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Hi Ariee, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
Thanks for having me! I’ve been pretty good!
Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Sugar Daddy”?
Yes!! My single Sugar Daddy is out now on all streaming platforms! It’s a really fun and energetic song! I had a good time making it.
Did any event, in particular, inspire you to write this song?
Lol well… I have a pretty great sense of humor. I would always joke about getting a Sugar Daddy to my friends. I mean who wouldn’t want one now in today’s climate?!! Lol, So when writing this song I just kind of fantasized about what it would be like to really have one. I wanted to paint a picture. How glamorous would it be? What would it look like? Would I take my friends along for the ride? Uhm duh… I laughed the entire time writing it. Because in actuality I am my own Sugar.
How was the filming process and experience behind the video?
Filming the video was very interesting. I shot it while I was on tour. I had 2 days off in New Orleans and it was the perfect window. The same director that shot Fiya shot Sugar Daddy, Dexstr8dope. He’s a super talented director from New Orleans. We went back and forth on the vision for it. I wanted it to be funny and light… not necessarily a guide to Sugar Baby life.
We shot it all in one day, I learned the dance a day before the shoot with a choreographer, Iman Marshall. The background dancers were amazing. I also connected with the boutique owner of Kay’s Boutique in New Orleans who allowed me to shoot in her storefront. A lot of the clothes are fashions that are sold at her boutique currently.
I was able to work with cool actors who are well known, Rob Kazi & Jaren Mitchell who can be seen on OWN network, Green Leaf. It was definitely fun shooting. It was done with a lot of favors & sweat lol. But I wouldn’t change it. It came out exactly how I envisioned it.
The single comes off your new album Fiya – what’s the story behind the title?
I’m from New Orleans, and we have our own vocabulary. Fiya is a term that means cool, dope, good, & awesome! It has other meanings too but that was the one I chose to use. My music is Fiya.
How was the recording and writing process?
I recorded my album in New Orleans, DJ Spin is the executive producer on it. We would listen to tracks from various producers and I would just pick the tracks that immediately spoke to me. I typically write to what I believe that track is saying to me.
What role does New Orleans play in your music?
New Orleans has had a huge impact on my music, I was in a choir as a child, and I was brought up around talented musicians. My grandmother was a jazz singer. I draw inspiration from everything that surrounds me in the city from, Jazz to Bounce & R&B. New Orleans has an overflow of talented people. It’s ingrained in the culture and city.
Where did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?
I try to really zone in and gather inspiration from deep creative space. I love a catchy hook and melodies. I typically draw from my own experiences, my friends’ experiences, and whatever my imagination wants to go with.
What else is happening next in Ariee’s world?
What’s happening next is touring. I am working on getting back out there and performing my music with my band. My first love is live music and I want to bring that to all my supporters.
