Amanda Diva

Amanda Diva “Life Experience� Album Review
Like many individuals, I enjoy being pleasantly surprised: whether it’s due to an unanticipated visit from a good friend; a birthday wish from someone who you never would have guessed would extend one; or receiving an unexpected gift from your homie. In the past couple of weeks, I had the opportunity to experience all of the above. But what iced the cake for me was topping it all off with a new soulful album to add to my collection – Amanda Diva’s new album, “Life Experience.�

Outside of just getting the Diva’s new joint, I also had the honor in seeing her perform live recently. I was at the Nuyorican Café in NYC chilling with my people, waiting to do my thing as well, and I hear “Next up, Amanda Diva!� This was a pleasant surprise as I didn’t know Amanda Diva was going to be rockin’ that night. So being that I already heard of her through Okayplayer, I became more attentive to the performance. Like expected, she is gifted, beautiful and, from what I gathered, a truly down-to-earth artist and person.

Amanda performed a few tracks from “Life Experience,� including the women’s empowerment-inspired anthem Supa Woman, 40 MC’s (but without Q-tip that night) and my favorite – the smooth Commodore-sampled Windows Over Harlem. On stage, the Diva knew how to grab the attention of her audience and kept them attentive throughout her performance. I mean, it’s not hard to do when you have good background music, a nice bag of rhymes, and can sing as well.

And that is what makes “Life Experience� such a great album: it is versatile, soulful and, musically, it touches both men and women on an intellectual level. But even better, the album accomplishes this without losing sight of the basic formula of hip-hop: beats and rhymes.

On “Life Experience� Amanda Diva speaks on her struggles, her trials and growth as a person. If you’ve ever have had hard times trying to reach your goals, you should be able to relate to her movement. With jazz-inspired production reminiscent of classic A Tribe Called Quest tracks but with new-school flavor similar to that of Floetry, “Life Experience� is a memorable album. Cop that.

- ScholarMan - Hiphoplinguistics.com

Amanda Diva is the kind of girl you’d want to meet your mother. She’s not likely to be that chick calling you up drunk and crying hysterically at 2:00 AM or starting shit in public because “some bitch� was looking at her wrong. She’s been a radio host, an MTV VJ, a commentator on VH1’s “Best Week Ever�, a member of Floetry (she’s a songstress AND a lyricist so that shit didn’t work outicist), an author, done spoken word, she blogs and she’s mad cute (I know it’s not an achievement but I’m a dude). Here’s my review of her EP “Life Experience�:

Best Joints: “Life Experience Intro�, “Supa Woman�, “40 MC’s�, “Window Over Harlem�, “Brown Girl�, “New School, Old School�, “Better Way (I Know)�, “Life To Love� and “Crazy World�


Dart’s Take: This EP impressed me and I already knew that Amanda Diva was nice from “40 MC’s� and “Supa Woman�. I was really thrown by how horrible ‘Bright Lights� was and how fucked up it sounded. From then on, the EP was fine. Amanda’s flow is nice and she mixes it well with her vocals. Her lyrical content is extremely refreshing in an industry where the average female rapper would’ve rapped about the elasticity of their vaginas or how their head game would put you into a straitjacket or something else that would make your eyes roll (provided you have common sense, that is).

While all of the tracks are dope (the one glaring exception being “Bright Lights�), my favorites are “Supa Woman�, “40 MC’s�, “Brown Girl�, “Better Way (I Know)� (it’s the joint!) and “Crazy World� a bonus track that Ms. Diva spits a capella over someone banging out a beat. This EP is definitely worth the $7.99 that the iTunes store is asking for it and if you see a physical copy in a store you shouldn’t hesitate to cop it. I give “Life Experience� a mos def and bow at the feet of Ms. Amanda Diva. - PoisonousParagraphs.com

She may be an independent artist, but chances are you've heard of Amanda Diva.

Born Amanda Seales, the 27-year-old hip-hop/soul MC/poet has been a music journalist since 2003 and has hosted her own Sirius Satellite Radio and MTV2 shows since 2004 and 2005, respectively.

As if that weren't enough of a juggling act, Diva decided to pursue a career in hip-hop recording in 2006. "At that point, I started to feel like this is what I wanted to really do," she says. "That's when I made the decision to go from rapping as a hobby to making it a serious activity."

Although her well-established position in the industry helped further her aspirations, the Orlando, Fla.-raised artist says her connections also presented some challenges. "Because I come from a multifaceted background, my peers questioned my legitimacy," she says. "People weren't taking me seriously."

So Diva decided to play harder. She released her Q-Tip-assisted debut mixtape, "Bigger Than Hip-Hop," last year. She also performed during the Roots' annual Black Willy show in Philadelphia, backed by the troupe's drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson. A month after, Diva was asked to replace Natalie Stewart in the R&B group Floetry and began touring with core member Marsha Ambrosius in June. "That tour was the No. 1 thing that solidified me as an artist in people's eyes," Diva says.

