We had the amazing pleasure of catching up with who I consider a Music Icon! Ginuwine is a household name and there is honestly no introduction needed to tell you who he is and how much of an influence his music has had on us all. You can’t speak on R&B and not include Elgin Lumpkin. His creativity in the studio has spoken to some of the most memorable moments of our life. Whether you were (So Anxious) for the love of a partner, on the verge of falling in love (I’m in Love), trying to figure out how to fit (In Those Jeans), or straight up letting your partner know that you’re (Stingy) cause we don’t share our love. Ginuwine gave you the words to express yourself!
I remember being a teen and excited when we got cable. As soon as I would hear Ginuwine singing, I would race to the TV and sing every note as if I was performing along with him. I remember my grandmother yelling for me to get off the TV screaming lol. I was a huge fan! This was the era when knowing every word to a song mattered! This was that pull out your radio, toss in a tape, and record the song era. This was the era when the artist spoke to your soul as if they were looking in your back door. Now you may laugh and wonder exactly how could a teen be in her feelings, but there is such a thing as puppy love and my brother Ginuwine had me all in my feelings about my little middle school crush life. His music went on to carry me through all the phases of my life up into adulthood. Don’t you just love music that grows with you?!
So when I got the word that I would have the pleasure of interviewing him, I was overwhelmed with emotion and joy. I felt extremely honored to talk to him and to even learn more about him. So as we dive into this conversation, I hope you learn more reasons as to why we love him and continue to support him. I want to wish him an early Happy Birthday because our fellow Libra will be turning 53 next month on October 15.
You entered the music scene in the early 90s. Looking back over the years, what has this experience taught you the most about yourself?
Looking back at the past, the music scene in the 90s was quite different compared to today. While there are still challenges in the industry now, back in the 90s, there was a whole other level of expectation, responsibility, and accountability. Dealing with those challenges while celebrating successes taught me a lot about discipline, toughness, and taking responsibility. But the biggest lesson for me was realizing that my belief in God and acknowledging the blessings I’ve received played a huge role in finding my purpose.
Even today, the music industry has its own set of difficulties. Now that I’ve got some years under my belt, I’ve come to understand that it’s important to take yourself seriously and feel like you belong without getting too caught up in your own head and doubting yourself. It’s a tough industry, so discipline is a must, and patience is something you can’t do without.
Who is Elgin Lumpkin at home to family and close friends?
It’s funny you ask about who I am at home with my family and close friends. I’m just a regular guy. At home, I’m not just a dad; I’m DAD and a granddad, a.k.a “Gpah.” Children are a blessing; my kids and grandkids mean the world to me. I guess you could say I’ve got a bit of a kid-like spirit inside, and there’s nothing better than seeing my loved ones laugh and smile. My downtime is something I really treasure.
Considering I’ve been on the road for my entire career, those moments when I can finally kick back with my family and friends are like gold to me. I’m kind of a homebody deep down. Hanging out at home, maybe doing some bowling, having family nights filled with games and movies, and catching some boxing matches –that’s what I love to do during my downtime. And when football season rolls around, you better believe I’m all hyped up for “Dem Boys,” the Dallas Cowboys. Family is everything to me, and I soak up every single moment we spend together.
What’s the funniest thing you have had happen to you lately, and how do you turn anything deemed negative into something positive?
You know, it’s tough for me to pick out one recent thing or event that’s been the absolute funniest. So many hilarious moments have gone down with my fans and crew while I’ve been on the road. We’re all about having a blast and enjoying the ride. The fans, man, they bring this incredible and infectious energy. Their spirit lights up the place, and that’s something I cherish. It’s like they recharge my batteries, and that pushes me to give them more happiness, even if it’s just for a little while. We’re like a big, fun-loving family out there.
My motto is all about spreading good vibes and laughter, and that’s just the way I naturally roll. We don’t let negativity creep in – it’s not welcome here. Whenever there’s a hint of negativity, I believe in flipping the script. Focus on the good stuff, and the positive aspects of a situation, and let them outweigh the bad. Take a step back, look at the positive side of things, and let that shine brighter than the negative stuff. It’s in our hands to choose happiness, and I’m all about embracing that peace. Life’s too short to sweat the small stuff, and every day we get is a gift we should cherish. So, it’s all about living, laughing, and loving to the fullest, every single day.
Read the full interview in our September/October Beauty & Fashion issue.
Order your copy by clicking HERE.
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