While R&B as of late has been dominated by newcomers like Ne-Yo and Chris Brown, Houston is secure in his own place in the music industry.

"I wouldn't even compare myself to the rookies coming up," Houston told SOHH. "I'm in my own lane, everybody knows me for what I do in the music game, what MH puts out, and they love me for the music that I do. I think Chris Brown is a really talented little kid and he's a great performer, great guy, really humble nice kid. I think there's a new generation coming up and it's great, but as for me, I think being a veteran sets me apart from everyone else."

On Veteran, Houston delivers his more mature sound with the help of songwriters and producers including Bryan Michael Cox, who produced MH's current single "Circle," as well as Ne-Yo, Tank, Rufus Blaq and The Underdogs, who also collaborated with Houston on Naked. Shawnna, Mya and Yung Joc also make guest appearances on the album.

"Our chemisty is so great," Marques said, of his decision to reunite with The Underdogs on Veteran. "I've been working with The Underdogs for years now, they did a lot of stuff on the last album, coming up with the whole style for MH. They know me, they know where I want to go musically, every artist has that relationship with that producer. Usher has JD, Michael [Jackson] and Quincy [Jones], the relationship with Justin [Timberlake] and Timbaland, I think The Underdogs really know my style like that."

Houston also says that Veteran will give fans further insight into his romantic side.

"A lot of people don't understand I'm a helpless romantic," Houston told SOHH. "I like everything to be like those romantic comedies, I like to make that real life. I like to be in relationships with that one person, I don't cheat. I've never cheated, ever in my life. I'm really into the old-fashioned part of the relationship, just you and that one person making that beautiful chemistry together. Being in love, little personal things like that, is what you get with this album."

Speaking of love, Houston admits there is a special lady in his life putting "a smile on his face" and that the song "Kimberly" was inspired by her.

"The song was written pretty much for my girlfriend, but the thing behind 'Kimberly' is that every woman has [a] 'Kimberly' [side]. It's that freaky side, the woman that is so shy and softspoken, I'm pretty sure she has a 'Kimberly' side in the bedroom," Houston explained.

While Houston remained tightlipped about the identity of his current love, he didn't deny a special relationship with Kim Kardashian, spokesmodel for Christopher Brian, the clothing line released by Houston's manager Chris Stokes.

"Kim is my girl. That's my homegirl. We're doing a lot of business together. We are just friends, we are good friends," he said.

Marques Houston's latest album, Veteran, arrives in stores today (March 20), via T.U.G./Universal Motown Records.