Lloyd Continues His Lessons on Love: Part 2: Strength, Art and Light

One of my favorite songs on the album is "Treat you Good." What would you do to treat a young woman good?

I would take her to London to get away for the week-end. Then I would give her a spa treatment and just let her relax.

Very nice! I'm sure there is a girl out there who would appreciate this. You do a lot of speaking and mentoring at the Boys and Girls Clubs with your mentor Dallas Austin-who is inspirational to me as well and you already addressed aspects of peer pressure in terms of the loss of your father; your other biggest emphasis is self-esteem. Why is self-esteem and peer-pressure such an important message for you guys to convey to young students.

Because self-esteem is the basic aspect of just being yourself. That's the definition of it. It's so important to have a sense of self at an early age. I say don't try to talk like someone else, act like someone else or do something because someone else is doing it in order to feel good about you. Don't change who you are. Know who you are and let that be what guides you. If you feel affected by peer pressure or feel like you have to cut someone else down in order to feel good about yourself then try to find a positive influence to help guide you...or pick up a skill or hobby...anything positive to help you grow.

When you speak to the kids you always say you are inspired and encouraged by losing your father. Explain that counseling technique?

When you lose a parent and are still able to overcome, you develop a great sense of pride in that you made it into adulthood. Like I said to you, It makes you stronger then the average person. You also develop a great sense of obligation to other fatherless kids {and children in general} to share your message of hope and encouragement. It gives you such a different outlook on life and more of an appreciation of what is important. I want you to think of it as God's plan. We tend to think that we can control everything... but somethings are out of our hands. Everything is already written by God and the world is so much bigger then us.

Other young men and women who either lost their fathers or never had one may not comprehend that and may attribute future problems with not having a father. You had to learn a lot from your mother, teachers and yourself. Tell me how you can teach everyone to have a different perception of not having a parent and how they can begin to overcome the "victim mentality?"

I think we all have to find the positive in the negative and that's with anything in life. Whether its someone who's always hatin' on you or anything negative...we have to constantly seek for something positive out of our scenarios and be inspired by that. I feel that sometimes the best learning experiences in life comes from getting your feet dirty. You can read books and people can tell you what to do and what not to do but the best way to learn is to go out their, try and to fail and succeed. I've had my fair share of failures from my family history and on and I learned that failure is not just that, it builds character. I also learned that anything is possible. We as Black people have the ability to create a message that-no matter where you come from you can always change your situation. Losing my father turned my mother into the strong wonderful independent woman she is. As for me it inspires me to want to become the father I never had and it also allows me to see girls for the beautiful young women that they are and not be disrespectful or see them just as pieces of meat or sex toys. Instead of writing a song saying take it off...she got a....I want her to do something strange for a piece of change...I say I wanna love you but you have to love yourself first then love me because i love you and now we can love each other.

Lloyd thank you so...so much. I have enjoyed our conversation and lessons today and I am grateful and appreciative of your continuous encouragement and everything that you do for the young kids, the Katrina victims and for women.

Thank you. I have to say that the more you talk to people and the more you travel and share...and make friend and enemies because- that's a part of life..too-you begin to see how we all share similar stories. A lot of things you go through are the same things your neighbors are going through. It might not be the same exact thing but it might be the same effects or causes. I have a big heart and I can't change the world but maybe I can inspire someone or save someone each day and ultimately in the end that would be a lot of people that I have saved or inspired.

Before we dismiss, I have to end with my favorite subject -Art. The video for "Girls Around The World" is so premiere, futuristic and first-class. The cinematography, color composition, styling and cast of beautiful models is amazing. Everybody on that set especially-the stylists, girls and make-up artists really did a superb job. For me it brings back that feeling of creativity that made video music a pop- culture phenomena. Your director, Hype Williams is a hard person to get because he is an icon and the best video director in the industry but he always comes through for a Lloyd video. Explain to others how that works in conjunction with good relationships and being the best at what you do?

Hype Williams is the best but its not about getting Hype because he's the best. Its doing your best work and having people like Hype recognizing what you're doing and wanting to talk {to you} and be involved as a fan. Its like yeah, I might be looked at as having success but I'm a fan of music and other art and artists too... and I'm a fan of Hype and I let him know how much I love his stuff. When you're a real fan, you really pay attention to details and you ask questions and try to apply that in your artwork in hopes that it will transpire to greatness in some form or fashion. To have Hype come on board and direct my videos means that in my eyes...i have accomplished a small bit of greatness. Now as a fan of yours, I wanted to tell you that its been really cool to be a part of this conversation and I wish you continued success in the industry and everything you do as well. I'd like to encourage everyone to know that no matter what anyone says or does never be afraid to let your light shine.