Dj Buddy Beaverhausen Comes to France Joli: Exclusive Interview

What can I say by way of introducing this Q&A? When it comes to divas named Joli, make mine France because she is a true, legendary star. Like Cher, she is a survivor in the music industry and has provided generations of radio listeners and club-goers alike with joy and genuine inspiration. Undeniably one of the major divas of the disco era, I am incredibly humbled by the fact that she agreed to do this interview with me. Once again, major thanks, love and kisses to Barbara Sobel of Sobel Promotions for arranging this chat. Personally, I found Miss Joli charming, genuine and touching, as I'm sure you will, too. Here, then, my Q&A with France Joli:

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen: Hello, Miss Joli, and thank you so much. It's such a pleasure to interview one of the truly great and most beloved divas since the disco era; certainly a personal favorite of mine. Welcome.  

France Joli: Thank you. The pleasure’s all mine.
 

DBB:You recently recorded "Hallelujah" with producer Julian Marsh, whom I previously interviewed this year. What was it like working together? And did you ever imagine you'd be singing Leonard Cohen?  

FJ: Actually, I produced "Hallelujah" myself, and Julian Marsh was one of the three remixers. Julian is a very talented man and a real sweetheart. Love him! This song was one of my all time favorites. When I sang it at my father's funeral a couple of years ago, I had this revelation of doing a dance version of it. I listened to my little voice inside and after a while I just went for it. As an artist, I needed to do this for myself and for my fans, whom I adore. I was very pleased about how well it was received.
 

DBB: You are currently busy touring. Can you give fans any upcoming performance dates through the holidays and beyond? 

FJ: After all these years I am still very active and performing constantly. I am booked all the way to September 2014. Most of my performances are on the East Coast, but France and Mexico are also on the agenda. New Years Eve will be in New York at the Resorts World Casino. I also look forward to making my way out to California next May for a surprise show that has not been announced yet, so I can’t quite tell you what it is. I will be sharing the stage with many other artists that I love and care about.

DBB: Well, I now know where I'll be on New Year's Eve!
 

DBB: You're from the Montreal area and, I understand, performing since childhood. What inspired you to start out at such a young age ? Who were your musical influences as a young girl? 

FJ: I started singing before I could even talk! [Laughs.] I always wanted to sing and learn different songs that moved me. When I discovered Barbra Streisand around the age of 10, I fell in  love. I sang over her records for soooo many years learning every sound, breath and silence she possessed. She was my singing teacher. As I got older, I got into Stevie Wonder, Gino Vanelli and of course, Miss Donna Summer, to name a few.

DBB: There's no avoiding discussing "Come to Me," one of the greatest disco hits. And it has been remixed forever! I don't know of  anyone who's never heard this song. What is it like to have a song of such timeless status associated with you?  

FJ: I feel very fortunate to have been part of such success. This song is still being played all over the world after 34 years. How can you not be grateful? 
 

DBB: Is it true you performed it, as a last-minute replacement for Donna Summer, at a concert on Fire Island in July of 1979 before an  audience of 5,000 people? 

FJ: Believe it or not, it is true. My record company at the time heard of the opportunity and suggested I would sing for the 5,000 thousand gay men (and their straight friends) that night. I was so glad they said yes! It was my very first American performance and to this day nothing can beat it. That night can never be re-created even if we tried. It was pure magic. Hearing a roar of applause from 5,000 people is the ultimate. I will forever be grateful for the love and support the gay community has given me throughout my whole career.
 

DBB: I saw you at Fire Island Pines in the '90s. You were just the sweetest diva I ever saw on stage. You truly do love your audiences, don't you? You were weeping at the adulation you received that night.  

FJ: Sometimes my emotions get the better of me. It's something I have a hard time explaining but I will try. When there is a moment during my show where people are showing me appreciation (in a very distinct way of cheering), I feel overwhelmed with gratitude. I feel it so deep within me that it gets me very vulnerable and mushy. I wish I could kiss and hug each and everyone of them personally.

DBB: Frankly, I feel that's very touching and dear that you relate to your audiences with such love and passion, and I think your emotions infuse the songs you sing and set you apart as a very special presence in popular music. Your realness comes through in everything you sing.
 

