American Idol Season 6 runner-up Blake Lewis stopped by Z100 to talk to American Idol Diva Shelley Wade. Watch as Blake tells Shelley about his new single "Break Anotha", new album "AudioDayDream", beatboxes for Shelley and gives his opinion on Britney Spears!
American Idol runner-up talks about making the ultimate '80s mixtape for his debut album.
As Chris Daughtry found out in 2007, you don't have to win American Idol to reap the benefits of the show's incredible popularity.
For Blake Lewis, the beat-boxing runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol, he lost out to Jordin Sparks, but he gained a record deal with show creator Simon Fuller's 19 Recordings. Lewis' debut album, A.D.D. (Audio Day Dream), hit stores Dec. 4 and has sold more than 210,000 copies.
Lewis spoke with MP3.com about his wild ride on Idol, reaping the rewards of national television exposure, and taking A.D.D. on tour.
It's been a year since Blake Lewis beatboxed his way into America's heart. Since his second-place finish on American Idol, the 26-year-old has toured the states with his season six crew and released his first album, Audio Day Dream. But even with all the big breaks, Blake tells OK! he's still the same old guy from Seattle.
"I think my environments change around me, but I never change," he tells OK!. "I'm trying to promote this record, which is me, not 'Blake Lewis from American Idol.'"
Blake is also quick to extract himself from another AI link — a romance with champ Jordin Sparks. While rumors abound that things are heating up between the two, he says that couldn't be further from the truth.
"Are you kidding?" he says. "I'm 10 years older than her... It's so funny. It's like [fakes a lisp], 'Oh, my god, they're holding hands, they're so dating!'"
So what does he look for in a girl?
"I'm a Baskin-Robbins kind of guy — 31 flavors, you know? I like girls who are outgoing, independent and can handle my cheesy humor."
For more on Blake, check out the newest issue of OK!, on newsstands now.
They rocked out. Started with Silence is golden, special edition. Did all the songs and mixed up the order great. I think HMW and HMH were great hits. “End of the world” really blew me away live.. It was really better watching him (them) perform it than listening to the recording. The band is getting tuned in and harmonies are getting better every performance. I think when the tour is underway they will be tight…….with a big T. They ended with Break anotha and killed it. I was surprised that by the end of the show they still had awesome energy.
Silence Is Golden
Gots To Get Her
Know My Name
Here's My Hello
End Of The World
1000 Miles
What'cha Got To Lose (with a SWEET slowed-down harmony at the end)
She Loves The Way
(The picture of the set list says Jealousy, but they didn't play that.)
Human (listed as I'm Just Human on the set list)
How Many Words
Emotional Waterfalls
Improv
Break Anotha
As could be predicted, Lewis' set ended with "Break Anotha," his record's first single. Prior to the song, Lewis, Ra Scion of Common Market, and A.D.D. broke into a 10-minute freestyle jam.
It was the highlight of the night because it showcased Lewis' genre-melding tendencies, starting as a Phish-style romp then taking a turn into hip-hop territory and ending on a ragtime note, complete with a horn section.
Audio Day Dream turned out to be a really great pop album, despite a few cookie-cutter Hip hop numbers, but perhaps the problem lies with Arista trying to market it with the lackluster "Break Anotha" as the first single. On iTunes, the public has taken the matter into their own hands by downloading the Human League-esque synth ballad "How Many Words" enough times for it to land in the online store's Top 100 Songs. Currently it's at #96.
What’s been the biggest change in your life since American Idol?
The biggest change? Well I guess making my album. I’ve always wanted to [record] so I guess that’s a big change, but other than that, I’ve had a lot of new experiences. I’ve done interviews, like we’re doing now. I’m doing television more and more. I’m on stage and performing. And now I have a record!
Blake Lewis is better than a silver medal. Though he was an inch from snatching the top spot on the sixth season of American Idol, his new outing Audio Day Dream speaks for itself as an exceptional effort of pop and rock.
The multi-genre dipping, beat-boxing, heart throb of a talent says there is no boundary for his influences. 'Audio Day Dream' is an '80s-induced pop album with new school electronic vibes.
The album dominated the iTunes Top Pop Albums chart immediately after its first week, selling nearly 100,000 copies. Critics have supported his style and accepted 'Audio Day Dream' as an outstanding Idol release.
"This might be the most breathlessly paced, detail-packed "Idol" outing yet...as his performances on the show demonstrated, Lewis boasts a proudly eclectic creative sensibility..." (Los Angeles)
"Lewis has hit the most distinctive sound ever to come from an "Idol" Star...he also came up with the best album by any "Idol" alum yet... Blake Lewis....has actually come up with an album, "Audio Day Dream," that works perfectly as pop, but which also has a sense of - gasp! - edge." (Daily News)
"Co-writing all but one tune - and judiciously working that beatboxing - Lewis emerges with a stronger identity, proving, like Chris Daughtry, that winning isn't everything... Lewis definitely seizes his moment on "Audio Day Dream" (People Weekly)
"...Lewis nimbly negotiates ballads and rhythmic pop ditties..." (USA Today)
"The "Idol" runner-up now is liberated to enchant with his own "Audio Day Dream." And he does." (AP)
"...Lewis has delivered a post-Idol statement likely to advance his personality, with all its jittery contradictions." (The New York Times)
"Lewis gives fans plenty to get excited about here, even those with short attention spans." (Billboard)
"The music found on the album is shocking for all the right reasons: it's funky, filled with '80s-pop hooks and sounds like a knowing mash-up of Prince and Maroon 5..." (Blender.com)
"Snappy hip-hop beats and sampling thrills flavor ever track..." (Philadelphia Daily News)
"...oodles of charisma and a surprising musical backbone..." (Boston Herald)
"Bshorty's got a bombshell" (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
"Inside you'll find an entertaining blend of pop, hip-hop and techno, with more of an edge than we've come to expect from the average "Idol" crowd-pleaser." (The Plain Dealer)
B: On AOL's Sexiest American Idols list you were ranked fifth, one above Carrie Underwood and one below Chris Daughtry. Do you think you're sexier than Carrie?
BL: She's pretty sexy.
B: That's what we're trying to say — no offense to you or your sexiness.
BL: No, no. I definitely don't think I'm sexier than Carrie Underwood.
B: What about Chris Daughtry?
BL: Well, I have hair. Hair is pretty sexy.
