Amaarae Breaking Musical Boundaries, Touring With Sabrina Carpenter, Mentorship With Babyface +More
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
What's up?
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Its way up with Angela Yee, And I know this
woman is incredibly busy. So thank you to A'ma Ray
for joining me today.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
How you feeling, I feel great.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
I feel great. Thank you so much for having me.
I've been such a fan for years. I'll get down here.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Of course, I would have never thought that's of course,
it's always amazing to me because I remember I've been
doing this.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
It's twenty years in radio for me. This year.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
You're an icon. I'm You're good at this girl. No, no, no, no, sure,
it is just true. I mean probably since I was
maybe like seventeen eighteen, and I know it started with
like lip service and then like stuff with Breakfast Club
and you know all of that. So I've been tuned
in for years.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Well, thank you. I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
And I you know, I know you're coming here today
and you have to be one of the busiest people
because when I look at what you have going on,
like the tours that you're going to be on, and
I feel like you have this like big responsibility just
because of what you represent. You know, this is an
artist who you're not in any one specific genre of music,
(01:03):
and that is all very intentional too, and sometimes that
can be like confusing for people, But for real music fans,
we can just listen to it and be like, I
just love this, No.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
For sure, for sure, I think like I think it's
two things, like as a black girl number one, and
then as an African girl, I know so many girls
that are so cool and so diverse, and I think
that I love that I get to be some type
of representation for them, you know what I mean. And
I think that being a genre bender, especially as an
(01:34):
African girl, might come as confusing to some people. But
so many kids that I grew up around, so many girls,
so many women that I grew up around, listen to
so many different types of music, are so diverse and
like their cultural experiences and the things that they bring
to you know, their own lives in other people's lives.
So I'm just an amalgamation of like all of the
(01:55):
women that I've met and that are around me, and
you know, and I think that I bring that to
my music too.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
I think about that because my best friend, she when
she first started doing music, she was like a punk
rock artist, but she's black, right, Santi Gold, and she had.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Oh why not no, that's your best friend. Yeah, I
got another icon, like you talking.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
I went to college together, were roommates like all after that.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Sonty Gold is the reason I like am so diverse,
Like musically, she was one of the first, Like I
remember when she dropped her her debut album sex, what
was before that? It's one sift. It's the one where
she's on the album cover and she's like vomiting gold. Yes, yes,
Oh my god, what an icon when I.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Tell you so.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Before that, she was in a band and it was
called Stiff and it was like a punk rock band.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
And I remember her just being.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Like, and I love that you said that because you
kind of like, in a way, somewhat of your journey
reminds me of how she is.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Oh that's so cool. I'm honored. I love.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
I love because she first started writing for other people
right and then, And I know you did first, So
I know that really helps you as far as understanding
like different like how to make the crowd move absolutely,
and how to make sure you're doing like every crowd
is different.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
And the DJ has such an important job when you
go out.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Because the DJ can make or break absolutely, and you
could be like that party was amazing, and it's because
of the DJ.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Or it could be like that party was terrible and
it's because of the DJ.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Absolutely, absolutely absolutely. I think that that having being a
DJ like and having that background for sure helped me
with my curation skills, and like I think even when
you learn how tempos work, and when you learn how
to make people move, like when it comes down to
even sequencing an album, that's such a great quality and
skill to have because it makes you so much. It
(03:42):
makes it so much easier to do a.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Job like that and even to produce. Absolutely absolutely right
so for producing. But I was gonna say for her
when she first came out, because she was black, even
though she was doing this other like genre of music,
they would never categorize her as that or even play
her on certain stations because she's a black artist. Even
though her music, if you listen to her, it doesn't matter.
She was doing punk rock music at first, but that
(04:06):
was a difficult place to break into, just like seeing
like a Mickey Guyton who does country music, but as
a black woman, it was hard at first for her
to be accepted in that space.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
You know, it's so crazy because I think Santy gold
is so interesting because I don't know if she's aware
how many African girls she's changed lives, that she's changed
or radicalized. So many African girls that I know adore her,
and that's like the beginning or the genesis of their
journeys into self and like being alt and punk, Like
(04:39):
she's the one that's crazy.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
But yeah, oh good, I've said, because I know she
knows who you are, and I hope so that she
her as clip Oh my god, you can see it.
Because the music business, I think can also be a
really tough one, especially when you're a creative and it's
not always just about the money, because I'm sure there's
opportunities that you've had that you've been like, I don't
know if that goes with the direction that I'm creating
(05:02):
for myself.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Oh you know, so how how is that for you?
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Because even seeing you going on tour right like you'll
be you did your own tour and we'll talk about
that in a second. So now, Sabrina Carpenter and then
also k Sannadaanada, I mean that is like the realm
I feel like, and the like the elite in each
of their spaces that they're in, you know, and so
for you, having just come off your own tour, tell
(05:27):
me what that experience was, Like.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
I think it's what I loved was that these artists
were all personally asked to have me do their shows.
And I think that what it showed me was that
my album Fountain Baby, and just the music that I
create is so diverse that it can touch different people
in different audiences. And to see that the artists that
are at the top of their game and their respective
(05:51):
fields can recognize that and be like, Okay, there's this
one thing that you do that I feel like matches
my energy, but then there's also a whole other world
that you create, and that's what I want to expose
my audience to and different the different artists that I
worked with, like k Tra is just so chill and
so much fun, and his sets are bouncy and everyone
is having a good time. And then like with Childish Gambino,
(06:15):
working with him in the studio, for example, he's so intentional,
and then when you realize how he's able to work
on a song with you and get a certain type
of performance or delivery out of you, you recognize how
he's such a great director and how he's made such
an impact not only just in like music, but also
film and visual. And then I think Sabrina was the
(06:35):
one that shocked me the most, you know, yeah, because
I remember asking her. I was like, so, who on
your team like asked you to do this? And she
was like, well, no, I really liked your album and
my best friend and I played all the time, so
I really wanted you to come. And I was like OK.
And I was like, you know, it's gonna be a
little spicy, and she was like, I want you to
(06:55):
just fully be yourself.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
That's dombe.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
No. So after the first night after the show, I
went backstage to go see her and I was like, hey,
I'm totally open to feedback if you want us to
pull back, if you want us to change anything. She
was like, it's perfect, don't change anything. But then I
watched her show as well, and then I got to
see how diverse musically everything is, and like the arrangements
go from everything from pop to jazz to country to
(07:18):
like even like tinges of R and B and hip hop.
And I'm like, oh, you like music, like you're really
here for the thing. And I gained you know, I
already had a lot of respect for it, but I
gained a whole new respect for her taste level in
her artistry and really understanding how to maneuver through all
of these different genres and styles.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
That's nice and organic that she was the one.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
It wasn't like the teams like you know, what would
be great to uh put this person on because this
could be a good way to do it. It was
just something that she just was like, I like your music.
Do you think I'm shocked?