Plans to record an album with Floetry fell by the wayside, but Diva—who is also the First Lady of the DJ Drama-helmed Aphilliates crew—didn't let it hinder her plans. Late last year she released "Life Experience," the first EP of a trilogy. She recently released "ForePlay," a mixtape serving as a prequel to "Love Experience," the next EP in the collection, due Feb. 10, 2009. Green Lantern, DJ Spinna and James Poyser have contributed production, while Estelle, Kardinal Offishall and Jack Davey make guest appearances. Diva is also working with 9th Wonder from Little Brother on an album set to be released next spring and is featured on Q-Tip's upcoming album, "The Renaissance."

Currently, Diva hosts a monthly variety show at New York's Drom called Spectrum Funk, where she invites other artists to perform with her, has an Internet comedy show, "Diva Speak TV" (which she describes as a cross between Dave Chappelle and "The Colbert Report"), and is a commentator on VH1's "Best Week Ever," which airs weekly on the network.

"My goal moving forward is to get a distribution deal for my music but continue to be indie," Diva says about what she hopes will come next. "2009 is the year. That's the plan." - Billboard Magazine

ow is this young lady still flyin’ under the radar? Ok, given, she’s never shot her baby sitter, had a crew of shooters dip in her limousine, or kept it G’d up in a court of law and did a bid like a true to the game b*tch. But she can definitely rhyme her way around those who have. Her style is reminiscent of a mid ’90s Lauryn Hill in the sense that she can both MC (“Heart Of The City”) and sing a smooth melody (“Test Me Freestyle”). And while she’s droppin’ her political take on joints like “Watch Ya Back Barack,” she also gives the song a fun tone and entertaining rhymes to go with the mind-opening lyrical content. I swear she could’ve been a member of A Tribe Called Quest or part of a group with MC Lyte and Queen Latifah.

Ladies, I know it seems cool to be a chickenhead ’cause dudes respond to shortie’s that dress like the world is one big club and act like shiny things are the best thing since sliced bread. But it’s ’08, time to act a little more like Sojourner Truth or even Martha Stewart (She did her bid like a champ. Can’t hate.) rather than that jumpoff around the corner that has a wet p*ssy, but a dry purse. Until you figure out that metaphore, pop in Amanda’s Foreplay and soak up some good game.

Hottest Joint: Too many to just choose one. - Xxl.com

Elegant, intelligent, comical, lyrical, sultry; these are all words that come to mind when thinking of a diva. The diva that I’m specifically referring to is known as a host, poet, DJ, VJ, writer, and artist. This jack of all trades is constantly making competitive strides in the heavily dominated “boys club” known as the entertainment industry. Nas is quoted as saying that she “approaches hip-hop with a fierceness to protect it, nourish it, and mother it like it's her own beautiful child.”

Amanda Diva is not your average artist. She is a graduate of SUNY Purchase, with a Bachelors in Liberal Arts for Black Studies, and she has also received a Masters in African American Studies at Columbia University. Along with her academic accomplishments she is also socially conscious, actively assisting with mentoring in inner city schools when traveling.

As an emcee and songstress Amanda Diva is double the threat. She uses her scholastic abilities along with street sense to bring her vision to listeners. Overall Amanda Diva is a fan of Hip-Hop, she’s in it for the love of the music, and has a message to deliver. This budding star has a résumé that is outdoing the current celebrities in the limelight. She was a VJ for MTV, appeared on Def Poetry, had a show on Sirius Satellite Radio, she is a member of The Aphilliates, toured with Floetry, and is opening up for Lupe Fiasco. Currently Amanda Diva is working on several projects. She recently released an EP on iTunes called “Life Experience.” This is the first release of a trilogy which is set to impress fans, and catch the attention of new listeners.

While obtaining an opportunity to interview Amanda Diva before a show, I was able to get a glimpse of her in rare form. Interviewing her is like meeting up with an old friend after not seeing them for quite some time. It is a feeling of knowing her. She has an extremely charismatic, energetic personality. Throughout the duration of the interview we were backstage, she was excited to perform, was visited by supporters, paced around speaking to other artist, cracked jokes, and was just very animated. She is extremely genuine, and passionate about what she does. She wants to be taken just as seriously for her singing as she is for her emceeing. After looking back I didn’t have an opportunity to interview her. I had a conversation with a star on the rise.

Singersroom: You have received a great deal of success thus far in your career. Is it difficult being a woman of color in the industry?

Amanda Diva: Yeah! It’s difficult being a woman period in this business. There is a definite double standard. There are certain practices expected of a man in this industry that are looked at negatively when displayed by a woman. When a woman in the industry handles her business properly she gets booked as a being a difficult. I just remain confident and comfortable.

