Where are you from?
I was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago so that’s the city I claim and the city that holds the fondest memories for me. Now I bounce back and forth between LA, New York and Atlanta but Chicago is where most of my family is and the place in the world I feel most at home.
How did you get stared singling and what do you remember about your first performance?
I grew up in a household of musicians. My father is a bassist and my mother is a pianist so from a young age I was encouraged to explore my musical creativity; listening to a variety of music from pop, classical, jazz, blues, rap and even a little country. My first performance I remember being very nervous. I had just turned 21 and landed a gig as the lead female of a cover band that opened for the Gap Band at a festival in Japan in front of 14,000 people. I had no idea of what 14,000 people even looked like.
You mentioned that you grew up listening to a variety of music, would you say that it has inspired your sound? And who is your favorite artist?
Well, in some ways, yes, listening to so many different genres of music has given me the capacity to blend what I like most about them all and create my own musical style, something I truly enjoy and will explore more of on my 2nd album and as I produce for other artists as well. I don’t have a favorite artist, there are just too many great artists for me to choose one. I have over 3,000 CDs in every genre and I love them all. I will say that I greatly appreciate Michael Jackson for his enormous talent, drive, dedication and contribution to the world of music and performance. His ability to blend so many musical styles into his own and bring the world together the way he did was monumental. The songs that he sang sound different now that he’s gone. To me, there meanings are so much deeper.

Which do you like more, singing or rapping?
That’s like choosing my right hand or my left, I can’t, I need the both. When I rap I can convey and express the energy of struggle and emotions in a way that is immediate and raw. When I sing, using my harmonies, tone and range; I also convey and express emotion but in a more subtle way. Using notes and chords to say what words need not from love, joy, freedom and hope to heartache, lose and hopelessness.
What artists have you collaborated with? And who would you collab with in the future?
Wow…I was fortunate to collab with and meet some great artist to work with me on my debut album like Raekwon, we did a joint called “Ballers” and Too Short, which we did a single called “Handle This”. Short said he loved “Handle It”. I grew up listening to him so that put a big smile on my face. “Handle This” was written by me, Jason “Jed-I” Edmonds and Mark Tabb, who are both great writers, producers and friends. Also I was blessed with some tracks by Lil Ronnie, who is a great producer and artist as well. He has produced hits for R. Kelly, Bow Wow, T-Pain and a lot others. He produced the joint “Handle This” for me. There is also one of my favorite rappers in the world on my album on my joint “I Know U Want It”, his name is Pusher Deville. To me, he has the most official flow. I have heard that his album is coming out soon. As far as who I’d like to collab with, the list is long but some of my top picks are Gwen Stefani, Lil Kim, Snoop Dog, Pharell and Neo. I’d like to write and produce for Mariah, Keisha Cole, Madonna, Keisha Cole, Monica and Brandy in the near future.

Tell us about GoldStarr and what drove you to create it?
Goldstarr Entertainment Corporation is a company I founded three years ago with a group of investors to showcase my musical talent. From there it has grown to be a home for not only myself but several artists as well. I inked my first distribution deal in July 08’ and my debut album “Queen of the Night” hit the streets July 28, 2009. I’ve been asked by others what drives me, initially it was the frustration towards the politics of the music industry that lit the fire for me to start Goldstarr. Now it’s the passion I have for music and the desire to establish my name and others in my camp as great forward thinking artists creating original music to stand the test of time.
You are a very busy young lady, our readers want to know are you single, dating, married, what? You are too damn fine to be alone.
Well, I’m just getting out of a relationship I was in a couple of years because I was too busy to devote the necessary time it took to maintain it. I’m not really dating but there is someone I like. We kick it and go on trips now and then, but nothing serious, not now.
So are you available?
I’m not looking but if the right man came along, I’d be open to test the water.
Where do you see yourself in 3 to 5 years?
I see myself in a state of the art studio that I built. Producing my next big record after just getting off the road from a 60-day world tour with a to-do list a mile long. Preparing for my next move.
Tell us something not many people know about you.
When I was young I was painfully shy so I know how it feels to have so much emotion to communicate but not know how. I think that’s the reason I started singing to express what was hard for me to day.