Real Women. Real Stories. True Inspiration. Pure Inner Glam.

If you love soul and R&B music, then you’ll definitely fall in love with naturally glam singer and songwriter Alicia James. Alicia has a powerful and unique voice that easily draws you into her music and lyrics. We got a chance to ask her a few questions about her music career and, of course, her hair. Check out the interview below!

iG: When did you know you wanted to be a singer and how long have you been singing?

AJ: I have been singing for as long as I can remember. I think I always knew that I loved singing, and really had no choice but to do it!

iG: Who was your greatest influence in relation to singing?

AJ: Music influences…I remember always listening to Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Paula Abdul, when I was really young. The older I got, I started listening to Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle and even current artist like Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, Solange, Joss Stone and even Beyonce!

iG: Where do you pull your inspiration from when writing songs?

AJ: I am inspired by situations and things around me. I call myself a nosy writer; a lot of times I take some of my closest friend’s issues and turn them into a song! (laughter)

iG: What is your opinion on the portrayal of women in mainstream media?

AJ: It’s interesting that you ask that question. Basically, I feel that I have built my image, my music and my style completely opposite from the way that women are portrayed in mainstream media.  I’ll leave it at that! (laughter)

iG: Being a part of this industry, did you ever experience a time when you felt like you weren’t good enough? How did you overcome that?

AJ: Most definitely… There were a lot of times I didn’t feel good enough, and a lot of times I felt like I didn’t fit. I realized that I wasn’t as good as I thought I was and once I realized that, I had to find out who I was. After I found myself, I had to grow and develop that person to get to the next level; I think I just learned to believe and keep going, no matter what. It’s actually a lot deeper, but this is the short version! Lol!

iG: What does inner glam mean to you?

AJ: To me, it means loving you and accepting yourself.

iG: What’s your message to women, especially young girls, who use what they see or other people’s opinion to shape who they are?

AJ: I would say it’s okay to hear people’s opinions; sometimes truthfully those things help you to grow and be a stronger person, but you don’t have to live your life by those things, because in the end you decide who you are going to be and what makes you feel beautiful! Muah!

iG: Tell us about your new song, Seven. I absolutely love the message behind this song.

AJ: I chose seven as the title for the song, because it’s the number used in the bible multiple times to symbolize completion. Seven is a song I wrote about my personal experience in the music industry; always feeling like I had to be the next big pop artist. I had so many people telling me what to do to my hair, how to dress, how to act; I was just confused. I listened so many times, I changed my look, I tried to write the songs they wanted me to write; it just didn’t work. I felt looked over honestly.

One day I just decided to say forget it… (laughter)! I decided to do it the way I wanted to do it, the way I felt was right. How can you be great if you can’t be yourself right? I wrote this song in a way that people could take their own personal situation and put it into the song: if you’ve been in a controlling relationship, if you are just deciding to go natural, anything!

iG: What do you want people to take from Alicia James the artist?

AJ: Just remember that my music is always me; it comes from my heart, it comes from my soul. When I write a song, it’s always something I am emotionally connected to. When you listen to each song, I can almost guarantee it will make you feel something. You may laugh, you may cry, you may even get mad.

iG: What’s your end goal as far as your music career is concerned?

AJ: Honestly, when I dreamed about singing as a little girl I just wanted to sing in front of a few people. I never knew I would write my own songs, perform for hundreds of people or record. I feel like I have accomplished way more than I could have ever dreamed at this point. So everything else with it is an added bonus and an amazing gift from God. So… hey, maybe I can be a platinum selling artist now! (laughter)

iG: What mark do you want to leave in music, in life?

AJ: This is a hard question… wow! I would like them to remember that I was always me. I always stayed true to myself.

iG: How long have you been natural?

AJ: I have been fully natural for about 34 months.

iG: What’s the hardest thing about being natural and what’s the best thing about being natural?

AJ: The hardest thing about being natural is wash and detangling day! (laughter) The best thing about being natural is having healthy hair, and always standing out in the crowd! Ha! Ha!

iG: What’s your advice for someone who’s straddling the fence about going natural?

AJ: I say, do what makes you comfortable, do what makes you happy. Being natural isn’t always easy, especially in the beginning when you have no idea about what to do with your hair. Educate yourself; there is so much information out there now. If you decide to take the journey it will be worth it!

iG: What’s the best advice you’ve received about natural hair?

AJ: Wow! Be Patient!

iG: What does being natural mean to you?

AJ: My friends used to call me the black Barbie because I would wear my long weave down to my butt; I would stack on make-up, even if I was just going to the corner store, and I would wear heels everywhere, even to the mall. I remember feeling like I needed those things to feel beautiful. So, to strip myself of all of those things, and even go natural; the way I look at myself is completely different. Now when I do put those things on, it’s not a requirement for me to feel beautiful or accepted in anyway.

iG: Anything else you want to share?

AJ: My advice about being natural is be patient and remember that what’s important is how YOU feel. I just want to thank everyone who has supported me thus far. It means the world to me. I am truly grateful. Muah!

Alicia’s first album, Seven, releases May 7! Find her on msaliciajames.com and follow Alicia on YouTube and Twitter!

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