Singersroom: You’ve recently come off tour with Floetry. How was that experience?

Amanda Diva: It was a fantastic experience, and I learned a lot. Initially it was difficult because fans did not know I replaced Natalie. They didn’t know she was off the tour at all and to them I just kind of showed up. But I would like to give a shout out to Wendy Williams who brought a lot of light to that entire situation. Overall, I am very thankful for that entire opportunity.

Singersroom: Since you have a background in acting, is that something that you are actively attempting to pursue?

Amanda Diva: If possible I would, but it would have to make sense. Right now I’m concentrating on my music. I’m 100 percent into my music! Anything I do I want to be 100 percent into it!

Singersroom: So you recently released the EP ‘Life Experience’, which is available on iTunes. What can we look forward to in the future?

Amanda Diva: Well, ‘Life Experience’ is the first part of a series. I’m also releasing ‘Love Experience’ in May and ‘Live Experience’ at the end of the summer.

Singersroom: I ask this question every time I do an interview. What was your best job and worst job?

Amanda Diva: My worst job was being a hostess at Cannon Road and The Gap the standards were really low. My best job had to be MTV 2, I “was respected for who I was [and] treated with respect.”

Amanda Diva is currently on “The Cool” tour opening up for Lupe Fiasco. If you are interested in seeing her please support the shows, take a look at her website, and watch Amanda TV. - SingersRoom.com

The followers of the Hip-Hop world are obsessed with the super super stars, the Diddy’s, the Jay’s, the 50’s; the ones that have had triumph after triumph, amassed money that would encourage some third world countries to climb out of debt. Very few uber celebrities are female in Hip-Hop. Of course there are female representatives, but their presence and tenure is somewhat short lived or jaded with drama in one way or another in today’s atmosphere.

One female who is making her way up the ladder of success and making her way with very little fuss and ego is Amanda Diva. Born out west, raised down south and residing on the East, this twenty five year old ‘lyrical cardiologist’ has accomplished quite a lot throughout her love affair with Hip-Hop.
[MTV VJ, Sirius Radio Show host, the solo female down with the Aphilliates DJ crew, published scribe and successful touring poet, there is no form of media or expression that this young spokesperson for resuscitating Hip-Hop is afraid to tackle. Being compared to a young Lauryn Hill with her ability to rhyme and sing comes as a huge accolade, but nothing she takes for granted. Work is something she adheres too, music is something she absorbs and star quality is something she has been blessed with. Nobodysmiling.com talks to this jack of all trades about her music, her writing and just how she wants to be seen by those whom she reaches with her words.

Nobodysmiling.com : Education appears to be at the core of everything you have done, whether it is while on TV or while you are on the radio. Is that a mission of yours to educate through your endeavors in Hip-Hop?

Amanda Diva : Yes I guess you could say that because I just think there was a time when Hip-Hop did a lot to educate me and I think that was what made me fall in love with it. Not necessarily in the sense of learning specific historical facts, even though that is something I have gained from Hip-Hop, but dealing with certain situations socially and business wise. When you listen to certain songs, folks put their lives and experiences into their music and if you really listen you can learn from that.

Its like music is so not based on real life right now, so the education factor of it is totally null and void, as it is really not talking about anything. I am not going to lie, I learned a lot about the hood and the streets and all that from listening to rap music. It may not have been from the environment I came up in but it taught me what I needed to know because my community is involved in it. I learned a lot about the way things go down and certain slang from listening to that music and when that isn’t in the music anymore, it is like ‘damn what is in the music?’ I mean I guess I can learn how to dance. So yes education is a big part of what I do, but I don’t want to hit anyone in the head with it.

Nobodysmiling.com : Did you grow up in New York?

Amanda Diva : I was born in L.A; my Mother is from Grenada, grew up with my Mom as a single parent. I lived in L.A until I was eight and then I moved to Orlando, lived there until I was 18 but moved to New York to go to school and I have been here ever since.

Nobodysmiling.com : You are working on your EP called 'Filling The Void'. Now correct me if I am wrong, but to me that title made me think of the lack of female MC’s, that was the premise behind the title.

Amanda Diva : That is like the first level as I guess there are different stages of it. But that is definitely a big part of it. You know Shawna and Remy do what they do but they come from a very similar place in their music and there is still a big void in terms of female MCs doing anything beyond that. There is a void music wise right now, the music that you can listen to and live to. I mean there is a very small demographic of big commercial artists that are doing music like that, you can literally say that the only artists off top that do that for me still are Kanye, T.I and that’s it in terms of big commercial artists. I mean we are going to get a Nas album soon, he is always known for doing that. There was a time when the list would have been like Q Tip, De La Soul, you could even throw in N.W.A.