Speaker 3 (07:48):
I was shocked.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
I was like, okay, girl, but you shouldn't be because
I feel like you've been getting tons of accolades, even
you know, seeing your album previous albums make the list
like I saw a Pitchfork had you back in like
twenty eighteen, I think, on their list of like top
albums of the year. Yeah, you know, And I just
feel like people kali Uchi is the song that you
(08:11):
have with her because I love money too, but no period,
we all do.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
We all do because.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Yeah, the financial situation like before this music started blowing up.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
So for me, I have to say that I am
really grateful to like I had a mom that has
worked her butt off for years and my mom actually
is my manager. And when when I started music, I
remember thinking to myself, who do I know that's resourceful
and smart and learns quickly on their feet. So I
went to my mom and I was like, hey, here's
(08:46):
a business plan. I really want to be an artist.
I think this is how much it's going to cost.
This is how quickly we're going to recoup. Will you
help me? And she was like okay. And so you know,
my mom has always been like a middle class working women,
always worked at the top corporate job. So she's taking
care of myself and my brother really well and has
like provided us with opportunities to grow. And when we
(09:07):
both wanted to, you know, come into the world and
do our respective businesses, she not only it wasn't like Okay,
go out into the world. It was like, all right,
I'm gonna be your mentor and I'm gonna be your
business partner. And all the things that I've learned from
working from Coca Cola to City Bank to City Group,
I'm going to give you guys this knowledge and imparted
on you, but also supervise you and help you through
(09:28):
you know, your your your respective path. So I'm grateful
to just have such an amazing mom who has really
dedicated her life to making sure that I am right
where I am right now.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
That's dope.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
And your dad was into fashion too, right, Yes, he
was for both your parents.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
And yeah, no, my dad. My dad loves clothing. That's
that was also one of the things that he did.
He imported and exported fabric, you know, since I was
a child, So that's that's kind of been his bag.
He loves clothes, and he loves to get dressed, and
he loves to be the center of attention.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
So yeah, And so you were born in correct me
ifrom in the Bronx, Yes, ma'am okay, so the Bronx
and you have.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Wow. Then you went to.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Atlanta, yes, no, so yeah, then Acra Yeah, and then
I lived there until I was about a and then
my mom went to go do her masters at Guayzwater
Emory Business School, so she moved us there with her,
and then she came to New Jersey to work, so
we lived in Jersey. Then I went back again for
high school in Ghana, and then I went to college
(10:30):
in Atlanta.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
I think that's so dope.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
I think that also is a great influence because like
for me, I feel like I grew up my whole
life in Brooklyn and then I.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Moved to Jersey.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
That right, I've never really.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
Lived anywhere else.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
But just imagine what you're exposed to when you have
all these different cultures and all these different, like very
very differing places that you actually can be comfortable in
and spaces to move around in. How do you think
that influenced your music? Being able to move in to
different places like that.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
I think instantly moving taught me how to be adaptable
and how to be malleable. And I think that that
shows in my music. You know, no matter what artists
I'm featuring with, or no matter even in my music,
whether it's punk influence, whether it's Afro influence, whether it's rock,
hip hop, whatever, I'm always able to maneuver and move
through the music. And I think that that's what that
(11:19):
kind of lifestyle taught me, is just how to be
adaptable and to move through the world and to be flexible,
you know, in my thought process, and to be open
to learning.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Now, the video for Sweet Yes We Had It, that's,
by the way, a beautiful video.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Thank you?
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Do you feel like that was risque for you to
make it. I saw you on the news recently saying
that when you go to Ghana, you feel like you
don't get the love that they should be giving an artist,
you know, because you're something somebody that is very intentioned
on also making sure that you're you are I think
being inclusive.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Of everyone absolutely.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Do you think it's like risque moves like that that
gets you back in Ghana criticism?
Speaker 3 (12:00):
You know what? I think that I came out of
the gates swinging like one of my very first no,
one of my very first music videos had like had like, uh,
it had trans women in it, it had it had
gay people in it, think kids in it. It had
the world. So that is what that's my representation of.
I see the world, and I care about the world,
(12:21):
and I care about community. So that's what like my
visual representation is all about. But like with Sweet, I
was just like it would just be sexy, like just
like to be sexy sex girl lying on the bed,
Like why not? You know, it's twenty twenty four and
we live in a world that accepts all lifestyles and
all paths. But to answer your question as far as
like you know, maybe let's say, uh, not receiving a
(12:44):
certain level of support or amount of support. I definitely
do think that my music was niche, and it's still
considered niche to the people back home. And I think
that support wise, I see it from the girls that
are just like me. They are the ones that are
championing my movement and are like, oh my god, we
love Amaree blah blah blah blah. But then I think
in a grander scheme of things, you know, I think
(13:07):
I radicalize the population a little bit, and it's like,
let's see how it goes with this girl.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
But the world is very conservative still.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Is, Yeah, it is.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
And even when I'm on.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
The radio, certain things they're like, you know, certain markets,
I don't know if we can talk about that or
we can do this, because some places might have an
issue with it. But it's kind of like, guys, it's
twenty twenty four, Like everybody relaxed.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
And I think that the artists now too, Like when
you just think about all the coolest artists in the world,
like they're so diverse and so malleable and so flexible,
and you know, and it's just like it's a great,
big world and I think everyone is just rolling through it.
But I think that when we talk about conservatism, I
do think that it's the generation before us that's still
(13:48):
kind of like there's still a changing of the guard happening.
But I think the older generation is just kind of like,
you guys are just a little too much. My mom
almost was like, you're not going to drop that video
and I was like, watch.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Me, You're like this is working for me?
Speaker 3 (14:03):
No, I was like, girl, watch like, no one is
gonna be upset. Like it's hot. You know, it is
what it is, and it's fun. It's fun. It's fun
to I think, push people to think outside of the
box and outside of the lines and the things that
they're used to thinking.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Now, when you put out Fountain Baby and now several
times you said you had gotten out of a relationship
that was really difficult.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
Huh huh.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Yeah, So was that you doing a breakup or did
somebody break up with you?
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Like what was the issue?
Speaker 3 (14:30):
I think Fountain Baby was really just about a process
of self discovery for me. And what was cool about
it was that, you know, the person that I was
in love with at the time just happened to be
a conduit for that self discovery. So it's really a
lot of me going back and forth with this person,
But truly it's an internal struggle of like, do I
(14:50):
think that you're the right person to help me get
to the places that I want to be? And what
are the things that you do, whether you're aware or
not that either scare me, challenge me, push me, or
hold me back. And that was the whole push and
pull of the album. But yeah, I think that ultimately
it was like self discovery for myself, and you know,
(15:12):
a person just happened to be amused and a conduit
for it, and I thank them for that.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Right.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
If anything, from every relationship, we learn absolutely and we
grow from it. We learned what not to do, we
learn what we do, what we learn what we don't want, Yes, ma'am, Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
That's that's that's facts. That's facts.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
No.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
But I think outside of that too, you know, I
for sure, like I can definitely understand like the devastation
of it all, just like you know, going through something
with someone that you've been with for a long time,
but when you come out of it too, it's so
refreshing to be like, oh, Okay, now I.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
Can see the world clearer that's gone digital.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
No, you know, you know, we're back in the streets.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
No literally, yeah, Now as far as you you know,
did you produce all of this too? Or well no,
not everything, but you still are producing for yourself?
Speaker 3 (15:58):
No. Yeah, So I'm always the exec producer on my projects,
and then I have two other exec producers that I
work with, QST being like, you know, one of my
main ones. And then we have kind of like a
smaller group of you know, people that we work with
and that helped to produce the album. So shout out,
shout out to all the boys. But yeah, I worked,
(16:20):
I worked on I worked on this project with like
a team of amazing producers.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
And yeah, I saw you said that Babyface influenced you.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
It made you actually have to go back and rewrite
an album, yes, ma'am. So what's the process like now
for you?
