Tell us a few things about your new song Boogeyman and your creative process in general.
Boogeyman speaks on my new flow and how I’ve grew as an artist Also speaks on some of my addictions problems and religious beliefs all on a trap beat
For which lyric you are most proud of?
“Piecing it, lyrics diary of a madman” making a reference to one my favorite rockstars “Ozzy”
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
Xxxtentacion, Mac Miller, and Kanye west
Trap music came to rule the world, but at the moment the genre feels stagnant. What does the future hold for hip hop in general?
The future of hip hop has a lot to come we have the punk scene starting to build but I think it’ll end up being like a psychedelic trippy rap that comes out like a Beatles if they made trap
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
Three words I would use to describe my sound would be “Energetic, Refreshing & Unique”
How many beats do you listen to before you end up using one? Tell us a few things about your creative process.
Honestly I am always writing new music and my team of producers are always sending me new beats. I vibe with all of them but whichever gives me the biggest stroke of inspiration is usually the one I focus on.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
I love almost every single bar I spit in the song but the one I feel embodies the song as a whole is in the intro when I say “never been a fraud, energy is in my heart”. Just letting it be known that the energy I bring is genuine and no one can take that from me.
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
My favorite musical artist in all aspects is Tyler, The Creator. He really changes the way music is heard and feels with every new piece of work and I love that, its definitely a driving force behind my own goals as a musician.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
I feel like hiphop is the purest form of expression in music. The way people can move crowds with their words and inspire generations is such a powerful thing, and all that comes from the emotional aspect that music brings. And since its ever changing, its going to be a timeless form of expression.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
Honestly all I watch is anime so it definitely gave me time to catch up on my favorite shows haha.
What is the most useless talent you have?
I cant really say but I guess a small talent I have that i’m proud of is the fact I have really good directional awareness/memory. I only need to visit a place once and Id remember exactly how to find my way, and i’m really good with maps.
The three words that come to mind to describe my sound are soulful, soothing, and jazzy.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it?
My new single, ‘Fading Away’ was inspired by my own personal journey with self-worth. My goal was to keep the overall vibe super edgy so it would appeal to a diverse audience. I hope my listeners walk away reflecting on this simple truth…If you’re constantly trying to prove your worth to someone, you’ve already forgotten your value.
You are not afraid to blend genres. For example, you worked in last year with Zak Vortex in some 80’s pop. What’s next?
I’m all about showing a little versatility with my craft! Zak Vortex reached out to me with an invitation to work on a collaboration together, and I thought, “Why not?!” We had such a great time creating the two songs we released, and one of them even got some radio play on BBC Radio. While my heart gravitates toward R&B and soul music, I’ll continue to remain open in the future with my creative projects.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
My number one inspiration by far would have to be my jazz musician grandmother. She made a tremendous impact on my life. However, I’m a huge fan of Stevie Wonder! I feel super inspired when I listen to gifted artists like Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse, and Joss Stone.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
The toughest obstacle I think I’ve faced as an independent artist is simply reaching people with my positive message. It’s not like I have a team of people working for me, so I have to be my own press agent, marketing expert, graphic designer, and the list goes on!
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
I finally got around to watching The Revenant during the quarantine, and it was definitely worth the two hour & thirty-six minute time investment!
Should we expect an album in the near future?
I’m so glad you asked! I just completed an EP with a fantastic producer from London that I’m planning on releasing this fall. Four songs will be featured on this EP, and I’d describe the theme as “faith-infused, gospel funk!” I’m really excited to share this heartfelt project with my listeners!
In three words I would describe my sound as sweet, engaging, and fulfilling.
Pop, hip hop and jazz elements. How do all these fit together? Tell us a few things about your creative process.
In my latest single “Lemon Drop” these three elements are perfectly woven together. My pop-influenced vocals mesh perfectly with the hip-hop drums and Jazzy lead guitar line. This brings the mainstream sound with an unpredictable feel. My creative process mirrors this with my pop and hip hop influence I tend to fond ways to make it different and unpredictable.
