Zitat des Tages von Dawn Richard:
You don't need validation from other people. You've gotta find it within yourself and sit in it and roll with it.
There is a thing about women that needs to be understood. We don't sit well with being put in a certain place.
The problem with Danity Kane is everybody wanted to play everybody's role, and when you're in a group like that, that can't survive.
I wanted to make an album that sounded like a release of inhibitions, really getting away from the idea that you have to be anything other than in that moment.
People want to peg you as alternative R&B when they hear soul or see the color of your skin. It's comfortable when people see artists of color or artists that come from a different country to put that brand on us. It's just not as linear as that.
I watched my parents lose everything, from a house to birth certificates. We were homeless for about six months, then we stayed in Baltimore, and my parents got jobs.
It doesn't bother me when I'm labeled, but it's so... limiting. It's so boxy.
'Redemption' is about understanding myself and not worrying about my relationship with the industry.
The black geeks of the world, we feel like we don't have a home.
I connect so much with Peter Gabriel's sound because, to me, he always had that South African vibe. His drums were always something to move to: it was almost like Calypso. I'm a big fan.
My music speaks of warriors. It speaks of women being kings and this sense of pride of being more, even though you have less.
I want to show that you can be just as amazing as labels and compete as a business and work as a business even though you're an artist.
'Goldenheart' is like a modern-day Joan of Arc. Think of it like medieval times-cum-2045 or Lancelot and Guinevere in 3025. It's a new version of these battles - age-old stories for the now.
My director, Monty Marsh, is really awesome - I've been working with him for years now.
I can be a little messy and wild and carefree with my creativity as a solo artist. In a group, there's a certain structure, and everyone has a part to play, and being a solo artist, I can do as I please.
'The Red Era' is for everybody. Every gay, every fluid, every black, every white.
I lived in the library with my grandmother as a child. I still love the smell of books; the library card is still my friend.
'Blackheart' was the moment for me to really open up and let people into the world that is me.
When I get inspired, I give out free music. If you look at my track record from the beginning, that's always what I've done. I've never changed.
Instagram is just something I like to do. I feel it's the best way to portray who you are.
I've grown so much in the music industry. From 'GoldenHeart,' it was just about me and the music and me in this dream. With 'BlackHeart,' its more about me and who I am and what role I play in my own life and in the business.
Music and dance is part of everything in New Orleans. So I grew up appreciating it all.
I don't take myself too seriously.
I'm big on showing people versatility. I'm constantly trying to push myself to break barriers and the idea that we have to stay in one lane.
I just want to be a storyteller, and I think the way to do that is by your lyrics, by your visuals, by your choreography, by your dance. It's imperative as an artist.
I like being in charge. I like being able to control my own destiny and ideas.
'Redemption' sounds like a jubilee. Like a second line, if you will.
It's a lot of work being an indie artist, but it's worth it.
I'm not mainstream. You gotta find me.
I promised myself that I wouldn't be afraid to be who I was when I chose to do this music thing.
My father's music is all I remember from my childhood.
My uncle is in the hall of fame for creating by hand some of the most intricate Indian Mardi Gras garb.
'Armor On' explains why I needed armor in the first place. Sonically, you'll hear this battle of, 'I love you, no I don't. I love you, I hate you.' That's what you'll feel. You see the story kind of fight against itself.
I always knew who I was, but everyone else wanted to me to be their 'idea' of the 'right' artist. At times, I even believed them.
I'm not a very open person.
I did write more mainstream stuff with DK. But you could always tell the records that I wrote in contrast with everybody else's because the format was a bit different. The harmonies were used in a different type of way. Way more metaphors in the mix.