Nobodysmiling.com : Why is there a lack of female representation?

Amanda Diva : I think the thing with Shawna and Remy was they were down with their crews for a minute before they got to step out and do their thing. But for those of us who aren’t down with a rap crew, I mean I am down with the Aphiliates, but they are a DJ crew. When you are a female MC you have to be perfect. There is a lot more room for dudes as they don’t have to be necessarily good looking, they don’t have to be smart, they don’t have to necessarily be tight MCs or be able to dance; but with chicks, it is like we have to be banging. Our skills have to be amazing, we had better be intelligent as in a mans world we are always getting tested to see if we are our toes. It is just like the stakes are so so high for female MCs that a lot of female MCs can never crack that feeling to get there and really you have to be down with a crew. I have never been down with a crew in terms of having people co-sign me, I have always tried to build my own foundation and my own following and that is what I am doing. Now I started this mixtape series, Still Suckerfree; me and Mick Boogie did the first one, I plan to have five more by April. The plan is just to keep going.

Nobodysmiling.com : For someone your age though, which is only 25, you appear to be building your own little empire. You have involved yourself in every aspect of media, radio, TV, internet and yet you have done this without a co-sign.

Amanda Diva : It is tough; you know people take things the wrong way. I am going through something right now, you know someone I was working with, if you say something a lot of times when you are a woman and it is coming out of your mouth, a lot of dudes tend to take it the wrong way. You know egos just cant take it.

Nobodysmiling.com : Do you feel that you have to validate your reasons more and justify your thinking more?

Amanda Diva : Definitely as it makes it very difficult, dealing with dudes you can't operate the way dudes do as when you are about efficiency there is always the fact that you are a woman hanging over the situation that is going on. You have to really temper a lot of the things you say and how you say things sometimes as no man can take that coming from a woman and it will never stop.

Nobodysmiling.com : Do you feel that as a woman in the industry in the capacity that you are, you have had to somewhat water down your personality?

Amanda Diva : Hell yeah and then sometimes it is just not possible and I pay the price for it.

Nobodysmiling.com : You have an example of that?

Amanda Diva : Yes, someone I am working with, I had made a decision with someone else about how I was going to go about doing something I was working on and they went and had a conversation with that person and they said ‘We decided that this was the better way to do it,’ and I was like ‘But it wasn’t up to you to make that decision,’ you know it was my project and I had already made that decision, so why are you going ahead and having that conversation? So now they are not talking to me because they feel like I was trying to upset them.

Nobodysmiling.com : How do you overcome obstacles like that then?

Amanda Diva : I don’t know as I wasn’t going to change the way I did everything. I feel that the better way of dealing with that would have been for me to go along with them and make them feel like that was ok and do what I needed to do, but that isn’t my personality.

Nobodysmiling.com : To be in this game you have to have a certain personality when you are a female, you know to get in the door you have to have a certain attitude as that is how we get in in the first place.

Amanda Diva : Yes and it is like I am like ‘What have I done?’ but then you think how integral were they if they can be like ‘Boom I am not talking to you anymore.’ We have to work twice as hard as we get tested twice as much and I am a ‘no nonsense’ kind of chick and we all make mistakes, sometimes we slip. When dudes slip, its like he is willing but when a woman slips its like we are disrespecting them, you know how dare we play them. It makes it very difficult to maneuver and you find you have to always finesse things but at the end of the day we just have to get shit done, you know we need to get shit ready. I am a perfectionist, I like things at the highest quality possible and sometimes that can be too much for people, if you are paying them or not. People just don’t work to that quality nowadays, people are all about taking short cuts and when someone like me comes along they are like “Damn now I have to work.” When you are a woman there is a lot less breathing room.

Nobodysmiling.com : When it comes to being a journalist, were you inquisitive as a kid?

Amanda Diva : I feel that my forte is definitely interviewing. I think people feel comfortable around me. I don’t know what it is about me, but I can meet someone and within ten minutes they will be telling me about their court case. I guess it is just because I am honest person. Its funny that your first question was about educating, as as much as I try to make improvements in myself I always try and think of ways the people I interview can improve their situation when they tell me their stories.

Nobodysmiling.com : When an eleven year old girl looks at you then, what do you hope she sees as there is a lack of female role models in the game?

Amanda Diva : I hope she sees someone that is honest, that is strong and someone that is independent but without being bougie, without being an iron fist, and that you can be sexy and classy, you know you don’t have to be out here looking crazy. I mean really I want to be a role model as it is funny that people run from that title as they want to be able to fuck up without the responsibility, but everyone is going to mess up but you just have to be responsible for your actions and you know I am not a reckless person like that; I take great care in making my life run as smoothly as possible with my own decisions, even when things are out of my control. So when a kid looks to me I just want them to see someone that they might like to grow up and be.

