New Jive Records recording artist Livvi Franc is determined to pave her own distinct way in an industry already crowded with divas and rock stars. The Barbados-bred 21-year-old is set to blaze the airwaves with her single, “Now I’m that Chick” featu
New Jive Records recording artist Livvi Franc is determined to pave her own distinct way in an industry already crowded with divas and rock stars. The Barbados-bred 21-year-old is set to blaze the airwaves with her single, "Now I’m that Chick" featuring rapper Pitbull, and her debut album, which will feature production from RedOne, JR Rotem and others. She talked to the Defender about the excitement in her career.
Chicago Defender: What inspired you to become a singer?
Livvi Franc: I’ve always been attracted to music. When I was younger, my mom used to always play it in the house nonstop. I was exposed to so many different types of music from reggae to pop to dance, and I think I was just born with it. It’s been in my blood for so long and it’s just something that I knew that I was going to do. Now it gives me so much happiness to actually have a career in music. This is what I’m meant to be doing.
CD: Who are some artists you look up to or admire their sound?
LF: Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado, Alicia Keys, Lauren Hill, Eva Cassidy. I love Sade as well. These days I definitely lean toward the more quirky artists like Santigold and M.I.A.
CD: Some are comparing you to pop singer Rihanna solely based on the fact that you both are from Barbados. How do you feel about people making those comparisons?
LF: I can understand why they do, being that we’re from the same place and we’re both in pop music. But for me, it’s not exactly a bad thing because this is my first single, and people are starting to know who I am right now. Once they start to hear more from me and the album comes out and I am more exposed than I am right now, they will definitely see the difference, and I’m sure that the comparisons will stop. But for now, it’s not really a bad thing. I guess it’s pretty cool. She’s beautiful, so it’s a compliment.
CD: How do you think being from Barbados has added to your music, being that it’s such a cultured and unique place?
LF: In Barbados, the songs that are playing on the radio-soca, dancehall, calypso and reggae–that music, there’s something special about it. It separates from all the other different types of music in the world. It’s so much fun; it’s feel good music. I think that’s really had a big impact on my songwriting. There’s nothing better than those songs that make you want to smile and make you want to have a good time, and all of the songs I write have that feel to them. So that whole laid-back, carefree, real cool vibe about the Caribbean is really prominent in my music.
CD: With so many singers in the industry today, how do you set yourself apart from other artists out there?
LF: I’m still learning, but it is very easy to fall into that manufactured, sort of set kind of way when you’re given a song, and you sing it and they tell you how to look, how to act and how to present yourself. Of course, for me, I think so far I’ve been really lucky because I’ve been given the chance to be myself. And it helps that I’m a songwriter because I write from my experiences and emotions and from what I’m feeling that day or what my friends are feeling that day. The style of music is very me, and everybody’s unique. I’m putting my stamp on my music, so when they hear it, they know it’s something that’s genuine.
______
To read the rest of this article, subscribe to our digital or paper edition. For previous editions, contact us for details.
Copyright 2009 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
About Post Author
