Have you heard this EP? OD. Plus there’s just something about the way Mapei says “you put in work? yeah? I wanna see your resume!” that has had the whole astreet extended fam goin’ nuts. She fin’ to set this whole ish on fire in a minute. Interview below soon as you click the red line my friends…let’s get to it.

AS: What’s your favorite time of day?

4 in the afternoon, earlier depending on what country I am in. The warmer the earlier.

AS: What was it like growing up in Providence, R.I.? What was your household like? Were your folks hella strict?

I grew up with my moms friend! I called her Aunt Edie, a bunch of kids lived there so order was needed in the court if I can say so: [she was] strict with humor. My mother spoiled me since I didn’t get to see her that much.

AS: What kind of stuff were you and your friends into?

Watching movies; analyzing; joking; sarcasm; throwing parties by Swedish lakes….talking talking talking; dancing for each other.

AS: Granted you were young, but do you remember finding it hard to leave for Sweden? If so, what was it that you were hesitant to leave behind? If not, what didn’t you mind getting away from?

No it was nice since I got to live with my moms and see new culture but when I got there the language barrier killed me. I didn’t speak to anyone for 2 years that’s why I’m weird.

AS: How fly was Lisa Turtle from Saved By The Bell?!? How much of a leading question is that?

I just want to eat her up. Where is she?

AS: Wish we knew. But yo, the cover art for your EP is ILL!! Wait, we guess that’s not really a question…Oh ok – got one. Who’s the dude doing your hurr?

DJ Carli – a very special person in life. My boy. My best friend.

AS: Do you talk to yourself? And are we crazy for talking to ourselves like, all the time?

I laugh to myself on the subway and in the street. People think I am crazy and then I start laughing even more. I haven’t talked to myself in a long time though. I sing and rap to myself though.

AS: We read a bit about your experiences in music class as a young student in Sweden (particularly how you may have been looked at like a martian for singing with soul). We have some culture shock experiences of our own, which leads us to ask, did this experience or any others lead you to doubt/question what was innate within you, and just, who you are in terms of identity in general? How do you think you were impacted as a result?

It did but now I just embrace all sides. When I was with black people they called me white and vise versa…THAT just turned me into an individual representing diversity. I just try to keep myself balanced its more about culture than color. I am Liberian and can feel different from for instance a Somalian.

AS: How long have you been doing visual art (we saw some of it on youtube – yah, we’re nosy lol). Any plans to share it via an exhibit, book, etc?

Not [as long as] it’s just drawings. They mean a lot to me though. I want to get better at it. I have so many plans we will see when it all happens though.

AS: Is there a distinct smell you find yourself coming across from time to time that correlates directly to a very vivid memory or a particular person perhaps? Even a person you definitely want to forget?

The smell of unfiltered cigarettes, sweet cakes liquor, nickelbag salt and vinegar chips and all that unhealthy bullshit. THAT’S THE OLD ME. I’m trying to stay healthy.

AS: Have you ever had to break out some “martial arts on the dancefloor” on a rude gentleman or gentlelady? (Ref: “Charlie Brown”) Sidenote, we know we butchered it a bit but we love the line. Brought about visions of K-os doing capoeira in the club in loose fitting red glowing velour and catching bullets with his teeth.

Yeah I use to get into a lot of fights. Violent and acrobatic hahah.

AS: How does the experience of being a woman of color compare between Stockholm and the states? Where do you find differences and parallels, if any

I feel exotic at the same time as I feel out of place…the mixed emotion just weighs too much so I don’t think about it. But I as I said on the youtube clip I have telepathy with other people so I think I speak for other people in my music, not only myself.

AS: What’s the very last song you listened to (or the song you’re listening to right right now if one is playing)?

Crisp Tees & Nike Airs Jay-Z.

AS: What’s the last thing that offended you?

Rude people in Paris. I love Parisians but sometimes they are mad rude.

AS: What’s the last thing that you recommended to someone?

Eat with your mouth closed.

AS: [Finish the phrase] The rain makes me…

blossom as I await for the water that will plant future seeds. Does that make sense?

AS: Affirmative. Now a question from our homie Janine (we kinda lack the sophistication to come up w/ this one right here): As far as love as a concept and an inspiration – be it of self, friend, fam, mate, place – how does the sound of love manifest in your music? How does it paint the melodies? Are we zoning right now or does this make any sense to you?

I don’t think it does yet…I don’t think Ive fallen deeply in love enough to write love songs. Growing up the way I did just makes a person detached we will see though. My old songs had lots of mockery, jokes, history and sex but I really want to make love songs at least one.  DJ Carli only listens to techno and italo so where our ears meet are  in dancehall. My music is dark green black red and peach I would say.

AS: Now, we ask the “yo so when’s your album droppin’ son” question. So uh…when’s your album dropping son? And while we’re on typical questions (but we most certainly do want to know!!), what can we expect, both from the album and from you on a whole in ’09?

AS: Late ’09 hopefully. I’m hustlin’ with my brain man trynna zone out in my fantasy world I just want to make a dope record. I’m going to stay a bit low key now but in the fall spring next year you’ll be sick of me mohahah

Attorney Street Closer (drumroll for dramatic effect…):
What question has no one ever had the good sense to ask you? Think about it, and then answer your own question.

Do you love me or hate me? Both

ONE LOVE

Mapei on Garage TV (2007)

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Purchase Cocoa Butter Diaries EP now on itunes

Main photo credit: Zach