Nobodysmiling.com : Looking at Hip-Hop today what bothers you the most?

Amanda Diva : What bothers me the most? It has to be the saccharine; it is just like concentrated sugar. If Hip-Hop was a plate of food it would just be like a candy bar. It is not sweet like fruit, it is just so man made all artificial dyes, man made crap put together but it looks so good. That is what it looks like today, there is no balance and that is what bothers me the most, it is all good to have the sweet tart, but as long as you have some good food before. I just hate that there is a total imbalance in the music these days and even in the culture, these kids don’t know that Hip-Hop involves break dancing, graffiti and DJing. You know Hip-Hop is the rappers, the DJ is the person who plays the rappers records, they don’t have that sense of the culture. They have a sense of the music but they don’t have a sense of the culture and that is where the imbalance comes in. You can’t learn how to be a rapper. You know people think they can pick up a pen because they see a dollar sign at the end of it.

Nobodysmiling.com : Do you think the financial aspect plays a big part as to why it has fallen off?

Amanda Diva : Definitely. There is a definite lack of exclusivity to the art of rhyming today; you know you had to be a part of an exclusive elite talent pool to rhyme, but now everyone thinks they can rhyme, you know you have a hot beat, you are in it to win it and that sucks.

Nobodysmiling.com : Going back to the journalism aspect, what has been your most memorable interview?

Amanda Diva : I would have to say Nas because he is my favorite MC and it was my first time interviewing my favorite MC and it catapulted my career. That was a big moment but you know what it is more so that there are certain people that I look forward to interviewing because they always give you a good ass interview. Like Snoop; Snoop is always going to give you a banger. Game and Trick Daddy will always give you a banger because they don’t care, they don’t give a frrr about anything. I am always happy when they are about to drop because their interviews will be coming up.

A lot of cats are so trained and so polished..but yeah I know what my most memorable interview is. My most memorable interview has to be my Beanie Segal interview, it was my first feature, but we just got so into his issues with the law and with his legal situation where we had to turn off the recorder at one point where we had a side interview because he wanted to tell me shit he didn’t want to put out there and that was the realest interview I ever had with an artist where they talked to me real and respected where I was coming from and I respected where he was coming from. It was a dope piece to give to the people as my goal as a journalist is to do an interview that hasn’t been done; you know show them a side of the artist that they have never seen before.

Nobodysmiling.com : Do you see yourself continuing with the interviewing?

Amanda Diva : I see myself continuing with the interviewing as the demand for people who are respecting my position as an interviewer and what I bring to the table when I do interviews is growing. So this is something I have to continue doing. When I interview folks I feel that not only do I show a different side of them but I can break down that wall, that industry wall, that packaged rapper wall, so people can see that they are real people. To me it is imperative that we give back to them as because rappers have become so much larger than life at this point that we forget they are real people, and there is something to be said for regular people talking about their shit.

Nobodysmiling.com : Do you find that the standards of journalism are sinking with the standards of music?

Amanda Diva : I mean it can’t help it, it’s like where do you go now, what can you do now, people start reaching. You know the music is so bottomless they start reaching for some other shit and you find yourself getting caught up asking about relationships and that should be extra-curricular, the extra shit.

Nobodysmiling.com : But sometimes you have to go for that though.

Amanda Diva : Yes you have to as there is no other interesting shit there. It sucks.

Nobodysmiling.com : So what is the future for you? Being compared to Lauryn Hill which you have been has to be a great incentive to keep on with the music I am sure?

Amanda Diva : Yeah that shit is bugged out but with that situation and music, I mean my long term goal has always been to be an asset to this and I just want to be abe to bring something that is just not there. You know that’s why it is Fill the Void, you know I wasn’t going to venture into rhyming and music if I wasn’t bringing something unique, you know adding to the plate. So that is what I have made my number one goal, doing the music on a larger scale but also I want to just continue be a part of bringing Hip-Hop to a better place and I am lucky enough to be in the press, on the radio and in different places where they have the ability to effect music and the ability to where it is going. You know a lot of people don’t have that freedom and that is a huge big deal that I am involved not just on the music side, as I don’t know any boundaries. If I am doing the music side of things then the other sides I just want to do them all to the best of my ability and what comes along comes along. Now I know exactly what I want, the music is my number one and I am putting my all into it. You know whatever else comes along if it fits into the seam of things I will pick it up.

Nobodysmiling.com : You talk about five mixtapes before April, what about an album, can hear one from you soon?

Amanda Diva : Well the thing about an album is that it has to be in the right circumstances and if I really had my way, I would fund my shit, I would set up my project by myself and just go for it. You know how I am, I would have my own promo people, people who are of definite credibility and ability in the game. I would do something revolutionary to do it yourself all over again. You know that was what Jay did with Roc-a-fella and there are a lot of independents out there now and I would like to be a woman that does that.

