D.I.V.A.-Interview

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EXCLUSIVE How2Rap Interview - D.I.V.A.

SHE IS ONE OF THE HOTTEST CHICKS IN BAHAMIAN MUSIC! “D.I.V.A” IS THE EPITOME OF WHAT CLASSIC BEAUTY, EDGE AND TRUE BAHAMIAN TALENT IS ALL ABOUT! THIS UPCOMING SUPERSTAR TELLS ALL IN AN EXCLUSIVE “BBE” INTERVIEW.

How2rap.com: “D.I.V.A” tell us a little about yourself.

“D.I.V.A”: Well, I’m a widow, mom of two lovely kids, banking professional by day and an artist by high demand. I am truly dedicated to my music and do all I can to make diverse music that appeals to all listeners. “D.I.V.A” is an outspoken individual who translate her emotions into her songs. I write about what I’m feeling and all that I have or may be going through. I’m a songwriter, musician, lyricist and a lot more! I’m just a person who is motivated by the good and bad in life and tries to succeed in life regardless.

How2rap.com: How does it feel to go from being unknown to having a reputable status as a top female artist in the Bahamas?

Is it a dream come true for you or are you unmoved by what’s happening in your music career?

“D.I.V.A”: My story is indeed a “Cinderella” one. I know the feeling of going from “rags to riches” oh so well. However, I have a lot more to do because right now, I’m only dressed and ready for the ball. I haven’t experienced anything else that will take me to the peak of feeling like I have successfully achieved my number one goal in relation to my music. I have been through a lot in life. I was date raped at the age of fifteen while in the twelfth grade by my best friend’s older brother and as a result of it I got pregnant and had my baby. The good that came out of the situation was that I was able to be of good health and gave life to a beautiful daughter who is brilliant and looks just like me! Two year ago my husband was killed during a robbery. That was the toughest experience I have ever had to go through. It took toll on me and my family, not to mention the kids, but I had to be strong and make it through it all because my two kids were looking up to me to be their pillar of strength. You know that you are a survivor when you can face your struggles, cry when it happens, pray to God for another challenge, and laugh at the others that come your way. That’s the attitude I’ve taken on in life.

How2rap.com: You are not new to music; however, you have just recently debuted yourself to Bahamians as an Artist. What made you decide to bring out an album so quickly as you intend on doing?

“D.I.V.A”: I feel that my desire to tell my life story through my music has been plaguing me to put together an album that will tell all, while highlighting my persona as having an alter-ego. If I didn’t make plans to bring out my debut album this year, I feel that I would be in this for the wrong reason. I have held inside too much of what I wanted to express in my music for so long, I have to be heard! I also feel that, in fulfillment to my artistic desires I should be releasing an album like none released by a local female artist before. I want to be the definition of a local female artist who truly took the Bahamas to an international recognition standpoint.

How2rap.com: What type of music did you grow up on and how did it influence your style?

“D.I.V.A”: I listened to a vast variety of music. I was never one to just get stuck in one genre. When I was lonely I cried and listened to love songs until my nose poured. When I wanted to outdo someone at a school dance, I practiced by listening to dancehall. However, I’ve always loved and listen over and over again to artists like: the late Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, MC Lyte, Eve, Aretha Franklin, Tanya Stephens and a few others. I think it’s because of this, I am considered a “multi-genre” artist who is incredibly diverse. I see myself doing everything I can as an artist. I don’t want to be considered “D.I.V.A” the rapper, or “D.I.V.A” the singer. I want to be known as “D.I.V.A” the next Missy Elliott or Lauryn Hill, because everyone knows they do what they are driven to do and does not settle for being in one-spot and that is in respect to one genre.

How2rap.com: Is there a particular artist who inspired you to get serious about your music career?

“D.I.V.A”: Well, as funny as many people will find this, I will say that Lil’ Kim had a lot to do with my musical inspiration. We share the same personality. We tell everything because we’re not ashamed to and we will challenge anyone to convince us to do otherwise. We both write about what we go through. If you looked too hard at us on a line at the club, we’ll take that experience and probably name it, Haters at the club. Kim is an inspiration to my rap side, but on the other hand, the most inspirational person in my life from a musical aspect, would be Mary J. Blige. We both have a lot more in common that just our music.