What is the main topic of your lyrics?
Lemon Drop is a stream of consciousness freestyle of my thought process of figuring out how I feel about a certain situation.
Your music has an uplifting vibe. In which state of mind do you imagine people listen to your music?
Lemon Drop is definitely an uplifting song but within it are some “forks in the road” that provoke the listener to think about how these situations and decisions could or have been applied to their life. Most people listen to Lemon Drop when they are chilling or falling in love. A lot of my other music has been about tough and sad situations so my music appeals to many different types of people.
Favorite song you did listen to this summer?
My favorite song this summer has been Ruthless by Midxwst.
Favorite music related film?
I love the perfect pitch movies.
Future plans?
As we keep growing my main goal is to build a massive community of people who know to use love in all of their interactions and don’t worry about things they can’t control and build a happy and loving world together. My company “Dead To The World LLC.” owns a recording studio and concert venue in Bradenton Florida. We use this space for artist development. My overall goal with this is to have a Dead To The World Headquarters in every city where any kid that wants to be in entertainment can go and get everything they need to put them in a position to be the most successful and positive with their career.
Alternative R&B that’s honest, mellow and soulful.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it.
Patience has a mellow but beat heavy sound. In this track I express the fragility of knowing what to do next but not having the courage for it yet by lyrically explaining the thought process behind patience. With an underground hip hop inspired outro, producer Lady Groove adds a new dimension to the track. Similarly to my track Mañana, which received Dutch Coverage on 3voor12noordholland, this song is LGBTQ inspired.
What is the main topic of your lyrics?
I keep all of my lyrics very personal. Most of the times it’s about self-acceptance and letting go. I really try to create a lyrical safe-space with all the songs I write.
Favourite album of the past decade?
Mac Miller – Swimming is always on repeat.
What would you change in the music industry?
I would change the amount that different artists work together on collaborations. I feel like we should all collab more.
Favorite music related film?
Green Book.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
I would work as a teacher, which I’m also doing right now. So nothing much would change.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it.
This song was meant to let people know its okay to be hurt! The heart heals, also don’t let your past dictate how you treat someone in the future. Make it case by case.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
Im a train wreck, im a fast car moving, im a point away from losing!
Favourite album of all time?
Michael Jackson – any album
What would you change in the music industry?
Nothing, its a challenge and I love it.
when not writing music, how do you spend your time?
Raising my daughter and trying to coach and motivate others.
Future plans?
To make a top 40 hit and inspire others one song at a time.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the story behind it.
I wrote this song after the deathof my brother and it’s impact it hadon my life. With grief sometimes we ebb and flow in and out of being able to handle it and other times it getting the best of us. I wanted the lyrics and beat to reflect that pendulum of an emotiona roller coaster not only grief sends us on, but also just general things in life especailly early trauma.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
“Don’t do shit straight, not even date”, this line lets people know yeah I am this and that, but I can spit too
Favourite album of the past decade?
Ooooooo fav album would be probably Ctrl by SZA I play that thing everyday still
What would you change in the music industry?
The perception that queer men have something to offer and can be just as creative and lyrical. Also, I would like to change the ways music is released nowadays, I feel like artists do not give fans enough time nowadays to let music saturate and digest. Even people who used to dropalbums like every 3 years are not dropping one every year so I feel like the good stuff gets lost.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
When not writing music i I usually just be chillng with my spouseor doing something with my friends, I am social as a mofo
Future plans?
uhmmmm, I do want to recruit artists and make my label bigger, maybe some small initimate tour to support my record coming in the fall, surpass 100k streams collectively, defintely moving to Seattle soon get establshed in that area, and learn guitar too. I ben playng paino for the last couple of months and my skills n that are definitely getting better. I want to be a multi instrumentalist
My sound is spontaneous, unconventional and outside the box
You blend so many different styles in your music. Tell us a few things about your creative process
My creative process is very spontaneous and is never planned. I create my music based on my particular mood that day or even through a conversation I have with God. The music I create has meaning to some part of my life and my story. I also like my instrumental canvases to be relatable to anyone who’s listening as I create music for everyone and not just a particular group of people.
