AMARA LA NEGRA – THE SINGING BEAUTY WHO CONQUERS EVERY QUEST!
Exclusive Interview!
The Dominican Queen.
Amara La Negra is the embodiment of a powerful woman. The American born Dominican queen is beautiful, vibrant, determined, and ambitious. Amara is a singing powerhouse who knows how to put on a show and captivate any crowd. She makes it known her musical inspirations are legends such as Celia Cruz and Beyoncé. The singer is also a cast member on the popular tv series Love & Hip Hop: Miami. Here we have an exclusive interview with the recording artist, dancer, and philanthropist. She speaks about her early years in entertainment, challenges in the music industry, cultural influences, new music, and more.
1. What inspired you to have a career in music?
Amara La Negra
I started in the entertainment industry when I was four years old as a child star, so music and entertainment have always been a part of me. Naturally I always knew what I wanted to be when I was growing up. I started on a top-rated show called Univision’s Sábado Giganten with Don Francisco for the Latin community. I was there for six years every Saturday. I became a background dancer, but I always knew I wanted to sing and perform because I loved being on stage.
2. Would you say having a background in entertainment has helped you in the industry?
Amara La Negra
No matter how many classes you take, none of those classes can prepare you for what this career truly is. The technical part, yes, which I am grateful. I’m thankful my mom put me in singing, acting, and dancing classes, stage presentation, and more, but as many classes as you may take, it does not teach you how to be prepared for the hustle mentality, the reality of what it is, and everything that this industry overall entails.
3. Do you believe there are advantages to being a female artist?
Amara La Negra
Well, yes, as women, we do have advantages. Naturally, we have sex appeal. We know and understand that sex sells. Especially in this industry and the times that we’re in now. The entertainment industry has evolved and changed a lot, before it was specifically and directly about talent. Now it’s about if you’re attractive enough, it takes a lot of other things.
We have our benefits. I believe we are more marketable because more things can come out of us females. We can be the face of different brands, from clothes to makeup and feminine skincare products. There are so many ways that, as women, we are more marketable. Still, they are just some of the advantages we have because you also have to deal with lots of BS just because we’re women.
4. What achievement are you most proud of?
Amara La Negra
I would say I am most proud of the work I do as an activist. I think that my job as an activist for the Afro Latino community, knowing that I have been able to inspire so many black men and women. That I am opening doors for Dominicans, Latinos, and Black people overall makes me very proud.
I love that I can make people feel good with my music, making them dance and have a good time. But here in the United States, when its black history month, they will have billboards with Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and other amazing people. Seeing that they have posted my image next to these fantastic, historical, iconic people is a compelling experience.
5. Can we expect an album any time soon?
Amara La Negra
I don’t know I’m still working on it. I think during the pandemic, a part of me was kind of scared. In Miami, Florida, where I’m located in the United States, Miami has the highest cases of Covid-19. I live right in the core, so there’s a part of me that was a little hesitant to go to the studio. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be locked in with the people when I don’t know what they may or may not have.
I was a little bit concerned, but I feel like I have to get accustomed to the new norm, and in this space, find ways to get comfortable so I can record and work on music. I just recently dropped my last single, Andale. It’s doing very well, and I’m pleased about that. That was a refreshing experience doing something out of my comfort zone, so now I definitely want to work on more music.
6. If you can collaborate with any producer, who would it be and why?
Amara La Negra
There are many amazing producers; I am a big fan of Teron from Brock City. He is the producer of Insecure, my favourite song. I’ll say it this way, I want to work with any producer who’s willing to work with me, any producer that can see my vision, fall in love with me as a product, and artist is who I want to work with.
7. Can you share the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome since becoming a singer?
Amara La Negra
Financially this is a costly career. I come from a poor household, a single mother who was an immigrant who didn’t understand or know the country’s language.
I’ve no brothers or sisters, no uncles, no one. It was just my mom and me. I am grateful that she always encouraged me to know that I am beautiful and talented and that anything is possible. You just keep on trying.
I was able to knock on enough doors until a couple of them opened, and I was given fantastic opportunities. Still, This career requires a lot of money, so I would say finances.
Being a woman, you know I was taken advantage of on many occasions. I’ve had to live through terrible experiences that no woman should have to experience. They see you are young, voluptuous, poor, and talented. They will take advantage of you, so being a woman didn’t make it any easier. The colour of my skin didn’t make it any easier either, especially growing up in the Latin community where it’s a melting pot. Even if we’re both in the same country, but your skin is a couple of shades lighter than mines, I will be treated differently.
