24:
Introduce yourself to everyone that doesn’t already know who you are.
My name is Sunni Stephens. I am a R&B/pop
singer-songwriter residing in Atlanta GA.
24:
Before we get into your music, can you describe your history about how you got
into the industry and what inspired you?
I will not say the cliché answer of I was singing
all my life etc. but what I will say is this; I have been singing
professionally since 2002 (that is when I first received my first paycheck from
the industry for my work). I have been working at making a living at my craft
since 2000. I have always loved performing, but more importantly than that, a
purpose was placed on my life to be a reflection of so many young women today who
don’t see themselves on TV in a beautiful light. I use the music to connect to
people and the life behind the music to educate. I wanted to use the biggest
platform possible that will allow someone to influence the masses and I don’t
like politics, so since I’ve been performing all my life and it is my passion,
I decided this was the next best thing.
24:
You have a very exotic look. What is your nationality?
I get that a lot, but I am proud to say just
African- American. Now saying that, we are all a hodgepodge of different
cultures and my hodgepodge consists of Hausa from Niger, Caucasian, Indian, and
Hispanic.
24:
So how’d you get discovered?
I actually discovered myself. I decided that I
wanted to perform publicly and began singing in clubs, showcases, etc. I don’t
have a magical story where I was swooped up by a producer or manager and my
dream began. I have literally had to crawl and fight my way to take every step
forward in my career while not losing the integrity. I don’t have a manager,
but I have an amazing publicist who works hard for me. No magic, just hard
work.
24:
Have you always wanted to sing?
As I sit and ponder that question, I think the best
answer was I was always born to sing. I don’t know if it is what I always
wanted to do because I have wanted to do a lot of things, but performing is
what I always did. It came and comes naturally.
24:
What was your first ever live performance?
It was at my school. That’s so cliché but it is
true. It was for a black history program (laughs) but in my profession, it was
at a European-Russian restaurant, very upscale. I had a Russian band and we
played on the weekends. It was an amazing experience. I learned to sing in
Russian and Italian. My tips were bigger when I sang in another language (laughs).
24:
There are a lot of talented up-and-coming artists coming out of
though your one of the few who stands out amongst the rest?
I believe that talent can only take you so far, at
some point you have to study your craft. I have had the unique pleasure of
being trained early by one of the best artist development companies in the game,
Jamaica Craft of JamSession. Having trained and developed the best talent in
the game today from Ne-Yo to Justin Bieber, she taught me work ethic and the
science behind the magic. What makes me different? I am not saying I am the
most talented, but I will out work, out think, and out study, the best of the
best and work ethic trumps talent every time. Besides that, I know myself, I
know my strengths, my weaknesses, and I know how to perform!! Anyone can sell a
record, but I can sell a seat.
24:
Have you ever felt like too much time passes in the game where you have to make
it and that window is closing?
I believe in perfect timing so it may seem some
times that the window is closing, but that is when the door opens. The race is
not given to the swift or the strong but to the one who endureth.
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?
Production wise, I love Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. They
are timeless. Artist wise, I would love to work with Pitbull on the rap side,
Janet Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Samantha James, Rihanna, and Miley Cyrus, Bono,
Adam Levine, Trey Songz, Ne-Yo, and Prince.
24:
How do you feel about the comparisons with Ciara or Janet? Does it ever get
overwhelming at times?
No, it doesn’t. They are both amazing artists. I
respect them so if I am being compared to them now, that means people see greatness
in me. Quincy Jones said once that great artists study and emulate other great
artists and eventually they become their own great artist.
24:
Tell us about your upcoming album.
I am working on my first album to be released in
2011. I am taking my time as I want it to be 10-11 amazing tracks, maybe just
one feature if that. I want the album to be relatable to many walks of life,
but also be a reflection of the 3 dimensional woman I am. I want it to appeal
to your senses so if it is a sexy song, you should feel that, if it is a sad
song, you should feel that. A lot of times, we just sing songs without
conveying the emotion. In the meantime, I have a few joints I am dropping with
a few features to keep the buzz up. Walk
Away featuring Phatz and Digital Girl
featuring D-League, also look for my dance joints Switch and Candy Apple Red.
24:
In the beginning stages of the album, what producers did you work with
or wanted to work with but didn’t get the opportunity to on the project?
