One of the major stumbling blocks for new artists is the concept of identity, and R&B singer Lee Carr was no exception. Back in 2005, the 21-year old Mt. Vernon native signed his first deal with Def Jam Records as an artist on Russell Simmons’ RSMG imprint. Despite Carr’s obvious talent, he never got the support from the label that he anticipated, resulting in a debut project that never saw the light of day. Reflecting back on those years, Carr now understands why he wasn’t a priority at the label, attributing it to not fully knowing who he was as an artist: “To be honest, I probably wasn’t ready. I was just a good songwriter and a good singer, but I didn’t have any identity.” 

After being released from his Def Jam contract, Carr used his shortcomings as an opportunity to mature professionally and develop his repertoire as an artist, stating: “It was like the best thing in the world that happened to me because I added a third dimension to my game, which was producing.” A few months into his free agency, labels started courting Carr again, initiating a bidding war that led to his current deal with Jive Records (he originally intended on signing with Universal Records twenty-four hours prior to signing with Jive). 

In the process of developing his musical talents, Carr gained valuable insight into his strength as an artist, claiming: “I realized that I make strong love songs.” This past summer, Carr used his skill as a songwriter to charm and win over the ladies, playing to their sensibilities for shoes on his promotional single “Stilettos.” While the song garnered a mild buzz early in its release, it wasn’t until the addition of his Westchester county brethren, Jadakiss, on the remix that the record generated national attention. 

Now that he is taking complete ownership of his career (he formed his own company 3rd Lane Music Group, which he’s signed to as an artist), Carr decided to exercise his newly added production chops in preparation for his self-titled debut album, as can be heard on his lead single “Breathe.” During Carr’s period of reinventing himself, the self-reliant, triple-threat (singer/songwriter/producer) even went as far as creating his own genre, which he’s dubbed “ghetto-euro pop.” The first song to embody his new sound is the power ballad, “Lost It All.” On the song, Carr faces the lonesome reality of life after losing his lover, pouring his heart and soul out with the lyrics: “Baby you got me wishing on a star/and I just wanna be where you are/baby it’s not fair/my heart can’t take it.” 

Finally comfortable in his artistic skin, Carr now believes that he is ready to achieve great success. “I understand there’s a lot of guys out there doing it, but it’s three guys that I can think of that songwrite, produce and sing—that’s Akon, R. Kelly and T-Pain—so why can’t I be the fourth,” says Carr. Fortunately for him, Jive is home to the latter two artists, so hopefully that is a sign of extraordinary things to come. 

Lee Carr is tentatively due out early this year. In addition to Lee Carr, the album includes production from L.O.S. Da Maestro: J. Holiday (“Bed”) and Dream (“Shorty Is A Ten”); and Warren “Oak” Felder: Chris Brown (“Superhuman” featuring Keri Hilson).