"STEPHANIE FIERCE DISCUSSES SUCCESS, NEW ALBUM, & FAMILY" 
I remember back in 2009, you were our Woman of the Year and here you stand today, an Icon. How does it feel? How do your reflect from the moment you broke to stardom to now? Stephanie Fierce: Believe it or not, going 7 years into this industry, 2 years underground and 5 years mainstream, I feel like it's just the beginning for me, there' a lot more to come! 2009 was a big year for me though, it was the breakout moment in my career. I can't emphasize that enough! At that point I wasn't thinking about being an icon, I was just enjoying what I did and striving for more. Now I see, how all that work payed off and it feels good. For the time, I feel like an Icon and I feel like I've paved the way for other people. But it's just the beginning for me. Matter of fact, I hope to be around in the music industry for at least 30 more years or even until I die! I'm thankful for everything I have and I am thankful for God blessing me with all of this success. In the midst of all this, I'm thankful for being able to be a mother to my daughter Helle and a wife to my husband Nicolas while doing what I love. It honestly doesn't get any better than that.
Well 2012 just itself has been a groundbreaking year for you! So many big things happened this year for you and there is still much more coming. Let's see, aside from getting married, you've won two additional Chaos Awards this year, you've also released two major albums, "Life's Good" being your most successful by nearly going Diamond in certifications and "Love is Lust" which is also a fan favorite. You've also managed to get 4 #1 singles on the charts this year alone, and you are currently on a now sold out world tour, and you have a huge movie coming out in less than two months, as well as a new album.....Stephanie Fierce: Gurl, stop it! Before you give Tisha Jackson a heart attack!
Oh no you did not go there! Stephanie Fierce: I sure did!
Aside from that, what else has made your year? Stephanie Fierce: Well I will say that what Star Factory did with Fierce week was really cool. I've never done reality television before, so to finally get that chance was amazing. Also, getting to see very talented young artists singing my songs was interesting! Also........ getting the chance to re-launch my label Hot Eye Records was something huge for me. I've been working so hard on it, and everything is going so well! One thing that I haven't mentioned and I'm mentioning it right now for the first time is that I'm launching a new fragrance in December. So people can look out for that!
Wow! Well, we are definitely proud of you for all you've accomplished. People can hate you all they want, but one thing they can't say is that you don't work hard for what you've achieved!
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Let's talk about your new song "Man Music", we just heard it. I couldn't stop moving. It's just epic! I also love those violins towards the end! Stephanie Fierce: Well thank you! I see that you got your inner diva on! (laughs) Well, this song is something different for the album and it is something recent that I decided to do. It's a fun pop song, but it's not typical. It Incorporates that European disco sound I was doing in my early days. It's very haunting but fun. I really think the fans are going to enjoy it. Especially the live performances. One thing I can also say about the song, is that people will be able to dance and feel weird in a special way. I think brings life into people because the song is not something you'd typically hear on the radio, but is is
something you immediately want to just get up and dance to.
I sure enjoyed it! Now,why did yo chose to name your album "Man Music". I mean it's an interesting choice of words. Is there like a concept behind it? Stephanie fierce: There is. I think the album name reflects the sound and attitude of this album. It's not necessarily being a cocky tough person, it's about that ego we all carry within our music. Especially, if you're on my level. I felt like this album also contains a lot of "muscle" as I like to call it. It's very vintage and spooky in a way. I think people get the idea, that this album is about embracing my tougher skin, rather than my emotional more sentimental part.
What made you want to release this album for free?Stephanie Fierce: Well, with all the things you've listed a few minutes ago, don't you think my fans deserve not to pay for everything I do. I mean part of the reason I'm even here is because of my fans. I think that at this point I'm wealthy enough to not charge my fans for the music. I financially manage my own career now so, I see no reason to charge my fans 10 bucks to buy an album they can illegally download for free. I rather them just get it directly from me. However, this doesn't mean that I'm trying to be different or that I'm rebelling or using this as a marketing strategy even.I just genuinely want my fans to have this album for free.
Makes sense! you've recently announced that your new album will be featuring a collaboration with Alicia Lena. Can you tell us more about the song you're two making or already made? Stephanie Fierce: We have and it is actually finished. The song is officially called "Time Bomb". It is a lengthy song, but it's such a cool sound. It incorporates a lot of jazz, very dark electronic composition, but soulful and bluesy. It is simply one of my favorite songs I've recorded in a long time. I can also say that miss Alicia Lena is getting it on this one. I really can't wait for people to hear it.
Well that's exciting! What are some other songs that are on the album that are your favorite? Stephanie Fierce: I love "Vomit", "Washaway" and "Bitter Queen". Crap, I just gave away some of the song titles (laughs). I honestly love all the songs. I wouldn't include any song I don't like on the album. I just think, that this album like any other album I've released is a little different from the one before and it is something new to look forward to. But my approach with this album is making sure that each song is lengthy. If you noticed, most of the songs I've released so far are at least 5-6 minutes in length.
The theme of violins seems to be very present in this album. What made you include violins in such a masculine themed album? Stephanie Fierce: Well. I've actually have developed this obsessions with violins as of late. I mean violins aren't considered anything special in terms that violins have been used in so many songs. But particularly with this album, I think it stands out. Which is a good thing I guess. I was honestly inspired by The Lost's "Violence with Violins" album. Ask the young generation who The Lost is, and you'd probably hear crickets, but they were a great band during the time they made music, which is when I first broke out on the scene. My friend Johnny Johnson who's worked closely with them, which is how I found out about them.
Talking about Johnny Johnson, Something we've always wondered is how did you and Johnny got together at the very beginning to make "Hot Shot"? Stephanie Fierce: Well The Rockers have always been an arena rock kind of group. When i first met Johnny, I didn't think he was going to notice me, because I was a Spanish/black girl and I wasn't a "rock chick" at the time. According to his book, he thought I was the most beautiful thing ever. That honestly shocked me, because he was very tall and handsome and much older than me. I was very intimated by him, but he genuinely was the sweetest guy. He was very open minded and when I asked him to be on the record, he immediately said yes. It was the biggest thing that ever happened to my life during that time.
Does Helle like your songs when you play them? Stephanie Fierce: Helle likes my pop stuff more then she likes my rock stuff. I think that she's really into "Weekend". Every time one of their songs come on, she starts dancing in her crib. (laughs) It's really funny, because ....hold on (continues laughing) She's just so adorable....she moves her hips left and right, and I'm just surprised, because she's so young and she can already move so well. She's the superstar in my house.
Are there any plans for another child? Stephanie Fierce: I want to have three to four kids of my own and I want to adopt children when I get a little older.One thing people may not remember is that I've actually adopted before. I adopted my nephew for a few years, so I want to experience that again. It feels so good, to make an impact in someone's life.
Finally, what are some things you want to say to people, anyone, just in general? Stephanie Fierce: Well, I just want to let everyone know that I am really happy. thank you for supporting me all these years, and I'm honestly blessed to have the life that I have. Thank you God!
