Huge thanks to Diamonique for taking the time to answer the questions. (Interview was done in person in February 2004)

Questions asked by: LatinaBeatz

Check out the official Diamonique website: Here

dubcnn.com: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. I know tonight’s a busy night for you.

No problem thank you


dubcnn.com: Where are you originally from?

I actually was born out in Monterey Park, L.A. Till I was about 10, then moved to the I.E (Inland Empire). I have been staying out there since then.


dubcnn.com: What is your style like?

A lot of my songs aren’t always the same I touch different basis different concepts, like relationship concepts just like every day things you deal with real shit, not like O “I’m this and I’m that” and I really am not. Real shit, I can get into some party shit, raw battle rap shit, my album Diamond in da Ruff is pretty versatile well rounded, you need to hear it.


dubcnn.com: How many tracks listed on the album?

There are 18 tracks


dubcnn.com: Is there any special guests? Producers?

Yea. Well my producer Fingazz, He produced the whole album. We just wanted to put out something together that we did together. I got a lot of I.E. cats up and coming from where I am at, like my homeys from HomeLess Nation. I got sly boogie on there he’s also from I.E. Dirty Birdy, Dr Stank. A lot of people from out there.


dubcnn.com: You got so much going on, how old are you?

No comment! How old do I look?


dubcnn.com: About 18

Haha


dubcnn.com: You’re a youngster in this then huh, good to start young,

Yeah pretty much


dubcnn.com: So tell me how does it feel to be a female in this business, especially being Hispanic?

It feels good cause it seems everybody wants that female rapper, you know they found that nitch for the white people in Eminem, blacks have already been holding it down, and Latinos have exploded in the last couple of years. I think I have a pretty good chance right now to represent that I just got to keep grinding


dubcnn.com: Some of your songs are getting heavy rotation play, especially over here in Los Angeles, tell us a little bout that and what’s coming out

I have a song right now that they play in fact like 30 different stations its called Boom Bam I have Xzibit on it, I just did A remix with Jill Scott and a remix with Ciara for the 1 2 step


dubcnn.com: Wait, How did you get a spot with all these dope ass people?

My manager hooked it up really
 

dubcnn.com: Ciara, Jill Scott, that’s hot. That is also different vibes, Hip Hop R & B is that what you are about?

My music too, I don’t just rap I sing. So a lot of my hooks and vocals is me. The last album that is out right now, Diamond in da Ruff. I didn’t do any of the beats but I am working on the beats for the next album I will be having some tracks I produced.

dubcnn.com: Tell me a little about the next album

My next album will be a double album. I am going to do an album that will be all Rap called Queen of the West. The second album will be R & B that will be called Best kept Secret.


dubcnn.com: Any producers or special guest appearances on that?

Of course I’m going to do some tracks on there with my main producer Fingazz who did my last album. I am going to do some tracks with High Tech; Dr Stank got some tight beats. Mainly I’m trying to build something else out of the West. Everyone always has to come out of Dr. Dre. We need something else, new, fresh!.


dubcnn.com: Who are your influences?

Shoot I got a lot of them. I consider myself more of an artist not just a rapper. I like people such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Tina Marie, and Lauren Hill. Tight man. Eminem is hard, Tu Pac, that’s my man right there! My favorite!


dubcnn.com: Who would you love to work with?

I would love to work with Dre of course. Even though I say I think there should be some new shit he’s tight real tight. Eminem’s sick. I would like to do something with Lauren Hill but I don’t know if she’s coming back. Man, there is a lot.


dubcnn.com: What bout in the underground or Latin hip hop scene?

In Latin Hip hop, I worked with a lot. A lot of artists like, I want to do something with Chingo Bling he’s coo as hell, and we keep saying that we are but our schedules conflict. I would like to do something with Cypress hill definitely they O.G.!. I have done song with MonteLoco, Chino Brown, a lot of people as far as Latin Rappers for the fact we are all coming up right now at the same time. My mind is blank right now


dubcnn.com: How did you get your big break? You’re working with some top people in radio right now? Struck of luck?

I cant even explain it. It’s a long difficult struggling story I haven’t made it yet I’m still climbing the wall I have my foot kind of in the door not all the way in but they know of me, everyone is waiting to see what’s next.


dubcnn.com: Are you going to be on any mix tapes or featured on anyone’s tracks?

Definitely, the Jill Scott remix they will be pushing that, I think the Ciara people are feeling that remix of course, as far as mix tape I got my own along with my album. I am also on D.J Lady Tribe’s, she’s my DJ


dubcnn.com: I met her at the NAMM convention she’s cool people

Yea? I was supposed to go with her to that but I had didn’t’ make it!. I’m on Felli Fel’s (Power 106) mix tape, a lot of different DJs. I just try to get my name out there when I can. When you don’t have a lot of money, you got to hustle throw your name out there where you can and keep it out there, man, my story is crazy I danced; I was a stripper for 6 years.


dubcnn.com: Wow kind of like Eve in a way huh

Dancing for 6 years was crazy I got tired of that shit, partying and everything. I already knew what I wanted to do I was just sliding back from partying to much, but shit found me something with money In there and now I got my shit out there.


dubcnn.com: anything we should be looking for out there?

Definitely look out for the Ciara remix to 1-2 step they will be playing pretty soon, you will hear it tonight I will be performing it. I got a Bonnie *Cldye remember that cut from Ice Cube and Yo Yo?


dubcnn.com: yea the Bonnie & Clyde theme

Me and my homeboy re-did that shit to, should be playing it, as far as my album should be out in June or July around that time


dubcnn.com: Any websites or links?

The website is DIAMONIQUEMUSIC.com


dubcnn.com: Any comments or shout outs?

Yeah, Homeless Nation my click-crew, My Homies man putting shit down on the west coast! Chino Brown keep your head up homey, Cisco, all the Latinos putting it down and taking it to the next level, no one knew what we can do and we aren’t going anywhere either! Thanks to my moms she’s the biggest inspiration, Mom I love you! And thank you for this interview


dubcnn.com: Thank you for your time I know you got the show to go back to, good luck in all you do!