Every generation has that one group that electrifies the stage through their music, energy and eclectic dance moves. The new generation has yet to stake their claim on their group until now. Mindless Behavior consists of four young gentlemen who have yet to experience many things in life, but the way they conduct themselves through their art would make you think otherwise. MiddleChild spoke with Ray Ray, Roc Royal, Prodigy and Princeton about their new project and what they plan to bring to the table.
MiddleChild: First of all we need to talk about how you came up with the name Mindless Behavior and what it means.
Princeton: When we first started the group, our manger Keisha Gamble and Walter Millsap already had the name Mindless Behavior and they told us the concept.
Roc Royal: It’s the lifestyle that gives us the freedom to express ourselves.
Princeton: So through that freedom we express our way through that. If you’re confident and you’re not afraid to stand out then you’re mindless.
Ray Ray: If you see a pretty girl, you’re mindless.
Roc Royal: If you get good grades in school, you’re mindless.
MiddleChild: Okay. I can see that. I watched some of your videos on youtube and first of all let me tell you… Great dancing!
Mindless Bahavior: Thanks man!
MiddleChild: Seriously. It’s been a while since I seen someone kill steps like that and I pay attention because I’m a sucka for great dancing. How do you feel about carrying the torch for the new era and groups? There are not many out right now.
Princeton: We’ve been together for two years and we looked up to groups like The Jackson 5, New Edition and Boyz II Men and there is a lot of pressure to live up to that, but we’re practicing everyday and we really want it. We’re ready to go for it.
MiddleChild: What’s an average day for you? Are you guys homeschooled or how does that work?
Roc Royal: Yes. We’re being homeschooled.
Princeton: A regular day for us is waking up and do homeschool for like three hours. Depending on our schedule we may go to rehearsal or work out or go to vocal lessons or media training. It’s something different everyday.
MiddleChild: So you’ve been together for two years, how did you come together? Did you know each other prior to auditioning for the group?
Princeton: Two years ago we auditioned and that’s how we were all formed. At first it was just me and Roc who auditioned with like about 600 kids and then a couple of months later our choreographer Dave Scott saw Prodigy on youtube. He was dancing and singing….
Prodigy: And that’s when they flew me down to audition.
Princeton: And then a couple of months later Ray Ray auditioned and the next day we formed the group.
Ray Ray: And then after that our management Walter Milsap and Keisha Gamble took us to Streamline/Interscope to see Vincent Herbert and Jimmy Iovine and after everything was cleared we started working on our album.
MiddleChild: Well speaking of the album I got to say that I dig this lead single from you. “My Girl” actually goes hard and I was almost embarassed because I’m 29 and thought I shouldn’t be jamming like this to this song. (laughs) Nice and catchy. What type of vibe are you planning to bring us on this debut album?
Princeton: The type of vibe we’re trying to bring is a lot of dancing. A lot of singing. A lot of energy… we want every kid and every adult to rock out.
Ray Ray: And everything we do is for the girls.
MiddleChild: Are you ready for all of the craziness that comes along with all of those screaming girls? We’ve seen it over and over again with B2K, Bow Wow, Chris Brown and the like.
Princeton: Yes we’re ready. We’re really ready.
MiddleChild: Well since their aren’t really any major groups out right now you just might be ready to slide in and get that shine. So get ready. It will get crazy.
Princeton: No. We’re ready.
MiddleChild: What’s your favorite songs so far that you recorded for the album?
Ray Ray: My favorite song is “My Girl” because I really love the beat to it. I like the vibe to it and we all love to text. I really like to text on twitter. I really like that song.
Princeton: My favorite song on the album is definitely “My Girl” like Ray Ray. I love texting and every kid and every adult can relate to it.
Roc Royal: Mine is “First Crush” and “My Girl”.
Prodigy: I like “Ms. Right”.
MiddleChild: The video debuted not too long ago. How was the energy on set for your very first video?
Princeton: We were really nervous at first because it was our first video shoot and we didn’t know what to expect, but once we got dressed, hit the stage and saw all of the crew and the different people there we were just excited to knock it out and the video turned out great.
MiddleChild: How long did it take you to shoot the video?
Ray Ray: It took one day, but it was a lot of fun! It was really fun.
MiddleChild: Like I said before I watched you on youtube and you have been performing at various schools. Both middle schools and high schools. Will that be your target audience? Have you been attacking the high schools or moreso the grade schools?
Princeton: Both. Definitely both.
MiddleChild: They look like they have been real receptive as well. So that’s whats up. What’s an average time frame for you all to get the dance moves down?
Princeton: For the choreography it takes us about three days.
MiddleChild: What are your official sites so I can tell your fans to look you up?
Ray Ray: You can go to mindlessbehavior.com and it will give you our twitter, youtube and everything.
MiddleChild: Alright and any idea when we plan to release the album yet?
Princeton: The fourth quarter.
MiddleChild: What’s next for you guys? Are you going to be on tour with anybody?
Ray Ray: Well hopefully we’re getting ready for our own tour.
MiddleChild: Cool. Well we will be on the lookout for you on the road and we’ll be sure to let your new fans know where they can find you at. You get mad love from us over at MiddleChild Promotions because you definitely made an impression on me so I look forward to keeping up with you as you grow into your artistry and do your thing.
Mindless Behavior: Okay! Thank you!
MiddleChild: Appreciate your time. Have a good day.
