Although most famously known as a backing vocalist on Keith Sweat’s multi-platinum classic debut, Make It Last Forever [1987], even duetting on the timeless title track, there’s just so many more layers to singer-songwriter-designer-actress Jacci McGhee.
Let’s hop right into this single / video, “No More” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it actually come to fruition?
'No More' is about my 18 years long marriage. My husband cheated 10 years ago, and I didn't know and had an ongoing relationship with a singer in Rotterdam Holland. She got pregnant in 2016, and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl December 2016. It broke me, but I had to keep living.
Wow, that’s crazy! So how then does “No More” either differ and / or compare to previous Jacci McGhee entries?
'No More' is very R’n’B / Rock; my earlier Jacci McGhee stuff is straight R’n’B / New Jack Swing.
As a songwriter when you sit down to pen your lyrics, where do you draw inspiration from?
I write about my life, or things I see around me. Again, I write from my life's craziness. 🤦🏽♀️
Now what all exactly had / have you been up to, both personally and professionally speaking, during your musical hiatus?
I was raising my children, and doing artist development on other artists. I was burnt out from so many let downs with the labels that I just walked away. My kids come first.
Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music -- When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Jacci McGhee?
I started singing at 3, when I was growing up in the Bronx, NY. When I was in 3rd grade, we moved to the south. When I was 17 almost 18, I moved back to NYC to start my music career. I was trained (by a) singer / trumpet player by the name of Mark Ledford. Johnny Kemp also welcomed me into the band as a vocalist with him, which my brother-in-law, Vincent Henry, who was in the group Change put me into to get me started and seasoned. I met TEDDY RILEY when I was 19, and we started a band. We did the NYC clubs for awhile, then we parted ways. I met Keith Sweat at a club I was singing at with another band, and he asked me if I would come to the studio. He was working on a record, and would (like) to (add) my voice to it. 3 weeks later, I went and TEDDY was there. He was surprised to see me, and Keith was even more surprised that we knew each other. That was the beginning of the hits that were made.
You're a native of Hackensack, New Jersey, correct? So growing up in “The Sack,” who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
I'm not from Hackensack NJ, I used to live there with my boys and their dad singer Marc Dorsey. I'm from NYC, the Bronx, but I lived in Harlem longer as an adult. My musical influences are, Chaka, Phyllis Hyman, Joyce Kennedy from Mother's Finest and Tina Turner.
In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?
R’n’B / Soul / Rock / Hip Hop.
What particular string of events actually led to your initial inking with MCA Records?
MCA signing me in 1989 was after 'Make It Last Forever' was such a big hit.
Switching gears here… Longevity, what do you attribute yours to?
I don't (know) if we can call it longevity because I cheated for some years of not putting out records, but the music that became classics like (Keith Sweat’s) ‘Make It Last Forever,’ ‘Don't Stop Your Love,’ ‘It Hurts Me’ and (Salt-N-Pepa’s) ‘Expression,’ keeps my name prevalent.
What do you want people to get from your music?
Love, joy, truth, happiness, pain and healing.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of R&B?
No, I feel like we failed our R’N’B TEST! Today's music is not felt through your bones; it's just about sex and stupid topics that have no meaning.
Do you have any other outside / additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from entertainment?
Interior decoration, designing clothes and cooking.
To date, what has been your greatest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
Being Independent right now. Even though it's hard and you sometimes hate it, you have freedom to do what you want.
What’s an average day like for you?
I pray, read bible scriptures, deal with my teenage daughter's Type 1 diabetes and try to do music when I can. It's hard though.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans...
I don't have fans. I don't believe in that. I am not THE MOST HIGH so people can worship me, so I have family. People that enjoy my music is my family.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
I love to sing live, and watch people enjoy what I'm singing. I hate that I can't get my new music all over radio without paying for it, and I can get my music heard all over the world without distribution.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
I tell anyone that wants to do this that it's not easy. Keep THE MOST HIGH first, and don't be so greedy to sell your soul for fame.
"Make It Last Forever” is a bonafide R&B classic — How did this particular composition come about? Who came up with its concept? And, please describe for me the overall studio vibe on that fateful day?
Teddy Riley and Keith Sweat wrote it. I came to the studio that day, and Keith also had another singer there by the name of Vivian Sessoms, who is fabulous singer. We came to try ‘Make It Last…’ and KEITH'S record label / manager, Vincent Davis, and TR wanted me to try it first. I went in and killed it! And, that was all she wrote. I hated the song, and never dreamed that it would be a classic record. I'm truly grateful to THE MOST HIGH for.
Lastly, what’s next for you, Jacci?
I'm putting out an EP soon, and then I'm gonna release a record with a new band I'm working on called BillyScott.
Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?
Lots of people don't know that I did “Expression” with Salt-N-Pepa, so I'm here say, “yes, that's me in the video and that's me singing on the record!” The other thing is if you guys haven't heard THE FAMILYSTAND CONNECTED ALBUM, that's one of the best records I did. Please pull it up on YouTube and listen to that entire album. I loved working with Peter Lord and V. Jeffrey Smith…and last but not least, go pull up Toto 1990 on YouTube with Jacci McGhee. I sung on the road with them for 2 years, and it was the best time of my life.
Any "closing" thought(s) for our readers?
I wanna say thank you for not giving up on me. I took a long time to do this because of my life with my Type 1 diabetic daughter, but the timing is perfect. Stay in prayer family, always forgive and walk away from trouble — Love your Auntie, sista, cousin Jacci Mcghee
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