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How and when did you get started in the music business?
I started when I was a kid growing up. I came from a real musical background. My mom was an opera singer and my father plays the guitar. Growing up, my mom was always playing music in the house. From Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye and all that good stuff. I started to get into it when I was about 9 years old and then it just escalated from there. I moved to New York when I was 18 to follow my dreams to become a singer.
Congratulations, I heard that your single Miss California was a big hit in Europe, how does it feel?
We’ve had a lot of success over there so it’s been a good thing. Surprisingly enough, the last day I was over there, I was in Denmark. Here’s a little story of what happened.
As I said I was in Denmark the last day and we had to catch an early flight in the morning. My road manager was going from Denmark to London to Los Angeles. I was going from Denmark to New Jersey because I had some recording to do. He went to catch his plane from a different terminal and while I was waiting in line to get through security for my plane, I was bombarded. About 30 girls came over asking for pictures and autographs. I thought I was very incognito that day, it was early, I wasn’t looking that good and I had a baseball hat on but they spotted me anyway. It was really embarrassing, but it was cool.
Is it hard to stay close to your friends and family with such a busy work schedule?
Let just say I go through many phone cards. The good thing though is that they understand. A lot of people in my family play instruments or sing and they understand that this is what it takes to make it. Actually when I was touring with N'Sync my sisters came to see me. They were pretty excited, especially my 11 year old sister, because they got to meet the guys.
If you hadn't become involved in the music business, what do you think you would be doing right now?
I would be doing what I was before I made it, which was going to college to become an electrician. I probably would have found my way into music eventually though. I probably would have been a vocal coach or writer.
Have you been influenced by any artists?
Many, Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder to name two. If you look on the credits for my album you will see just how many. My mom, she has been a tremendous influence.
What was it like to open for N’Sync?
Awesome, inspiring, humbling… I learned a lot. Really amazing because the smallest crowds I was performing for was about 52,000-54,000. The energy that they gave was amazing. I felt fortunate to be on that tour, I really learned a lot from the guys of N'Sync.
Where would you like to see yourself in 10 years?
I would like to still be writing, making records, and being a positive influence in the world and to find peace within myself. I would also like to discover new talent and help them get started.
Do you write any of your own songs, and was there anything that inspired you to write it?
Yes, I wrote the second track “Fly”. For me Fly reflects what I was going through at the time. I didn’t have a lot of money, and I had bills, and a girlfriend that I wanted to treat right. Pras gave me the tracks and told me to write the lyrics. So, for me it really reflects where I was at at that point in my life, but I’m sure for the listeners it has many different kinds of meanings.
What would you like to tell teens about yourself? What kind of message would you like to send to today’s teens and how would you like them to view you?
About myself, I’m just like them. The message would be; believe that you can accomplish all your hearts desires, you just need to keep positive. I would like to be viewed as someone who makes music for them, for everybody, nothing but grooves and vibes.
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That is awesome Dante and I just wanted to say that I have a dog named Dante Bear. 
tie. And Dante...if you ever read this...thanks for the signed CD! 
your new song!