Speaker 3 (16:36):
So I think the cool thing with meeting Babyface was
this is probably the human being that has written the
songs that have defined all of our lives. Right, Like,
I'm pretty sure I was like conceived to a Babyface song.
So so imagine going in and you watch his process,
and the cool thing for him was like he never
(16:56):
leaves a story open ended. It always has to have
a start and has to have a beginning. And when
we were writing together, I would say a line and
he would be like, yes, but why and what does
this lead to and what does this teach the audience?
And I was like, Oh, I'm just saying things because
I just think they sound cool and fly, But actually
there should be a method to that, you know, And
(17:18):
you should end every song having taught someone something. And
so when I did those sessions with Kenny, I went
back and I was like, I called my co writer
Mason and I was like, Hey, we need to go
back in the studio and rewrite the album. So you
have to fly to Ghana and he was like, oh okay,
and then he came and I love that he took
the feedback on board. And every time the same thing
(17:40):
Kenny would do to me, Why can that be stronger?
What are we teaching them? Does this make sense? You know?
So that's I shout out to Kenny, shout out to Babyface,
the greatest in the world. Man.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
I had him on lip service and he was saying
that you.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Don't have to be.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Huss he said, he said, you don't have to use
like a foul language to get your point across in music.
And Arie Lennox is on that episode too, where we
were like, well, sometimes it's kind of sometimes it does
sound kind of cool though, because sometimes there's no other way,
I think, or sometimes it can still be a great
way to express yourself. But I was like that babyface respectfully, yes,
(18:17):
we're gonna just because you don't never want to talk
crazy in front of baby He's like so nice and chill, Yeah, yeah,
so chill. It's like, you know, you got to hand
it to him, like, but I think, yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
I think for him, he has like a special talent,
like a crazy talent of writing songs where he especially
can probably communicate so many different types of emotions without
having to like use swear words. But I think that,
you know, for like the youth, we're angry and we're
confused and where we want to rage. So I think
(18:49):
that that's probably the difference where Kenny is so classy
and Kenny is so reserved and everything that he does
is so intentional, and I think that that shows in
the way that he writes his music.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Now, why do you think the youth is in gree
and confused? When you just said that. Now, I was
thinking about when I was younger, was I angry? And
was I confused? And I don't know if it's like
a I feel like there's so much exposure to things
today that it does kind of.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
Create a lot of confusion.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
Yeah, as like a youth who needs like who have
you seen? Rent prices? Food prices? Like what are you
talking about when my parents were coming up?
Speaker 1 (19:28):
We were just talking about that.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
What, Oh my god, when my parents were coming up,
like they were able to have like a starter home
and starter fans. What are you talking about? We're going
through it. The rent is insane, food prices are insane.
But I think outside of that too. I saw the
funniest thing on my way here. There was a a
(19:49):
monster truck going around and it had a bunch of
like Confederate flags and it was a Trump rally and
they had Joe Biden tied up. No like that, No,
literally the so there was a bumper sticker on the
end and it has Joe Biden tied up and it
says the hoe it's got to go that this is
happening in real time in New York City. I will
(20:09):
show you, ma'am. On my way here, on my way here,
I will show you the video.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
That's crazy.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
I will show you the video. And then there's a
second car behind them, and it's like it's like dummy
dolls of Trump in the car. And then on the
side it's pasted, you know, when he got shot and
he did the thing. It says legends never die. I said, oh, oh,
my guy, Like that's what I'm saying, Like, we're we're
in living in a world where everything is so unfiltered
(20:36):
and unsolicited, and we're exposed to everyone's thoughts all the
time and exposed to so many things. And I can
see why as youth were confused and it's a difficult
time because there's no filtering of anything.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
Well, thank god you have the outlet of music to
be able to express yourself. Yeah, and as you're working
on new music, and so you did the extended version
Roses Are Red, Tears Are Blue with seven News.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Yes, right, And so was this always.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Like the plan to have the extended play or was
it supposed to be a whole new project.
Speaker 3 (21:09):
Oh no, it was supposed to be an extended Okay, yeah,
it was, like you know, because it's like a whole
new Yeah, no, literally think about it now. I should
have done that. I should have just made a whole
new project, but you know, we just wanted to do
a deluxe for the album, and kind of.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
It's amazing to pay all eyes to Young Thug on hair,
but that's even something that's crazy that's going on. His child,
the longest child ever in Georgia, in Atlanta, and it's like,
it's a mess.
Speaker 3 (21:38):
It is a mess. And I, you know, I think
that when I think about artistry and what Young Thug
is represented for so many young people and so many
young artists. He's such an icon. But then I do
think about the fact that, you know, there are repercussions
to actions, and I do think that, you know, we
have to think about the nuance of it all. It's
like young man in the streets to provide for his
(22:00):
family has probably done things that he's not proud of.
But then at the same time, it's a cycle. It's
a vicious cycle, you know. I think that it's difficult
once you come out of that and you have the
opportunity to lift others, to leave that type of life alone.
And I think that that's kind of like the nuance
of what we're seeing with Doug where it's this icon
that we love and we adore, but there's also mistakes
(22:21):
that he's made that he's being held accountable for. But
at the same time, you think about the system and
how why was he even there to begin with? How
did he how was he even a young black man
that needed to do the things that he needed to
do to begin with? And yeah, the trial is an
absolute mess, and I hope that, you know, everything gets
figured out. But ultimately, I think once he's like remorseful
for his actions and you know, just ready to start
(22:42):
a new leaf, turnover a new leaf.
Speaker 1 (22:44):
I love that you said that, like that, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
Think that's very because sometimes when we really adore certain people,
we can overlook things right and not understand that like, okay,
there is some things that there are repercussions for people's
actions at times, while we might love someone as an
art art is you know, even watching I know everybody's
talking about Diddy right now, but even watching that, like
for a lot of people, he was like, you know,
(23:07):
this is what I want to be. I want to
be like Diddy. I want to work for Diddy, I
want to do this. People were calling themselves naming themselves
after him. But then we see all of these things
that are coming out and people kind of there are
some people who don't believe it.
Speaker 1 (23:20):
They're like, you know, how they said, God.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
There's overwhelming evidence to the contrary. What are you talking
about it?
Speaker 2 (23:25):
Oh, definitely make excuses if they like someone or if
they admire somebody. And I think there's definitely a mistrust
of the justice system here too. And so even like
when you know, certain people will be like, well, you know,
they always pin these things and it's to make the
black man look bad, and because it has happened in
the past, you know, But like you said, there are
(23:47):
a lot of people coming for it. I think there's
like one hundred new cases that are happening right now.
So how the music business is also not an easy
place to be in. But at least you have your
mom as your manager right for that where they like
scared about certain things for you, because even just financially,
you know, people signing deals that aren't like the best
(24:08):
deals and getting taken advantage of. But then also having
to be in the studio. You're a woman, You're you know,
a beautiful woman. I'm sure there's times when people can
test you and try you. What has that been like
for you?
