Singersroom staff writer Lea Brown had an exclusive interview with Amina Buddafly. Amina Buddafly is mostly known for her role on the hit reality series, Love & Hip Hop New York, but before the show, Amina was born and raised in Hamburg Germany and formed an girl group with her two sisters Sophie and her twin Jazz called Black Buddafly. After many failed attempts at any huge success, the group disbanded, but Amina stayed focused and pursued a solo career, performing at various clubs around NYC. Despite all the drama Amina has to deal with on the show regarding the love triangle with rapper Peter Gunz and Tara Wallace, it didn’t stop her from releasing her newest solo album Mymusic.
Purchase an autographed copy of Mymusic above and peep the interview below.
Lea: Will you be a part of season six of L&HH New York?
Amina: I’ve been asked a lot if I will return to love and hip hop, and my answer has always been I’m not sure. I don’t know yet; they haven’t asked me but they have started filming, and I am returning so yes I’m doing it again. In the past, when they weren’t sure about it the next season, I wasn’t sure myself if I would do it but I decided to do it again.
Lea: What can viewers expect from the new season? Or is it top secret?
Amina: Well I don’t even know myself what’s going to happen yet, so I can't say much, but it’s Love and Hip Hop so I’m sure it’ll be a lot of drama again. Our lives are crazy so it’ll be interesting, but I don’t have any details yet since we’re just starting.
Lea: How much of the show is real, and how much of the drama is purposefully stirred up?
Amina: It is accurate to what happens in our real lives, and what actually happens is shown on the show. It’s just that some scenarios are put together with different cast members, and we get upset with editing because they leave out stuff, and it makes the situation look worse. It doesn’t look the same to us when we’re watching than when we were filming.
Lea: Do you think your story line on “Love & Hip-Hop: New York” overshadows your music?
Amina: No, in the beginning, the way I was introduced I didn’t like it. People definitely had the wrong image of me but coming back to this season, I think it’s going to be better because even if they edit it the way they want, it always shines through who you are. I feel like last season it was a little bit better, and if it were up to me I would definitely show much more of my music, but viewers mostly want to see the drama. I’m still benefiting off my career and music that people buy and come to my shows. Before the show, I didn’t have any of that, and now people are asking and demanding for more of my music. As far as my music it’s been positive and definitely good.
Lea: Tell us about your new album Mymusic.
Amina: I released it a while ago digitally on iTunes in April. Just recently, physical copies came out at Best Buy, which I’m excited about because I’ve never had CDs released in an actual store. Doing it independently was a success so I’m really excited. This album is really personal since I write from the heart. I don’t really write on the goal of making a hit. I just go off of feelings when I create my music and I think you can tell because most of it was created by me. I produce some songs myself with the help of other producers.
Lea: What’s your creative process like?
Amina: I’ve been playing instruments since I was young. So I’m used to creating the music myself opposed to using producers music for beats. Even though I still do that I like to create music using my instruments. Most of the time I’m inspired by hearing a melody. It can take me from an hour to months to write and finish a song. I got writer’s block with this pregnancy, but I took a step back and didn’t let too much pressure get to me.
Lea: I heard you're a fan of 90s R&B. Who are some of your musical inspirations?
Amina: Mostly female groups and artist in the 90s like En Vogue, Tamia, and Brandy. That's what I grew up on. My biggest influence was Mariah Carey even to this day. A couple of male groups too, like Boyz II Men.
Lea: Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?
Amina: I’m not good with planning ahead. I don’t know. I just try to live in the moment, even though it’s not the smartest thing. But I would love to have more music out, build up my following, live comfortably doing what I love, possibly have another child, and being happy and free.
