STERLING SIMMS: GET 'YOURS': New disc from R&B’s new jack in stores now.

      His new disc “Yours, Mine, and The Truth” has delivered the single “All I Need,” featuring Jadakiss, with hits lined up to follow.

      “The title of the album is ‘Yours, Mine and the Truth.’ It was originally titled ‘Worth Your While’ I’ve been signed with Def Jam for two years now and basically I just wanted to give the public my best effort.  I felt like the ‘Worth Your While’ project was a little bit rushed. So I just went back to the drawing board. I like albums that are conceptual and this album is conceptual. It’s based on a relationship that I’m not in anymore. It’s basically my version, her version, and then there’s the truth.”

      Simms explained that the songs on the new album are autobiographical, and that connected him more to the revised disc.

      “I’m proud of it. It’s something that I think showcases my talent best.”

      Simms continued that the first single, “All I Need,” is about his aftermath of the break up; about looking for new love and being back out in the dating game. The precursor of that song, Simms explained, tells his side of the final blow to the relationship.

      “There’s a [song] called ‘Best Friend.’ It basically tells the story a man that was in a relationship with a woman, but they separated. And then he finds out that the girl was pregnant. I initially thought the child was mine, but it ended up being my best friend’s.”

      The young singer has a few names guesting on the album, including Jadakiss and Sean Paul, but he said that he didn’t put too many names on the disc to make sure the album remained a Sterling Simms affair.

      “I didn’t want my album to become a mix tape, so I kept my features to a minimum. But I am going to reach out to some of my favorites for the remixes I’m gonna need for this album,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent on this project. I wrote 70% of it so it’s all true to heart. I’m excited about it.”

       Simms has been often compared to R&B/Pop crooner Usher, and he calls Teddy Riley and the team of LaFace (Babyface and LA Reid) his sound inspiration, but Simms still considers his work something new.

      “The sound has an Atlanta sound, but it has a Philadelphia swagger, so that’s something new. I’m and Atlantadelphian, true to heart. It shows on the album. Philly made me the man that I am. And in Atlanta, I was able to come out here on the creative side and molded the artist that I am today. I love both cities.”

      And as for the Usher comparison, well, he takes it as a compliment.

      “I'll take it,” he said. “It’s not like they’re comparing me to something that’s slum. When you compare me to greatness, it means I’m doing something right.  I take it as a compliment.”

      Simms began writing songs at the ripe old age of 13, but admitted that he didn’t begin to hone his skills until he was about 18 years old. That’s when his signed his first production deal with Moonlight Marauders under the Sony umbrella.

      “I dropped everything here and moved to Maryland,” he reminisced. “We were doing our thing, but unfortunately the tragedy of 9/11 started cutting off loose ties. It was a real humbling experience and I had to basically start from ground zero. When the financial backing fell out I had never been that low in my life. I slept in the studio, I had to go back to Philly, and I had to answer all the ‘What happened?’ questions.”

      Simms explained that though he was able to bounce back, now riding on the Def Jam label, he learned a lot from the experience.

      “Knowing that it can happen, makes you work twice as hard,” he said. “I don’t ever want to be in that position again. Now I keep multiple opportunities lined up so if something falls to wayside, I’ve got something else. That’s the most that I’ve learned from it. I’m keeping every door and every window open.”  

      The singer is definitely creating opportunities. He’s writing, doing a little producing, and working on his piano skills so he can do a more impressive stage show.

      “You can’t just do one thing,” he advised. “You have to do a little bit of everything. I pride myself in the fact that I can write. I have some producing skill as well. I feel like I can give the public more of me by that.”

      He gives his all for “Yours, Mine, and the Truth,” which is in stores now.

      “I’m happy about this project, I’m happy about this single, I’m happy about my career.”

      For more, hit up his MySpace site at www.myspace.com/sterlingsimms.