Speaker 3 (24:20):
Well, as far as just having someone that have my back,
my mom is on everyone's she's on everyone's but you know,
like and she's reading the she's reading the contracts and
being like, this is not gonna fly, this is gonna fly.
I can negotiate on this. I can give some leeway
on that, but ultimately I care about her pockets, you
know what I mean. And she's also the CFO of
(24:40):
the company, Like all the money goes through her and
everything has to be approved. And obviously she'll have conversations
with me about hey, we're spending this on that, this
cost this, this, this cost that. But she's really like safeguarding,
you know, the legacy that we're building. As far as
being a woman that you know, has to deal with men,
I think that I hold my own pretty well. I
will beat you up, and it's not and it's not
(25:02):
even it's not even a game. I will beat you up.
And I my brother too, used to go everywhere with
me and he's like a tall, dark dude. So you're
not about to start acting family? Yeah, yes, ma'am, it's
a family.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
Affair.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
So you know, you were also the first gun and
artist to do tiny desk. Yes, that's wild that all
the time they've been doing tiny desk. That's never happened before.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
Yeah, I know, it's kind of crazy.
Speaker 1 (25:25):
Your Tiny Desk was amazing.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Oh, thank you, thank You's I didn't. Yeah, I hope
I get to redo it. I hope I get to
I was so nervous that day, and I hated it.
He did a great job on thank you, thank you,
thank you.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
Well I'm sure you will do it again though, because
obviously you have new material and new music to be
able to do that.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
So yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm gonna go beg them and
be like, guys, I need to redo, I need to redo.
Let's let's run that one back.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
Like hundreds of thousand of music right away. I remember
when it came out, No.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
For sure, for sure, no, no. I did enjoy it,
but I was so nervous that, like my voice was
cracking the whole time. And I remember listening back to
it and I was just like, oh, it's like people
come to the concerts and they hear me actually sing,
you know. But then it was just like that was
a whole different situation, but shout out to Tiny Dusk.
I love them and they've done so much for our culture.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
So it looked like a fun time too, like everybody
was having fun.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
All right.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
What's been the most surreal experience for you so far
to this point, Like something that you're like, man, I
can't believe this happened.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
Wow, that's well actually seriously opening for Sabrina. For MSG,
that was crazy. I was like I had to think
about it maybe yesterday and I was like, yo, do
you remember when you were like in your mom's house
in Ghana, like making songs and hoping that something would happen,
(26:44):
and like this is what four or five years later,
and this is where you're at. This is you need
to think about that. So that has been surreal. That
was number one, and I think number two was working
with Babyface.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
Wowka legends.
Speaker 3 (26:58):
Yeah, I know. It's like I had to once again
pinch myself. This is a man whose music I love,
the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack, Like his music has soundtracked
so many moments of growth and of realization from my life.
And to be sitting across from him and he's like, yeah,
call me Kenny and he's like writing, and he takes
feedback on board. So while he's asking me my opinion
on things that he's like writing and doing, and it's like, oh,
(27:21):
like Babyface respects me. That's crazy.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
That's funny. You said that.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
We had a whole conversation the other day about the
best soundtracks ever, and Black Panther was I think for
the most recent times that would make the list. But
we also, I said, Waiting to Exhale, it's definitely up there.
And as far as top soundtracks, I had Prince Preparand
at number one though, and so because Rolling Stone had
that at number one, and I agree with that.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
I agree with you on that too. I think I
would put I'm not gonna lie waiting to Exhale, I
think should be top five though. Yeah, when you think
about the impact of those songs and the fact that
he got all these women together and told this really
incredible story across like.
Speaker 2 (27:59):
Twelve Oh my god, you never forget the eleven years.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
What out of my life.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
Besides the kids, I have nothing to show.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
And I was your secretary, not even secretary iconic. You know, Listen,
music is really like the soundtrack to our lives, and
so you do this so well.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
I think.
Speaker 2 (28:22):
Navy, who runs the boards and he's also a DJ.
He was saying how how Princess Going Digital was like
the soundtrack for all of Williamsburg and Brooklyn, like for
the whole entire He was like, that is a song.
Isn't amazing to you to see like just your tic
the tiktoks that people do to your music.
Speaker 3 (28:39):
And it's so incredible. But I think that it doesn't
shock me because when I make music, I really make it, like, oh,
I need the girls to feel sexy like Princess Going Digital.
I was like, I want girls this to be their anthem,
you know, and all the alt girls and all the
gays and all the guy like that was really like, uh,
it was. It was a goal for me. So to
(29:00):
see it manifest like that, and to see people making
tiktoks and dancing to it, and to see the girls
outside like yes, take me out the streets, I'm like, yeah,
I feel I feel blessed. I feel like I've achieved
the goal.
Speaker 2 (29:10):
I can't even imagine what your dms are like from
the people that you touched with your music honestly for
real though, no facts, because like I said, music is
something that is therapeutic for a lot of people, and
the way that you represent everybody so like, it's just amazing.
Speaker 3 (29:23):
Well, thank you so much. I appreciate that coming from you.
It's very touching.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (29:27):
Listen, it's not gonna be long from now when people
talk about the icon that you are.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
Oh wow, wow, whoa, that's huge. No, I mean yeah,
from your from your lips to God's ears. You know.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
Well, listen, thank you so much for coming through, and
I hope that you continue to come by as because
as we're watching you.
Speaker 1 (29:42):
When is the tour over?
Speaker 3 (29:43):
Oh man, this October fifteen? And then you're right back right, yes, ma'am,
I'm all for two weeks okay. And then I got
to ask you this, what do you do for fun?
I sleep?
Speaker 1 (29:53):
I sleep?
Speaker 3 (29:54):
Oh, I'm a sleeper. I'm a real sleeper. Like that's
my that's my jam. I sleep okay ye.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
And then moving forward, what have you learned from past
relationships to what you do once moving forward?
Speaker 3 (30:06):
Wow, that's a great question. I think that I'm a
true lover girl. I recently came to that conclusion, and
I think that what I'm really seeking is someone that
is going to give to me as much as I'm
willing to give to them. You know, like I want
someone that's equally yoked mentally, spiritually, financially, but also someone
that's like fun and daring and that's gonna push me
(30:26):
to be the best that I can be. So yeah,
look for love.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
That's a lot. I don't know if you get all
them things.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
You know, No, it's gonna happen. It's gonna happen. I
believe it. I believe it. God is sending my blessing
right now. My blessing is on the way right now.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
I know it. Blessing might be your damn soon.
Speaker 2 (30:48):
Right all right, well thank you, and you guys, make
sure roses are red, tears are blue. I found Baby
Extended Play amazing. It's a good time. It is sexy.
It's great for no matter what mood it is that
you're in. I want to say that I love Angels
and Tibet.
Speaker 1 (31:03):
That is my song too. It's just the vibe. It's
like very you know, a song like like Bohemian Rhapsody.
Speaker 2 (31:11):
How that song is just incorporates like so many different
feels and queen and just everything, Like I just love
what it is. That you do because I'm a music
lover and I love all different types of gimers of music,
and I have also always hated that people have to
be pigeonholed into different categories. So I appreciate what it
is that you bring to the table.
Speaker 3 (31:29):
Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you, and thank you
so much for having me. I had such a great time.
Speaker 1 (31:33):
All right, She's amazing, guys, I'm a ray
Speaker 3 (31:38):
Well
What's up?
