2013 has been one of the best years R&B music has seen in a while. Top sellers like Justin Timberlake’s 20/20 Experience, Tamar Braxton’s Love & War and K.Michelle’s Rebellious Soul have proved that ratchet rap and meaningless dance music cannot replace the feeling you get when listening to good ole’ slow jam. R&B soul and even some pop-fusions entered at higher positions on the Billboard charts and stayed, portraying a subtle reinvigoration of the entire genre.

She may not admit to this, but one young lady played a major part in bringing this back to life. After penning #1 Billboard smash, “The Way” by Ariana Grande and Chris Brown’s summer hit, “Fine China” (and many more), Sevyn Streeter showed the world her expert songwriting chops.

The 27-year-old Florida native is ready to make that same impact in her solo career, and now she has the spotlight all to herself. KarenCivil.com was able to catch up with her at Atlantic Records for an exclusive sit-down, where which we talked about everything from her bond with Chris Brown, her new video, her upcoming tour with label mate K.Michelle, and her forthcoming EP, Call Me Crazy But... –Gia Peppers

We are loving your new video, “It Won’t Stop” featuring CB. What was the concept behind it?
Sevyn Streeter: The funny thing about the video is that I did a vision board months ago, then when Chris submitted his treatment for the video, I kid you not, it was the same exact thing. I saw the beach, I saw the jeep, so he nailed it. I love the video.

The original “It Won’t Stop” single didn’t have Chris Brown on it. What made him decide to record a remix?
You know what, he tricked me! When he sent it to me, we played the song and I did not know he was on it. His part came in, I looked at my friends and freaked out. I could not stop smiling. Honestly, to have somebody that big on it brought more eyes and ears to the record. So, aside from him sounding great on it, I appreciate him for that.

Yes! So let’s go back a little bit. You started your career with TG4 in 2001 and now you are opening for K.Michelle on the BET Music Matters tour. Are you pinching yourself right now?
It’s been a really long road from TG4 to now–I’m just really happy. I swear for the first time in my life, I’m happy with just where I am and who I am. It feels really good.

Let’s fast forward to your upcoming tour. How did the idea of you and K. Michelle going out together come about?
For one, I’ve had shows with K. Michele and she can just sang her butt off. She is a great performer and I believe her when she sings. I admire that about her. You know, we had our shows together and exchanged numbers a long time ago. We keep in touch and we have our own friendship outside of being on the same label. I appreciate her letting me be on this tour with her.

So when you and K.Michelle have girl talks, what are they about most of the time? Relationships? Men? The industry?
You know what, I tweeted the other day, “Call Me Crazy But… Haven’t you gone back to an ex before?” And she tweeted me back and said, “Don’t do it! Hell no! I did it before! He is your ex for a reason.” I was like, she is right! I’ve tried to go back to an ex before, and you know how that goes. But yes, she always gives me great advice.

When you think about it, you both have very honest music. Your show in at Stage 48 in NYC had great reviews. What should fans expect to see from you on this tour?
They can expect to see some singing, some dancing. And most importantly, get ready to have a real conversation with me. Let’s talk. I like to talk to my audience a lot and they yell out all kinds of crazy things.

You have your own devoted fan base singing your praises all over Twitter and Instagram. Now that you’re a bona fide brand, is it all this attention weird to you?
Yes! Weird, weird, and more weird. When you come out of groups, you’re not used to it just being about you. It’s so weird for me and I apologize to anybody if I come off weird when they say, “Hey, I like this” or “Hey, can I take a picture?” It’s something inside of me that still looks around and says, which one are you talking to? I have to get used to it. I am used to being by myself in terms of performing, but the aspect of having fans that care about your music and care about you, I’m still getting used to that. I’m appreciative of it, I just can’t believe that it actually happened.

With more fans come more rumors. What is the craziest rumor you’ve heard about yourself so far?
I’ve heard a couple… Crazy thing is, a lot of people always say, “I don’t know why she Chris call each other brother and sister, you know such and such.” I’m like, oh man, if only y’all knew. That is just my bro. He is my family but, you know, I don’t trip over it at all.

People can get very crazy. And speaking of crazy, your new EP, Call Me Crazy But…, is out November 5. Where did that name come from?
Okay, you ready? It’s a 7-song EP and it talks about the cycle of a relationship from the beginning of the relationship to the end it and all of the ups and downs in between. A lot of times in a relationship you get into arguments with your dude or your girl and you look at them like, “This dude is crazy!” A lot of the times they have valid reasons for feeling how they feel and vice versa. So it’s like, call me crazy but… didn’t you just lie about that? So that’s really why I named the EP that. The songs break down the whole cycle of the relationship.

Relationships are the most relatable things to sing about.
Sevyn Streeter: Yea, and my EP is definitely about ME-life. I keep telling the person who was the inspiration for the EP that he needs to get publishing on this. I swear that every song, except for one, is about old boy.

Ok, so we are going to play a little game of fill in the blank. You ready?
I’m down.

One day, I dream of sharing the stage with…
Janet Jackson.

My fans are…
My Street team.

Ok, and the last on: Fans would be surprised to know that I have never…
I don’t like wearing weaves! I don’t like to wear them all of the time. I’ve been wearing them for a very long time, but it’s just to protect my hair. If I could wear my real hair all of the time and have that flexibility, I would. I just wear weaves because I have to travel a lot.