The first time I experienced RaShaan Houston (facebook, youtube, soundcloud), he was booked to play at a restaurant/lounge in Chicago four years ago. There couldn't have been more than a handful of people there, but that didn't stop RaShaan from giving a thousand watt superstar diva performance that blew me out the water. The stage was clearly the 5th element for him, and Mr. Houston completely won me over.

Beginning his recording career 14 years ago with an extended collaboration with the Pound Boys, it was the 1998 anthem "The Right Way" that brought the dance world's eyes to RaShaan. No run-of-the-mill rent-a-vocalist, RaShaan dishes with me about the evolution of his career and the lessons he's learned.

I've had every look you could possibly imagine over the years. In the '90s I gave you furs and afros and boas and anything else you could imagine. I think we should get ready for what I do next. Since I have done literally everything its gonna be some next level type of business!

For those who are just getting to know you, please introduce yourself to our readers!

I am a vocalist, songwriter and performer who has been recording and releasing House Music singles for almost 15 years. I have had releases on Peppermint Jam, Pacha Recordings, Wallshaker Music and Playmore Music to name a very few. My most recent releases are "Love is a Miracle", "It's Alright" (Charles Dockins remix), "Build that Bridge", "Take Flight" and "30 Days". I sing all styles of music from Soul to Funk, House to Jazz, and I embrace that versatility.

I've worked with a long list of producers and other artists and sang in various professional groups and in more recording sessions than I can count. I occasionally host parties and have quite a few years experience as a talent buyer and event producer, too.

Build that Bridge - Aaron Carl original mix by RaShaan Houston

You've been singing since a very precocious age. Your father was a pastor and an amazing singer. Didn't you once help lead the church choir at 7 years old?? How does that even happen?

I miss the days when we were young and fearless! Do you remember those? You know - back before we got our feelings hurt or were self-conscious about what we do. I know that is where that all came from back then - I had no fear of anything in those days. My father traveled extensively throughout the country and he would take all of us with him, so I think the first group I was in was made up of myself and my siblings. Harmony and blends always came naturally to me and directing the choir was just another part of that. There isn't any better training for vocalists than church choir singing!

Describe what a Rashaan Houston show experience would be like.

My shows have always been high energy. I like to connect as much as possible with the audience so I am known for getting into the crowd, jumping off stage, throwing shoes, mics, towels, falling out, etc etc. I'm very passionate about what I do and I give all that I can every time. Each show is different and even the players in the bands I've sung with never know what to expect from me.

As many vocalists before you have said, the singer often doesn't get the credit for the music as much as the producer does. How do you think the singer can negotiate a bigger presence if they were working with say a major name producer?

That's always been an interesting topic to explore. Firstly, the concept of the singer needing to negotiate a bigger presence seems so bizarre to me. When someone creates a vocal record, I'm of the opinion that the focus should be on the artist who is singing in addition to the producer.

I've always taken issue with someone's desire to keep singers nameless and faceless. Speaking for myself - especially as a writer - I've never perceived the career I am creating as a hobby or a side gig: music is what I live and breathe and I would like to be known for what I have created.

It's no secret that I've had a few recording situations where the attempts to remove my name and connection from songs I wrote have occurred, but I have learned and grown from these experiences and I continue to assert myself as I navigate through this career. I certainly don't have it all figured out yet but I am making my best effort to stay connected with everything I have done.

It's always surreal when I encounter people who may speak to me about my music like I have no part in it. Nobody knows better then me what I've done and what's available in the marketplace from me and it all seems very futile that any of that type of discussion is even debatable to begin with. Ultimately the singers should choose the situation that works for them and hopefully they will engage with the producers who can accommodate them.

It's always surreal when I encounter people who may speak to me about my music like I have no part in it. Nobody knows better then me what I've done and what's available in the marketplace from me and it all seems very futile that any of that type of discussion is even debatable.

If down the line you were to nurture an up-and-coming singer who wanted to get in the game, what would be some of the things you would tell him or her that you wish you knew early on?

At my "seasoned" age, I have been in the mentor chair many times. I've had younger singers in my bands that I've shared my knowledge with and the main thing I tell them that I wish I knew early on is it is crucial that they assert themselves. It's okay to be hungry and allow that hunger to create a cooperativeness, but don't allow that cooperativeness to be interpreted as complacency. There were so many times when I saw some of my collaborations begin to derail, but because I wanted to make music so badly, I accepted the lack of respect and bad business dealings. I subjected myself to that because my younger self thought I had to be docile. Well, my seasoned self would probably slap the sh*t out of my younger self if they were ever to meet!

I've learned so much about the business, publishing, contracts etc. I should have educated myself before I ever got into a recording booth. So what I tell them is to definitely focus on their gift, but also to keep an equal focus on knowing how the business works and using their voice not just to sing but to speak when necessary.

How important is image for a performer?

I think image is very important. I've had every look you could possibly imagine over the years and I can say from those experiences that the audience response varies based on the visual that we give them. I'm in the process of creating that next look for myself and having more visual presence once again. In the '90s I gave you furs and afros and boas and anything else you could imagine but then I chilled it out in the past few years. I think we should get ready for what I do next. Since I have done literally everything its gonna be some next level type of business!

Tell us about some of your mothers and what they bring to you. Do you get a lot of inspiration from them?

I've always thrived on female energy and I'm fortunate to have so many mothers. I perform from a place inspired by diva energy and I have no shame in admitting that. My mothers are and have been drag queens, and other singers and dancers and the beauty of being able to borrow a nuance or a gesture is something I feel fortunate to have access to. I'd like to think I've been blessed to be close to some of the greats in so many different areas of entertainment and they continue to be generous enough to teach me.

RaShaan's new release with RedSoul, "You Inspire Me" (reviewed by 5 Mag here), is now available from traxsource, beatport and junodownload. He has also been working with Dirty Turk and AudioJazz and will be releasing an EP with them this year, and launched a new radio show every Saturday at 5pm CST at rashaanhouston.blogspot.com. For more info, visit RaShaanHouston.com.