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Its way up with Angela Yee, And I know this
woman is incredibly busy. So thank you to A'ma Ray
for joining me today.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
How you feeling, I feel great.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
I feel great. Thank you so much for having me.
I've been such a fan for years. I'll get down here.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Of course, I would have never thought that's of course,
it's always amazing to me because I remember I've been
doing this.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
It's twenty years in radio for me. This year.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
You're an icon. I'm You're good at this girl. No, no, no, no, sure,
it is just true. I mean probably since I was
maybe like seventeen eighteen, and I know it started with
like lip service and then like stuff with Breakfast Club
and you know all of that. So I've been tuned
in for years.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Well, thank you. I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
And I you know, I know you're coming here today
and you have to be one of the busiest people
because when I look at what you have going on,
like the tours that you're going to be on, and
I feel like you have this like big responsibility just
because of what you represent. You know, this is an
artist who you're not in any one specific genre of music,
(01:03):
and that is all very intentional too, and sometimes that
can be like confusing for people, But for real music fans,
we can just listen to it and be like, I
just love this, No.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
For sure, for sure, I think like I think it's
two things, like as a black girl number one, and
then as an African girl, I know so many girls
that are so cool and so diverse, and I think
that I love that I get to be some type
of representation for them, you know what I mean. And
I think that being a genre bender, especially as an
(01:34):
African girl, might come as confusing to some people. But
so many kids that I grew up around, so many girls,
so many women that I grew up around, listen to
so many different types of music, are so diverse and
like their cultural experiences and the things that they bring
to you know, their own lives in other people's lives.
So I'm just an amalgamation of like all of the
(01:55):
women that I've met and that are around me, and
you know, and I think that I bring that to
my music too.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
I think about that because my best friend, she when
she first started doing music, she was like a punk
rock artist, but she's black, right, Santi Gold, and she had.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Oh why not no, that's your best friend. Yeah, I
got another icon, like you talking.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
I went to college together, were roommates like all after that.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Sonty Gold is the reason I like am so diverse,
Like musically, she was one of the first, Like I
remember when she dropped her her debut album sex, what
was before that? It's one sift. It's the one where
she's on the album cover and she's like vomiting gold. Yes, yes,
Oh my god, what an icon when I.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Tell you so.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Before that, she was in a band and it was
called Stiff and it was like a punk rock band.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
And I remember her just being.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Like, and I love that you said that because you
kind of like, in a way, somewhat of your journey
reminds me of how she is.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Oh that's so cool. I'm honored. I love.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
I love because she first started writing for other people
right and then, And I know you did first, So
I know that really helps you as far as understanding
like different like how to make the crowd move absolutely,
and how to make sure you're doing like every crowd
is different.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
And the DJ has such an important job when you
go out.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Because the DJ can make or break absolutely, and you
could be like that party was amazing, and it's because
of the DJ.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Or it could be like that party was terrible and
it's because of the DJ.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Absolutely, absolutely absolutely. I think that that having being a
DJ like and having that background for sure helped me
with my curation skills, and like I think even when
you learn how tempos work, and when you learn how
to make people move, like when it comes down to
even sequencing an album, that's such a great quality and
skill to have because it makes you so much. It
(03:42):
makes it so much easier to do a.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Job like that and even to produce. Absolutely absolutely right
so for producing. But I was gonna say for her
when she first came out, because she was black, even
though she was doing this other like genre of music,
they would never categorize her as that or even play
her on certain stations because she's a black artist. Even
though her music, if you listen to her, it doesn't matter.
She was doing punk rock music at first, but that
(04:06):
was a difficult place to break into, just like seeing
like a Mickey Guyton who does country music, but as
a black woman, it was hard at first for her
to be accepted in that space.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
You know, it's so crazy because I think Santy gold
is so interesting because I don't know if she's aware
how many African girls she's changed lives, that she's changed
or radicalized. So many African girls that I know adore her,
and that's like the beginning or the genesis of their
journeys into self and like being alt and punk, Like
(04:39):
she's the one that's crazy.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
But yeah, oh good, I've said, because I know she
knows who you are, and I hope so that she
her as clip Oh my god, you can see it.
Because the music business, I think can also be a
really tough one, especially when you're a creative and it's
not always just about the money, because I'm sure there's
opportunities that you've had that you've been like, I don't
know if that goes with the direction that I'm creating
(05:02):
for myself.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Oh you know, so how how is that for you?
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Because even seeing you going on tour right like you'll
be you did your own tour and we'll talk about
that in a second. So now, Sabrina Carpenter and then
also k Sannadaanada, I mean that is like the realm
I feel like, and the like the elite in each
of their spaces that they're in, you know, and so
for you, having just come off your own tour, tell
(05:27):
me what that experience was, Like.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
I think it's what I loved was that these artists
were all personally asked to have me do their shows.
And I think that what it showed me was that
my album Fountain Baby, and just the music that I
create is so diverse that it can touch different people
in different audiences. And to see that the artists that
are at the top of their game and their respective
(05:51):
fields can recognize that and be like, Okay, there's this
one thing that you do that I feel like matches
my energy, but then there's also a whole other world
that you create, and that's what I want to expose
my audience to and different the different artists that I
worked with, like k Tra is just so chill and
so much fun, and his sets are bouncy and everyone
is having a good time. And then like with Childish Gambino,
(06:15):
working with him in the studio, for example, he's so intentional,
and then when you realize how he's able to work
on a song with you and get a certain type
of performance or delivery out of you, you recognize how
he's such a great director and how he's made such
an impact not only just in like music, but also
film and visual. And then I think Sabrina was the
(06:35):
one that shocked me the most, you know, yeah, because
I remember asking her. I was like, so, who on
your team like asked you to do this? And she
was like, well, no, I really liked your album and
my best friend and I played all the time, so
I really wanted you to come. And I was like OK.
And I was like, you know, it's gonna be a
little spicy, and she was like, I want you to
(06:55):
just fully be yourself.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
That's dombe.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
No. So after the first night after the show, I
went backstage to go see her and I was like, hey,
I'm totally open to feedback if you want us to
pull back, if you want us to change anything. She
was like, it's perfect, don't change anything. But then I
watched her show as well, and then I got to
see how diverse musically everything is, and like the arrangements
go from everything from pop to jazz to country to
(07:18):
like even like tinges of R and B and hip hop.
And I'm like, oh, you like music, like you're really
here for the thing. And I gained you know, I
already had a lot of respect for it, but I
gained a whole new respect for her taste level in
her artistry and really understanding how to maneuver through all
of these different genres and styles.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
That's nice and organic that she was the one.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
It wasn't like the teams like you know, what would
be great to uh put this person on because this
could be a good way to do it. It was
just something that she just was like, I like your music.
Do you think I'm shocked?
Speaker 3 (07:48):
I was shocked.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
I was like, okay, girl, but you shouldn't be because
I feel like you've been getting tons of accolades, even
you know, seeing your album previous albums make the list
like I saw a Pitchfork had you back in like
twenty eighteen, I think, on their list of like top
albums of the year. Yeah, you know, And I just
feel like people kali Uchi is the song that you
(08:11):
have with her because I love money too, but no period,
we all do.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
We all do because.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Yeah, the financial situation like before this music started blowing up.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
So for me, I have to say that I am
really grateful to like I had a mom that has
worked her butt off for years and my mom actually
is my manager. And when when I started music, I
remember thinking to myself, who do I know that's resourceful
and smart and learns quickly on their feet. So I
went to my mom and I was like, hey, here's
(08:46):
a business plan. I really want to be an artist.
