The entertainment industry has seen its fair share of "spotlight unworthies". These are unofficially defined as people who gain fame indirectly, usually from being associated with the star nearest to them. We've all seen some of our beloved entertainers share their shine with the buddy from high school or the fourth cousin who ironically is an aspiring performer. What follows is the release of a project from the "plus one" who never really had talent to begin with.

This is not the case for Jeremy Greene, a talented singer/songwriter coming out of Waterville, Maine - his aim to be respected as a serious writer and artist. Greene has blasted onto the music scene with a soulful style that has landed him a spot on music charts rivaling some of the industry's strongest mainstream performers. So where lies the issue? Jeremy Greene has been followed by the media, not for his work as an artist, but for his association with actress Lindsey Lohan leading to a role in the Lohan family TV series. This scenario has caused the press to harshly smother the young performer, shadowing the fact that his music is quickly growing in popularity across the country.

Yo! Raps had an opportunity to get the inside scoop on what really matters: Who is Jeremy Greene the R&B newcomer? I sat down to converse with Jeremy, gathering his thoughts on life, media mishaps, and his emergence into an artist with limitless potential.    

So Jeremy, how old were you when you first realized that you wanted to be involved in the entertainment industry? Who do you consider your influences?

Ahhh man, I've been singing my whole life, you know what I mean? I was in like chorus and stuff as a kid so it was always in me. Actually I remember the first time I realized I wanted to do it professionally was when I went to see Boyz II Men live. Back when they were on their huge tour - it was just the craziest.. Just a crazy show so I was like, "Yea I gotta do this!" I mean my influences would definitely be them [Boyz II Men], Babyface, Jon B.

Is there anyone in particular that you would credit your growth in music thus far?

I would have to say my A&R. He always pushed me to think outside the box when it comes to making music. I've really learned a lot from will.i.am too.

will.i.am?

Yea, he actually discovered me.

You have let it be known in different interviews that you had a troubled childhood. Do the events in your past serve as motivation to work towards your success?

Yea, definitely. I had a rough past - I mean, but who hasn't you know? My thing is, I never wanted to be like the people in my family who were involved in drugs and that sort of thing. I refused to get involved with drugs and alcohol and...I just didn't want to do that to myself. I always felt that if you grind, one day it would eventually pay off.

What would you consider your biggest accomplishment to date?

Well, I recently became # 9 on the West Coast's top station which is KLUC Vegas. I mean I beat out Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey's new song so I was excited. # 9 man that's not bad [chuckles]! On top of that I've been getting plays all over L.A. like crazy so...it's just been crazy. Things are going well. 

Now you're listed as a triple threat - singer, songwriter, and dancer. What do you consider your strengths as an entertainer?

Umm, I would have to say singer and songwriter. I write all of my songs though, I would have to say singer/songwriter.

Your single Rain featuring Pitbull is receiving a lot of buzz and getting heavy rotation on multiple media outlets. What led you to collaborate with Pitbull on the creation of this track as well as the concept of the music video?

My manager knew Pitbull, and he thought it would be a great fit. And this is before Kiocho blew up so we decided to include him. Then it happened that Kiocho blew up and kinda helped stamp that record down. Rain really became big on the internet - 40 million plays were for Rain just on my MySpace alone! As far as the video, I wanted it to kinda remind people of - what's that video where Michael Jackson is dancin' and flirting with the girl? Um, the way you make me feel! You know [Jokingly sings the tune)...Yea, it was supposed to kind of favor that.

New fans of Jeremy Greene may not be aware that you are originally from Waterville, ME.

Oh yea man I am! [Laughs]

Do you consider it a goal of yours to put Maine on the musical map (considering other artists who have represented their hometowns in their music)?

Definitely that whole area. You know like Massachusetts, Connecticut, New England, that region. I wanna put that area "on the map" so to speak. I mean there's no traits that I know of - I gotta set one...I don't know...we got good lobster goin' on [laughs].

