Blu Cantrell Talks Music In 2019, Modern-Day Feminism, & More In New Interview
Blu Cantrell is heading to New Zealand and Australia this October for the Bring That Beat Back 90’s nostalgia tour alongside Bobby Brown, Bell Biv DeVoe, Montell Jordan, All 4 One, Young MC and Flavor Flav. You may remember jamming her timeless hits, Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!) and Breathe featuring Sean Paul on the car radio in the early 2000s. She’s still doing her thing over a decade later and she’s sat down to have a quick chat with us before the madness begins.
Hi Blu! Thanks so much for taking time out to do this interview with us.
No problem!
I’ll just get straight into it. So you’re coming to New Zealand in October, what can fans expect from your performance at Bring The Beat Back?
Well, I’m gonna do a great job for you guys, lots of energy, the songs that people love like Breathe and Hit ‘Em Up style. We’re gonna have fun.
Oh yes those songs are classics. So you’ve have been in a number of films and shows, do you prefer acting or singing?
I love both. I can’t, I couldn’t tell you which one I love more, I love both of them. Equally.
What’s the last album you listened to and what kind of music are you into nowadays?
Um the last album I listened to is Portishead. Have you ever heard of them?
No, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them!
Well listen to them when you have a chance, it’s amazing, their first album, self-titled!
Oh what kind of music do they do?
It’s kind of classic, it’s like a call between hip-hop and jazz! It’s really nice.
Awesome! Do you think the music industry has changed a lot since you entered the scene?
Oh absolutely, I mean, once Napster came in, the whole downloading songs off the internet, it changed everything. Most of the record labels went under and fell apart when that happened and everyone started buying their music online instead of in the stores. So, I would have to say that it’s changed a lot.
So I know you’re not a fan of how much autotune is used today but is there any modern artists that inspire you or you would ever consider collaborating with?
Ummm, I don’t know, I would love, um, I love Adele, I think Adele is somebody I would do something with. I love her.
What are your thoughts on R&B in 2019?
I like it, it’s a little different. Everything is a little bit more on the, uh, I don’t know how to explain it. Music today is okay, I don’t know about it moving me that much, it’s honestly kind of just different from what I’m used to. Everything sounds the same.
Can we expect any new music from you because your fans are really hoping you’ll release some new stuff! Or even anything you’re acting in.
I’m still looking for the right music. It takes awhile, it takes time to get that, you know. I’m just looking for the right music and the right producers.
What advice do you have for women who aspire to be musicians?
I would tell them keep at it, it’s really hard being in the music business, it’s not easy. Just keep at it and stick to what you believe in.
What do you think about modern day feminism? About women being more empowered and owning their bodies, their sexuality and their voice? I feel like there’s much more female representation in today’s music industry and being a ‘bad bitch’ is a huge part of that.
It’s awesome, I think it’s great!
It definitely is. I know you’ve come to New Zealand a few times, what are you looking forward to the most about coming here or what have you liked about New Zealand in the past?
The FOOD! I can’t wait to come and eat the food. That’s what I’m looking forward to.
Anything you would like to bring up or talk about before we end the interview?
I just want everybody to know that I’m really excited about coming to perform for everybody and that I love them to death!
Thank you so much for having a chat and we all look forward to seeing you in October!
Interviewed By: Breanna Tugaga-Rogers
@bretugs