DBB: In 1996, you reunited with "Come to Me" producer Tony Green to do two fantastic club hits, "Touch" and "Breakaway." Could you tell us about this major comeback?  

FJ: Tony Green approached me with the song "Touch" in hopes that I would embark on a full-length album project with him. Hearing some of the ideas of songs he had reserved for me I decided to go ahead and record the album. Then came the "Breakaway" song not long after that. When the album was completed, it was nice to go back on a promotional tour and reacquaint myself with old friends in the business and to meet a total new generation of DJ's and radio jocks. 
 

DBB: You worked with Pete Belotte and Giorgio Moroder in the 1980s and had successes with "Girl in the '80s" and "Dumb Blonde." What was that experience like for you? 

FJ: I was delighted to work with such legends. I had been a fan of all the Donna Summer songs and productions so I was very excited. I lived in L.A. for two months to record this album. The experience was different than what I was used to. In all my previous albums, I was always involved in the process of the musical recordings. This time it wasn't the case. The music was produced and recorded and then I would familiarize myself with the song so I could put my vocals down. The musical direction of this album was totally new to me as well. It was an experience I will always cherish. One of the greatest moments of this recording was spending time with Michael Jackson (with whom I shared the management team Weisner-DeMann). What a musician, what a guy! 

DBB: Like every performer, you've had career highs and lows. Did you ever take a break from it? Did you ever think you'd leave; was that ever an option you considered?  

FJ: There were times in my life where I had doubts about my career. The questioning was all about fear and insecurity and not about the lack of love of it. I always came to the conclusion that I would be unhappy doing anything else but my career. I don't know what the future holds for me but for today I'm in it and loving it.

DBB: "Heart to Break a Heart" was another great classic disco hit for you. Then came another smash radio and club hit, "Gonna Get Over You." This had a distinctly different, funkier sound. Why was that?

FJ: As we were moving into the mid-80s, the music was drastically changing. Disco was no longer getting radio play and was in fact losing its popularity. When my label suggested Crown Heights Affair to produce my next album, it felt right. R&B and Funk were very close to my heart and to me were an excellent continuity from Disco. 

DBB: Do you ever get a chance to relax? What do you like to do best when not performing? 

FJ: I love golfing. It's my favourite sport. I also love watching movies and reading.
 

DBB: Anything upcoming to announce? We reach a large international audience with a strong LGBT fan base at Queens Our City radio and my blog, Blab It to Beaverhausen. What would you, finally, like to shout out to your fans around the globe? 

FJ: Thank you, thank you and thank you again for your great support, generosity and trust. The love you have given me through the years is immeasurable. It keeps me wanting to become a better person, signer and performer. To the LGBT community: You have put me on the map and for that I will be forever grateful. I will be there for you as you were there for me. I love you all. There are so many places I want to return to in this world—places where I performed years ago…and places to which I’ve never been.  Europe…Asia…Australia. Fans often write wanting to know when I will be in their location.  If there are any promoters or show producers out there who want to arrange for me to come perform for fans in their country or city, you can always contact me or my manager Daniel Vaillancourt through my Facebook page. Daniel’s email is there. I want to share my love and talent with as many people worldwide as I can. Live and in person, baby!

[Link to the music video of "Hallelujah" by France Joli. Absolute fabulousness! Not only has time not diminished this diva's voice, it's strengthened it even more.]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ztnsoCl70v4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

  

DBB: Miss Joli, thanks so much from all of us. You have a hold on our hearts with your talent and your music. Please know you are beloved by me and by all your many fans and admirers. 

FJ: Believe me, the pleasure is and has been all mine. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to talk to you and to your readers and listeners and to share part of my life with fans around the world. xxoo

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen Shakes It with Victor Po

Victor Po is a model-turned-vocalist and he has demonstrated his acumen in managing both careers. His new club song, "Shake It" has shaken clubs around the world; it's positively infectious. Sobel Promotions will soon have a plethora of remixers on board to amp up the club value intrinsic in this number. Here is our interview:

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen: Hi, Victor, thank you for joining us at QUEENS OUR CITY radio, and on my Blab It to Beaverhausen blog, both of which will reach an international club-friendly crowd. I also want to thank Barbara Sobel of Queens Our City internet radio and Sobel Promotions for arranging this interview. 
Victor Po: Well, thank you very much for having me here and thanks to Barbara at Sobel Promotions for bringing us together.