Nobodysmiling.com : What is stopping you right now then?

Amanda Diva : You have to have your bread game right and I need to be in a certain financial situation to make that step as I don’t want to make that step prematurely because then that can put you in a hole that you cant get out of. So in the mean time my mixtapes are going to be quality, I have features on the first one from Q Tip, Chamillionaire, Jae Millz and I am working on the second one, you know getting beats and putting it together and it is an uphill struggle but I have stamina. - nobodysmiling.com

Skimming through Amanda Diva's career highlights is as exhausting a process as trying to describe Gang Starr's discography to a deaf person. In the seven years since she burst into the poetry scene as a spoken word artist, the poet/singer/rapper has appeared on Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam, hosted her own show on Sirius Satellite Radio, been the "face of hip hop" at MTV2 while hosting all of their programming and Sucker Free shows/segments, established herself as a veritable hip hop journalist, put out a slew of mixtapes, toured as a member of Floetry, and worked with the likes of Q-Tip, ?uestlove, Kurtis Blow, and James Poyser.

Got all of that? Well, there's more--Diva is set to dive into her career as an artist on December 18 with Life Experience, the first in a trilogy of EPs that are the culmination of her journey thus far within the hip hop industry. I got a chance to build with the exuberant Miss Diva. She explained what's it been like to transform from journalist to recording artist, addressed the scandal surrounding her part in the Floetry reunion, and told me to grow a pair of balls (thanks again, Amanda)...

Okayplayer: You're pretty much the hip hop renaissance woman, with all of the aspects of the industry you're involved in. Was that your plan from the jump, or was it a natural progression?

Amanda Diva: It started off just from doing the poetry thing, and from there one of the execs at Sirius saw me doing a performance at a benefit for Jesse Jackson and got me on the radio. That led to MTV2. I had been writing for allhiphop.com when I first got out of school, and then I ran into Bonsu (Thompson, "XXL" editor), and I started for "XXL" and "Hip Hop Soul." When people always ask me for advice on how to get into the game, I just tell them to stay present--opportunity comes all the time, it's just that most people aren't ready when it knocks. I've just been lucky and diligent enough that when opportunities came, I was just able to step up and naturally [step into] this renaissance thing.

What's funny is that the music was never even an option for me. I will never forget standing in BB King's with Bonsu, and he said, "I don't know why you don't want to be an artist, you've really got something," and I was like, "Fuck outta here! I'm not walking into hell!" (laughs) I was just so set on not signing up for that, and now here we are, Life Experience, December 18...(laughs)

OKP: You've put out other projects before, with your mixtapes...

AD: And those were just experiments!! (laughs) And that's what these EPs are, and that's why I put out an EP and not a full length, because I didn't think I was completely ready yet. I just felt like I'm further along than doing another mixtape, but wanted a little more time to develop myself as an artist, as a brand to the people, and that's what I thought these EPs could do.

OKP: What's the difference between these EPs?

AD: Well, Life Experience is much more life-based. All my music comes from a personal place, but it's definitely much more personal in terms of speaking from my point of view on things rather than general assessments on topics. I'm not speaking for everybody. But then when we get to Love Experience (her next EP), it's going to highlight more of my vocal skills as a singer, and it's going to be a softer side of me, a more emotional look. I think a lot of people think that I don't have vulnerability, which I find wild! (laughs) I'm a Cancer, I'm sensitive as hell! And Live Experience is going to be all live recordings, and I personally feel that that's where I shine the most, onstage.

OKP: You were saying how people feel as though you have no vulnerability, and the first thing that I wondered was if that's because you're an ambitious and outgoing female working in an industry that tends to be male-dominated.

AD: Definitely...

OKP: Would you say that in 2007, is it easier or harder to be a female working in the industry?

AD: I think it's harder because when I got into the industry a relatively short time ago--I always consider one year to equal three years in this game--at least we had Lil' Kim, Eve, Foxy, you know, women were at least here! Now, the common state of mind is, ‘Oh, there's no female emcees,' and because there's none, people just chalk that up to, ‘Oh, maybe there shouldn't be any.' So then you find yourself having to answer obvious questions like, ‘So do you think female emcees have a chance?' What? Why wouldn't they? Since when are women emcees a different species? You know, we just rhyme and we have breasts...I don't get that. When I look at the game now, there's a lot more women doing their thing behind the scenes. It is a very male-dominated game, and when you're assertive and about your business, people look at it like you're a bitch or a diva, but I don't sign on to that because if it was a dude, people would be like, ‘Oh, he's on point!'

OKP: Your lyrical content indicates that you're a very forward-thinking and, I hate to say it, ‘conscious' person. Have you been able to interact with aforementioned emcees like Foxy or Kim, and what has that been like?

