Upon your arrival to the States, various media outlets branded you as "the British version Lauryn Hill." How are you like her, and how are you not like her?
I think these comparisons come up because we both love reggae music. I love reggae music. I grew up from reggae. My mom and my stepdad listened to it all day and all night. I don't remember hearing R&B, so to me, that's the number one thing. We're very different in that I'm a different type of woman. It's not preachy to a point. Her lyrics are really quite complicated lyrics. Mine are more down to the point. It doesn't take away from her. When you listen to it now, it is as powerful as it was listening to it ten years ago. I just think with me, I don't do long-winded. I don't overextend anything. When you listen to the song and the way I sing the lyric, that's the way I speak. When we have a conversation, that's the way I talk. When I'm onstage, that's how I speak to people.
I find it interesting that you didn't listen to R&B growing up, and in previous interviews, you noted that your mother banned secular music when you were growing up?
Yeah. She's not having it in the house. She said, "No!" Even with hip-hop – she's not too happy about that.
So, what are her thoughts on your music?
She actually likes it. She likes the fact that I'm being me. She reads my lyrics and she's seen the stuff that I've been through. She's happy that I didn't go around and do what she did. She said, "You're making people so happy."
In July 2008, Shine was placed on the shortlist for the Mercury Prize. How did you find out about your placement?
My label called me. "The album's on Mercury, yada-yada." Oh, I'm famous! You know what, this is a great album despite all the kinds of pressure I've had. They listen to the music. They listened to the sound and they hear that it made an impact. At one point, I didn't want an album that everyone slept on, that it was just okay. I want people to have a great reaction.
Article comments