DBB: "Shake It!" Great song, very catchy. Getting a lot of attention and I see there are still new remixes to come. How did this all come about for you? [Available through iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/shake-it-single/id525617921]
VP: Thank you, it all started after a shoot in LA where I decided that I wanted to give something different to my fans, so eventually I returned home, wrote the song, recorded it and since then everything has been going so well with the reception... by my fans. I'm also very pleased that so many DJ's are as excited by the song as me and I love the creative process of seeing the song transform into different forms much like I was used to in my modeling career. 

DBB: You were previously a model. What is working in that business like? Do you still do any modeling? Best memory, worst memory? 
VP: Oh, my God! I love modeling, it's been a passion of mine since I was very young. Modeling is never easy, at the end of the day it's a job, you need to enjoy it and the process behind it and be able to take direction and absorb as you progress in the industry, but it's a blast to be in front of the lens! I do modeling still, I feel the two fields compliment each other very well. Personally I've been very lucky to have enjoyed wonderful memories in my modeling career and ending up on my first magazine cover was a feeling I can't explain! 

DBB: When did your interest in singing begin? And what were your influences in music growing up? 
VP: [Laughs] I've been singing in the shower ever since I can remember, I love singing and always have. My influences range from Madonna, MJ all the way to Gloria Estefan, though I never try to imitate them in my work, I do draw from my memories as I grew up shaking to them.

DBB: It's rumored you recently got hitched! Would you like to talk to us about married life? Do you think it's changed you in any way? 
VP: The rumors are true, I actually just came back from honeymoon. I married my best friend, so I wouldn't say it's changed me, but definitely strengthened me as he has been there for me since the beginning supporting me every step of the way in my dreams.

DBB: That's really great! Now, You'll be performing in Fort Lauderdale November 23 and again, I see, on December 7. Can you tell us more about those upcoming gigs? 
VP: Yes I have two shows coming up, November 23rd at The Manor, and the Ramrod bar on December 7th and we're currently preparing for those shows. 

DBB: Where did you grow up? Tell us a little about your childhood and adolescence. 
VP: I grew up in a small town on a farm in Argentina, I had a wonderful childhood with loving parents, my father in particular instilled a lot of good qualities in me and raised me to always pursue my goals and dreams in life and I will always be grateful to him for that! I was never the most popular kid, I was overweight and got bullied a lot, before that word even existed, so I took it because it seemed normal at the time. In the end it made me stronger and I was just like any other normal person, with dreams and I worked hard to realize them 

DBB:  How might you relate modeling to the dance music scene? 
VP:  Each relates to the other in the sense of being an art of motion in different phases, both having a creative release of bodily expression and emotions.

DBB: How would you most like to reach out to the LGBT club community worldwide? What do you say to injustices here and abroad, particularly in Russia? 
VP: I want to communicate to everyone on a level field and not distance myself from any one in the LGBT community. I just want to be clear that no matter how you feel or what you believe in, it's ok to express yourself positively. I normally don't like to talk about religion or politics, but the situation in Russia is disgusting and sad. I was already speaking out freely against Russian politics when they incarcerated Pussy Riot. Putin is like Hitler and he is taking the country backwards instead of forward. You cannot cover the sun with one finger 

DBB: I love the way you put that! Do you have any upcoming gigs you'd like to keep us informed about? Anything planned for NYC in the near future? 
VP: I was in NY last month when I got married there, so it's very close in my heart. I'm currently recording and will keep everyone up to date in the progress and my future plans.

DBB: Victor, thanks so much for this interview. We very much look forward to seeing you perform.
VP: I thank you very much, I enjoyed having this opportunity to share my story with your NY listeners. I look forward to being back in NY in the near future and lets "Shake It"!

