Angel: Hey Shareefa! Thanx for taking the time out to talk with me.
Shareefa: No problem
Angel: First off, how did you end up working with DTP and Def Jam?
Shareefa: I did a song called “Demo” a few years ago, and Ludacris listened to it. I went up to New York maybe a week later and it was on from there.
A: That’s dope. So you worked with Teddy Riley and Dark Child right?
S: Yea
A: What was the vibe in the studio with those two?
S: It was a very good experience, you know. Both of them are perfectionist so they want things a certain way. But it was a good experience, a very very good experience.
A: How is it working with Ludacris?
S: He is real laid back, real cool. It’s like working with a family member, and silly-ass family member [laughs]
A: One of my visitors wanted to know how you plan to stay ahead of the pack with all these R&B chicks that are out now..
S: Basically just be myself and being able to deliver good music that people want to hear. You know what I’m saying, and staying true to myself. I think that comes across in my music and I think the fans can relate to that.
A: So how do you feel being compared to singers like Mary J. Blige and Keyshia Cole?
S: It feels good; it’s a compliment. Everybody is in their own lane though. Mary told her stories, Keyshia told her stories, now I’m going to tell my stories.
A: Speaking of stories, a lot of songs on your album are vivid. Are these stories from personal experiences.
S: Definitely.
SHAREEFA TALKS ABOUT “CRY NO MORE” & YOUNG BUCK
A: So what inspired the song “Cry No More?”
S: Basically it was another anthem for the females. Basically saying that you’re a soul survivor and you’re tired of crying over the same guy who is no good. You gotta move on..
A: In the video for “Cry No More” a lot of people wanted to know what was up with you a Young Buck because you had a lot of chemistry. Are yall dating?
S: [pause] Nooooo, that’s my friend. I mean who wouldn’t have chemistry with him? The nigga is fine.
A: That’s true! [laughs] I heard you lived in North Carolina for a while, what part of NC are you from?
S: Charlotte. I’m from Jersey originally, but then I relocated to Charlotte North Carolina so you can say I have two homes. Charlotte North Carolina and The Brick City!
A: Oh ok, that’s cool.
A: A lot of people say you are one of the most underrated artists out right now. Are you happy with your marketing team? Because I barely hear your music on the radio..
S: With the music game, it comes with kinks and all that other stuff, so it’s all about being patient. I mean I can come out and sell 5,000 records and by next year I’ll be at platinum it really doesn’t matter. As long as I keep God first, I got a roof over my head, and I’m comfortable I’m good. So, no I don’t have nothing against my marketing team or nothing like that. Everybody goes hard, sometimes some of us could go harder but that’s in the game.
A: You were on Showtime at the Apollo recently and you killed it. How was it performing on the stage?
S: It felt good. The stage is my home, so I’m always comfortable there. And that’s never a problem for me.
A: I read that back in NC you used to steal cars and you actually served some jail time. Did serving that time help change your path and help you learn some lessons?
S: Yes. Everyday I learn lessons. That really wasn’t a lesson though, it was more of a wake up call. Everybody goes through things in their younger years, whether that’s stealing, boosting clothes.. Acting out with your mother or your parents, having sex at 14. Whatever it is. We all have wake up calls..
A: I definitely feel you on that.
ANGEL & SHAREEFA TALK ABOUT HBO’S “THE WIRE”
A: Let me get to some of these random questions I have. Do you check out any gossip blogs or read any internet websites?
S: Every once and in a while, but no really. I’m not really into the computer, I just browse through.
A: Cool. So what’s your favorite movie?
S: Right now? Let me think. Well I like scary movies, so I have to go with Saw I & II. I wanna see III. I like a good drama too. Like I’m hooked on “The Wire” right now.
A: Oh yes! Did you see the season finale?
S: Is that the one with they killed Bodie?
A: Yeah! I was mad as hell when they killed Bodie man.
S: Yeah, that was my dude right there.
A: Yeah, I liked Michael at first until he killed Bodie.
S: Michael didn’t kill Bodie.
A: Oh, it wasn’t him? It looked like him under the hoodie.
S: Yeah look at it again, it’s another young boy. Remember Marlo said he didn’t want him to do it.
A: Yeah you right! Someone told me it wasn’t him, but I could have sworn it was him.
S: Yeah me too.
A: Yeah I need to watch that then.
S: Un Huh..
A: So what do you bump in your I-pod right now?
S: What am I listening to? Um, Jay-Z’s album, Luda’s album, of course my album “Point of No Return.” Of course Lauryn Hill, always. Old stuff like D’Angelo…
A: So old and new stuff. Who is your favorite female vocalist?
S: Of all time? Lauryn Hill
A: Male vocalist?
S: Dave Hollister.
A: What is your favorite thing to do on your downtime, because I know you have a busy schedule now…
S: Chill and look at T.V.
A: What will your next single be?
S: You mean after “Cry No More?”
A: Yeah
S: Um, it’s gonna be “Butterfly”
A: Oh ok that’s my jam. My driving song..
S: Thank you.
A: What advice would you give an up and coming artist trying to get into the music business?
S: Stay focused on what you wanna do, regardless of how tough it gets. My biggest advice would just be to stay focused.
A: Well thank you Shareefa and best of luck with everything.
S: No problem, thank you.
A: Bye
S: Bye.
SHAREEFA’S MESSAGE TO THE CL FANS
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MAKE SURE YOU PICK UP “POINT OF NO RETURN”
Shareefa’s debut album is in stores now!
Just like Shareefa said, it makes a great stocking stuffer!
MYSPACE.COM/SHAREEFADTP FOR MORE INFO
