked together under one room. We had a lot of fun.

Aftermathmusic.com
Is there any particular producer you’d like to work with in the near future?

Truth Hurts
I`d like to work with The Roots and Wyclef, maybe The Neptunes.

Aftermathmusic.com
Do you play instruments?

Truth Hurts
No, I´m sorry. I don’t play any instruments. I Probably will do something later on the road.

Aftermathmusic.com
Would you like to produce and compose whole songs on your own in the future?

Truth Hurts
Sure. Now right now. Though!

Aftermathmusic.com
Is there going to be an, I called it “Aftermath Family” Song or an “Aftermath compilation” with all Aftermath artists?

Truth Hurts
Maybe (laughs). I tink there will be probably an Aftermath Compliation in the near future with all Aftermath artists. That will be hot.

Aftermathmusic.com
I asked Kirdis Tucker, the General Manager of Aftermath. Kirdis, who’s exactly signed on Aftermath?

Kirdis Tucker
1st Thank you for supporting Aftermath. Let’s talk about the artists. We have Doc Dre, Eminem, The Master Rakim, our ladies Truth Hurts, Shaunta and Brooklyn and of course Joe Beast and 50Cent. He’s great!

Aftermathmusic.com
Shari, how do you feel about being nominated for an “Lady of Soul” Award on August 24?

Truth Hurts
I feel very honored. That’s hot, you know. I couldn’t believe the nomination.

Aftermathmusic.com
Will you be there or still in Germany at this time?

Truth Hurts
I will be there. I will performing also. I`m so sorry, that I couldn’t stay in Germany or Europe to play some concerts. But We’ll see…

Aftermathmusic.com
The Smokin Grooves tour returned to the road this summer. Did you like being a party of the tour?

Truth Hurts
Yes. It was a great tour. I had so much fun.

Aftermathmusic.com
Are you going to record collaborations with anyone who contributed to this tour?

Truth Hurts
I don’t know if it’s gonna happen or not. I still have to go to Dre … But why not?

Aftermathmusic.com
Can we expect an Up in Smoke Tour 2003?

Truth Hurts
We are trying to put em together.

Aftermathmusic.com
A world wide Up in Smoke Tour?

Truth Hurts
I don’t know. I know it would be a great world tour. But it’s too expensives, you know? That’s the big problem.

Aftermathmusic.com
What kind of music are you actually listen to at home on your own tapes?

Truth Hurts
I love relaxing and easy going music.

Aftermathmusic.com
Did you ever listen to some german songs?

Truth Hurts
I was just at a hotel and a lady had some wonderful music. I don’t know what it was called. I have to find out what it was.

Aftermathmusic.com
Joy Denalane, a wonderful german singer. You should asked Universal. It’s a great record.

Truth Hurts
I will. But you could give me some of that. I love to hear it.

Aftermathmusic.com
You had a cameo party as a lounge singer in “Ali” and you played Snoop Dogg’s girlfriend in “The Wash”.

Truth Hurts
Yeah, it was great. I met Will and Jada. They were sitting right next to me. We were talking and talking … he, him of Jada … (laughs)

Aftermathmusic.com
How did you like it and are there other projects planed for you as an actor? Do you wanna play more rolls?

Truth Hurts
I love doing “The Wash” and I love making “Ali” They were both great expereinces for me. I’m interested to do more. I´m gonna take classes. I´m not happy with my acting abilities. So I’ve to learn more. I like to extend on that.

Aftermathmusic.com
If you had to decide – music artists or actor. What would you rather be?

Truth Hurts
If I had to make a decision? I’d probably do movies of music. But I don’t know. I love both.

Aftermathmusic.com
What can we expect from Truth Hurts in the future?

Truth Hurts
You can expect from me, that I hope to make great music, that I´m doing my thing and my next single “The Truth”.

Aftermathmusic.com
Are you goin on tour?

Truth Hurts
Yes, definelty. Stay tune …

Aftermathmusic.com
In Europe, too?

Truth Hurts
I haven’t beein invited. So we will see.

Truth Hurts Q & A:

The best producer is: Dr. Dre

The best artists are: Teena Marie, Jill Scott, Busta Rhymes, Janet Jackson, Truth Hurts (laughs)

Positive characteristics of Truth are: honesty, loyality, ability to love, her smile

Your idols or mentors are: Teena Marie and Dr. Dre

Favourite album of all time: It’s from Teena Marie, but I don’t know the name yet

Something you hate about the music industry is: I hate everything about the music industry. The sides effect that it helps me eat right now (laughs)

If you weren’t a singer you’d probably work as a : I would probably be a businesswoman. I’d definetely be in fashion.

Some last word to your fans.

Truth Hurts
TO ALL THE FANS AT AFTERMATHMUSIC.COM. THIS IS YOUR GIRL TRUTH HURTS. MUCH LOVE, MUCH THANKS FOR ALL THE COMPLIMENTS, FOR ALL THE LOVE ABOUT THE RECORD AND FOR ALL THE LOVE OF “ADDICTIVE”. PEACE YA’LL AND KISSES.