It’s taboo to discuss.  It’s something that is often ignored in the Black community.  It has a stigma.  That “it”, is mental illness.  Mental illness is a health issue that affects all types of people regardless of race, religion, or culture. It is something that can’t be remedied, but it is something that can be kept under control.

In the Black community, owning up to mental illness is often times a difficult task because of the stigma attached.   These factors make mental illness something that many feel they can’t mention.  Unfortunately, if mental illness isn’t addressed early on—or at all— it can lead to extreme emotional acts that can affect the person suffering and those around them.

As we saw on last week’s episode of Keith Sweat’s Platinum House, Dru Hill’s Nokio opened up about his depression and treatment of it. Recognize you are not alone. Remember that your mental health and that of  your family and closest friends is just as important as your physical health. Never feel ashamed of needing or getting help.

Check back all week to learn more about different mental illnesses, warning signs, and how they affect the Black community every day.

Since you missed Monday night’s episode, we thought we’d hold off on dishing the drama of what happened. Learned your lesson? Good. Here’s the recap:

On this week’s episode of Keith Sweat’s Platinum House, singers Nokio and Sisqo were reintroduced to the world on a more intimate level. What surfaced were personal demons that are affecting them—and the group— more than they realized.

Nokio, usually a man of few words, opened up to the group’s therapist about his life and how he sees Dru Hill.  He spoke of his depression and admitted to attempting suicide when he was 17 or 18.  Brought up in a broken home, Nokio struggled because his father was a man of the streets and his mother was dealing with her homosexuality.  By the end of his therapy session Nokio said that Dru Hill is plagued with a combination of jealousy and admiration which is the root of a lot of their problems.

Talk about unleashing the dragon… Read the rest of this entry »

The men of Dru Hill are crisscrossing the nation on a promotional tour for their new album Indrupendence Day, available on July 27^th. But we managed to catch up with Sisqo (AGAIN) to get the rundown on how he feels about Platinum House, Nokio, and the public’s pending acceptance of the new album.

1. How was your reality show experience? Did you hate or enjoy the camera?

I had past reality show experience so I knew what I was getting myself into. Plus I was born to be in front of the camera. I’ve been in front of the camera for as long as I can remember.

2. We’ve seen things get physical during disagreements; did the show change how you all handle conflicts?

Nokio and I used to fist fight literally everyday when we were younger. That’s why I was totally against him being my sparing partner because we have longed since moved past that point of physical expression. I guess the show’s producers wanted to see us duke it out one last time.

3. Do you see anyone in the current music industry as competition?

What other groups are out there right now? I guess we are competing with ourselves.

4. It’s been close to 8 years since the last album, any nervousness in regards to the public’s acceptance of the new album “Indrupendence Day.”

Considering how music has changed so dramatically since our last commercial release, you would think I would be nervous, but I believe that anyone who hears our music and loves music will have no choice but to love our new music.

5. How has Keith Sweat impacted Dru Hill collectively and as individuals?

He’s pretty much been the god father of R&B for as long as I can remember so that’s how kind of how I view him. Just like R.Kelly and Mr. Big.

As Dru Hill makes musical progress it seems like their personal hang-ups and lack of unity will hold them back.  What do you think Dru Hill can do to overcome their struggles? Let us know on our twitter page.  Remember to tune into a new episode of Keith Sweat’s Platinum House on Monday at 8PM EST.

Tonight’s episode of Keith Sweat’s Platinum House saw original members Sisqo, Nokio and Jazz face some tough personal issues. Want to know how Nokio’s childhood has effected his adulthood? or if Jazz has what it takes to change his current health condition around?  We sure do. Nokio and Jazz share their thoughts on this third installment of THE DRAGON DIARIES.

How did you overcome your bout with depression and what advice wouldyou give others who might be dealing with the same illness?

I’m very headstrong. I was determined to not let depression beat me. I never took prescription drugs because I saw how they affected people around me for years—although I did self-medicate for over 20 years. Alot of times people keep it to themselves.I know for me for a long time I looked at it like a sign of weakness and that caused me to keep it to myself. If you’re suffering from depression, please seek help and don’t keep how you feel to yourself. The way I got over it worked for me but everyone is different. Seek and pick the best treatment for you. There are a lot of people that suffer from depression so know that it’s not a weakness and you’re not alone.STAY STRONG!

How has your broken childhood helped/hurt you as a man and father?

My childhood caused me to want to be the best man and father that I could be.I’ve had some issues that I had to deal with but overall everything just made me a stronger person.My childhood made me want to be there for my kids as much as I could.I’ve left the music business a couple times to make sure that I was putting as much time in as I could as far as raising my children.Again,I’m not perfect and I’ve made some mistakes along the way,but overall my childhood helped me a lot more than it hurt me.

Read the rest of this entry »

On tonight’s episode of Keith Sweat’s Platinum House Nokio and Sisqo have the opportunity to speak to the group therapist.  Nokio expresses his feelings about the group’s chemistry that holds elements of jealousy and admiration; while Sisqo shares his feelings with being dubbed a solo ”one-hit-wonder.” Original member Jazz strives to find exactly where he belongs in the group and tries to develop a more defined role in Dru Hill letting everybody know that he is not to be left behind. Tune into Keith Sweat’s Platinum House tonight at 8PM EST only on Centric.

Tonight’s premiere of Keith Sweat’s Platinum House saw the men of Dru Hill face what seemed to be a tough first week of physical fitness, counseling and vocal training. Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz and Tao share their personal take on entering the house in this first installment of THE DRAGON DIARIES.

Nokio:
The first week was weird. There was no food in the house when we got there and the fact that we were sleeping on blow-up beds didn’t help. The pool wasn’t working and I think the air conditioning wasn’t working right either.

I wasn’t really fond of the idea of moving in the house—especially after I [found] out that we had to share rooms—but I knew we had a job to do so I said f**k it!

Tao:
The first week of boot camp was cool. I had already been working out prior to us going down there so I was used to putting in work. I could keep up with what Yahya [fitness trainer] had us doing. I didn’t really have any apprehensions about moving into the house, I was ready for whatever they had for us. The house itself was cool…nice and spacious.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Platinum House Files// Tao’s Audition Tape from Centric TV on Vimeo.

After the (final) departure of original member James “Woody” Green in 2008 and the “mysterious” disappearance of fifth member Rufus “Scola” Waller, who joined the group in 2002; the group needed a replacement. Enter Antwuan “Tao” Simpson. After auditioning for the group in 2008, the singer–touted as “The Soprano” joined the group and begin touring with original members Mark “Sisqó” Andrews, Tamir “Nokio” Ruffin, and Larry “Jazz” Anthony. In his two years as a member, he has proven that he can hang with the fellas vocally and as an entertainer. Check out Tao’s audition tape. Watch out Sisqo!

Every group has a mysterious member that rarely speaks but has an undeniable presence. Nokio of Dru Hill has managed to entice and incite women the world over with his silent strength.

Born in Batlimore in 1979, Tamir “Nokio” Ruffin’s talents extend far beyond being a vocalist.  Nokio is a founding member of Dru Hill, and he served as a songwriter and producer for the group from day one.  After producing “How Deep Is Your Love” for Dru Hill, Nokio produced hits for Capone-N-Noreaga, Mya, and DMX.

Nokio’s knack for recognizing talent led him to become the A&R Director for the Def Soul record label where he discovered R&B group 3rd Storee.  After his work at Def Soul he went on to work at Atlantic Records as the A&R for Trey Songz.

To witness Nokio, the self proclaimed CEO of Dru Hill, tune into the series premiere of Keith Sweat’s Platinum House on June 28 only on Centric.