popYOUlarity: You're Multi-talented poet, journalist, on-air personality, scholar, singer… what is next?
Amanda:Right now I am really just focused on becoming a better musical artist,developing my DivaSpeak TV online series, and bringing it to a wider audience. However,me being the overachiever I am, I always have something else in the works. I am currently pitching a pilot to some different networks.

popYOUlarity:What do you think about the current state of women in hip hop?
Amanda:I think it's frustrating that there are so many dope women on the mic who aren't making it to as large an audience as their male counterparts, but we are definitely here and reemerging stronger than ever.

popYOUlarity:You just got off tour Lupe Fiasco. What do you feel is the most important thing you learnt from that tour?
Amanda:I learnt that people actually know who I am! (laughs) That may sound bugged, but it's like you need to know you're making head way in this grind or it can get hella overwhelming. On the tour I learned that not only have I been making headway, as folks actually knew the words to my songs and such, but that people are far more receptive to a female emcee than the media/labels would have you believe. Dope is dope and folks recognize good stuff when they see it.

popYOUlarity:Can you talk a bit about the artistic growth that you have had in the past year?
Amanda:Great question. Well, it has definietly been a learning process and continues to be. I'm really just now getting fully confident in what my "sound" is. At first I was just doing what felt right and kind of stumbling into that. Now I know exactly what feels right and have a clear path on what I want to put across musically. My vocal arrangements have stepped up, I think my flow has definitely become smoother. I'm getting better and better every day and putting my personality in the music, which is harder than it sounds.

popYOUlarity:How much pressure do you put on yourself? As time goes on, do you find there to be more or less pressure?
Amanda:Too much pressure. I find there to be more. With success you feel like you have to keep topping yourself. I'm also a perfectionist to a fault so there is always a piece of me saying, "You could've done that better."

popYOUlarity:Where does a song start?
Amanda:It depends. Sometimes with an experience. Sometimes with a beat. Sometimes with just something someone says. It always comes from the gut though. It is a feeling that I get that says, "That's a song right there. Figure that out."

popYOUlarity:At this point, what do you fear most?
Amanda:My mom passing before I reach the level success where she can have/do whatever she wants.

popYOUlarity:What would surprise people the most to learn about you?
Amanda:That I'm not a diva at all.

popYOUlarity:What makes you feel like a record is done?
Amanda:It's just a feeling. Just like I get a feeling when I know to start a record, I have one when I know it's done. It's a certain peace like there's nothing more I can do.

popYOUlarity:What are you trying to open people's minds up to exactly?
Amanda:A couple of things. 1: That women can still rock a mic. 2: That music can have a message and also feel good & 3: That though I personally came from being radio/tv personality I am a legitimate artist.

popYOUlarity:Are their any challenges you encountered in your music career so far that you did not expect and had to work around?
Amanda:I didn't expect so many men to be so sensitive and unprofessional. As a woman you expect to be hit on and underestimated but I am amazed at how many men simply cannot not stomach a woman with intellect and drive. It takes them completely off their square. I've had to really learn how to deal with that.

popYOUlarity:What are your best and worst recording studio moments?
Amanda:Best was doing "Better Way" from Life Experience. Me and my recording partner went in at midnight after shooting the Supa-Woman video and I just let go and went completely off extinct. It came out as my favorite record on the album.

Worst would have to be when I first started pursuing rhymin and just could not rhyme on beat. Every trip to the studio ended in tears of frustration because it felt so right in my soul to be doing it, but came out so wrong. I'm very happy to have those days behind me!

popYOUlarity:What are you looking forward to the rest of the year?
Amanda:I can't wait to drop the next EP "Love Experience" and start working with more artists. I don't think I get to do that enough.

popYOUlarity:Do you have anything you would like to say to the readers of popYOUlarity?
Amanda:Support independent artists. We're the pioneers for a new standard of music. Cop "Life Experience" my debut EP on Myspace & Itunes. Also, check out the web comedy series DivaSpeakTV here.

+July 18,2008
Photo: Official Site

Links:
Official Site