1. Where are you from?

I hail from Franklin, Louisiana. A small town with a lot of talent.

2. Who are your musical influences?

I love Sam Cooke. “A Change is Gonna Come” remains one of my favorite cuts of all time. Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson for the Oldies. The newer generation Tank, Usher, D’Angelo, Sean Garrett, and Neyo are a few.

3. How would you describe your musical style?

I have a hard Hip-Hop like cadence to my singing on the uptempo tracks and , but then I can turn around and soften it up on the slow cuts. A R&B with a Hip-Hop edge that meets with a crossover appeal.

4. What is one thing you want our readers to know about you?

I love to write. My love for writing brought me to writing all the tracks on my debut. Songwriting is something I would love to do, not only for me, but for artists of all genres. 

5. With all the upcoming artists why should our readers listen to your music?

I am not a carbon copy of anyone. Some artists out today are products or creations of the label or production team, which makes them a model or a project. Everything I do in my journey I want to do with authenticity. I write my own material and grab them from personal experiences and try to relate my music to reality, things we go through in everyday life, the good times and the bad. I have something for the ladies and I also have those tracks the fellas are really going to get into.     

6. As an upcoming artist how do you differentiate yourself from others already in the industry?

Like I stated previously, I know it’s easy to conform but my aim is to produce something different, something groundbreaking, something that hasn’t been done before. I’m hoping people see that in this project. It’s been a long time coming with this record, and a southern boy like myself is just looking for that chance to spread his love of music to the world and I mean that genuinely.

7. How can our readers hear your work?

I have a MySpace music page. The address is www.myspace.com/wentrellahmonmusic. If you don’t want to go to that direct link, just type in my name, Wentrell Thomas, under the music search on MySpace. You also can hear me at www.kbze.com, where I have been the station’s featured artist. There you can see an interview and performance rehearsal, and hear a promotional commercial.

8. What artists have you enjoyed working with the most and why?

That’s hard. I would have to say Big Tray. He produced half of the album and he’s like a big brother to me. The man’s really musically talented and I learn something new every time I’m around him.

9. If you had to choose one rapper and one R & B artist to do a collaboration with who would it be and why?

I would love to do a club or uptempo song with Lil’ Wayne. I think he has always delivered the sickest punch lines. His swagger, style, and delivery is very strong, and it would be a honor for him to bless the track with me. Then we both reppin’ the Boot, it’s only right (laughs). On the R&B tip, I would have to say for the female Michelle Williams. I know this isn’t your typical pick, but I love her raspy voice. It’s so unique and she’s a vocal lion at times. You gotta see her Live in ATL with Destiny’s Child DVD.I would love to do a Soul/R&B track with her. A male R&B artist to collab with would probably be Chris Brown. He’s my competition but I think we could murder a track together being that our voices are so different.

10. What Producer would you like to work with?

This ain’t as easy as I thought (laughs). There are too many. I’ll name a few if that’s ok. Danja, Timbaland’s protégé, is someone I would love to work with. What I’ve heard from him thus far has been blazing! Tricky Stewart and the Dream because I’m a sucker for harmonies and I know he’d produce a track that would able me to put those in there. Raphael Saadiq on the slower, more soulful cuts. Polow da Don, Walter Millsap, and Brian Michael Cox to name a few others. I know I’m getting carried away.

11. What are your 3 artists you have in your ipod or CD player?

For right now? Well right now I have the new Day 26 record by Diddy’s new male group. It’s pretty impressive R&B. Mary J. Blige’s Growing Pains is in there, great piece of art. Tank’s latest effort Sex, Love, and Pain. That album is the business.

12. What is your all time favorite CD?

Why you doing this to me? (smiling) My all time favorite CD…I know this isn’t fair but it’s a tie between two artists in totally different genres of music. The first is Michael Jackson’s Thriller. I got that CD in the car and I listen to it driving back and forth from school sometimes. It be a long ride and I gotta have good music. The other is Trin-i-tee 5:7’s self-titled debut album. This is a female gospel trio that mixed traditional gospel with contemporary and their voices blended so well together on this project. Most Sundays cause for this album to be in rotation.

