For the third year in a row, Golden Relations unrolls the Red Carpet in Qatar, this year bringing Sisqo, the American performer of ‘The Thong Song’ fame, to the stage on November 10 at the Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel. In past years, the event has hosted Hot Rod from G-Unit records, as well as local talents like Keyali Mayaga and Trak. It’s glammed up right down to the dress code (organisers say it’s strictly formal or classy semi-formal. Guests in jeans, sports shoes, baseball hats and t-shirts won’t be allowed in, and we presume, will be flogged). We catch up with Sisqo to find out what he’s got in store for Doha.

So this is your first time in Qatar! Welcome.
I was in Dubai for about two weeks performing this past summer. This will be my first time [in Qatar], I’m really looking forward to it. The energy overseas is crazy!

You’ve been all over the world now. How did you get started performing?
I started performing as a little kid in church. It was more like a chore than something I enjoyed. As I got older and girls found out I could sing, it made it all worth it [laughs].

You’ve been doing this for so long—what keeps you going?
My fans! They have always been my motivation, I love making them happy.

Right, we have to ask: The Thong Song. What is that all about?
It actually started off as a joke! It was inspired by a thong that shall remain nameless [laughs]. I knew the song would blow up, but I never thought it would be as big as it was and is. No matter where I go, everybody knows The Thong Song.

Seriously, it’s everywhere! It’s even been on Glee: is that just incredibly weird for you?
It’s more flattering to me than it is weird. For me to have a song that has lasted through the years the way The Thong Song has is a great feeling. Ok, so if seeing your stuff on Glee isn’t the weirdest, what has been your strangest moment? You’ve got to have some crazy stories! Mannnn! I’ve had fans hide in my dressing room to meet me, sneak into my hotel room to meet me. It’s crazy, I still don’t know how they got in there!

So what’s been your best moment?
Hands down, it was meeting Michael Jackson. He was in Virginia Beach, VA recording and he flew me out to meet him. It was an incredible experience.

Beyond getting crazy fans out of your closet, how do you prepare for a show?
I get into a zone no matter what’s going on around me and warm up vocally and physically. It’s about the same to prepare for a show [overseas], the only difference is the major time difference. My internal clock is crazy anyway though from all the travelling I do.

You don’t just make music though: you also act. Which is your favourite?
I’m focused on my music right now but I’m always ready to consider a good role.

Are you working on anything exciting now?
I came out of the UK’s Celebrity Big Brother House [in January 2010] and I started working on an album called Indrupendence Day with my group, Dru Hill, which we put out independently on iTunes. I’ve also started working on my new album Last Dragon. It’s been pushed back a thousand times, and it’s been about 11 years now, but I figured now was the best time because 2012 is the Year of the Dragon again.
Indrupendence Day is available for download now from iTunes.