I have worked with two main producers for this
project. Tim “Krazyfigz” Walls out of Charlotte NC, and Mello Dope out of
Atlanta GA. They are both the true definition of a producer and not beat
makers. They both play instruments and produce vocals. That’s how you breathe
life into a song and that’s what I look for; The producer, whether it be a big
name or not, that can bring my voice to life.
24:
How did you get together with Phatz for the remix of Walk Away?
I tell you the power of twitter is amazing. I was
following Vince Valholla, Phatz’s manager on twitter and vice versa and totally
respecting his work ethic and artist Phatz. Well my publicist, Randa Quaraan, read
my mind as she always does and reached out to them for a collab I sent them my
catalogue of what I had been working on and told him to pick the one he was
feeling the most and he chose Walk Away,
which is one of my favorites.
24:
So what’s the concept behind the song and the video?
I want this video to be about the beauty of love and
loving someone. It should make you feel happy like a Saturday morning when you
wake up to the glow of the sun shining down on you and you wake up with a smile
on your face, just because or that feeling you get when you first hear the
words “I love you!!” That is the feeling this video should portray; love, life
and happiness.
24:
Where was the video shot?
In the land of beauty, Miami, Florida.
24:
Did you work with anyone else from Florida?
There are future collabs coming with D-League on a
remix to my song Digital Girl.
24:
Are any of the songs on this album extra meaningful to you?
The most meaningful would probably have to be When
Will I See You Again…I was in San Diego, sick, and I was driving past the
military base there and listening to Delilah (yes, I listen to her
sometimes…lol) and she was talking to the wife of this soldier who was away at
war and she was so sad because all she wanted to do was hold him in her arms,
but she knew at the same time, she couldn’t be because he was fighting for our
country…so what do you do? Part of her wanted to be selfish and just keep her
man to herself, but she had to share him with the world. I started thinking
about all of the women and men that have to share their loved ones with the
world and how hard that is on them when all the wanna do is see them again..so
I pulled to the side of the road and started writing…fortunately I had been
vibing to some tracks from the Urban Rockstarz out of Atlanta GA that day and
the music was just right for it…I started writing for her, but it soon became
personal…we all have someone that we just want with us…but can’t be with for
one reason or another…Walk Away is another special one for me…that was actually
a free style…I was in the studio with Krazy figz and just did that on the
spot…I am a bit of a romantic, so love comes easy for me…I started thinking
about love lost and just said what was in my heart…it is a very easy listen.
24:
Are fans responding to your new music the way you want them to?
Yes they are. I couldn’t ask for anything more. They
appreciate the lyrics and the freshness that I bring. They are digging the
topics and the love translated through my music so I couldn’t ask for a better
response, and when they see the show, it’s a wrap.
24:
What’s next for Sunni Stephens?
Touring, touring, touring. Getting sponsorship and
gaining more exposure, building up my fan base worldwide with the eventual
release of my album.
24:
When it is all said and done, how would Sunni Stephens like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as the artist who
really created a movement and I know that that word is used lightly, but what I
mean by that is that I will have a direct impact on creating change in our
society. I want to bring back softness, classiness and beauty in our females. I
want to reintroduce the 3 dimensional woman to the world. So many times, I see
females portrayed in one extreme light. What if you are a blend of several
lights? meaning what if one day I am sassy, the next I am soft, the next I am independent,
the next I am hood, the next I am statuesque, etc. I can go on and on. I can I
be all of that and more importantly, can I see all of that. I want to be
remembered as a beast on the stage, an incredibly hard worker, but most of all
someone who showed the world how to be a lady, how to love and that it is okay
to love unconditionally…
24:
How would the fans go about contacting you?
www.reverbnation.com/sunnistephens;
www.twitter.com/sunnistephens
or www.facebook.com/sunnistephens…for
booking information contact: Randa Quaraan 305.984.8751 or
hhgbyranda@gmail.com
24:
Thank you for providing 24hourhiphop.com
with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and
future fans?
I would just like to thank everyone for the positive
energy that I receive everyday. Remember, it’s the life behind the music that
is most important. Live every second of everyday with a purpose and you will
have a life fulfilled. I got next!! Love You!!
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