Who is your favorite pianist?
I really don’t have a “favourite” but I have 4 musicians that have influenced my playing style: Robert Glasper, Alicia Keys, Oscar Peterson and Frédéric Chopin.
How difficult is it to promote instrumental music?
It definitely isn’t easy, especially in Canada as most music outlets (radio, etc) prefer music with lyrics and it’s even more difficult being a woman who is a minority. However, I have found my way around obstacles and through building solid relationships, I have support from a couple of radio stations here in Canada and I have also been able to have my music played on multiple radio stations and featured in music blogs internationally.
Your music has superb grooves. Tell us a song with a groove you wish you have composed yourself
First off, thank you so much; I truly appreciate that you noticed the grooves in my music. If I could have composed a song myself, it would have been Jazmine Sullivan’s “Pick Up Your Feelings.” I actually did a Reharmonization/Arrangement of this song on keys on my social media and I really liked the way it came out, so who knows; maybe Jazmine might see it and like it too 😉
Favorite music related film?
The one music related film that I enjoyed the most would have to be Lion King. There are many music moments in that movie and being a 90s baby, that movie was a big part of my childhood and learning how to play the piano during that era.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to never hide your gift from the world. There are so many people out there that need to hear your music, your creativity and the story that you portray in your music. Before I entered the music industry, I spent a lot of time in hiding and not really taking my gift seriously and seeing it as more of a hobby than a career. It wasn’t until my early 20s that I realized I had something to offer and I could really see myself doing this for the long run.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it.
On My Way Home is about my journey to find my way home. Growing up I lived in a town called Skokie, Illinois and went to school in Evanston, Illinois. I’ve always felt lost in life trying to settle down and find my community. And finally I’ve been finding my people and my community with making music.
What is the main topic of your lyrics?
“I live what I dream” – this lyric really means a lot to me because most of my songs come to me in my dreams and then I go out and make them in real life.
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
Favorite rapper / lyricist – Lil Wayne Favorite producer – Wiicked Keyzz
What would be your dream performance venue?
O2 Arena in London.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
“What if it turns out better than expected”
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
I would be working in sports if it wasn’t for Music. At the University of Illinois the University I attended, I worked for the women’s basketball team and for the athletic department. I had fun but music is ultimately what I’ll be doing for life!
“What a good night” is definitely uplifting with a great groove and really cool vibe. Tell us a few things about your creative process.
Usually with my songs, I hear a hook first, whether its melody or melody and lyrics. I will then get together with Sam Pack who I write my songs with; and once we have something down my partner Ashley will start piecing the music together. After that it goes off to George Holliday who puts the vision together. WAGN, was on the cutting room floor but we decided to give it another go as originally it was a slow song! We re wrote some of it to ‘funk’ it up and make it the song it is today!
How do you relate to the British music scene?
It’s quite hard to relate the British Music scene as what we are doing seems to stand in its own space. We are Nu-Funk with a Tash Hills twist lol! Hopefully, we are creating our own sound fusing together different genres and styles of music!
Favourite album of the past decade?
Honne – Warm on a cold night
What would you change in the music industry?
It’s very hard for Indie artists to earn money from streaming and royalties, making it impossible to be able to fund touring to build a fan base.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Do what feels right to you, stay true to who you are; and never follow the trend!
One last thing we should know about you?
I was in a band called Sativa in my teens and we played the Jazz Cafe London and supported Jazz Artist; Courtney Pine. My keys player at that time now writes for Global Pop Stars and recently wrote on Kylie Minogue’s new album!
HipHop Paranoia 