Sole' and Ginuwine on Sister 2 Sister Magazine

Sole' and Ginuwine are featured in the September issue of Sister 2 Sister Magazine. Make sure you buy and read the new S2S Magazine!!!! Sole and Ginwuine's Interview is amazing!

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SPRUCE FOUNDATION: Q&A with Ginuwine, Sole’

GINUWINE & SOLE’ RETURN TO KC TO PROMOTE SPRUCE FOUNDATION, by Crystal Booker

KANSAS CITY – The ‘SPRUCE’ foundation was created by philanthropist Terry Mason, Elgin “Ginuwine” Lumpkin and wife Tonya “Sole” Lumpkin. That’s right. R&B talents Ginuwine and Sole’ are at the forefront of an incredible community program. The two were recently in Kansas City as part of the ‘Arabian Nights’ ceremony to promote the project. ‘SPRUCE’ stands for “Special People Requiring Unique Care Equally.” The basis of the program involves providing life skills and general assistance to physically/mentally challenged adults age 18 and over. The program also teaches each participant to strive for greatness. The event was held at the Jones Pool inside Kansas City’s Power and Light District.

In addition to promoting the ‘SPRUCE’ program, the event also included a fashion show, a water ballet and performances from belly dancers. Ginuwine and hip hop artist Bishop Young Don rocked the stage as well. The evening was no doubt spectacular. And I really enjoyed myself. I was also afforded the opportunity to chat with halfback Kestahn Moore of the Kansas City Chiefs, Bishop Young Don and comedian Tidy Dillard. However, this column will feature exclusive interviews with Ginuwine and Sole’ as we shed more light on the ‘SPRUCE’ program. My conversation with the other artists will follow at a later date.

CB: Hey everybody, it’s ‘Crystal on the Scene’ and I’m here with Genuine and Sole’. What made you guys have this event tonight?

SOLE’: Basically, the business that we started we saw a need for additional funds. We work with the mentally and physically disabled here locally. And we saw a need for additional funds for them to do things that will help enhance their everyday lives. Things that we take for granted and they get so bored. As far as money to support their basic needs and we wanted to support the foundation. This is a kick-off to support the foundation.

CB: Awesome! I know you’re from here so welcome back home. So, how does it feel to be back here in Kansas City?

SOLE’: Thank you. I’m always happy to come back home and be with my family and friends. A lot of my friends that I went to high school and elementary school with came out tonight. So, it’s always good to be back home.

CB: That’s awesome! So Ginuwine, how do you like Kansas City so far?

GINUWINE: I love Kansas City. It’s always nice to be back here with my wife and her family. It’s always nice to see and spend time with our family. I’m really looking forward to expanding what we’re doing here today and just getting the word out about the foundation for people who aren’t aware. They can learn about and show their support for the foundation.

CB: Is there a place where people can stay connected with what’s going on with you guys? Like a website?

SOLE’: Yes. For the foundation, they can visit www.sprucekc.com and that, as of now, is the place where they can find out a lot of information about what we are doing regarding the foundation.

CB: Since both of you guys are in the music industry, what advice do you have for the youth and up and coming artists that want to be at the level you guys are?

GINUWINE: Stay away from the music business. The music business is no good. I’m just kidding. No, actually the music business is not an easy business. I had a rough road and I worked hard to get where I’m at right now. As an artist, you can’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it. You need to do it and know what you are doing. And you have to take control of your career. You have to keep up with your career and those that are over your career.

CB: That’s great advice. Ok, one more question. Sole,’ since you are from Kansas City, what do you think about the school district closing 26 schools?

SOLE’: I heard that. And when I heard that I was sad because I heard that Lincoln might be one of the schools to close. That was my school. I don’t have the details of why or what is going on. But I think that education is suffering and it’s sad that it’s like that. They need to find ways to understand as opposed to shutting them down. I think there has to be a better way. I think education is too important to cut corners on that.

CB: I agree with you there. Well, thank you guys for taking time out to talk to me. I think it’s really great what you’re doing. And I wish you luck with the foundation. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.

GINUWINE: Thank you.

SOLE’: Thank you.

