According to industry standards, Jesse McCartney isn’t supposed to be in this realm. He isn’t supposed to be paired up with the producer of Rick Ross’s chart topping single, “The Boss," he isn’t supposed to be sharing life stories with the writer of Nelly’s cult cut “Grillz,” and he definitely wasn’t expected to be collaborating with 2007’s songwriting guru. Jesse took some time to chat with BET.com about his new album, its direction and an acting bug he just can’t seem to shake.

With several key R&B composers, which include The Clutch, The-Dream, Sean Garrett and a barrage of urban producers (Tricky Stewart, Eric Hudson, J.R. Rotem, Kwame and Mad Scientist), Jesse is ready to slip into another world with his third solo effort, Departure. “I made a list full of people I knew who were at the top of their game in that world. I decided if I was going to do that record, these guys would be the best to do it with and they certainly were," McCartney told BET.com.

Considered by most to be a "pop" or Top 40 Mainstream artist, Jesse's personal perspective has kept his sound distinct. “I did a lot of writing in the past and I co-wrote four tracks on this record. One of the major things I learned on this album is that no matter how good of a writer you are, you only have on perspective. And working with people like Sean [Garrett] for instance who definitely took the new sound to an extreme,” Jesse added. But for those thinking his sound hasn’t matured since he started out four years ago, they might be in for a bit of a surprise. “It’s accessible for the people in their early 20’s and I think it’s definitely going to capture and older demographic, but that was the goal…to show the evolution of me as a person and an artist which is what we did.”

While completing his album is the main focus right now, acting isn’t too far behind. “It's tough trying to balance the two. I’ve done a lot of animation in the past 6 months,” said Jesse. “I did Alvin and The Chipmunks, and I also did 'Horton Hears a Who.' I really didn’t do any live action because I’ve been in the studio, but hopefully after this album comes to a close and towards 2009 I’ll be doing a lot more film”.

Jesse’s forthcoming Lp, Departure, hits stores May 20 via Hollywood Records/Disney Music Group. “Leavin," which was written by The-Dream and produced by Tricky Stewart serves as the first single, and has been steadily added to the rotation of several urban radio stations all across the country.