Overview of “INTERVIEW: Mr. Dalvin & K-Ci Of Jodeci Talk ‘Forever My Lady’ 35th Anniversary Tour, New R&B Era, ‘Verzuz,’ Kurt Woodley, Barbara Jean And Poo-Poo”
In this Breakfast Club interview, Jodeci members Mr. Dalvin and K-Ci reflect on the 35th anniversary of Forever My Lady, the group’s impact on R&B, and why their music still connects across generations. They discuss how the album was created, why they’re celebrating it with a special anniversary tour, the state of modern R&B, their thoughts on Verzuz, memorable industry stories, and some of the wild behind-the-scenes history that helped shape Jodeci.
Main Topics Discussed
35 Years of Forever My Lady
- The group says it still doesn’t fully feel like 35 years have passed because the music remains so present and influential.
- They credit the longevity of the songs to:
- genuine emotion in the recordings
- strong songwriting
- fans continuing to sample, remix, and share the music
- They compare their staying power to artists like Maze/Frankie Beverly and Michael Jackson, whose music remains timeless.
The Anniversary Tour
- Jodeci is celebrating with a special tour centered on Forever My Lady and other classic material.
- They plan to perform:
- songs from Forever My Lady
- tracks from Diary of a Mad Band
- material from The Show, the After Party, the Hotel
- They also mention incorporating B-sides and deeper cuts that fans rarely hear live.
- The tour is framed as a nostalgic celebration of the music rather than just a standard performance.
How the Music Was Made
- K-Ci says many of their biggest records were recorded while they were still teenagers, around 14–15 years old.
- He admits that listening back now, he hears things he would change or improve, but at the time the songs came naturally and quickly.
- Dalvin explains that they weren’t trying to chase hits—they were simply making music they felt.
- They note that the long, emotional songs and the adult themes were unusual for their age, but that honesty is part of what made the records timeless.
The Sound, the Sexuality, and the “Bad Boys” Image
- They talk about how bold some of their early records were, including sexual content and longer song structures.
- They say the group’s “bad boy” image was real, but also misunderstood.
- Their style came from a mix of church roots, country upbringing, and young confidence.
- They emphasize that they were always trying to make people feel something, especially when singing about love.
The State of R&B Today
- Jodeci argues that modern R&B is different because:
- the music industry is more transactional
- radio and playlists are more programmed
- many artists don’t sing with the same emotional vulnerability anymore
- They say fans still want love songs and heartfelt records, but the system doesn’t always give those songs room to break through.
- They praise a few current or recent artists they feel carry some of that spirit, including:
- Silk
- Usher
- Chris Brown
- Masego
Thoughts on Verzuz
- K-Ci and Dalvin are skeptical about the idea of Jodeci doing a traditional Verzuz battle.
- They feel Jodeci is a self-contained group that writes, produces, performs, and engineers much of its own music.
- K-Ci says if they ever did one, it would make more sense for Jodeci to face Jodeci or perhaps K-Ci & JoJo as a family/internal celebration.
- Their main point: they don’t see their legacy as something that needs to be “proven” in a competition format.
Notable Stories and Behind-the-Scenes Moments
The Martin Episode
- They discuss the famous Martin appearance and confirm they did not know in advance what Martin Lawrence was going to do in the scene.
- They say the performance/rehearsal was normal, but the actual scene caught them off guard.
- Dalvin jokes that one thing you don’t do is disrespect someone publicly when cameras are rolling.
Barbara Jean, Poo-Poo, and the Early Days
- One of the most memorable parts of the interview is the long story about Barbara Jean and Poo-Poo.
- They explain that:
- Barbara Jean helped connect them with K-Ci and JoJo
- she was part of a group called Unity
- the early relationship between the groups was rocky
- They also recount a story about Barbara Jean misunderstanding “royalties” as “sororities,” which allegedly derailed a possible Uptown deal.
- The story is also used to explain how “Come and Talk to Me” and Jodeci’s early direction evolved.
Andre Harrell, Uptown, and Kurt Woodley
- They share how Andre Harrell played a crucial role in signing them.
- They also describe Kurt Woodley initially passing on Jodeci and Mary J. Blige, only for both acts to become massive stars.
- The story highlights how close the group came to being overlooked early on.
- They credit timing, persistence, and divine luck for their breakthrough.
Bobby Brown Incident
- They briefly revisit the old story of tension with Bobby Brown.
- They insist it was not JoJo’s fault and say the situation was provoked.
- They frame it as a wild moment from a different era—one that thankfully happened before social media and camera phones.
Personal Reflections
Growth, Sobriety, and Regret
- Dalvin opens up about regretting some of his old habits, especially alcohol use.
- He says he has been sober for about 12 years.
- He emphasizes that he’s in a much better place now, with more maturity, peace, and family stability.
- He also says the group’s wild years taught them lessons, even if those lessons were hard-won.
Family and Loss
- The interview turns emotional near the end when they discuss recent family losses and health struggles.
- They mention:
- K-Ci and JoJo’s father passing
- Dalvin’s father being hospitalized and injured
- They explain that despite personal hardship, they still had to rehearse and prepare for the tour.
- They also thank their current team for supporting them through a difficult period.
Key Takeaways
- Jodeci’s legacy is rooted in emotion, authenticity, and fearless R&B songwriting.
- Their music still resonates because it was made from real feeling, not formula.
- They see the current R&B landscape as more transactional and less emotionally direct than the era they came from.
- The 35th anniversary tour is designed as a nostalgic deep dive for fans, with rarities and deep cuts included.
- The interview underscores how much Jodeci influenced not just R&B, but the broader sound and attitude of 1990s Black music.
Tour and Listening Notes
- Tour website:
jodeci35.com - They mention a New York-area date in Jersey City due to routing constraints.
- The tour is presented as a celebration of the music, the memories, and the era Jodeci helped define.