Sisqo Preps For June 'Return'

R&B sensation Sisqo will return June 19 with a new Dragon/Def Soul album, titled "Return of Dragon." The 12-track set boasts guest appearances by the members of the artist's group Dru Hill, and his protege groups the Associates and LovHer, among others. First single "Can I Live" is at radio now.

Jarod B and Boy Genius, Al West and J.P. Edmund, and production collective One Up Entertainment each produced multiple tracks on "Return." Other producers contributing their talents are Teddy Riley, Paul "PDA" Allen and J. Moss, C. "Tricky" Stewart, Nathan "N8" Walton, and Jason Edmonds and Warryn Campbell.

And while Sisqo (real name: Mark Andrews) enlisted plenty of help in creating his sophomore album, he also co-wrote five tracks. "One of the most important things I did was to create my own sound," he says. "I mean I did that on the last album but this time I didn't want people to think I was a one hit wonder or a flash in the pan. Now I know with this album I can sit back and say to them, 'watch me do it again.'"

Sisqo's last album, "Unleash the Dragon," peaked at No. 2 on The Billboard 200, and spawned the single "Incomplete," which topped The Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, as well as "Thong Song," which hit No. 3 and No. 2 on those charts, respectively. The album has been certified four times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for U.S. shipments of 4 million copies.

Sisqo came to prominence in the mid-1990s with the Baltimore-based Dru Hill. And while there were rumors last year of a full-blown reunion album from the group, the closest thing to that on "Dragon" is the appearance of Nokio, James "Woody" Green, and Larry "Jazz" Anthony on the track "Without You."

Outside of music, Sisqo has taken on acting with a passion. The former host of his own MTV series, "Sisqo's Shakedown," he starred opposite Kirsten Dunst in "Get Over It," and recently wrapped shooting on "Winter Dance" with Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Coburn. The artist also has a five-picture contract with Miramax Films and a development deal with NBC/Big Ticket Television. In addition, his Dragon clothing line will soon be launched.