I think this is how much it's going to cost.
This is how quickly we're going to recoup. Will you
help me? And she was like okay. And so you know,
my mom has always been like a middle class working women,
always worked at the top corporate job. So she's taking
care of myself and my brother really well and has
like provided us with opportunities to grow. And when we
(09:07):
both wanted to, you know, come into the world and
do our respective businesses, she not only it wasn't like Okay,
go out into the world. It was like, all right,
I'm gonna be your mentor and I'm gonna be your
business partner. And all the things that I've learned from
working from Coca Cola to City Bank to City Group,
I'm going to give you guys this knowledge and imparted
on you, but also supervise you and help you through
(09:28):
you know, your your your respective path. So I'm grateful
to just have such an amazing mom who has really
dedicated her life to making sure that I am right
where I am right now.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
That's dope.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
And your dad was into fashion too, right, Yes, he
was for both your parents.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
And yeah, no, my dad. My dad loves clothing. That's
that was also one of the things that he did.
He imported and exported fabric, you know, since I was
a child, So that's that's kind of been his bag.
He loves clothes, and he loves to get dressed, and
he loves to be the center of attention.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
So yeah, And so you were born in correct me
ifrom in the Bronx, Yes, ma'am okay, so the Bronx
and you have.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Wow. Then you went to.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Atlanta, yes, no, so yeah, then Acra Yeah, and then
I lived there until I was about a and then
my mom went to go do her masters at Guayzwater
Emory Business School, so she moved us there with her,
and then she came to New Jersey to work, so
we lived in Jersey. Then I went back again for
high school in Ghana, and then I went to college
(10:30):
in Atlanta.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
I think that's so dope.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
I think that also is a great influence because like
for me, I feel like I grew up my whole
life in Brooklyn and then I.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Moved to Jersey.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
That right, I've never really.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
Lived anywhere else.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
But just imagine what you're exposed to when you have
all these different cultures and all these different, like very
very differing places that you actually can be comfortable in
and spaces to move around in. How do you think
that influenced your music? Being able to move in to
different places like that.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
I think instantly moving taught me how to be adaptable
and how to be malleable. And I think that that
shows in my music. You know, no matter what artists
I'm featuring with, or no matter even in my music,
whether it's punk influence, whether it's Afro influence, whether it's rock,
hip hop, whatever, I'm always able to maneuver and move
through the music. And I think that that's what that
(11:19):
kind of lifestyle taught me, is just how to be
adaptable and to move through the world and to be flexible,
you know, in my thought process, and to be open
to learning.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Now, the video for Sweet Yes We Had It, that's,
by the way, a beautiful video.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Thank you?
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Do you feel like that was risque for you to
make it. I saw you on the news recently saying
that when you go to Ghana, you feel like you
don't get the love that they should be giving an artist,
you know, because you're something somebody that is very intentioned
on also making sure that you're you are I think
being inclusive.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Of everyone absolutely.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Do you think it's like risque moves like that that
gets you back in Ghana criticism?
Speaker 3 (12:00):
You know what? I think that I came out of
the gates swinging like one of my very first no,
one of my very first music videos had like had like, uh,
it had trans women in it, it had it had
gay people in it, think kids in it. It had
the world. So that is what that's my representation of.
I see the world, and I care about the world,
(12:21):
and I care about community. So that's what like my
visual representation is all about. But like with Sweet, I
was just like it would just be sexy, like just
like to be sexy sex girl lying on the bed,
Like why not? You know, it's twenty twenty four and
we live in a world that accepts all lifestyles and
all paths. But to answer your question as far as
like you know, maybe let's say, uh, not receiving a
(12:44):
certain level of support or amount of support. I definitely
do think that my music was niche, and it's still
considered niche to the people back home. And I think
that support wise, I see it from the girls that
are just like me. They are the ones that are
championing my movement and are like, oh my god, we
love Amaree blah blah blah blah. But then I think
in a grander scheme of things, you know, I think
(13:07):
I radicalize the population a little bit, and it's like,
let's see how it goes with this girl.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
But the world is very conservative still.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Is, Yeah, it is.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
And even when I'm on.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
The radio, certain things they're like, you know, certain markets,
I don't know if we can talk about that or
we can do this, because some places might have an
issue with it. But it's kind of like, guys, it's
twenty twenty four, Like everybody relaxed.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
And I think that the artists now too, Like when
you just think about all the coolest artists in the world,
like they're so diverse and so malleable and so flexible,
and you know, and it's just like it's a great,
big world and I think everyone is just rolling through it.
But I think that when we talk about conservatism, I
do think that it's the generation before us that's still
(13:48):
kind of like there's still a changing of the guard happening.
But I think the older generation is just kind of like,
you guys are just a little too much. My mom
almost was like, you're not going to drop that video
and I was like, watch.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Me, You're like this is working for me?
Speaker 3 (14:03):
No, I was like, girl, watch like, no one is
gonna be upset. Like it's hot. You know, it is
what it is, and it's fun. It's fun. It's fun
to I think, push people to think outside of the
box and outside of the lines and the things that
they're used to thinking.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Now, when you put out Fountain Baby and now several
times you said you had gotten out of a relationship
that was really difficult.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
Huh huh.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Yeah, So was that you doing a breakup or did
somebody break up with you?
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Like what was the issue?
Speaker 3 (14:30):
I think Fountain Baby was really just about a process
of self discovery for me. And what was cool about
it was that, you know, the person that I was
in love with at the time just happened to be
a conduit for that self discovery. So it's really a
lot of me going back and forth with this person,
But truly it's an internal struggle of like, do I
(14:50):
think that you're the right person to help me get
to the places that I want to be? And what
are the things that you do, whether you're aware or
not that either scare me, challenge me, push me, or
hold me back. And that was the whole push and
pull of the album. But yeah, I think that ultimately
it was like self discovery for myself, and you know,
(15:12):
a person just happened to be amused and a conduit
for it, and I thank them for that.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Right.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
If anything, from every relationship, we learn absolutely and we
grow from it. We learned what not to do, we
learn what we do, what we learn what we don't want, Yes, ma'am, Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
That's that's that's facts. That's facts.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
No.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
But I think outside of that too, you know, I
for sure, like I can definitely understand like the devastation
of it all, just like you know, going through something
with someone that you've been with for a long time,
but when you come out of it too, it's so
refreshing to be like, oh, Okay, now I.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
Can see the world clearer that's gone digital.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
No, you know, you know, we're back in the streets.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
No literally, yeah, Now as far as you you know,
did you produce all of this too? Or well no,
not everything, but you still are producing for yourself?
Speaker 3 (15:58):
No. Yeah, So I'm always the exec producer on my projects,
and then I have two other exec producers that I
work with, QST being like, you know, one of my
main ones. And then we have kind of like a
smaller group of you know, people that we work with
and that helped to produce the album. So shout out,
shout out to all the boys. But yeah, I worked,
(16:20):
I worked on I worked on this project with like
a team of amazing producers.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
And yeah, I saw you said that Babyface influenced you.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
It made you actually have to go back and rewrite
an album, yes, ma'am. So what's the process like now
for you?
