VE: First and foremost, I’m always excited to see a Grenadian doing big things in this business. I’m trying to track us all down. So far I know you, Craig David and Estelle. I’m trying to be the next on that list lol. Do you know of any others?
AD: hahaha nice! No I can’t say I do. Unless of course you count Sparrow!
VE: True! You and Estelle are actually pretty good friends right?
AD: yup
VE: New York is very different from Inglewood and Miami where you grew up. What is it about NYC that made you make it home?
AD: Actually, I grew up in the Valley and Orlando. NYC just has a vibrancy about it that speaks to and inspires me. I knew when I visited at 12 that it was where I wanted to be.
VE: Dam this faulty internet information lol. An educated young woman, you have a degree from Columbia University in African American studies. How was your experience at NY’s Ivy and why did you choose to study that?
AD: I got my master’s at Columbia. I went to SUNY Purchase as an undergrad. Originally I was in the acting program but after my first year I left and created my own major. Black Studies with a concentration in the Visual and Performing Arts. I decided to get my master’s in the topic because one of my favorite professors stopped me on campus one day and said, “you’re gonna change the world and you’ll need your master’s to do it.” That was that!
VE: It’s hard to say where people might know you best from, because you’ve done a little of everything. MTV Hostess, SIRIUS Radio Host on the Hip-Hop Nation Show, replacing Natalie on the Floetry tour, your own mixtape & ep’s, appearances on Nickelodeon and Def Poetry Jam back in the day. How do you describe your career? Like what do you tell people who ask you “what do you do?”
AD: When people ask what I do I tell them, I do it all.
VE: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
AD: The highlight of my career? That’s a tough one. There’ve been a few, hosting on MTV2, interviewing Outkast, the first time I performed with the Roots, being featured on Q-tip’s album alongside greats like Norah Jones, Raphael Saadiq, & D’angelo, stand out.
VE: Now you have amazing art that you create, which is the main reason we’re featuring you today. How do you describe your artwork?
AD: My art is just like me, vibrant, strong, detailed and funky.
VE: How long have you been drawing/painting?
AD: I’ve been drawing since I can remember but I didn’t start painting until 10th grade.
VE: Where do you pull inspiration from in your creative process?
AD: basically from my surroundings and also this imagination of mine. I just have random images in my head. A lot of them involving lines. I have a thing about lines and symmetry.
VE: How has your artwork been received so far?
AD: Amazingly well! I can’t believe it. I’ve kept it to myself for so long I’m astonished at the overwhelmingly positive response. I think folks are so tired of fake shit like autotune, etc so to see an authentic skill like painting, they get hype. It feels good.
VE: I noticed that your work is also reasonably priced. I know a lot of artists with your skill level and notability try to charge an insane amount of money. Was there a thought process behind your price points?
AD: My price points are only reasonable because I know that I have to build to insane prices. Trust, when I can charge insane prices I WILL! Because there is a piece of your soul so it shouldn’t be reasonably priced! But prints will be;)
VE: What is next for Amanda Diva?
AD: I’m working on my first solo art show in nyc. Sponsored by Swizz Beats whom a lot of people in the hip-hop world don’t know is an avid and well respected art collector. I’m also working to expand my hand-bag line and really push to get it to the people. Otherwise I’m always working to bring quality work to the fore, so the music, web shows, etc are growing as the art does.
VE: Where can people reach out to you on the web?
AD: twitter.com/amandadiva and check out www.amandadiva.com
