It’s 10 questions with newcomer Antoine Dunn whose debut album drops later this spring 2012. In our previous post about the crooner, UPL presented you, the reader, with Antoine’s music video debut for the rising R&B single “Can’t Forget” (see below). Now, read on about what he had to say about being on tour with Anthony Hamilton as well as the #1 song in his iPod rotation right now!

UPL: Where are you from?
Antoine: Cleveland, O.H.

UPL: How did you start singing?
Antoine: In a middle school audition for the Wiley Middle School Challenge Choir.

UPL: How much of a role did growing up in the church play in developing your sound and what role does it play in defining your sound going forward?
Antoine: Not much believe it or not. I always enjoyed listening to the musical segments of service, but gravitate more towards soul records and music scores from (some of my favorite) childhood films.

UPL: Have you figured out a title yet for your debut album? Or what titles have you been considering and why?
Antoine: No…but i have given two titles some very strong consideration – “I Am” and “Truth Of The Matter.”

UPL: Will there be any duets or special guest writers/producers?
Antoine: Edwin “Tony” Nicholas, Jerry Lang II and myself.

UPL: You’ve recently wrapped the Woo tour with Anthony Hamilton. What did you learn from that experience?
Antoine: Having fun is the most important thing. Fun is contagious. I learned that every audience is different and, as an artist, you have to be able to read an audience. The show must go on.

UPL: What are some of your hobbies outside of music?
Antoine: WOW! Not sure those things exist! lol lol.

UPL: What is the most played song on your iPod?
Antoine: D’Angelo – “Send It On”

UPL: What was the first song you ever wrote and what was it about?
Antoine: “I’ll Be There” was a bed time song for my girlfriend at the time lol lol. It was about winding down after a long day and just having an appreciation for the companionship we both shared and how it balanced our stress with smiles.

UPL: Please name your favorite album of all time. Why?
Antoine: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – I feel as though Lauryn had to live life to write those songs and that’s the way it should be. The title track speaks to a person having so many distractions that they may keep them from exploring their true destiny, which lies deep in everyone of us. At times, we forget about our own happiness and purpose to appease others leaving us incomplete. “Tell Him!”

- @Uhkeem on Twitter