Talking "Eighth Day" and Animal Rights with Marc Massive

A special thanks to Barbara Sobel of Sobel Nation and Queens Our City Radio for arranging my second chat with Marc Massive of Massive Ego specifically to express his animal activism and the evolution of this new protest song for the dancefloors.

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen: Marc, so great to talk with you again. And this time for Queens Our City Radio! How have you been?

Marc Massive: Hey, really great to be asked back again. It’s been a hectic few weeks since we last spoke as we just had our first release on American label Ninthwave Records called ‘Generation V’ released on a new compilation called ‘Fuel for the Machine’ which is a more rockier edged guitar fueled industrial sounding track than we normally produce, so been busy promoting that with some shows.

DBB: Your song, "Eighth Day" is a cover of a song from the film, Breaking Glass, which was an international smash hit in the '80s. What attracted you to this particular number?

MM: You know, it’s actually always been one of my favourite tracks from the 80’s, and initially it started out as a duet between me and Martin Degville from Sigue Sigue Sputnik. We’d been mates for years, live nearby each other in Covent Garden and thought it could be a great ‘coming together’ of minds; however that project ended our friendship when he decided to pull out at the last minute, as the track was ready to be released and after I’d commissioned a load of credible remixes and paid for a video to go with it. There was some on-line bickering and slander from the Degville camp so I just thought f*@k you and made all of the mixes available to download for free on-line. Sometime after and wounds licked, I decided to re-record the vocals myself and put it out as a single for charity, salvaging some of the footage from our original video shoot and inserting some extra scenes and using one of the remixes as the new single edit. I’ve recently started performing this track live at our shows and it seems to go down ever so well, so marking a year since I originally released it, I'm giving it another push as it seemed to get lost in the new releases wilderness last year and I just think I can do better for the deserved charity.

DBB: 100% of the proceeds of your single release will be donated to F.R.I.E.N.D (Farmed Animal Rescue) in Kent UK who rescue ex-factory farmed animals that otherwise would have been killed. How did you become involved in this effort? And what more can you tell us about this organization and this cause?

MM: It’s a small animal sanctuary ran by Marion & Mark Eaton in the Kent countryside in the UK. I first saw Marion speaking passionately about Veganism and the sanctuary at an anti-factory farming demo I went on in Brighton. She just came across as a lady with conviction and integrity and was struggling financially to care for the 150+ animals she was looking after…some rescued, some handed in to her but all sharing the same fate…death, had she not taken them in. It was seeing her speak that made me decide to release the "Eighth Day" track, and turn the project's bad karma into good and donate the profits to her sanctuary. Myself and my partner and band member, Olly, are huge supporters and campaigner for animal rights across the board, both becoming vegan at the same time over a year ago after watching the life changing documentary called Earthlings http://earthlings.com, this film single handily has changed many people’s opinions of the dairy industry, meat eating, fur wearing, and animal cruelty in every shape and form, and although not comfortable viewing I can’t recommend it enough to educate yourself as to what’s really happening to animals and the industries that show no mercy in bringing you 
your favourite burger or that winter coat with supposed faux fur trim. It’s an eye opener as to what is happening and one that I’m glad I don’t contribute to in any shape or form anymore.

DBB: Do you currently have animal companions of your own?

MM: We do, an adorable 6 year old pooch called Squeaky has allowed us into her life and we cherish her every move. She’s goes everywhere with us, and is very rarely separated from us.

DBB: What about growing up? Favorite pets of your childhood?

MM: We did have a couple of dogs when I was growing up and some guinea pigs.

DBB: How can readers contact F.R.I.E.N.D.?

MM: They are always looking out for either small donations to help buy bedding, straw and food for their animals or even just helping spread the word and they can be contacted at

http://www.friendsanimalrescue.org.uk even just liking their Facebook page would be a big help

https://www.facebook.com/friend.rescue.fanpage

DBB: I think the first dance hit protesting cruelty to animals may be "Supernature," in its subtle way, by Cerrone. It was written by Lene Lovich and she, much later, recorded her own version of it. Do you feel, in your song going the dancefloor route, that you're part of a rare but distinct tradition in dance music protesting cruelty to animals? Do you think it helps to raise consciousness?