Okay, so being that you are a singer/dancer, I'm sure you know that people are comparing you to, or even proclaiming you to be the next Justin Timberlake. Do you embrace this comparison with open arms?

Oh wow. I mean that's cool to be mentioned with one of the biggest stars in the world, you know? Like, that's good! I mean yea I want to set myself apart - I feel like people may get more of an urban vibe from me. We are two completely different artists. But even being mentioned or compared to him is - you know - interesting. I don't take it as a negative thing at all. I mean, people coulda been like I'm like Donny Klang but they didn't... you know?

Yea man Donnie had it rough.

Yea I feel bad for Donnie because he really didn't have a fair shot - you know - being around the group Day26.  But in my opinion, Donnie never really came across to me as enthusiastic. I mean, when you're performing, you can't just do it. People gotta believe you - feel your music.

Fans doing some web surfing for Jeremy Greene are bound to see articles about your relationship with the Lohans, preferably Lindsay. How do you feel about the media attempting to place a label on you and your relationship (whatever the extent) with her and the rest of the family?

[Laughs] Aww, of course. I mean, I'm cool with the Lohan family. I don't know if you've ever seen the show but they edited it to give the impression that there was drama between us all which wasn't the case. I'm still cool with them. And no I did not have a relationship with Lindsey. I'm not interested, you know...I mean, she's cool just not really my cup of tea [chuckles].

After the initial blast from the press regarding your ties with the celebrity family, Poptower.com raised the question of whether you were a true friend of the Lohans or attempting to get a piece of fame. Do you think this whole situation has/will tarnish your relationship with them?

Haha! It's funny because it was like this: They asked me to come in and write songs for Ali [Lohan]. I get there and they're like, "Oh well, can you do the show?" I'm like, "Whatever" not even thinking that I would end up a main cast member. That's when the media started pegging the whole thing like I said I was dating Lindsay. I mean, everybody knew that wasn't true. It's just funny, like, I never got involved to get my 15 minutes. Honestly I wanted to help Ali with some tracks and frankly she couldn't sing my record so...It's the reality - she couldn't cut the record. But she made it seem like she just didn't like them after begging me for the help.

Yea, it's no secret that the media can twist things up to tell different stories.

The fact is I'm truthful man, no gimmick. What you see is what you get, you know? I compose my own stuff. I produce, sing my own stuff, all that. And there's always gonna be drama. But, it's like, I'm me so I have no problem giving someone a verbal ass whooping, you know? [Laughs]. And then it's like people go, "Aww, he's a new artist he can't defend himself." It's like that's not me. Either you hate me or love me - I'm not going anywhere man. I'm really just scratching the surface.

So what can you tell Yo! Raps readers about your album and 3 a.m. Music Group?

Well 3 a.m. is my productions company. They make tracks and that sort of thing. We are talking to companies about a joint venture, possibly Interscope. As far as my album is concerned, the album is gonna be crazy. I have a lot of features on it - I really wanna get with Jon B for a track though. I would love to do a track with him to serve as - you know - him passing the torch. It's just gonna be crazy. We got a couple titles for the album in mind but haven't settled on one yet. I mean, the album will be released soon - for now the singles are getting heavy rotation so...I'm happy. Fans can see what I'm up to on twitter, my twitter is JeremyGreene1.

Do you consider your style appealing to the pop crowd, or followers of the traditional R&B genre?

Right in between man. The fact is I'm a white guy with a more soulful voice so it's like, am I Pop because I'm white or am I R&B by voice [laughs]. I think the fact that I am not stabled makes it hot. Like, it's even better. I don't do labels.

Okay Jeremy some quick one's for you...

Ok, cool...

Three albums in rotation with you right now..

Thriller, T.I. vs. TIP, and Kanye West's Graduation.

Michael Jackson...

An amazing entertainer, innovator. It's crazy how he was ridiculed whole time, then only gets peace after his death.

- By Jovan Bland