Their love unfolded over a game of life-sized chess and the "Body Party" music video, and now rapper Future (Nayvadius Cash) and R&B pop singer Ciara are engaged. Future, currently on tour with Drake, proposed to Ciara in New York City recently on her 28th birthday.
The pair, both Scorpios, have been dating for about a year and their relationship -- stylish, affectionate, genuine -- is favourable amongst fans. In the past, Ciara has been linked to Lil Bow Wow and New York Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire.
Future, an ebullient commotion in music videos, was quiet and polite for the first of a series of interviews during his recent stop in Toronto for Drake's "Would You Like a Tour?" tour. The rapper's knuckles stayed locked around an iPhone, and when he brought his hands onto the table you could see the "C" tattoo on his ring finger. Ciara has a matching "N" on hers.
He perked up -- blushed, actually -- when the topic of his relationship, and his resulting reputation as a romantic rapper, surfaced. In 2012, Future cemented his radio success with love songs "Turn On The Lights," and "Neva End" featuring Kelly Rowland.
"I never really seen myself as one of the romantic artists out," he said, smiling. "But I think that's great. It's a great compliment.”
That ability to appeal to multiple audiences is propelling the street rapper in wild directions: Miley Cyrus appears in an upcoming video, and there's a Justin Bieber collaboration that's yet to surface, which Future calls "a great record."
In the meantime, there's "Honest," Future's second major release after 2011’s "Pluto." The album title, which was changed from "Future Hendrix" -- a nod to the rapper's outré style of auto-tuned rapping-- is a dedication to the more vulnerable, relatable content Future plans to share with fans. "Every mistake you make allows you to be honest because what's in the dark will come to light so it’s better to be truthful about it," he said. "I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. I wouldn't say musically, though."
Future confirmed that producers Detail, 808 Mafia, Zaytoven, DJ Spinz, and long-time collaborator Mike WiLL Made It will appear on "Honest." Mike Will's success with street rap records has translated into pop music currency: he's the guy behind "Body Party," and much of Cyrus' new album, "Bangerz". Future maintains their chemistry is still in tact. “
"That's my partner. We make music together and we make music with other artists, but I'm always rooting for him to win and he’s the same with me. We strive for greatness, and he pushes me to my limits and I'm always pushing him to make sure everything is above and beyond our expectations."
