She lives out her suitcase. She sounds like a star. her last name is the first name of Ms. Apple. She’s probably listening to Bob Marley tributes right now while I type this, and she just rocked the Canal Room in NYC and a little guy named Jay- Z stopped on by as well as Steve Rifkind. Her name is Melanie Fiona, and by the beauty of her name, it just grabs me already. Does it grab you? It’s graceful…She’s Guyanese..and well…no one has her card yet..How many singers you know can be compared to KRS-One? Her album The Bridge will definitely not be over anytime soon. it has only just begun…
RubyHornet: Your dope.
Melanie Fiona: Thanks…smoke me!
RubyHornet: How old are you?
Melanie Fiona: 101
RubyHornet: OK …five words on Melanie Fiona…ready set…sell me!
Melanie Fiona: Smart, Sweet, Sassy, Silly, Strong
RubyHornet: I ‘ve never interviewed singers before so let me know how I’m doing…cool?
Melanie Fiona: Cool.
RubyHornet: Alright…so you are signed to a major label…do you feel major?
Melanie Fiona: No…sometimes I have to be reminded that I’m a “signed” artist
RubyHornet: What does a typical breakfast look like for a singer such as yourself?
Melanie Fiona: Cereal or Instant Oatmeal…its about all I have time for
RubyHornet: Do you realize that I can be interviewing one of the most famous singers of all time? That’s how I feel right about now. How does that make you feel?
Melanie Fiona: Awww man! That’s crazy … I’m not thinking that far ahead…but it would be nice. What a compliment…thank you.
RubyHornet: So you must’ve been told Jay-Z…”yo Jay, come on stage and spit a 16…?”
Melanie Fiona: I wish!! Maybe he’ll just surprise me one day.
RubyHornet: Ok seriously, any nerves before your performances? How do you prepare to go on stage in comparison to the emcee who is running around and hustling etc?
Melanie Fiona: Absolutely….not all the time, but when the crazy nerves kick in, I know I’m about to have a great show. I try to just relax back stage, visualize, laugh and drink a red bull… lol
RubyHornet: Is this “not writing your own song” thing weird for you, or is it more of a team process where you have a pen as well? I read about your work with Andrea Martin…elaborate on what the relationship is for a singer and songwriter at a major label level.
Melanie Fiona: I am a signed writer as well. I have written on my project and for other artists, so I know what it is to lend your talents and ideas. Working with Andrea was the best creative growing experience of my life. She’s a phenomenal writer and it’s an honor to have created my album with her. We have a great personal and professional relationship. It’s not weird if someone else writes for me. It just has to be something that I relate to and believe in.
RubyHornet: The Bridge, your album which is to be released on Steve Rifkind’s SRC/ Motown Universal Records in Spring 2009, has a historic connection to Hip Hop bridges…mainly Queensbridge…Now first, what’s your favorite “real bridge” (goldengate) and did you come up with this album name while you were driving over one? (clever if you did).
Melanie Fiona: No, I didn’t come up with it while crossing a bridge…lol. When I was almost finished with the album, I thought about how it made me feel and the reaction of people whom I shared the music with. And from a 3 year old to an 80 something year old, the reaction was the same….. it made them feel good. I knew I had created something special that “bridged the gap” not only between age groups, but genres of music, genders and cultures. And there we have it…The Bridge. Favorite bridge??? Lemme visit a few more and get back to you.
RubyHornet: Also, the name Melanie Fiona and “the bridge” have a perfect ring to it:)
Melanie Fiona: Thanks…I like it too!
RubyHornet: Do you think you are going to win over a lot of the hip hop demographic?…(I mean you have won me over and I haven’t even spoke with you)…but it seems like I have heard of you through the independent Hip Hop scene of NYC…how are you planning to “blow up” lets say…
Melanie Fiona: I’m hoping to. Hip Hop is one of my favourite kinds of music and I respect the community that comes with it. When I perform, people always say I take the stage like a rapper..lol. I’m hoping to gain the respect by just making good music that people feel and being real about it.
RubyHornet: Do you ever have the urge to sing at a Karaoke bar…or sing on the corner of 47th st. in Times Square just for kicks.? I read that you are a very down to earth person…so I bet you would have fun doing that.
Melanie Fiona: Lol…I never really do karaoke cause I feel like part of the fun is not being able to sing well…whenever I have been, everyone tells me I’m cheating…lol. And I would love to sing on the street in NYC. I feel like it’s one of the only places people actually appreciate it…Actually, one time, this woman who was performing in the subway pulled me up with her to sing “What’s Love Got to do with It”, and she was shocked that out of all the people she could pick, she picked a singer. It was fun!
RubyHornet: Alright..this is a Chicago based website…What do you think about the Chicago scene and although you are descended from islands..will we ever catch Melanie Fiona singing out in the cold?
Melanie Fiona: Of Course! I’m Canadian…My Caribbean blood doesn’t like the cold, but I know how to survive it.
RubyHornet: The most important question is….who are you touring with this spring?
Melanie Fiona: Others to be announced…but definitely with this girl named Melanie Fiona ?
RubyHornet: I know your having a blast already…but this part is my favorite part of the interview Fill in the Blanks..
Melanie Fiona’s nickname in gradeschool was Melonhead because kids are mean and hello??? My name is Melanie. If I had a pair of high heels I’d trade it in for a fresh pair of kicks and pick up my ipod and chapstick and just chill. Although the industry is f’d up to me, it is still treating me well and I am happy because I’ve figured out how to play the game. I don’t like dating stupid boys just like my mom doesn’t like cockroaches and dirty dishes left in the sink. At the end of this I’d like to be remembered as an artistbrought something new who and changed people’s thinking when I came to the music industry. My favorite place in music is on stage where I really feel at home. If I can be an animal, I’d be a monkey because they’re smart and pretty cool. Melanie Fiona and Kosha Dillz are awesome because they just are and anyone who doesn’t know, is late. What a bad MF Kosha Dillz is! Ruby hornet is amazing because it is doing an interview with me and I truly appreciate the support and hey! That’s that!! My next single is undetermined right now but you will love it. I will choose this single in ways such as the President is elected…I’m taking votes. The bridge is to cars as the suitcase is to my life…its carries weight!
RubyHornet: OMG…this was so much fun…!!
Melanie Fiona: It was!
RubyHornet: Did you have fun?
Melanie Fiona: I did!
RubyHornet: Rappers are great for their shoutouts..not sure wha tyou singers do…but pretend like your a rapper and lets get into some “shoutouts” and “big ups!” Leave all your plugs here.
Melanie Fiona: Big Up’s to Ruby Hornet, my Titlenine family, SRC Universal Motown, Roc Nation, Friends, Family and Fans who have supported me from day one, and anyone out there who loves good music and wants to see it win. Much Love.