So yes, the colour of my skin, being a woman, and finances. It’s hard for people to give you opportunities without trying to take advantage of you. You are lucky to find people to support you because they see a vision in you. I’ve had to go through many experiences, but I always do my best. If I have the opportunity to talk, you know I don’t know who will read this article or listen to this interview. Still, if there’s any way that I can guide someone or motivate them, I am always happy to do it.
Mogul Magazine
Just looking at your Instagram and following your social media, you are very vocal about equality for women of colour. I am one of them, and I feel I face similar challenges here in the UK. You can work your butt off doing more than most people, and they will still overlook you and act like you don’t exist. Most people don’t realise all I have is my vision, work ethic, and determination, so I agree with you.
I am happy we have you representing us women, I thank you, it’s refreshing. I also love that you are classy and you never belittle or shrink yourself, you own it. You are an inspiration to women all across the world—representation matters.
You have the voice and have the talent for a reason. Everything you stand for, we need it in the world.
Amara La Negra
Thank you so much. I really appreciate that.
8. You are a role model for women all over the world. How important is it for you to positively represent women of colour?
Amara La Negra
I’m going to be completely honest because I answered this question in the past. I don’t see myself as a role model, I know that people do. Still, I don’t only because I feel that pressure on me. People are expecting role models to be a perfect person who doesn’t make mistakes and always be flawless at every moment. It’s not true; I am just a young woman I make mistakes, I’m living my life, I do my best to stand up for what I believe in and do what is right. As much as I am an activist or people see me as a role model doing all these fantastic things, I’m on a journey. You make mistakes, but because you’re in the spotlight, people are always ready to attack like oh my days, you can’t do that you’re supposed to be a role model. I’m like dude; I’m trying to figure out like everybody else. I’m human. There is no guidebook; there’s nothing that tells you how to live this.
You learn from experience. I’ve gone through so many experiences that have made me realise that I wish I had someone like myself to look up to.
So then I’m like let me just do what I feel is right, what feels right for me. Using my voice and my platform, I know that my life is worthy for me to use my experience. I squeezed every moment. I live as much as possible, and I inspired, open doors, I make sure that my life impacts other people’s futures.
That’s how I see it, you know, it’s hard. As I said, you would be criticised and humiliated. People had tried to drag me and make me feel bad whenever I’ve made mistakes or if I didn’t stand to their standards. It’s hard being in the spotlight. It’s a lot of pressure when you are holding the weight of a whole race or have a community looking up to you, but I feel proud of my achievements this far.
Amara La Negra ft. Khao – Ándale [Official Video]
9. Would you say your background and culture has influenced your music?
Amara La Negra
Most definitely, I am very Caribbean, very Latino. I love listening to a lot of Merengue; music that is culturally-based in my country. At the same time, I was born and raised in the United States, so Hip-Hop and R&B, to a certain extent, also influenced me. Hearing music from different parts of the world and incorporate that into my music. I am a fan of Afro-beats, Brazilian funk Music, and Punta from Honduras. I think it’s essential to expand our ears and not just listen to the music we hear on the radio. There are so many amazing artists on the other side of the world that are killing it, but we may not know about them here. So yes, the music in my country and the music in the United States has influenced my music.
10. What do you prefer more recording in the studio or live performances?
Amara La Negra
The live performance, I’m naturally a performer. I love to be on stage; I love glitter and sparkles. I just love the show, I’m a showgirl. I enjoy that whole aspect, rehearsing with dancers, changing clothes, and all that stuff. Some people enjoy recording more because it’s their way of expressing themselves. Still, my best way of expressing myself is on stage.
Mogul Magazine
Please don’t take this the wrong way, but you remind me of an Afro-Latino version of Beyoncé. Everything about your confidence on stage, how you perform, you have every angle covered the way Beyoncé has. I think you are the only Afro-Latino woman I’ve seen doing it like this. You are super dope and I love that you’re confident, I love your energy, you nail it every time. I can imagine it is not easy.
Amara La Negra
It’s not, you work towards it, and you perfect it. I’m not disrespecting any of the artists in the charts’ talent, but it’s not the same when you’re a little girl, and you prepare yourself from singing classes to acting classes. You are literally preparing yourself for this compared to other artists who just stand there and do you what they do, I’m like damn because I will be here busting my ass off trying to give you all a show. I grew up admiring Tina Turner and Donna Summer, women whom I felt gave a show. Janet Jackson was one of those artists, she gave a show. You put a lot of work into making sure your fans get their money’s worth, you know I would never want my fans to say that was trash or where’s the show.