How2rap.com: A lot of your songs seem to talk about “Haters”. Tell me a bit more about that.

“D.I.V.A”: (Laughing) I have always been an open book, what you see is what you get and also what you do or say to me can be held against you in my next song, lol. My music is my world. It’s my healing. It allows me to release any feelings I have and not make me feel guilty or wrong for what I have said and done. My music is personal though it is created for the enjoyment of others. I have had a lot of people hate on me for no reason. I have people in this upcoming Bahamian industry go as far as to tell other producers not produce for me and so forth but here I am, still standing. I cant be stopped unless its God’s plan for my life.

How2rap.com: Your upcoming album “Alter-ego”, what kind of music can we expect to hear from you?

“D.I.V.A”: Alter-ego is going to highlight both societies I am from. My friends call me “Bi-polar” all the time because of my mood changes, so I just wanted to add that feature to my first album by merging a variety of genres to one album. All my life I’ve been a middle class young girl who went through so much and without understanding why I did. I am a balance between the ghetto and the suburbs. I am that female Barack Obama, who is capable of reaching both sides. I have real experiences that people can relate to and I think that’s an advantage for me. People want to hear from someone who knows what its like to struggle.

How2rap.com: You have had the opportunity to network and meet other female Bahamian artists, how do you feel about your competition?

“D.I.V.A”: For me, it is what it is. I am genuinely proud of every artist, including my fellow female competitors out here doing their thing. The only problem I have with a lot of local artists in general, they let what many consider “local stardom” get to their heads and they lose focus on the big picture. Sometimes people’s successes are hindered because they refuse to make a small effort to help someone else along the way. That’s just the reality of it all. It becomes a major problem when artists get selfish with one another.

How2rap.com: Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?

“D.I.V.A”: I can say that my road to music wasn’t an easy one and I'm still struggling locally to make it. I’ve had people block me in every way people locally in the music industry could off because I have talent and is not afraid to speak my mind. I cant believe that these were people I once looked up to. Everyone journey is different and some people have it harder than others, regardless, my advice to those persons looking to get a name for themselves is to focus on your dexterity and do whatever it takes to make a powerful impact on others through your music.

How2rap.com: Your actually the first artist How2rap has decided to actually put a interview up about. How do you feel about that?

“D.I.V.A”: It's an amazing feeling. Moreso, I am overwhelmed because I initially thought that I was joining many other great artists exhibited on the How2Rap site, not realising I would be the first. I think it's a great stride for myself, as the first female to be showcased on the website, as well as the first international artist.

How2rap.com: What was the idea for the song Genocide.? The beat is dark and the way you flow over it makes a nice cadence for the beat. Tell us more about what you do when youre in the studio. How do you like to record? Are there certain things you do before you get ready to lay a verse?

“D.I.V.A”: "Genocide" was a song that I was truly passionate about at the time of recording. I mean normally when I go to the studio I go to do a job, but with "Genocide", I was a soldier on a mission. That song was recorded with force and clarity. I wanted to make the truth known about "industry haterism", a term I thought created for what I have been experiencing and still is from people down here. "Genocide" was inspired by a few local Bahamians artists and a producer who were trying to stop it from being heard. Initially it was written to talk about the level certain artists had gone to, like telling producers to not work with me down here because they didnt like me, but the original plan changed when the producer who had first recorded it for me, claimed to have emailed it to me and then deleted it because he thought I had already gotten it, knowing quite well that I didnt. Pure hate right there. The thing is I wrote, recorded, vented and that was the end of that. Music is my therapy. Its personal, so I dont think anyone has the right to tell me what I'm feeling or what I have been exposed to is wrong. I'm not one to hold grudges. I say what I have to because it's what I'm feeling and I say so respectfully. If you dont like it then thats on you, but at the end of the night, I'm going to be with a weight lifted from my shoulders and you decide whether youre going to do the same; either way I'm happy.

As for me recording at the studio, I'm always prepared. With me, time is money, I get in, go hard, and get out. My boy, a local DJ and upcoming producer, "DJ Cleancut" records for me for free you know, but I've adapted that habit because I know what it is I came to do and that's my main focus, nothing else.

