24: Introduce yourself to everyone that
doesn’t already know who you are.

I’m Kanary Diamonds
from Watts, California. I’m an MC/actress/dancer and just an all around
entertainer.

 

24: Can you briefly describe your history
about how you got into the music industry and who were some of the artists that
inspired you?

Well I started
off acting as a child, then transitioned into music as a dancer.  I became
a background dancer and began choreographing for up-and-coming as well as
a few established artists. Soon after, I got into singing and eventually
started rapping. Through it all, my inspiration is God and my love of
music.

 

24: What was the Hip hop scene like
growing up in Watts, CA?

The hip hop scene
was diverse mainly west coast and south music.

 

24: What makes Kanary Diamonds different
from the other female rappers who’ve come before you?

I’m me simply! My
music isn’t over saturated with sexually explicit lyrics like a lot of female
rappers and I’m not a boy on the mic either. I believe I have the perfect
balance. Also, my lyrics are only one dimension of who I am as a artist, I’m an
all around entertainer. I can probably give Janet a run for her money on stage
lol Much respect to the Queen though lol The world has never seen anything like
what I’m gonna become.

 

24: Have you ever felt like too much time
passes in the game where you have to make it and that window is closing? 

 No, not me,
personally because I know Gods driving this car. If the window closes, it wasn’t
in his plans; simple as that. But I do see artists still going for it when their
time had obviously passed. I think the nature of this biz makes you not wanna
grow up, musically speaking.

 

24: As of right now, who in the industry
would you say you listen to on a regular and would probably like to work with
in the near future?

Hands down J. Cole
he’s the only artist I listen to on a regular. I can’t wait to work with him! I
definitely think he’s got next! He’s super dope. I can’t front, I’m such a huge
Jay-Z fan and when he signed him, I was like huh? why? Maybe a lil jelly (laughs) but I gave him a chance and I’m
glad I did. He’s an amazing talent! Jay-Z knew what he was doing (laughs)

 

24: Speaking on J. Cole, what was your
inspiration for the single “Who Dat”?

J cole was my
inspiration i heard it and that track is CRAZY! I had to jump on it! I was like
they would never expect a female to come off on this one so i went in beast
mode lol

 

24: In the song, you reference being
compared to Nicki Minaj and also add “If
I want to go at Nicki/I’ma make her call up Diddy and that nigga come and get
me”
. What was the meaning behind that line?

I just wanted to
clear the air just once but hey, it’s the name of the game. It meant if I
wanted to diss her or go at her, I would literally go to her and do it. I would
just call Diddy and have him set the meeting up (laughs) that’s all! Some take
it as a diss but it’s not. I respect Nicki Minaj, but I’m not the type to throw
subliminal messages. If I want to say something, I’m gonna say names and I did!

 

24: Are you happy with the feedback
you’ve been getting from the song so far?

Yes. People are
loving it and I love that they do (laughs)

 

24: Does it bother you at all that you’re
giving out the music for free or do you look at that as something that you have
to do at this point in your career?

It doesn’t bother
me at all. It’s not like I can’t go back in tomorrow and come up with something
hotter to sell. It’s just where the industry is at right now… sink or swim!

 

You recently became the first lady of
BlackWallstreet. How did you link with Game and become affiliated with his
label?

 I’ve known
him for a while now but our schedules always conflicted when we tried to hook
up to work but he has giving me advice and his support over the years. One day
he hit me to come to the studio and it just snow balled from there.

 

24: When you look at how you played the
game, you’ve really done everything on your own. Do you regret not targeting
the major labels earlier in your career?

 Not at all. By
doing it by myself, I’ve been fortunate to be a part of things that by being
under a major, I wouldn’t have been able to do and have control of my career.

 

24: Where do you see yourself going in
2010?

 To the top!! (laughs)
I see myself definitely progressing and become more known to other regions and
venturing into projects other than music.

 

24: When’s your album coming?

You can look for an
album from me next year sometime but until then you can cop my mixtape when
that drops.

   

24: How do you feel about the current
state of music in general?

I think it’s in
transition, not aware of where exactly it’s going but I think it’s good. I just
think it’s going to take a little more creativity and innovation to be relevant
and have longevity. The day of the cookie cutter 1 +1 =2 formula is over.
When the labels come up with a system to support the new way of things, music
is going to be ok.

 

24: In today’s free download age, what do
you need that you don’t have to make yourself a household name?

Even though it’s
the Internet age and physical albums aren’t selling, I still believe that you
need that machine behind you! Not necessarily a major, but major money. It
takes money to break an artist so I need that machine.

 

24: What else are you currently working
on? 

Right now I’m
finishing up my mixtape which is dropping late summer. I also have a lot of
music being placed in TV and film and I’m working on some great things with
Nickelodeon so stay tuned! 

 

24: How would the fans go about
contacting you?

You can find me
here:

twitter.com/kanaryd

youtube.com/kanarydiamonds

facebook.com/kanarydiamonds

myspace.com/kanarydiamonds

24: Thank you for providing 24hourhiphop.com with this
exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and future
fans?

Yes! First thank
you for having me! And thanks to everyone who supports me, new and old, I
really appreciate it and it’s only because of you I’m able to do this! Mucho
gracias!
KISSES