Michelle Williams may have been raised in the church, but she can still get ratchet. The Destiny’s Child alum explores a grittier side on her upcoming album, Journey to Freedom.
“My mother listened to it, and it’s supposed to be an inspirational type of record, and she was like, ‘This is different.’ She was like, ‘This sounds ratchet,'” Michelle told Rap-Up TV at the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. “It kinda does have a gritty, urban feel to it.”
She may surprise some with her new sound. “I got a couple beats on there that are gonna make you turn up.”
The 32-year-old singer worked mainly with producers Harmony Samuels and Warryn Campbell on the follow-up to 2008’s Unexpected, and has a few treats in store. “I collabed with somebody that people are gonna be shocked about.”
The first single, “If We Had Your Eyes,” really hit home. “It touched me so much ’cause it makes me examine myself,” she said.
The 30-second teaser alone racked up over a million views. “I was like, ‘People are really ready for some music from me,'” said Michelle, who has been doing musical theater for the past four years. “That million views let me know people are ready.”