”Although I don`t believe in censorship, I believe an artist is very responsible for his actions,” Al B. Sure said recently.
”Especially if he`s a young artist whom young kids listen to, there`s almost a sense of his being like the Bible.
”The kids listen to what he says and live by it. That`s why I don`t believe in negativity. Music can be an incredible vehicle for helping people, and I`m into peace and love.”
The 22-year-old singer, songwriter and producer was commenting on the current controversies surrounding rap lyrics. Along with Bobby Brown and Keith Sweat, he is one of three young, male pop-soul singers who, in the face of rap, are successfully perpetuating an older romantic pop-soul tradition.
Sure`s 1988 debut album, ”In Effect Mode” (Warner Brothers), sold nearly 2 million copies. And its follow-up, ”Private Times . . . and the Whole Nine!” (Warner Brothers), is likely to do even better.
Both records include remakes of 1970s pop hits. A high point of ”In Effect Mode” was Sure`s lush version of ”Killing Me Softly.” The new album`s opening cut is a rendition of the Eagles` ”Hotel California.”
Of the three singers, Sure is probably the most conservative and musically sophisticated.