AD: When I have crossed paths with them, I wasn't an artist myself--I was interviewing them--so there's always a different interaction that takes place. But I always cite me and Shawnna--I think folks would consider us to be different types of rappers, but she always respected what I was about and actually encouraged me to pursue music when I was really against it. I respect what rappers like Kim and Foxy do...

OKP: I can understand that respect, but at the same time, in listening to the content of the music that you put out, can you really say that you do respect their approach in how they represent themselves with their sexuality, seeing as how it goes against your own beliefs?

AD: That whole thing is not my steez, but I can't say I don't respect what they do because that's what they do. My issue is that there are all these factions that enable that. People are gonna do what they do, but there's a whole other step that takes place--enablers, the same people that also reject artists that are not based in sex. My issue is with the folks that say if it doesn't sell sex, it doesn't fit in, so we don't want it. That's where the real problem lies, because there are so many facets of artists out there, and I don't find it coincidental that we only seem to see the ones that are rooted in sex.

OKP: Your journalistic background predates your role as an artist. Obviously, the network you had from that side of the industry must have helped you cross over, but were there any challenges?

AD: I'd be acting like a punk to say that it hurt me more than it helped me. There's always going to be snags and people who doubt you, but the knowledge and connections I made outweighed those snags more than hindered it. People have taken to me much better than I expected.

OKP: I've got to admit, it's somewhat of a personal question. I'm obviously a writer, but I've got my own music projects, and I find myself in positions sometimes where I feel like I have to play my position and not let the two overlap...

AD: The whole playing your position thing is crap. You gotta know what makes sense and I don't think anyone can define it. You want to know who always says stay in your position? The people who don't have the balls to move out of theirs. The people who want to do music but they don't know what it's going to do to their career, and they're shook ones, and they don't want to take the risk. If that's your steez, that's your steez, but don't put that on me! Congratulate me! Can't have no cowards out there, we trying to get power! Woman up! (Note: This exchange was not nearly as awkward as it reads...maybe)

OKP: Ok, duly noted! So you got your Master's at Columbia. How did what you learned there affect you as an artist in this industry, especially when it's not as common for rappers to have such a degree of higher education. Not to generalize, but this is a field where some of the legends in the game were high school dropouts.

AD: I always believed that I am able to speak really well to different facets of people, and hip hop breaks down a lot of barriers in that respect. By being educated and in an academic setting it allowed me to speak to an even broader amount of people because it's like having a different language, and a different respect that comes with having that piece of paper. I don't necessarily cosign that respect, but it's facts! (laughs)

The African American Studies program in Columbia understood the importance of hip hop to the betterment of the community. Their program wasn't just about studying history, it was about applying the mistakes and positive moves of the past to make a better future not just for the black community, but the whole world in general. I know it sounds really utopian, but it's true. I actually applied a lot of what I learned, beyond just knowing facts. At Columbia, I learned reality and practical application, and I got comfortable with myself and what I want to do, and I learned that this music thing is not to be taken for granted.

It's funny, I got an email this morning from someone telling me that I need to get a real life. They were basically saying that this music thing is a waste of time considering there are so many problems in this world. And it's like, WOW, if you think that music doesn't have an effect on our society, you've got a real messed up view. At Columbia, they respected that about me. You know, when I had to miss class to go interview Outkast, I wasn't getting chastised, I was getting congratulated.

OKP: Who's the coolest artist you've gotten to build with?

AD: (pause) You know what, every time this question is asked, I seem to start my thought process over. I never have an actual complete answer (laughs).

OKP: Ok, I don't want to put you on the spot here and make you pick a favorite, so let me ask this--what's been the most unique interview experience you've had with an artist?

AD: (immediately) Oh, Game. He's all over the place! In our first interview, he was basically trying to call my bluff or something, mad dog me, being all hard like, ‘You know, the word on the street is that you're a bitch!' And I'm like, ‘Really? Who told you that?' So we get done with the interview and afterwards I told the people at Interscope, ‘Yo, your man is BUGGIN'!' And then later on he sends me a 2-way asking that I call this number so that he can apologize on my show. So then we have part two of the interview, The Reconciliation, and now every time I interview him, we know each other and we're cool. It's a real interview, and he's comfortable enough to keep it real with me and answer my questions.

OKP: You cracked his shell, his hard exterior...

AD: His GANGSTA! So Game is the most unique...Nas is one of my favorites. I mean, he's one of my favorite emcees of all time, so just being able to say that I've interviewed him five times...(laughs), I never though that was something I'd be able to say. And Kanye; I love Kanye so much. He's just like me. We're just sincere, passionate individuals, and it gets misconstrued sometimes.

OKP: Tell me why you are putting Life Experience out online.

