Beware, Aaron Carter haters—and there may be a few—the onetime tween pin-up, brother of Backstreet Nick, and recent Dancing with the Stars alum has launched a new stage in his career.
He’s really hoping you’re going to appreciate it.
“I’m back here to make a point when it comes to my abilities, my dancing,” Carter told EW.com on the red carpet at Sunday’s 52 annual Grammy Awards in L.A. ” If I am going to talk the talk, I will walk the walk. I’m going to do everything it takes. I’m here – take your best shot at me.”
Carter, 22, who has a single, “Dance with Me,” currently on iTunes with Flo Rida, is in prove-himself mode – or at least advertising it publicly, despite regaining prominence (sort of) last fall, finishing fifth on Dancing with the Stars with partner Karina Smirnoff. He has an independent record label, which he has signed himself to, he says.
“A lot of people didn’t expect that [Flo Rida single],” Carter says. “But he supports me and what I’ve done in my career. That means a lot to me. I have had ups and downs, trials and tribulations, but I’m back in my early 20s, to relive all that success over.”
“I am back now, here I am,” Carter repeated. “I am back at the Grammys, not just for no reason. I’m here because I’m living my dream. Major record labels want to sign me and put me down. They want to bring me here to get their competition here. I’m sick of that happening. I’m sick of sitting around, letting that [happen].”
He added, “This is it for me.”
Carter is reportedly on track to release a CD later this year, his fifth, though is vague on details when pressed. It would be his first record in eight years, after 2002′s Another Earthquake. His most successful was 2000′s Oh Aaron, which went triple platinum.
“I took some time off,” he says of the downtime. “I’m producing it, writing it, I mix it, I master it. I vocal-arrange it. I have my own studio down in Miami. I do it all. I want to be a real artist to consumers. I want to be the real thing for them. There are so many artists out there that don’t play the piano and actually write the lyrics and do it all creatively.”
And that one song, “Let Go,” that was rumored to be about ex-girlfriend Hilary Duff? Well, it is. “Of course, yeah,” Carter says. “I write about my feelings, things that happen in my life and experiences.”
More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
2010 Oscars for Best Song: Worst nominations ever?
Hear Simon Cowell’s All-Star Haiti benefit single, ‘Everybody Hurts’
“We Are the World” for Haiti benefit features Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, Justin Bieber…
Taylor swift collaborator Butch Walker on their much-discussed Grammy performance
Lady Gaga and Elton John: What did you think?
Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks’ Grammy duet: out of sight, or out of tune?
Grammys: the complete list of winners
Yeah, well… actually that’s all I have.
*YAWN* Not everyone is meant to be a musician. Go find a real job.
What’s up with all the haters? Did you drink your Hate-r-ade today?
Ummmm….that’s all I’ve got, too. That kid sucks. Also, does he still have that heroin tattoo on the inside of his arm?
Why not put the time in to be a professional ballroom dancer? He’s solid at it.
Hey, Aaron. 14 minutes and counting….
Why am I hearing Heidi Montag all over again and probably the same number of albums will be sold.
Aaron’s Party is my favorite throwback song.
Aaron Carter will always be better than Justin Bieber. Just sayin’.
I’m looking forward to hearing Aaron Carter’s new album. It’s good that he’s back out there making the music and songs he wants to make. And landing with FloRida was a good move to get that Miami connection music wise.
Aaron Carter no doubt has some true, divine talent. Not to offend anyone’s music but he’s right, there are a lot of artists out there who don’t have much to do with their own music. Aaron does do it all and he deserves some credit for that.