Interview – Dice
You were one of the few female artists to submit a track to TBLIF’s compilation last year, and your song was used as the backing track for one of our promo videos. What are your thoughts on being a female in the industry, and do you have any advice for female artists looking to further themselves in the game? Any particular challenges or obstacles you’ve had to face?
Being female in the industry is in many ways irrelevant to me and advice is relative to the giver as it is. My personal “advice” would be to let your art speak for itself, don’t fall victim to selling the sex first or to keep it all the way real, don’t depend on the sex to try to sell your work if your work can’t hold its own weight.
You don’t get respect that way, and you’re just allowed to hang around as something to look at and be objectified. Progress in your career happens by improving your craft, knowing your business and having a solid package to present as you expand your network. Network is everything. In regards to challenges, both presented by the industry and those created by myself, pick one, what hasn’t there been?
What was the inspiration behind “Love Games?”
The everyday hoops that people jump through in the pursuit of love and getting laid, to put it plainly. It’s kind of a clowning portrayal of social expectations. Very generalized. No specific influence from my life, though I’ve jumped through many of the same hoops as the rest. Sol was perfect for this joint and he killed it.
The local Minneapolis music scene has seen a recent influx of out-of-state artists. Seeing as you’re from Seattle, how did you get introduced to submitting a track on The Best Love is Free? Any plans on traveling or touring soon?
My eyes have been on Minneapolis since I was 14 and discovered the Rhymesayers roster. As for how I got introduced to The Best Love is Free, Twitter is a great tool. Botzy from Culture Cry Wolf hit me up about it last year and I’m looking forward to submitting this year! No tours set up yet for 2012, but Kendra (my manager) and I are definitely open to that. For the moment, my immediate concerns are this show in Honolulu on December 1st, and finishing my first album, “Reflections In Broken Glass”.
You’re extremely versatile in your craft, being able to both sing and rap. Do you prefer one over the other?
People ask me all the time if I had to choose one which would it be. If it came to that, I would sing. I think both have their moments equally, I just do what I feel in the moment.
To you, what is your ideal Valentine’s Day date?
Not big on the concept of Valentines Day, but a perfect date to me will always include an amazing meal, preferably near the water. Great conversation, great music, at ease & oh yes, candles.
What was your first kiss like?
I remember my first french kiss. 3rd grade hiding under a big sink at our after school program. Puffy & Mace Mo Money Mo Problems was in the background. Comedy.
For more information on Dice, please visit: www.thanorthwest.net/dice
Interview conducted by Mandy Karman for The Best Love is Free ( @mandyapolis )