Speaker 3 (16:36):
So I think the cool thing with meeting Babyface was
this is probably the human being that has written the
songs that have defined all of our lives. Right, Like,
I'm pretty sure I was like conceived to a Babyface song.
So so imagine going in and you watch his process,
and the cool thing for him was like he never
(16:56):
leaves a story open ended. It always has to have
a start and has to have a beginning. And when
we were writing together, I would say a line and
he would be like, yes, but why and what does
this lead to and what does this teach the audience?
And I was like, Oh, I'm just saying things because
I just think they sound cool and fly, But actually
there should be a method to that, you know, And
(17:18):
you should end every song having taught someone something. And
so when I did those sessions with Kenny, I went
back and I was like, I called my co writer
Mason and I was like, Hey, we need to go
back in the studio and rewrite the album. So you
have to fly to Ghana and he was like, oh okay,
and then he came and I love that he took
the feedback on board. And every time the same thing
(17:40):
Kenny would do to me, Why can that be stronger?
What are we teaching them? Does this make sense? You know?
So that's I shout out to Kenny, shout out to Babyface,
the greatest in the world. Man.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
I had him on lip service and he was saying
that you.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Don't have to be.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Huss he said, he said, you don't have to use
like a foul language to get your point across in music.
And Arie Lennox is on that episode too, where we
were like, well, sometimes it's kind of sometimes it does
sound kind of cool though, because sometimes there's no other way,
I think, or sometimes it can still be a great
way to express yourself. But I was like that babyface respectfully, yes,
(18:17):
we're gonna just because you don't never want to talk
crazy in front of baby He's like so nice and chill, Yeah, yeah,
so chill. It's like, you know, you got to hand
it to him, like, but I think, yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
I think for him, he has like a special talent,
like a crazy talent of writing songs where he especially
can probably communicate so many different types of emotions without
having to like use swear words. But I think that,
you know, for like the youth, we're angry and we're
confused and where we want to rage. So I think
(18:49):
that that's probably the difference where Kenny is so classy
and Kenny is so reserved and everything that he does
is so intentional, and I think that that shows in
the way that he writes his music.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Now, why do you think the youth is in gree
and confused? When you just said that. Now, I was
thinking about when I was younger, was I angry? And
was I confused? And I don't know if it's like
a I feel like there's so much exposure to things
today that it does kind of.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
Create a lot of confusion.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
Yeah, as like a youth who needs like who have
you seen? Rent prices? Food prices? Like what are you
talking about when my parents were coming up?
Speaker 1 (19:28):
We were just talking about that.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
What, Oh my god, when my parents were coming up,
like they were able to have like a starter home
and starter fans. What are you talking about? We're going
through it. The rent is insane, food prices are insane.
But I think outside of that too. I saw the
funniest thing on my way here. There was a a
(19:49):
monster truck going around and it had a bunch of
like Confederate flags and it was a Trump rally and
they had Joe Biden tied up. No like that, No,
literally the so there was a bumper sticker on the
end and it has Joe Biden tied up and it
says the hoe it's got to go that this is
happening in real time in New York City. I will
(20:09):
show you, ma'am. On my way here, on my way here,
I will show you the video.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
That's crazy.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
I will show you the video. And then there's a
second car behind them, and it's like it's like dummy
dolls of Trump in the car. And then on the
side it's pasted, you know, when he got shot and
he did the thing. It says legends never die. I said, oh, oh,
my guy, Like that's what I'm saying, Like, we're we're
in living in a world where everything is so unfiltered
(20:36):
and unsolicited, and we're exposed to everyone's thoughts all the
time and exposed to so many things. And I can
see why as youth were confused and it's a difficult
time because there's no filtering of anything.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
Well, thank god you have the outlet of music to
be able to express yourself. Yeah, and as you're working
on new music, and so you did the extended version
Roses Are Red, Tears Are Blue with seven News.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Yes, right, And so was this always.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Like the plan to have the extended play or was
it supposed to be a whole new project.
Speaker 3 (21:09):
Oh no, it was supposed to be an extended Okay, yeah,
it was, like you know, because it's like a whole
new Yeah, no, literally think about it now. I should
have done that. I should have just made a whole
new project, but you know, we just wanted to do
a deluxe for the album, and kind of.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
It's amazing to pay all eyes to Young Thug on hair,
but that's even something that's crazy that's going on. His child,
the longest child ever in Georgia, in Atlanta, and it's like,
it's a mess.
Speaker 3 (21:38):
It is a mess. And I, you know, I think
that when I think about artistry and what Young Thug
is represented for so many young people and so many
young artists. He's such an icon. But then I do
think about the fact that, you know, there are repercussions
to actions, and I do think that, you know, we
have to think about the nuance of it all. It's
like young man in the streets to provide for his
(22:00):
family has probably done things that he's not proud of.
But then at the same time, it's a cycle. It's
a vicious cycle, you know. I think that it's difficult
once you come out of that and you have the
opportunity to lift others, to leave that type of life alone.
And I think that that's kind of like the nuance
of what we're seeing with Doug where it's this icon
that we love and we adore, but there's also mistakes
(22:21):
that he's made that he's being held accountable for. But
at the same time, you think about the system and
how why was he even there to begin with? How
did he how was he even a young black man
that needed to do the things that he needed to
do to begin with? And yeah, the trial is an
absolute mess, and I hope that, you know, everything gets
figured out. But ultimately, I think once he's like remorseful
for his actions and you know, just ready to start
(22:42):
a new leaf, turnover a new leaf.
Speaker 1 (22:44):
I love that you said that, like that, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
Think that's very because sometimes when we really adore certain people,
we can overlook things right and not understand that like, okay,
there is some things that there are repercussions for people's
actions at times, while we might love someone as an
art art is you know, even watching I know everybody's
talking about Diddy right now, but even watching that, like
for a lot of people, he was like, you know,
(23:07):
this is what I want to be. I want to
be like Diddy. I want to work for Diddy, I
want to do this. People were calling themselves naming themselves
after him. But then we see all of these things
that are coming out and people kind of there are
some people who don't believe it.
Speaker 1 (23:20):
They're like, you know, how they said, God.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
There's overwhelming evidence to the contrary. What are you talking
about it?
Speaker 2 (23:25):
Oh, definitely make excuses if they like someone or if
they admire somebody. And I think there's definitely a mistrust
of the justice system here too. And so even like
when you know, certain people will be like, well, you know,
they always pin these things and it's to make the
black man look bad, and because it has happened in
the past, you know, But like you said, there are
(23:47):
a lot of people coming for it. I think there's
like one hundred new cases that are happening right now.
So how the music business is also not an easy
place to be in. But at least you have your
mom as your manager right for that where they like
scared about certain things for you, because even just financially,
you know, people signing deals that aren't like the best
(24:08):
deals and getting taken advantage of. But then also having
to be in the studio. You're a woman, You're you know,
a beautiful woman. I'm sure there's times when people can
test you and try you. What has that been like
for you?
Speaker 3 (24:20):
Well, as far as just having someone that have my back,
my mom is on everyone's she's on everyone's but you know,
like and she's reading the she's reading the contracts and
being like, this is not gonna fly, this is gonna fly.
