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| Shining star: an interview wit’ vocalist Femi |
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| by Minister of Information JR | |
| Tuesday, 19 June 2007 | |
 The first time that I saw her perform was last summer at the Dwayne Wiggins-sponsored free summer concerts at Arroyo Park in East Oakland, when she opened up for Confunkshun and killed it wit’ her seven-piece live band SoulCat. This petite Afro-wearing vocal powerhouse is definitely ready to bring the R&B attention back to the Bay like it was in the ‘90s when groups like En Vogue and the Tonies set the standard for what grown and sexy music is supposed to sound like, as well as creating the genre called Neo Soul. I’m definitely excited to see what the world has in store for Femi because she definitely has the talent to be at the top of the game like Keyshia Cole, another Oakland native, who has made it to international notoriety recently. Check out this interview wit’ Femi as we talk about her musical history, her views on today’s R&B scene, as well as her views on the controversy surrounding Yoshi’s and the Berkeley Jazz Festival’s exclusion of Black musicians, right here in the Bay Area. MOI JR: Where are you from? And how did you start singing? Femi: I am from Oakland, but part of my time was spent growing up in New York – Spanish Harlem – as well. My first experience was in elementary school, at Brookfield Elementary. I was always in choir. One of my teachers, Ms. McKinley, did a play, a musical, and I was one of the lead roles. It was based on the soundtrack to “Roots” by Quincy Jones. It was my first experience dancing and singing in front of an audience. I’ve been doing it ever since; I was a natural entertainer. MOI JR: Why do you sing with a live band as opposed to just having your music on DAT when you perform? Femi: Being part Puerto Rican, there was always live music around my house. I am a product of an era of live music – Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Chaka Khan and Rufus. To me there is nothing more pure than a group of people being syncopated in time. You can’t beat “real-time,” raw, in the moment music. MOI JR: Being a vocalist yourself, how do you look at other female singers like Alicia Keyes, India Arie, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and Erykah Badu? Do you think soul music is getting better since the ‘70s or worse? Femi: Those sisters represent some of the musical pioneers of our time. They are hard working women who are the living breathing example of strength and vulnerability. Being a woman in the music industry is tough, but these sisters have proven that they are not just another pretty face; they have longevity. It is proof that you can be beautiful and talented at the same time. Soul music of the ‘70s spoke of that era. They where just coming out of a time of segregation, war and economic struggle of Brown and Black folks, so the music reflected that message. I wouldn’t compare the ‘70s to now. We live in a different time, I mean we still have racism and wars, but we also have technology and the world became a smaller place, so that is progress. However, we have also regressed in a sense with the dumbing-down of lyrics and the open verbal abuse of women. MOI JR: Recently there has been a lot of controversy with the Bay Area jazz community talkin’ about how Yoshi’s restaurant and some of the jazz festivals have been keeping Black musicians off their bills. What is your opinion on this issue? Femi: From my prospective it seems that someone lost their damn mind. How can you speak of jazz and leave out Black folks? That is OUR music. History continues to repeat itself: We share and they take, plain and simple. I’m curious to see what would happen if jazz musicians of color had a “Day of Absence.” It’s almost like they are spitting on the graves of our ancestors by denying their children the right to their own music. It just goes to show you that the struggle continues, and that we as a people need to wake up and take our shit back. MOI JR: What advice would you give to young people – but young women specifically – who want to get involved in singing and the music business? Femi: My advice to young people – young women specifically – is to know your history first. Study the greats, not just their music but their struggle to do their music. Secondly, learn the business: contracts, accounting, booking, marketing etc. Learn how it works so that when you hire someone, you know what they should and shouldn’t be doing on your behalf. Thirdly, find a mentor. And finally, study your craft. And remember, no matter what it is, it will always be about the MUSIC FIRST! MOI JR: How do people stay up on what you’re doing? Do you have a myspace, so that people could check out your music? Femi: You can always catch me rocking at some venue in the Bay area. I get down with a lot of folks from hip-hop, reggae to electronica. Taste the Love. Feel the Fire. (Visit) www.femimusic.com, www.myspace.com/femi and www.womenwhojam.com. Email POCC Minister of Information JR at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , and listen to the Block Report at hiphopwarreport.com or myspace.com/blockreportfilm. |
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