Diamond White

Hip Hop is her Life!

When did you first get into music?

I started writing & rapping when I was just 10 years old. I remember listening to music, watching music videos and I just fell in love with it.

What genre of music do you perform and why?

Hip Hop is my life... I love singing but nothing moves a crowd more than hip hop. Hip hop allows me to express myself the most in my purest form.

And why did you choose that style of music?

I don’t really feel like I chose hip hop I feel like it chose me. When I heard it for the 1st time, it just pulled me in and captivated me with every aspect of it. I was so young I really didn’t even understand my true passion for it. I just knew I loved it so much I was willing to risk getting in trouble to listen to stuff my parents did not approve of because of my age.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

My early inspiration for writing came from writing about my Dad. I didn’t really think of a rap career at the time because I didn’t know I was good I just knew I liked it. Writing was an outlet for me. I had an older homeboy who lived in the same neighborhood that I looked at like a big brother who use to rap. He heard me rapping and he just told me one day me and you are in a rap group. I was like ok LOL... From that moment I began pursuing a rap career.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting?

I was so young when I started that evolution was inevitable. I am a lot more mature now. When I first started I hadn’t really experienced a lot in life so it was a mixture of things I had seen or heard along with my own personal thoughts and situations. For example I would talk about my dad but I was like a typical rapper also talking about what kind of nice car I was flossing in however I wasn’t even old enough to drive yet. Lol

I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

My favorite story has to be when someone actually paid for me not to be able to perform because they didn’t want me on the same stage as their artist. I was shut down but I flew out on faith & I ended up performing anyways because when Deb Antney got wind of it she made a phone call. I won’t be petty and say who so I’ll just say I will never forget opening up for Drake. Lol He’s an amazing talent and my favorite artist. I was so nervous and so excited. I wanted nothing more than for him to see me perform. However of course he arrived late & missed it.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other, drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

Definitely passion.... This has been a rough, challenging, unfair, battle that has produced a lot of tears, stress and heart ache. Without passion I would have quit.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas?

I think what makes me unique is my determination to be different when everyone else seems to be okay with being the same. In addition to, at a time when ghostwriters seem to be the best hip hop has to offer I actually write my own music.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

Its been positive in the sense that it has allowed artist a platform to showcase their talent, promote, obtain & interact fans. However every positive has a negative and in my opinion it’s hurt the music business too. More people with real talent are overlooked because social media has turned the music business from talent to a popularity contest.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

My biggest challenge has been to break into this industry with my morals intact at a time when being a hoe is glorified. I want my character to speak for me not my jewelry, money or the type of car I drive. In a Godless industry I’ve managed to maintain my relationship with God, become a doctor, a Theologian, a Philanthropist, an activist & most importantly a humanitarian. I am definitely overcoming that challenge, breaking that barrier & changing the narrative of what a female rapper is. I started a movement called “I hustle with my legs closed” & I’m excited to see other Queens join me...

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

Absolutely! I feel you must suffer for greatness period. No matter what you chose to do in life. If you are not taking the easy road and doing something outside the box be prepared to suffer. I have suffered in ways that I need to write an autobiography to explain but prayer and my faith in God is what has sustained me to keep going no matter what it may look like.

people with real talent are overlooked because social media has turned the music business from talent to a popularity contest.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

I would change how the industry views females in hip hop. Women would stop exploiting themselves and focus more on empowering and embracing other women. Labels would start back actually scouting for & signing real talent. I wish I could change it back to the music business. Currently Dj’s play what they are getting paid to play even if it’s not a good record. I would change it back to where Dj’s actually broke music because they heard a hit. I wish I could change the music industry from the payola system it’s on back to real music and talent. Before A&R’s were looking for talent. Now they are looking to see how many followers you have on social media. This is why there are very few timeless records being made anymore and this is why our culture of music is so watered down now. The industry now mistakes a million followers for talent. You use to have to be a true artist to be accepted in hip hop now it’s full of cornballs.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

1. Brandy’s “Never Say Never” 2. Nipsey Hussle’s “Victory Lap” 3. Drake’s “if you’re reading this it’s too late” 4. Drake’s “take care” 5. Dorinda Clark’s “The Rose of gospel”

(These albums are the ones that made me love music. Their titles speak to me. Dorinda’s album is the one I listened to when I was in my darkest place. It constantly reminds me that God is a promise keeper).

Tell us about your current project. Please explain.

I am still working on my current project but I am excited about it. None of the songs sound the same. Every song tells a different story and unlike most artist out now mine showcases my true artistry because I am the one who wrote every song on it.

What is the best advice you have received?

Honestly the best advice I ever received was God will not fail me so trust my process & never give up. I know it’s sounds so cliché but it’s the truth. Keeping my faith in God and being reminded of it has really kept me focus and striving even when I felt like I wanted to just give up.

Where are you from? City, State, Town, Country?

Houston, TX (US)

Do you have social media?

@iamDiamondWhite on all social media platforms