Your first look at the cover art for Late Nights & Early Mornings, the much-anticipated first solo album from British soul singer and songwriter Marsha Ambrosius. The Liverpool-born artist was formerly one-half of Floetry, the English neo-soul duo which had hits with "Floetic" and "Say Yes" on both sides of the pond.
Late Nights & Early Mornings will drop on February 22 but it's already getting a huge buzz. "Far Away" is the second single, a beautiful ballad—preview and download at iTunes—backed by an' amazing music video that presents two Black gay men in love, and explores homophobia in the black community, gay-bashing and LGBT youth suicide.
Watch the video AFTER THE JUMP ...
The video dropped last week and went viral. "Far Away" has received more than 160,000 views on YouTube. #MarshaAmbrosius and #FarAway remain trending topics on Twitter. The Associated Press and The Wall Street Journal also reported on the artist and video that tackle LGBT issues—ripped from the headlines—that our community often refuses to address.
"They're calling it controversial, can you believe that?" Marsha told Rod 2.0 on Tuesday evening. "This is not controversial. It's just two Black men in love. To me and to my friends, it's completely normal."
ROD 2.0: The boys are loving you for the "Far Away" video. For the first video on your solo album, you could have done the usual, bling, fancy house, hot guy. Why this?
MARSHA AMBROSIUS: Thank you so much. One of my very good friends was going through something with his life and his relationship. I just wanted to be a good friend. It was hard to see them go through this with their lives and when they attempted suicide ... it was one of the worst things possible. As far as the concept for the video, I just wanted to make it as pure and loving as possible.
What’s most interesting about the video is how you set it up. At first, we thought he would be your boyfriend.
MA: Right. When you watch a video, you can only tell so much of a story in four minutes time. But in "Far Away" you can watch it again and again and learn something new. You say, "Oh, they’re just friends." Then you say, "Oh, that’s his boyfriend."
Already this has had a much larger impact than I thought it would. So many people are loving that they are so open in their relationship, and, they are two black men. Openly in love, not hiding. I didn’t realize it was something that had not been shown before. This is not controversial. It's just two Black men in love. To me and to my friends, it's completely normal So I wanted to be as honest as possible.
When you dropped the video last week there was a huge explosion on Twitter, Facebook and Rod 2.0.
MA: I saw that, it am overwhelmed. Thank you! I had no idea it would be this huge. I knew it would be something ... but not like this. I am really glad that people are connecting with the "Far Away" video. These things… gay-bashing, homopobia, bullying, suicide … it’s all in the news.
Since the very beginning, even with Floetry, my core audience has been predominately gay. I’ve had so many people tell me that my work has been influential to them. Or that they could relate or were in a similar situation. So I wanted to give something back for those whose stories weren’t told. Or if they did have a voice … it wouldn’t be heard. I’m honored that so many people are connecting with the song and the video.
Marsha talks about homopobia on both sides of the Atlantic—and watch the amazing "Far Away" music video— AFTER THE JUMP ...
R20: You’ve lived on both sides of the pond. The British R&B community is much more gay-friendly than their American counterparts, but what about people? Are Black Britons more accepting of gay male relationships than Black Americans?
MA: Mmm. It’s almost the same all over. Either they openly embrace it or they think it’s taboo. There is almost no in-between. But some people are saying the video is very controversial.. no! (LAUGHS) Not at all. This is the real world, this is real life, this is what is happening. I wanted to send a message to people who say, "You can do whatever you want, you can be all lovey-dovey with your homeboy or homegirl but not in front of me."
Late Nights & Early Mornings will drop 22 February.
Marsha Ambrosius on MySpace and Twitter
Buy "Far Away" on iTunes
marsha is a godess!
thank you!
Posted by: DeAndre | 12 January 2011 at 16:36
Marsha is the truth! I have always supported her because it's real music with real topics of life. I am so glad that she put this vid on display. Some buzz is good then none at all. Thank you Marsha and you as well Rod! Yes k will have this CD when it hits and buy it like you are supposed to.
Posted by: Cedric | 12 January 2011 at 16:46
I saw Mr. Marsha when she was with Floetry and she was touring with Queen Latifah, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu. (Thinking about that concert still gives me goosebumps, BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE!) and I will definitely buy her CD and support her if she tours. I hope and pray she opens for Sade. If that happens, I will drop dead afterwards but I'll die happy.
God Bless You, Miss Marsha! please continue to do YOU!
Posted by: Distant Lover | 12 January 2011 at 17:40
Awesome
Posted by: The Truth | 12 January 2011 at 17:59
Love the song and love her honesty.
Posted by: BH3000 | 12 January 2011 at 18:51
cant get enough of this song.
thanks for the interview Rod
Posted by: ff | 12 January 2011 at 20:08
God bless Marsha for using her art to speak for a community that's taken for granted by so many performers. Kudos!!!
Posted by: Earl Harville | 12 January 2011 at 20:48
THANK YOU MARSHA! BRAVO!
Posted by: Byron in PGC | 12 January 2011 at 22:28
She's wonderful and so talented!
Posted by: Isis | 12 January 2011 at 22:50
What an unexpected surprise to come here and read this interview. Your beautiful spirit comes through loud and clear Marsha, here and in your brilliant song and video. Thank you and bless you.
Posted by: Carlos | 12 January 2011 at 23:43
>>>So I wanted to give something back for those whose stories weren’t told. Or if they did have a voice … it wouldn’t be heard.
Thank you Marsha. THANK YOU!
Posted by: Greg G | 13 January 2011 at 00:55
I agree with her and it's not controversial it's just reality and the Black community and others need to keep it moving already!!
Posted by: BLACK | 13 January 2011 at 07:50
Two men loving one another and embracing each other is controversial, but rapping about the "b*tches and hoes" and talking about shooting and killing folks....Isn't? Boy, the way some folks think is scary. I suppose next the idea of two men getting married in inconceivable for these losers.
Nevertheless, it's good to see a artist of color acknowledging what many LGBT of color face.
Posted by: Kevin Perez | 13 January 2011 at 09:24
She looks GREAT! Thanks for sharing her words and video with us all.
Posted by: SouthernIvy | 13 January 2011 at 10:11
Congrats for having the 1st interview I have seen with Marsha. She's going to be on 106 and Park tonight as part of a STOP BULLYING Show!
Bravo, Rod for a great interview! I love her and I am definitely copping this cd! After this AND her performance at the BLACK GIRLS ROCK show last year, I AM IN!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 13 January 2011 at 13:05
Terrific vid. Gorgeous song. And it'll be fascinating to follow this vid's avenue as it spreads out. Just a shame that we have to say how bold it is, rather than simply a part of the great human tapestry.
Posted by: Dan | 14 January 2011 at 18:58
Yes, this video IS controversial for the fact that it is a toucy subject controversial means something that people have different view poionts on. While I do not support homosexuality...I DO NOT SUPPORT GAY BASHING, OR BULLYING!!! I think people can and should live their lives however they see fit. Those are just MY beliefs...but I AGREE that the hate and torture needs to END. I love Marsha...she is amazing...way to go and congradulations to her!
Posted by: Misz*Lush*lashes | 31 January 2011 at 17:56