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.

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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.

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 to get the rundown on what’s in his i-pod, his eating habits and who he thinks is the greatest R&B group of all time.

1. Who are your favorites amongst the current batch of R&B singers?

I think a lot of the new guys are really talented. I am impressed with more than just R&B singers in the music industry today—both male and female—But, I’m not Carrie from Sex and the City, so I’m not going to write a column regarding this. LOL.

2. What typically happens during a Dru-Hill studio session?

Most of the time when we get there, Nok[io] will already have the songs written. LOL

3. What is something your fans might not know about you?

That I normally only eat one meal a day. I don’t have an eating disorder or anything I just really only get hungry about once a day.

4. What stays in rotation on your i-Pod while on tour?

[Anything] from rock-n-roll to classical and everything in between. Music that [has a] fresh melody, harmony and beat.

5. Greatest R&B group of all time?

How could I possibly answer that? Each era has their great group. I hope that we are that group in this era.

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.

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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!

Whenever you think of Dru Hill, it’s pretty safe to assume that you automatically think of Sisqo.

Whether it’s his hair (that has been platinum, bleach blond, and fire red) or his dance meets gymnastics stage moves that capture your attention, one thing is for sure: Sisqo’s voice is unforgettable.

After platinum success with Dru Hill, Sisqo (born Mark Althavean Andrews) unleashed the dragon with his 1999 album, “Unleash the Dragon.” The 5x platinum album spawned two top ten singles “The Thong Song” and “Incomplete.” He went on to find moderate success as the host of his own MTV dance program, “Sisqo’s Shakedown” and he landed bit parts in the films, “Get Over It” and “Snow Dogs.”

After some legal troubles and appearances on two reality shows, Sisqo decided to reunite with Dru Hill and make a comeback this year with the help of Keith Sweat.  To catch Sisqo and the fellas work to gain back the number one spot, tune in on June 28 for “Keith Sweat’s Platinum House” only on Centric.

Music groups usually tend to break up, never make up, and leave their fans hanging and craving for more great music.  Dru Hill seemed to become another R&B group casualty, but luckily for fans, Keith Sweat has given them a chance to redeem themselves.

This summer on Centric get ready to catch up with the quartet on their re-entry onto the music scene and their push to reclaim their number one spot on the charts and in the hearts of millions.  Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz, and newest member Tao; will undergo the Platinum House boot camp with the help of a therapist, vocal coach, and physical trainer. that will leave them realizing that coming back on the scene isn’t as easy as they think.

If you love and miss Dru Hill, tune into “Keith Sweat’s Platinum House” premiering  June 28 at 8PM EST only on Centric.

Well into the core of the 1990s, if you were to look around the music scene you’d find a plethora of diversity—from boy groups, girl groups, solo artists and even a few who dove into both scenes.  Today, the craze seems to be the solo artist, and that may be the cause of such a decline in the versatility of music today.  Dru Hill, one of the leading voices in the R&B genre, burst onto the scene in 1996 with their hit single “Tell Me.”  Since then they’ve been blessed with 8 top ten singles, 3 of which gained a number one standing on national billboard charts, and 3 platinum selling albums.  With such success not only nationally, but internationally as well; they are a group to be reckoned with.  This statement is so much so today, given their planned comeback.  Set to premiere their return to the music scene minus Woody and Scola—Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz, and the newest member, Tao—set away their pride and opened up the challenge to provide a quality album through strict reinforcement.  “Platinum House” chronicles their journey through verbal disputes and near physical fights to laughter and brotherly love.  This show is definitely going to be one for the books, and the music will be the perfect bonus.  Stay tuned for the June 28^th  premiere only on Centric.