I don’t feel we have to do as much anymore. It’s not really important because the music has evolved. It’s not about the show factor, but regardless I give my highest respect to all of the artists.
Mogul Magazine
People will always respect a great artist. So no matter what the current trend is, as long as you stay true to your talent and what you believe in, people who appreciate a great performer will appreciate you. That is part of what makes you stand out. You are a performer. Not everyone is a performer.
11. What is it like being on Love and Hip Hop Miami?
Amara La Negra
It is a blessing to be on Love and Hip Hop Miami. I am grateful for the opportunity it has helped me grow a new fan base. It has allowed me to showcase my artistry and my relationship with my mother, my ups and downs, I am not perfect, but all my imperfections and life experiences have built and made me the person I am. Those are the positives. On the negative side, it’s a lot of drama. It can be stressful, and we have to deal with a lot of things that, in real life, away from the cameras, I probably wouldn’t have dealt with. It has its ups and downs.
12. What do you like to do in your spare time? How do you relax or have fun?
Amara La Negra
I will share this with you because I haven’t shared this with anybody or in any interview yet. I am literally going through a midlife crisis. I feel that this has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I don’t know what will happen in the long run. Still, as of right now, I am enjoying living. The pandemic has brought out a different side of me that I didn’t even realise I had. I’ve been busy my whole life. I was chasing my dreams, being a successful artist, chasing the money. Chasing what I think or thought success is.
It wasn’t until the pandemic that I had time to appreciate the smallest things, like going into the garden with my mum. My mum is very Caribbean. She’ll be out here gardening, planting trees, just little moments that you take in your memory, they go with you. Sometimes you are so busy that you may not have paid attention to that, but they are beautiful moments.
Now I’m going out and enjoying my city, which I have never done. I am enjoying going out to dinner and having great conversations. I’m not the club type of person. I would love to have a Mimosa, be at the house, and put on some music. We sing, dance, and have conversations about life, politics, goals, and aspirations. I’m not the hype girl; I don’t care too much to go to the club and break bottles. I don’t need to do all that, I am more chilled out.
Sometimes we are alive, but we’re not living. When you have conversations with your family, take that moment to look around at your surroundings, look at their facial features, and wear the clothes they are wearing. Look at all of that because eventually, it will only become a memory. When you are 60 or 70 years old, you will be able to have that memory of how they looked, how they laughed, and how they smell, the conversation, the sound of their laughter. All those details are important.
13. What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Amara La Negra
It’s not as easy as it looks, don’t let these celebrities fool you with Instagram posts of what their life is. Half of it, if not all of it is not true. Don’t compare your journey to anybody else’s because everybody’s success comes in their own time. I thought that by now, I was going to be huge.
Then I understood that God has a plan for me, even my work as an activist; I never thought it would go as big as it has or where it’s going. God has a plan for every single one of us. Success comes in its time, sometimes when you think you’re ready for something. He gives it to you then realise you weren’t ready for that blessing. It’s best to prepare yourself, so when it comes, you’re ready. Keep knocking on doors. Knock every single door, who cares how many times they tell you, no. Eventually, someone will say yes.
I always make sure to end off saying, in life, I believe everything comes down to how bad do you want it? If you want it bad enough, you’re going to figure out ways to make it happen. It is all about your ambitions, the hunger within yourself, that would give you the drive that you need to succeed.
14. You have fans in the UK, will you be visiting this side of the pond anytime soon?
Amara La Negra
I would love to come to the UK. The only bad thing right now is people are not taking many bookings, there aren’t any concerts or many activities. It makes it a little sucky, even a lot of TV shows here in the US are now done through Zoom. That makes it a little complicated, but I would most definitely love to go to the UK. I’ve been in the past. I’d like to go back now and actually enjoy being out there, having fun, and new experiences.
15. What can we expect over the next year?
Amara La Negra
I don’t even know what will happen next year. We are all trying to figure it out. I don’t know what’s happening tomorrow (laughs), but I would say I am just going with the flow of life. I will be putting out new music videos and creating content. I was going to do a movie this year, but that has been postponed.
I was moving to LA to film a new TV show, but now that’s been postponed aswell. I mean, all my plans have changed. I believe we will be shooting the fourth season of Love & Hip-Hop Miami at some point. I’m meant to be filming a couple of award shows. I should be hosting a very important event too. I am not allowed to say, all can say is it’s enormous. Who knows what else God has for me, but I am just willing to be prepared for the good that comes.
16. Where can we find you online?
Buy & Stream ‘Andale’ Online