I dont prep before I lay down a verse. I work all day and my headphones keep me in my element while I'm at work, so I get alot of practice in my mind, then when I get in my car, I wild out. Once I get to the studio, everything is laid out in my mind and I'm just ready to enforce it through my delivery.

How2rap.com: Now that you've had the chance to check out The Official How To Rap Manual how do you feel about the book?

“D.I.V.A”: Wow! In all honesty, I havent checked out the book, I live by that book! The main feature of that book as a book lover is that its not only directives or what Jamaal West says has worked for him, it gives theory from well respected and easily accessible sources. The book includes Grammatical knowlege that helps you up your literacy game. Before I read the book, I never knew how to count bar or points, but here I am, at the drop of every song, successfully anticipating when the hook is going to kick in. I've read it twice. I'm trying to get it to stick. It's amazing.

How2rap.com: Is there any advice you can give to someone trying to get in the same position as you?

“D.I.V.A”: I think the first bit of advice I would give someone trying to get where I am is to have a realistic dream. You cant be an artist, if you dont apply time, knowlege and passion to your craft, thats impossible. You have to be hungry for this music and be willing to fight for it. There are many talented people out there, countless, but dont watch them, do you. We all know alot of talent is out here, there will be alot of comparison, but you have to do things that will make you memorable and you have to be creative. Listen to music everyday! Identify what most of the artists does the same, and do the opposite.

Finally, you have to have endurance. When youre talented people are going to try to block you from connects but you have to keep focused and not badmouth them to others, simply speak the truth if something happened and move on from it. Dont spend your whole life worrying about what theyve done. Always remember, haters can only block you for a moment or as long as you allow them to, eventually if you remain composed, people will start to see that youre not the problem, and you'll be rewarded. True talent and humility always prevails over negativity! Keep focus. The only time youre suppose to focus on those haters is when youre in that booth. You need them at that moment!

How2rap.com: If someone wanted to reach you where can they find you?

“D.I.V.A”: I'm from Nassau (Nah-saw) Bahamas but I have several international pages. I can be found at my new MySpace page: www.myspace.com/theinfamousdiva or one can search Facebook for my fan page and personal profile. My fan page's search word is: D.I.V.A and my personal profile is: Platinum-d.i.v.a Johnson

How2rap.com: Thanks for taking the time to holla at ya boy and How2rap.com, we wish you nothing but success with this rap s---, keep at it and i'm sure you'll do fine.

“D.I.V.A”: I am honestly trying to grasp everything as it comes. I guess the feeling of me being so close to “stardom” has not hit me yet, because I don’t think I’ve made it yet. I am still in that “humble beginnings” stage where I am what I am for now, but will be who I work hard to become real soon. I have not yet become an international household name yet, so I am not bewildered by anything that has happened in respect to my music career at the moment.

How2rap.com: Your story seems like a “Cinderella” one. You went through so much to get to where you’re at now although you are not where you would like to be.

“D.I.V.A” a widow and single mom of two kids, is one whom many considers “a professional but day and a music sensation by night”. She was born, Crystal Lynnette Johnson, in Nassau (The capital of the Bahamas), on September 14th, 1983. Local DJ, “DJ Cleancut”, who gave her start by recording demos for her in his home studio, discovered her."

Read Full Bio Here

(Interview by: Jamaal West)

D.I.V.A. - "Genocide"

Tue 6/9/09

- J-Mill is a Noble Person ,I like his ability to teach newbies How2rap. He is doing one great job by spreading the knowledge of music he know..

Blessings.

JanPreet Singh

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Mon 6/8/09

- Great interview. Hope to hear more from D.I.V.A.

- Thanks for the love J-Mill! You are taking Music Artists to a higher level in music!

Much love,

D.I.V.A

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Author details: Jamaal West is the author of The Official How To Rap Manual. He has over 15 years experience helping others improve rap skill and rhyming ability. Inventor of the How2rap Point-System & The Understanding Bars Tutorial his techniques on teaching others to rap have been regarded as one of the best of its kind since the year 2000.

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