For a woman that's as busy as Ms. Dawn Richard I was lucky she even had a few moments to answer any questions that I may have had but like the down to earth, over achiever that she is Dawn made time for her adoring "Hearts" (Hearts are what die hard Dawn Richard fans call themselves). Smack dab in the middle of her "GoldenHeart" tour, and a couple of months after her 2nd solo album "GoldenHeart" dropped, I just wanted to know how life has been for the one time member of Diddy's "Making the Band" group "Danity Kane". I tell you, if I didn't love Dawn Richard before, I absolutely ADORE her now. She is so down to earth, she actually has a sense of humor and doesn't take life too seriously, and we can always appreciate a celebrity thats just like one of the girls...
EB: Speaking of Danity Kane and Making the Band, it's been said that the name "Danity Kane" originated from a Super hero character that you drew and was seen by Diddy, is that true?
DR: Yes that's true! I even put out a manga comic as well named and based off the character Danity Kane. Such a great name and character! Glad I created her!
EB: Are you still friends/acquaintances with any of the girls from Danity Kane?
DR: Yes I am! They will always be apart of me.
(I couldn't believe she's still friends with Aubrey, but I guess they're both kinda like the wild child now that Dawn has emerged from good girl her shell!!)
EB: If you could have 1 super power, what would it be? And what would be your super hero name?
DR: Super Save A Hoe! I'd totally go around saving ho's in distress! My super power would be turning rags into riches. Ked shoes into Nicholas Kirkwoods!
(I must say, I DIED laughing when she said this!!! *blushing*)
EB: After the breakup of Danity Kane and the making of "Diddy/Dirty Money" did you ever feel like you were trapped in a group situation?
DR: Not trapped no. I chose to be in those situations. I wanted to be in those groups. They were my choices to be in them so I wouldn't say I felt trapped.
EB: How did being in a group dynamic influence you as an artist?
DR: I learned patience. I learned a lot about myself being in groups like what I could tolerate and what I couldn't. It helped me apply that to my solo music. It helped me learn to be patient in my creativity and explore process and growth. I think being in groups helped mold me into the solo artist I am now. I am able to listen to my producer and others opinions and compromise.
(maybe I need to join an R&B group so I can learn patience, because my patience is thin enough to see through...)
EB: Your first mixtape as a solo artist was "Prelude to a Tell Tale Heart", how did it feel finally just being DAWN RICHARD and not Dawn Richard from Danity Kane, or Dawn Richard from Diddy/Dirty Money?
DR: It felt liberating and needed! You need to be able to voice your story. You can't keep your perspective in life bottled up. It can cage you emotionally and creatively. A Tell Tale Heart was the first time I had spread my wings and voiced my opinions. I felt weightless for the first time in a long time.
(I felt like taking my bra off and swinging it over my head when she said that but I didn't...) 0_o
EB: You stated that your solo career would begin with a trilogy of albums, the first being "Golden Heart" which was released in January; are the album sales reaching your expectations? If so what has been the secret to your success without the "group" backing you? If not, do you have a plan to help boost album sales, maybe start a Twitter beef with with another artist, or have a nip slip on the red carpet? (Lol)
DR: Sales are fantastic. But honestly I could care less If it sold to millions or 5 people. The world concerns itself with numbers and "my fav is better than your fav" bull****... For me it's the music and the message. Did I touch you in some way? Did I move you? Those are the things I worry about or care about. And I think with Goldenheart we did that. We touched people. We changed things. My success is based on that. It's honest and i think we are successful because people see that rawness and realness. We risked a lot going against the grain with the album. The reward was the hearts saying they were pleased and touched. You won't see any twitter beefs over here for more sales. There may be nip slips but that's just cause I hate bras (lol). People want to boosts sales to boost egos. If I need a boost in my ego I can just turn around and look at my ass. She's quite fabulous!
(For the record, her ass is quite fab!!)
EB: How do you feel about "beef" between artists in the music industry? I've heard people say that it makes them seem more "real", do you agree or do you think it's as childish and petty as I do?
DR: I don't have a feeling toward it because I don't have the time. I'm too busy trying to get these checks. If I'm fighting with you on twitter I'm not working hard enough.
(AMEN TO THAT... Keyshia Cole needs to take a hint but that's another story)
EB: Have you ever been bullied or felt like you were being bullied? If so, how did you handle it?
DR: I've probably been bullied but my will is too strong to allow me to feel I have. I'm such a Leo. And honestly a lion would dare you to try them. Lol
EB: Did you ever feel bullied by Diddy or anyone from Bad Boy to do songs, or projects that you had no interest in?
DR: Ha! Puff bully me? I feel I may have bullied him!
(I can picture that...)
EB: If you could use the super power you chose in the question above would you use it on anyone in particular that you've worked with in the past?
DR: Yes! Me when I was on Making the Band. I would have made that gold ugly weave disappear and give me a new fabulous weave!
(*DEAD DEAD DEAD*) 0_0
EB: Now that you've dropped your first solo album is there anyone you want to say "I told you so" to?
DR: No need. They know who they are.
(She swerved that question...Lol)
EB: Since the breakup with Q. have you been dating and what (if any) is your "type"?
DR: Yes I've dated. My type has to be the honest type. I like a challenge though. An alpha man. Someone who keeps me on my toes intellectually as well as physically. I like rough. Rough is my beat. I like to be handled and I need a man that handles all this well.
(YASSSSSSSSS, Honey!!!!!! I so love her answers...)
EB: Have you found it easier or more difficult to find a man now that you're a public figure?
DR: It's difficult finding a guy. The RIGHT guy.
EB: Do you have sex on the first date or are you completely against it? (I won't judge... lol)
DR: I have sex when it's time to. The times may vary ;)
EB: I'm going to list 10 places and you say YES or NO to whether or not you've ever had sexual relations or any other sexual activity there. (We wanna know the Bad Girl.... so don't be shy)
Beach. Yes.
Swimming pool. Yes.
Mom's house. Yes.
Recording studio. Frequently.
Park or Park bench. Both.
Movie theatre. Yes.
Burger King bathroom or anywhere you regret or were caught. I never regret getting caught. They're lucky they got a chance to catch such awesomeness :)
EB: Do you have any celebrity crushes? (Male or Female)
DR: Hmmm. Kinda loving Cara Delevingne at the moment.
(Cara Delevingne is FOOOINE... with eyebrows to DIE for!!!)
EB: Tell me something about yourself that your fans would be surprised to find out?
DR: I'm an adrenaline junky. I love extreme things. Skydiving, zip lining, extreme dodgeball. I'm a wild child by nature. Tattoos and piercings are an obsession.
If after reading that interview you don't feel a little closer to Dawn you probably need to let down those walls you built.
Catch Dawn Richard putting in work on these dates:
2/25/13 FYE (Union Station – In-store Signing) from 5PM-7PM – Washington DC
3/17/13 The Crocodile (LIVE) at 8PM – Seattle, WA: Tickets
3/26/13 Roxy Theatre (LIVE) at 8PM – West Hollywood, CA: Tickets
3/29/13 Red Owl (LIVE) at 8PM – Tempe, AZ: Tickets
4/15/13 Jazz Cafe (LIVE) @ 7PM – London, UK: Tickets
4/30/12 Middle East (LIVE) @ 8PM – Cambridge, MA: Tickets
5/11/12 Vinyl (LIVE) @ 8PM – Atlanta, GA: Tickets
MORE DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED!
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