13. What is your all time Favorite Video?

I bet you this ain’t no surprise. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video is definitely my all time fave. I mean who doesn’t love this video? Every time I watch it, it’s like I’m watching it for the first time, when in reality, I probably know every dance move and line on the video. (laughs)

14. Where can our readers go listen to your work?

      (go to question 7, stated there)

15. What upcoming projects do you have?

I have my debut album No Boundaries coming out soon, very soon. I am so excited about this project because I worked so hard putting this together over the course of a year now. I wanted to makes sure the album was fresh before I put it out so I went back and made a few changes. We are looking at a May or June release, so please support me when it hits the racks.

16. Where can our readers see you perform live?

I actually just performed recently in Lake Charles, LA. But I will be back there Mother’s Day weekend to perform with hit 90s R&B group Silk, best known for their song “Meeting in My Bedroom”. I am really anticipating this performance. It’s my first major since I opened for Trina last summer. We are also looking at touring this summer. Check my MySpace page for updates on these events.

17. Do you prefer live performances or performing in the Studio?

I love the creative side of the studio where I get to experiment with different vocal techniques. I love the whole process of making a song, but there’s nothing like performing live. The energy of the crowd and just expressing yourself to give a solid performance is exhilarating. I really be amped to hit the stage.

18. If you could pick any artist living or dead that you could do a song with whom would it be and why?

I would love to do a remake of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” or some kind of Marvin Gaye song. To collaborate with Marvin, would be a moment worthwhile for sure. The man was a vocal and musical genius and left a legendary mark on R&B and Soul music.

19. Do you have any advice for other aspiring artists looking to get into the industry?

It’s all about your drive and determination. I didn’t give up even though I had many letdowns and broken promises. I stayed persistent. Make sure you sell and promote yourself. Don’t promote what you think music execs want or you see on TV but be you on all levels. Be the artist.

20. What do you do to have Fun?

I surf the web on new music on different entertainment websites. Yeah, I’m a bit of a geek on that. I also love playing basketball, though I haven’t in about a year so maybe I can’t consider that what I do for fun being I haven’t been doing it (laughs). I know I’m rusty. Anyway, I just chill with friends in college and family back home.

21. What do you do to relax?

Listen to soft, slow music. Alicia Keys, India Arie, and John Legend are some people I listen to for that. Sometimes, I just sleep to relax (laughs).

22. What is your favorite hang out spot?

My favorite hang out spot would probably be The Fresh Food Company aka the cafeteria at my college. I’m always found in there grubbing or just chillin’ with friends.

23. What is your favorite Food?

I don’t know. I just love food period. But if I had to choose, I’d say Steak and Fried Shrimp.

24. What is your favorite Drink?

Rootbeer since I’ve been in college. It’s never sold out (laughs).

25. If you were not doing music, what would you be doing?

I would be doing the same thing I’m doing now, attending college. It gets hard trying to juggle both, but once my music kicks into overdrive, I will still be a college student but maybe enroll in online courses.

26. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Let’s see. I’d be 24 so I would hope to have had at least 3 albums out, all which I hope successful. Platinum. I see a few business ventures with some acting and modeling. I also see a organization or program I could create for aspiring songwriters to help develop their craft.

27. What nicknames do you have?

You know I really didn’t have any nicknames until I came to college. I guess going to college in Mississippi, my accent was different than theirs and my pronunciation of my name was unclear to folks. I’d get “Dentrell”, “Ventrell”, “Kentrell”…basically everything but Wentrell. So most people call me “Trell”. The ladies have some names for me but I won’t disclose. Some things you have to keep private (laughs).

28. What do you like the most about being a music artist?

I love writing and the creative process of coming up with a new song. It’s a great accomplishment to me creating an original product.

29. What do you like the least about being a music artist?

The lack of privacy sometimes, and sometimes the lack of sleep. It’s a job that requires a go-go-go attitude and mentality. It’s sometimes a bit too face-paced, but I wouldn’t trade it for nothing.

30. Do you prefer mix tapes or albums?

I like albums, but I also like mixtapes. I find mixtapes are the introduction to an album. It’s like an appetizer before the main course.

