Love Sex Passion sounds completely different than anything else out there, how do you think your true R&B sound will translate to this new generation?

Raheem DeVaughn: I think this album is going to do for R&B what D’Angelo’s album did for soul music in 1995. It was like when he dropped that album it came out of a time machine. Just the vibe, what is this and it’s so crispy and the authenticity of it he just stuck with that as he transcended his career. I’ve done the same.

The Dream recently said in an interview that R&B is trying to sound like rap, do you agree? 

Raheem DeVaughn: I do. He’s kind’ve responsible for that in one aspect but me knowing him he’s a true R&B head. People may dispute this but The Dream is our modern day – penmanship wise – R. Kelly.  I think we’re probably in one of the most ratchet states for R&B and music and the culture but I think the paradigm is shifting too. I’m not ready to get cool to disrespect a woman on a record, on an R&B record. I come from an era of Jodeci, “Forever My Lady,” cats adoring the lady that they’re talking about on the record or adoring the situation so when you think about the legacy of like Babyface and the penmanship there or Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis there’s so many artists you can mention – that’s what I’m on. That’s what I’m bringing back. I’m not responsible for it. I didn’t create it. But I feel like it has to be heard.

So would you say “Queen” is your response to this new “ratchet” R&B?

Raheem DeVaughn: Yeah, I’m sparking a revolution every time I drop music. I want that 13-year-old girl to hear “Queen” and feel like that 89-year-old senior that hears “Queen” or that 45-year-old middle class woman who hears “Queen” or that white middle-class suburban housewife that hears “Queen” and get the same emotion that ‘Yo I’m a queen.’

On to the album, what did you do differently this time around?

Raheem DeVaughn: I didn’t listen to anybody. The minute I just went with my heart, my spirit, my soul and I went with my mind told me to do for once in my life. This is the result of that. That’s not to say I won’t work with anybody I worked with in the past but as an artist I’m understanding who I am now and am clearer in the purpose I serve.

If you can choose, what three songs capture the essence of this album?

Raheem DeVaughn: Definitely “When You Love Somebody,” “Queen” and the third one “Temperature’s Rising.” I’m passionate about my respect to women and wanting to make them feel beautiful. In such a dark, cold abusive world, so “Queen” represents the passion. “When You Love Somebody” represents the love and “Temperatures Rising” represents the sex.