Nick Cannon: Doin' It All

Hot 23-year-old rapper/singer, actor, comedian, producer, writer, Nick Cannon took a career in stand-up comedy and children's t.v. and blossomed into a mega-star with impressive work to his credit. He showed his acting potential in the dramatic hit Drumline and co-stars with singer Christina Milian in the new romantic comedy Love Don't Cost a Thing as a nerd turned super stud. Nick's new self-titled CD album comes out December 9th and he is currently shooting the lead role in a police undercover drama called The Underclassman which he wrote.

We grabbed the busy superstar during a short break on his film set and got some info on his career, fave song and video and his dating preferences.

TeenMusic: Who do you play in the film you are shooting now?

Nick: I play an undercover police officer in a high school.

TeenMusic: You seem to be doing everything. Are you into writing scripts as well?

Nick: Definitely. I wrote the movie that I'm doing right now. I created it and I'm the executive producer.

TeenMusic: Have you ever had a problem with a date's dad like the guy in your song "Your Pops Don't Like Me".

Nick: All the time! That's why I play this song. I guess fathers are really strict about who dates their daughters. I've always run into that problem. Now that I'm a little older, it doesn't happen as much anymore. But before, they don't want to see anybody rollin' off with their daughter. I'll probably be the same way though. I don't want anybody rollin' off with my daughter either.

TeenMusic: Your songs are fun and have a lot of attitude but they're relatively clean and a lot of parents appreciate that. Is it intentional or you just don't need to write more x-rated lyrics?

Nick: I try to make music that my grandmother could listen to. That's always like my gauge. If my grandmother heard me say that she'd wild out! As long as I can say stuff to where either she don't know what I'm talkin' about or she thinks it's clean, it's cool for me.

TeenMusic: Which of the tracks on your new album is your fave and why?

Nick: Probably the song with Mary J Bilge called "Whenever You Need Me". It's a cool song really from the heart. Talkin' about being in relationships in this industry and stuff like that. How things can be a little crazy. That was so much fun and Puffy produced it. It was cool.

TeenMusic: Which of your music videos did you enjoy shooting the most?

Nick: I'd have to say "Your Pops Don't Like Me". It was fun on that one.

TeenMusic: Who would you love to do a music video with that you haven't gotten to yet?

Nick: Probably, this model named Adriana Lima. She's like the Victoria's Secret model. I'm lookin' to put her in my next video.

TeenMusic: I just saw Love Don't Cost a Thing. You are very funny and you were awesome in Drumline. Do you consider yourself more comfortable as a comic or dramatic actor?

Nick: I'd probably say a comic actor just because I come from stand-up comedy and it just comes natural to me. It's something I just have in me whereas drama, you have to work at it.

TeenMusic: How was working with Christina Milian in Love Don't Cost a Thing?

Nick: She was great. She has a beautiful spirit. Someone who comes to work every day with a smile on their face is just beautiful to have around.

TeenMusic: How do you balance the acting and music careers?

Nick: It's just kind of whatever comes up. I just keep it moving and balance it as much as I can.

TeenMusic: When you kick back to listen to music. What is it?

Nick: I like old R&B stuff, like Isley Brothers, that type of stuff. Then hip-hop. I like Loon's new album. I like G-Unit and Jay-Z. I look into a lot of Gospel music too Fred Hammond, Kurt Franklin.

TeenMusic: When you are writing a song, what is the process you go through?

Nick: I think of song concepts all day long. Then I'll hear a beat that I might take one of those concepts and start writing some lyrics to the beat.

TeenMusic: Is there anyone you would like to write with?

Nick: Probably, the old school hip hop people like Doug E Fresh. I love those old type of people.

TeenMusic: Are you going to host or be on TRL again soon?

Nick: Probably. I think the day the album comes out I'm going to be on [Dec. 9th].

TeenMusic: When touring, what do you do to kick back when you aren't performing?

Nick: Watch old DVD's of like performances by Michael Jackson and M.C. Hammer. Michael is so talented.

TeenMusic: Any more t.v. series plans?

Nick: More just producing-wise instead of me actually being in one. I'd like to produce a lot of stuff.

TeenMusic: Have you been Punk-D by Ashton yet?

Nick: He's been trying but I don't want to get Punk-D.

TeenMusic: Will you ever do any more stand-up comedy?

Nick: I'll definitely do it. I'm working on a stand-up special as we speak for MTV.

TeenMusic: Are you still close to Will Smith? Any plans on working with him again?

Nick: Hopefully. We've got some stuff in the works that we want to get down with so we'll see.

TeenMusic: What is your idea of what to do on a perfect first date?

Nick: I like going to Disneyland. I like taking people there. Just enjoy yourself.

TeenMusic: What's the weirdest fan encounter you've had so far?

Nick: Oh, they'll be in my hotel room in the closet and stuff. I come in, open the closet and girls will be in there. I'm like 'how did you get in? How did you know this was my room'?

TeenMusic: Is there anything special you would like to say to your fans?

Nick: I just want to thank them for all the support that they've given me. It's amazing how people have allowed me to gradually grow in front of the public eye. I can go from doing children's television to starring in films and doing music. They allow me to be a 23-year-old. They're not putting me in a box. It's so cool.

At this point, the lights are re-set and Nick has to go back to being a superstar!

Check out Nick Cannon's website.

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Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.