31. Do you have a myspace page?

Just to make sure people go check out the page, I’ll leave the url again. It’s www.myspace.com/wentrellahmonthomas. Check out songs and add me. Feel free to leave your comments.

32. What are your plans for the summer?

Promote! Promote! Promote! (laughs) I’m looking forward to a tour and a mass of performances. Maybe more photoshoots, radio and magazine interviews. I’m working this summer.

33. What other talents do you have?

I act. As of now I am a Theatre major. I’m still undecided, but I do have the acting skills. I was cast in multiple lead roles in high school from musicals to comedies to dramas. Other than that, I guess I’m pretty talentless. (laughs) Just kiddin’.

34. What's your favorite song of all time?

I don’t know if I have a favorite song of all time. Let me think. I like a lot of songs. Oh, as I said earlier, I love Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”. It’s definitely one of my faves.

35. What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Complain. (laughs). I’m kiddin’ again. If you don’t know by now, I’m a goof for real. But I thank God for another day. I have to say this every morning.

36. What was the last thing you read?

The last thing I read was an Annotated Bibliography me and a couple of fellow students had to turn in for our English Class. Got to get the education!

37. What is one thing you can't go without?

I have to sing. It’s something I can’t control. You tell me to not sing for one day, I don’t think I could do it for ten minutes. I’ll at least be humming something. I also gotta text. Text messaging is something I’m know to do all the time too because I’m not a talking on the phone kind of person.

38. Who is your favorite DJ?

DJ Felli Fel is hot right now. That joint he did with Akon, Ludacris and company is sick. DJ Drama brings the heat too with the Gangsta Grillz mixtape series.

39. Who are your Heroes?

God, which is so cliché, but it’s the truth. His undying love is what keeps me going. My living and deceased grandmothers for being such positive role models in my life, and my parents for showing me what love is. Thanks for giving me something to write about. (laughs)

40. What do you look forward to?

I look forward to the release of my debut album and promoting it. I’m excited. This is all new for me so I’m anxious to see how my journey will play out.

41. What is your favorite season and why?

I would say Winter because Spring and Summer are beautiful, but they make me darker (laughs). The sun really is trying to cook me.

42. What is the best thing about music?

The best thing about music is melody. I see it as without melody, there’s no beat or music. There’s no variation or coloring to the art of making a song.

43. Living or deceased, who would you pick to be president and why?

My vote goes for Martin Luther King Jr. He had a dream, and intended to follow that dream until he was assassinated. I’m sure effective changes would occur if he was in office.

44. What is your motivation?

I want to bless the world with some great music. I’m just trying to do what I love to do and give the people a piece of me with each song on the album. I am a very expressive person and I feel music is my art form.

45. How long have you been in the music game?

I started singing in the church at age 6. It wasn’t until I got to high school I discovered that this is my love because I went to sleep thinking of it and woke up with it. Personally I’ve been doing this since age 6. Professionally, I have been doing it 2 years since the age of 17.

46. What's next for you?

The album release in May or June is next. Silk concert around Mother’s Day. Followed by a tour with many performances and promo this summer.

47. How do you give back to the community?

I haven’t been able to give back yet. But rest assures I will when the album starts to pick up. I will never forget where I come from my family and friends would do me something bad. (laughs)

48. Independent or Major?

I am with an Independent label, On Line Productions, right now. On Line has a big year ahead of us. With a Gospel artist and a Hip-Hop artist slated for release this year also. We’re trying to make moves and do big things! ’08 till we straight!

49. What do you have as your ringtone?

Most people saved in my phone have their own personal ringtones. But the default setting for it right now is Lil’ Wayne’s “Lollipop”.

50. Do you have any shout outs?

Shout out to 105.9 KBZE the Breeze for being the first station to spin my records, 107Jamz also for showing me mad love. Special shout out to the head man, Reginald Thomas, for everything with this project. To all my musical sisters and brothers, much love. Fans and supporters, all the love means a lot to me. Last but not least, special thanks to Houston411 magazine for featuring me and letting me show who I am.