I can negotiate on this. I can give some leeway
on that, but ultimately I care about her pockets, you
know what I mean. And she's also the CFO of
(24:40):
the company, Like all the money goes through her and
everything has to be approved. And obviously she'll have conversations
with me about hey, we're spending this on that, this
cost this, this, this cost that. But she's really like safeguarding,
you know, the legacy that we're building. As far as
being a woman that you know, has to deal with men,
I think that I hold my own pretty well. I
will beat you up, and it's not and it's not
(25:02):
even it's not even a game. I will beat you up.
And I my brother too, used to go everywhere with
me and he's like a tall, dark dude. So you're
not about to start acting family? Yeah, yes, ma'am, it's
a family.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
Affair.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
So you know, you were also the first gun and
artist to do tiny desk. Yes, that's wild that all
the time they've been doing tiny desk. That's never happened before.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
Yeah, I know, it's kind of crazy.
Speaker 1 (25:25):
Your Tiny Desk was amazing.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Oh, thank you, thank You's I didn't. Yeah, I hope
I get to redo it. I hope I get to
I was so nervous that day, and I hated it.
He did a great job on thank you, thank you,
thank you.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
Well I'm sure you will do it again though, because
obviously you have new material and new music to be
able to do that.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
So yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm gonna go beg them and
be like, guys, I need to redo, I need to redo.
Let's let's run that one back.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
Like hundreds of thousand of music right away. I remember
when it came out, No.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
For sure, for sure, no, no. I did enjoy it,
but I was so nervous that, like my voice was
cracking the whole time. And I remember listening back to
it and I was just like, oh, it's like people
come to the concerts and they hear me actually sing,
you know. But then it was just like that was
a whole different situation, but shout out to Tiny Dusk.
I love them and they've done so much for our culture.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
So it looked like a fun time too, like everybody
was having fun.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
All right.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
What's been the most surreal experience for you so far
to this point, Like something that you're like, man, I
can't believe this happened.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
Wow, that's well actually seriously opening for Sabrina. For MSG,
that was crazy. I was like I had to think
about it maybe yesterday and I was like, yo, do
you remember when you were like in your mom's house
in Ghana, like making songs and hoping that something would happen,
(26:44):
and like this is what four or five years later,
and this is where you're at. This is you need
to think about that. So that has been surreal. That
was number one, and I think number two was working
with Babyface.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
Wowka legends.
Speaker 3 (26:58):
Yeah, I know. It's like I had to once again
pinch myself. This is a man whose music I love,
the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack, Like his music has soundtracked
so many moments of growth and of realization from my life.
And to be sitting across from him and he's like, yeah,
call me Kenny and he's like writing, and he takes
feedback on board. So while he's asking me my opinion
on things that he's like writing and doing, and it's like, oh,
(27:21):
like Babyface respects me. That's crazy.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
That's funny. You said that.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
We had a whole conversation the other day about the
best soundtracks ever, and Black Panther was I think for
the most recent times that would make the list. But
we also, I said, Waiting to Exhale, it's definitely up there.
And as far as top soundtracks, I had Prince Preparand
at number one though, and so because Rolling Stone had
that at number one, and I agree with that.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
I agree with you on that too. I think I
would put I'm not gonna lie waiting to Exhale, I
think should be top five though. Yeah, when you think
about the impact of those songs and the fact that
he got all these women together and told this really
incredible story across like.
Speaker 2 (27:59):
Twelve Oh my god, you never forget the eleven years.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
What out of my life.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
Besides the kids, I have nothing to show.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
And I was your secretary, not even secretary iconic. You know, Listen,
music is really like the soundtrack to our lives, and
so you do this so well.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
I think.
Speaker 2 (28:22):
Navy, who runs the boards and he's also a DJ.
He was saying how how Princess Going Digital was like
the soundtrack for all of Williamsburg and Brooklyn, like for
the whole entire He was like, that is a song.
Isn't amazing to you to see like just your tic
the tiktoks that people do to your music.
Speaker 3 (28:39):
And it's so incredible. But I think that it doesn't
shock me because when I make music, I really make it, like, oh,
I need the girls to feel sexy like Princess Going Digital.
I was like, I want girls this to be their anthem,
you know, and all the alt girls and all the
gays and all the guy like that was really like, uh,
it was. It was a goal for me. So to
(29:00):
see it manifest like that, and to see people making
tiktoks and dancing to it, and to see the girls
outside like yes, take me out the streets, I'm like, yeah,
I feel I feel blessed. I feel like I've achieved
the goal.
Speaker 2 (29:10):
I can't even imagine what your dms are like from
the people that you touched with your music honestly for
real though, no facts, because like I said, music is
something that is therapeutic for a lot of people, and
the way that you represent everybody so like, it's just amazing.
Speaker 3 (29:23):
Well, thank you so much. I appreciate that coming from you.
It's very touching.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (29:27):
Listen, it's not gonna be long from now when people
talk about the icon that you are.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
Oh wow, wow, whoa, that's huge. No, I mean yeah,
from your from your lips to God's ears. You know.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
Well, listen, thank you so much for coming through, and
I hope that you continue to come by as because
as we're watching you.
Speaker 1 (29:42):
When is the tour over?
Speaker 3 (29:43):
Oh man, this October fifteen? And then you're right back right, yes, ma'am,
I'm all for two weeks okay. And then I got
to ask you this, what do you do for fun?
I sleep?
Speaker 1 (29:53):
I sleep?
Speaker 3 (29:54):
Oh, I'm a sleeper. I'm a real sleeper. Like that's
my that's my jam. I sleep okay ye.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
And then moving forward, what have you learned from past
relationships to what you do once moving forward?
Speaker 3 (30:06):
Wow, that's a great question. I think that I'm a
true lover girl. I recently came to that conclusion, and
I think that what I'm really seeking is someone that
is going to give to me as much as I'm
willing to give to them. You know, like I want
someone that's equally yoked mentally, spiritually, financially, but also someone
that's like fun and daring and that's gonna push me
(30:26):
to be the best that I can be. So yeah,
look for love.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
That's a lot. I don't know if you get all
them things.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
You know, No, it's gonna happen. It's gonna happen. I
believe it. I believe it. God is sending my blessing
right now. My blessing is on the way right now.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
I know it. Blessing might be your damn soon.
Speaker 2 (30:48):
Right all right, well thank you, and you guys, make
sure roses are red, tears are blue. I found Baby
Extended Play amazing. It's a good time. It is sexy.
It's great for no matter what mood it is that
you're in. I want to say that I love Angels
and Tibet.
Speaker 1 (31:03):
That is my song too. It's just the vibe. It's
like very you know, a song like like Bohemian Rhapsody.
Speaker 2 (31:11):
How that song is just incorporates like so many different
feels and queen and just everything, Like I just love
what it is. That you do because I'm a music
lover and I love all different types of gimers of music,
and I have also always hated that people have to
be pigeonholed into different categories. So I appreciate what it
is that you bring to the table.
Speaker 3 (31:29):
Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you, and thank you
so much for having me. I had such a great time.
Speaker 1 (31:33):
All right, She's amazing, guys, I'm a ray
Speaker 3 (31:38):
Well
Host
Angela Yee
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