robin thicke - redefining r&b

photo by steed media service

As the sun set on yet another impressive display of true black star power at the 2007 BET Awards, singer/songwriter Robin Thicke stayed backstage a bit longer to absorb every minute of the still lingering euphoria that had enveloped the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium. Though Caucasian American by birth, Thicke's velvety vocals have effortlessly conjured up the soulful spirits of legends such as Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke, giving him instant credibility throughout the tough-to-crack genre. This open acceptance into "black culture" still blows the mind of the ever-grateful Thicke. "To be honest, growing up I was inspired by Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonderyu and Aretha Franklin, so this is the music that touches my heart and makes me strong," Thicke reflected. "I just feel honored to be a part of something that is so special. It makes it even more meaningful that I've been accepted the way that I have." Perhaps its Thicke's gracious demeanor that endears him to an entire community. Or perhaps it's his celebrity ties (that of celebrity dad Alan Thicke of "Growing Pains," or rising star actress wife Paula Patton of Idlewild and Déjà Vu acclaim) that have made him so relatable to the masses.

The latter relationship with Patton actually spawned the wildly popular "Lost Without You," a heartfelt portrayal of the sense of helplessness created by this celebrity union. "I actually wrote that song because I was missing my wife so much at the time," Thicke revealed. "We hadn't been married long, and she was off working on a film. The words just started flowing, because I really did feel lost without her. I still do ." -dewayne rogers

Share this article with a friend