Tonya Lumpkin (formerly Sole') Bio

Tonya Lumpkin’s journey started in Kansas City, Missouri, where she grew up Tonya Johnston, the middle child and only girl, in a family that at the time had 3 children. Tonya was placed in the Gifted & Talented program in 1st grade and continued in the program through high school where she attended Lincoln College Preparatory Academy for Accelerated study. She was raised in a Christian family and was a member of Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, where her mother, Phyllis Poke, led powerhouse solos in the choir. Entertaining and music runs in the family and Tonya always knew she would someday entertain as well.

Hip hop music was up and coming and it quickly caught her attention. She started reciting rhymes she heard as young as age five. By age 13, she was writing her own music and poetry and by age 15 had made her debut as one-half of the amateur rap duo Divine. Tonya and her best friend, Shurhea Mitchell were regulars on the Kansas City talent show circuit, performing at the BRE Conventions, opening for major recording artists and were offered a recording contract in 1989. Her father, who was managing them at the time, felt the contract was not the right deal. They passed on it and it would be several more years before Tonya would return to music as Sole’.

In the interim, Tonya attended college, changing her major from Psychology to Political Science then to Music. By 1992 she had become a single mother of 2 daughters, in a dysfunctional relationship. Desiring more for her life, she decided once again to pursue a career in music.

In 1997, she packed up, left for L.A., made some connections there and then moved to Atlanta, in pursuit of a record deal, which she landed in October of 1998 with Red Zone Entertainment and Dreamworks Records. She also landed a publishing deal with Windswept Publishing the following year. Tonya, now known as Sole’, went on to release her gold selling debut album “Skin Deep” in September of 1999 which included a provocative marketing campaign featuring the KC native, semi nude, dipped in platinum paint, posing in more than a few arousing positions. She also had a guest appearance on the song “Who Dat” by JT Money which sold over 1 million copies, was number one on the rap singles charts for 8 weeks and won “Rap Single of the Year” at the 1999 Billboard Music Awards. That same year, she was also nominated for “Rap Artist of the Year” and went on to win several ASCAP Music awards.

During this time, Tonya (Sole’) also met the man who would later become her husband, R&B recording artist, Ginuwine. After dating for several years and having two daughters, they were married on Sept. 8, 2003. It was during this time away from the music industry that her transformation began. She started feeling uncomfortable with the images she was portraying and the lyrics she was writing. She began to see the impact that music and media has on society and especially youth. Her relationship with God was renewed and she committed herself to being and example, not only for the daughters she was raising, and the man she had just married, but to people everywhere.

Tonya rededicated her life to the Lord in April, 2003 and became a member of From the Heart Church Ministries in Temple Hills, Md. “ My life is 100% changed. God is a restorer and a healer. I am not the same person I was before. God has washed me, cleansed me, purged me, delivered me and set me free. I am truly grateful for his continuous grace. I am living, breathing evidence that the God I serve is real…… I am a new creature in Christ and I have the peace that passes all understanding… the peace that no amount of fame, money or worldly success could bring,”

Tonya is now a graduate of the Protocol School of Washington, an entrepreneur and owns several companies including Global Decorum, an etiquette and international protocol consulting firm in Maryland, S.P.R.U.C.E., an independent living program based in Kansas City, Mo and Stories and Dreamz Salon & Spa in Lee’s Summit, Mo. She now resides in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area with her husband and children and is an active member of her church and community. She volunteers in the International Ministry as Cultural Team Leader, serves as a youth mentor and has been an invited guest speaker at organizations including Job Corp, Spiritually Speaking, the Black Student Union at George Mason University and The Life Center, to name a few. She speaks on the influence of music and media on culture, self image and societal behavior. She has also worked with Urban Change, a faith based organization led by Pastor Jay Cameron, where she performed in his life changing stage play, Sexpose’. In addition, she is a World Vision sponsor of children in India and Africa and finds great pleasure in being able to show the love Christ through serving those in need.

“I don’t know if I will ever return to music, but if I do, it will not be as the same person I was before and I will not conform to worldly standards. I have no desire to be a part of glorifying sin or causing someone else to stumble. The blinders have been removed from my eyes and now I am able to see. I know who I am and who’s I am and my goal is to reach as many others as I can, especially the youth, and show them that there truly is another way to live than what they see on TV and in the streets.”

Source

Sole and Ginuwien at The fifth annual The Young and The Guest List

Washington Life Magazine hosted its fifth annual The Young and The Guest List (YGL) event April 15th. Sole and Ginuwine attended and looked better then ever!