Razor-Sharp Romanticism

03/15/2000 2:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Ann Brown

Many groups don't look forward to a sophomore project. There is, after all, the jinx issue. But Jagged Edge can't wait for their second LP to be scrutinized, critiqued, and selected by fans worldwide. You see, Brian, Brandon, Richard, and Kyle--known collectively as Jagged Edge--have a lot of confidence in JE Heartbreak. "We're back and very happy," says Kyle from his cell phone as he waits in line for his passport, a necessity for the group's upcoming and first trip overseas. "The album's gone gold in two weeks, the single is No. 5 on the charts, and we're well on our way to being platinum," he notes.

JE Heartbreak is packed full of emotionally charged cuts such as the Marvin Gaye-inspired "What You Tryin' To Do," the smooth ballad "True Man," and "The Girl Is Mine," on which rapper Ja Rule provides his slick rhymes. Throughout the album runs the theme of love found and love lost. "We want people to say, 'Hey, these cats are singing about real love.' We're spreading the word on behalf of brothers who can't show their emotions. Brothers don't know how to love anymore; they're moving too fast. We're expressing it all for them," explains Kyle.

Despite its hit potential, JE Heartbreak was pushed back some three times. "It was crazy," recalls Kyle. "We had to keep telling people the album was coming. We were wondering what the problem was [on the label's end]. We were like, 'It's time--people want more Jagged Edge.' And actually, the album came out on bootleg, since the real one was taking so long. You could get it on bootleg in places like New York, Texas." In fact, Kyle came upon a bootlegger in Jagged Edge's hometown of Atlanta. "I went to the barbershop, and a bootlegger was in there selling our album. When he saw me, he ran out the back door," remembers Kyle.

Although bootlegs mean revenue losses not only for the record company but for the group as well, Kyle, however, is looking on the bright side. "We've been lucky," he says. "People are still showing us love by buying the album now that it is out."

But beyond bootlegging, Kyle is looking at the bigger issue. When asked if Jagged Edge would have more commercial appeal if they were a white group doing R&B, he answers, "You know, I don't like to talk about other groups, but when you take a group like Backstreet Boys, all they're doing is what R&B groups have been doing forever. I saw them on the Grammys, and I was like, 'All they're doing is the Temptations.' I'm not hating, and I'm not racist, but it's the truth. The game is just so messed-up." While Kyle does think there is disparity between white and black groups, he says it's not the fault of the artists. "I think it's more of the companies involved. If an artist loves R&B or pop, they should do it, no matter their skin color. But the industry says if you're white you go over here, and if you're black you belong over there. Why can't we tour together and reach different markets together? We're doing basically the same thing."

Speaking of tours, Jagged Edge are setting off to Tokyo, Holland, and a variety of other foreign destinations--their first global tour. "We're ready. Ready to show the world," announces Kyle. That's the same positive attitude and enthusiasm the group had when they first got together. All of them started out singing in church, and the group was formed when twin brothers Brian and Brandon moved from Hartford, Conn. to Atlanta. There they met Kyle and created the group Twin AK with one other member. Word got around about their talent, and Michael Bivins wanted to sign them to his then-new label, Biv 10. After dealing with record company red tape, Twin AK lost their fourth member, and Richard came into the fold after Kandi Burruss of Xscape recommended him. Thus, Jagged Edge, now signed to Jermaine Dupri's Columbia Records-distributed So So Def label, were born. "We never believed we'd be here. So So Def has been behind us. Others would have given up. Our first album flopped and here we are again. R&B burns slow and So So Def has given us a chance. We are truly blessed."

It doesn't look like any more heartbreak is in store for Jagged Edge.