We're blown away by your new single and video "Couture"; what inspired you to write it and who produced it?

Thank you so much! Being a 90s baby, “Couture” was the song that I always wanted to write and record. As soon as I heard the beat that was produced by NY Bangers, I could not stop my pen from writing; I knew exactly where I was going with the feel for this one.

Growing up, I was introduced to Hip-Hop via R&B. Some of my favorite songs like “I Can Love You” by Mary J Blige featured Hip-Hop artists like Lil Kim who brought that edge and rawness to the record. The blend was always so perfect: Soul-filled vibes with just the right amount of grit to let the listener know you mean business.

In college I really began to dig into the mixtape era when Nicki Minaj busted onto the scene. All of the mixtapes were hosted by DJs and I wanted that essence; required it. So, I presented this idea to my official DJ, Juice the DJ, and he added the perfect touch that I was seeking. I have to mention the engineer, Angelo Quaglía, whose Grammy nominated work has been heard on music projects from artists such as Joe, Busta Rhymes, 702 and Deborah Cox.

Chemistry is hard to find in this business and from the very beginning he understood exactly what I was going for and helped express it perfectly. I didn’t want “Couture” to fit the mold of today’s music which, to be honest, my music has never fit in. My goal was to create that nostalgia and invoke a feeling rather than just be a catchy tune. This is what I wanted to create with “Couture” and from the reception we have received, I feel like we got it right.

Regarding the music video for “Couture”, how did you and the director come up with the treatment, and do you look forward to directing again in the future?

I wanted to tell a story and I felt there was no better way to do that than to touch on our current state, which is COVID-19. As an artist, festival season is the time you prepare for year-round; it is the time you perform the most. Just before COVID-19 I was headlining festivals and was booked for upcoming dates. Because of the pandemic, the very fabric of live performance has transformed. I wanted to capture the essence of what my life as an artist was like before and what it is like now with virtual live performances as well as being quarantined.

I’ve worked with John Hill of Noir Films for the past two music videos so it was a no brainer that he would be the one to shoot “Couture”. I sent him a storyboard and boom! He came in, knew the perfect angles/shots to take, and “Couture” the music video was born.

I’ve always been involved with all aspects of my artistry; I just cannot help but to play an active role in the presentation of my craft. So far, I have co-directed all of my music videos and I am excited for what is to come.

Describe for us your creative process when working on new songs. Do you write lyrics before you have an instrumental?

Before writing I make sure I shut myself off from the world of music. It is so easy to unintentionally incorporate others’ sound into your own craft and I always want to create music that feels organic. Once I have that “quiet” I begin looking for instrumentals.

I always go for the feeling it gives me because that is what drives my lyrics, if I can't vibe to it, I end up with writer’s block. After meticulously selecting the instrumental, I lock myself in a room or the car and just write. Lyrics flow out of me to the point that I write most songs in an hour or less. Later I go back and fine tune the lyrics until I can’t anymore. My process would probably drive most people crazy but I feel every detail has to be intentional to get the song across correctly. So I’m a stickler for a complete body of work.

What do you enjoy most about performing live, and do you have a favorite song to perform?

My favorite part of performing live is the ability to develop a full production and push myself to produce an incredible experience. Every time I get together with my team to create a new set we embark on a new vision. How can we push the envelope? How can we improve the show? How big can we make this production? I was birthed at open mics so that desire to leave your heart on the stage never dies.

I wouldn’t necessarily say I have a favorite song to perform as they all have their moments. Every city is different and every show even more so. Sometimes my song “Newbian King” is it, sometimes it’s “LGBTooQute”, and sometimes it’s “Couture” etc.

I know it’s obvious to you now, but I’m big on feeling with anything that I do, not to be confused with receiving energy. Sometimes you can perform for a crowd and they refuse to exchange energy while you are in front of them. During these moments, my favorite becomes something that proves I have a right to be on the stage, the song of an underdog. Then, I receive energy after the show when I speak to people who enjoyed the performance. So my favorite varies every time I touch a stage.

What can you tell us about your upcoming project, which will be your fourth release? Do you have a name and overall theme/concept for the project?

I’ve worked on so many songs and as time goes on, the direction keeps developing. I’ve named this project three times already! I’m finally learning to shut up and ride the current because I’m clearly being brought to a different shore. I can say it will be a solid body of work that shows so many different sides of my artistry. I think it is important at this time in my career to showcase my full capacity thus far, there has been a lot of growth and evolution. I’m determined to put out my very best…when it’s ready!

As an artist and music brand, what are you bringing to the Hip-Hop/RnB scene that is different than what is out now?

You know, this is a question I have pondered for a long time. As a female artist, I feel there are so many different kinds of women in music. All of us beautifully singing and rapping to the beat of our own drum. My drum being that I am a child of music who is a product of entertainers that came before me.

My musical influence ranges from Alternative Rock to la música tejana, to R&B and you can hear throughout the songs in my catalog. I stood in front of the TV watching TLC, Aaliyah, Beyonce, and Selena so live performance is in my DNA. I am an all-around entertainer that will always leave my heart on the stage. I am just waiting for my turn to share my contribution to the world at large and more specifically these genres that are so dear to me.

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