AD: It's going to be available on iTunes, Rhapsody, the whole gamut. When you're independent, you have to run a marathon, not a sprint, so I felt like the smartest way would be to start out online and work my way up to getting it in stores.

OKP: Well, that's not even a strictly indie mentality anymore, if we look at examples from Radiohead and Saul Williams. The industry is obviously going through some vast changes. What are your thoughts about that?

AD: The model is definitely changing. You know, life is a cycle, the earth moves around, and that's just the way it is. This hip hop thing started in the independent realm of people selling stuff out of their trunks, and the internet has become their trunk, so it's not even something necessarily new. It's just coming back around, and I think it's great. These huge corporations have commoditized hip hop with artists getting the least out of it. Fame is all well and good, but you can't feed kids on fame, you need bread! And there are a lot of people out there who do have fame, but don't have bread, you'd be surprised. But with independent models, it allows folks to really be in control of their own product, and I think that's important in the black community in general. The Internet allows the music to get so many people in general; it becomes global instead of, in many cases, just regional. I feel blessed to be doing what I'm doing at this time because there couldn't be any better of a time.

OKP: What artists have you been feeling lately?

AD: I'm always feeling Kanye, Alicia...I love the new Radiohead album. I'm looking forward to Lupe's new joint. I love Freeway's joint, he's rapping so hard! (launches into an impeccable Freeway impression) ‘I'm back without a Just track!' He is ready! I went to Beanie's listening session, Philly definitely always comes hard. There's a rock/R&B group called Franklin Bridge out of Philly, they were on one of those American Idol shows, but they are a BEAST. I've done a couple shows with them. Rest in peace to Pimp C, I fuck with UGK, always have, and "International Players Anthem" is one of the best records of the year.

OKP: Word. Ok, so I'd been trying to research the answer to this but everything I've come across seems very vague, so I'm just going to go ahead and ask, what's the deal wi-

AD: (immediately cuts me off)- Floetry! (laughs)

OKP: You caught me, yes! I've read a lot of things; a lot of people were upset because they didn't know that the line-up had changed when you hopped on board for the Floetry Remix Tour. A lot of people were definitely caught off guard and upset about it...

AD: As they very well should be. I think it was a good idea that was carried out poorly. The idea that was brought to me was that Natalie had left the group and they were looking to continue the brand, and they wanted to go on a tour and see how it worked out, and they wanted me to be the one to do it. So I asked if we were gonna do press and make people aware of the change? They said, yeah yeah, of course. And I think that the concern rose that people wouldn't support because the lineup had changed. So it becomes about money, and between promoters and management there was a desire to play it safe and basically ‘don't ask, don't tell' about the lineup change.

OKP: I think it'd be kind of obvious! You know, there's no way to skate around that...

AD: Until people show up, but then they've already bought their tickets. So then, who's walking into the shit storm every night? People want someone to blame, so immediately I became vilified--Amanda Diva kicked Natalie out of the group, and who does this bitch think she is, blah blah blah blah--and it's like, ‘Hey man, I'm just coming here to sing my song and rap my raps, I ain't go nothing to do with this, and there's a whole lotta people who are making way more money off of this than me that you should be blaming.'

OKP: So is that whole Floetry chapter pretty much put on ice now?

AD: I think it's safe to say that it's cooled out. I think it would have been a really dope thing, and the majority of the people who came that were shocked left with a good show under their belt. I was really able to see people's opinions change from the first song to the last, and when people come up after the show and say they like you better than the old Floetry, you feel like you've done your job! I mean, you can't get that from everybody, but when it's the majority saying that, it leads you to believe that this is a good thing and that it shouldn't be let go. So I would have definitely kept pursuing it, because I felt like there was a demand for it, but...I'm not gonna wait for nobody, so it's on to my own experience.

OKP: Are you going to tour for the EP?

AD: I would love to, it's just gotta be the right situation, sponsorship, and all that good stuff...

OKP: Maybe you should hook up with The Roots and tour with them. I know you have in the past...

AD: Can you put that in print? Ahmir, are you listening, Ahmir? Ahmir? Not ?uest, Ahmir!

OKP: Wow, first name basis, huh?

AD: Yeah, ‘cause that is my dog! Ahmir, what's up with Amanda Diva opening for some Roots shows?!?

OKP: Well, I will definitely find a way of working that in somehow [you're welcome, Amanda]. Any last words about the album?

AD: The music I make is meant to remind people about when hip hop made you feel good. I come from that golden era: Tribe, PE, NWA, De La, Queen Latifah...I think a lot of us 80s babies grew up on that and we miss what the music did to us when we heard it for the first time, and that's what I want to do with my music. I want to remind people what that music is like, so check out Life Experience on December 18 so you can feel good again!


- Sean Kantrowitz - okayplayer.com