MM: It’s funny; we have also covered "Supernature" many moons ago and it came out on several dance compilations. There’s quite a string of Massive Ego environmentally based tracks in our back catalogue now; we also covered Duran Duran’s "Planet Earth" some years ago, and now with "Eighth Day," there’s something of an subconscious ‘Save the World’ link going on… maybe we should do "Earth Song" [laughs]. I’ve just co-written another song called "Animal Rights Humans Wrong" with a friend called Zaran and it’s ready to go to the studio with, but just looking for the right person to duet on it, and this will definitely fit the tradition of animal rights protest songs and is up there with Lene & Nina Hagen’s "Don’t Kill The Animals" 80’s track. It’s also got very controversial lyrics that name and shame the likes of Gaga, Lopez, Dior and L’oreal, not sure what the legal standing is for such lyrical content but I’d like to think free speech prevails.

DBB: Since we last spoke, anything new going on that you'd like to discuss outside of "8th Day”?

MM: Myself and Olly also launched our t-shirt printing business Frost + Massive in the summer, which has taken up a huge amount of time getting it up and running, but we’ve already been supplying merchandise for the recent Steve Strange and Visage tour, an anti-Putin "Vladiqueer" t-shirt in opposition to his recent anti LGBT legislation which has taken   Russia back into the dark ages. It’s also nice to now have our own in-house band merchandise production. We aim to introduce a new wearable and trendy Vegan range shortly, so please check us out at www.frostandmassive.com and we ship worldwide.

DBB: Marc, thanks so much once more. We'll be listening to "8th Day," a very strong rendition of the song to be sure, and to your forthcoming Massive Ego ventures.

 

Scarlett Santana and Give K.i.D. a Chance at The Gallery Bar

The Gallery Bar at 120 Orchard St., on the border of the lower east side and Chinatown, is one of those crunchy little cozy clubs nestled in lower Manhattan. It has a very groovy aura to it and the staff is especially accommodating. I was on Scarlett Santana's guest list (through Queens Our City internet radio http://queens.ourcityradio.com/ ) and was ushered in graciously, joining the very downtown-chic audience. I purchased a pino grigio at the glisteningly new cash bar as I settled in to watch the fundraiser event, "Give K.i.D (Kids of international Deportees) a Chance," a very worthwhile cause.

Arriving at Grand Street, I hailed a cab and asked the driver to take me to 120 Orchard. I admitted I wasn't sure exactly where that was. "I've never been there before," I said. Quoth the driver, in his Korean accent: "You never want to come back either, I tell you." I was pleasantly surprised upon arrival, then, and discarded the advice.

Paintings graced the exposed brick wall to one side of the room, where there also were seats and table, while the opposite side of the room, for the most part, was the bar. Everything looked clean and new and shimmery. The night was hosted by Dj Leo, who played some very funky sets before the show and during intermission. There were inspirational and touching speeches by guests about children of deported parents that brought attention to a not generally known known very serious issue in the United States. There was also a raffle and, of course, entertainment provided by soprano Sharon Cheng and dance diva Scarlett Santana, whom I recently interviewed (http://queens.ourcityradio.com/music-news/hot-november-interview-diva-scarlett-santana).

Scarlett finished big-time with a powerful rendition of her international smash hit (top ten on U.S. Billboard and #1club song in the U.K.), "Rain," which she recorded with C&C Music Factory. Acoustics at Gallery Bar are perfection. There was an intermission after that and Scarlett greeted me and we chatted.

Scarlett is very petite and, even in her stilettos, was only as tall as I am (in my flats, of course, at 5'6"). She was warm and graceful, dressed in a multi-colored, very tailored frock. Her friend snapped our picture together. (Ok, goal for the New Year: lose some weight for crying out loud! I look like Chaz Bono!) Scarlett and I also engaged in some small talk and I was curious as to how she decided upon her stage name. (She was born Jasmine Mercedes, an equally lovely name in my humble opinion.) Ms Santana told me she just thought it sounded appealing to her and assured me, when I asked, that she absolutely was not thinking about Carlos Santana or the band that bears his surname.

A worthy cause, a diva encounter, a drink and a raffle in a cool, happening new club. Does it get better than that, people?  I think not, even if I didn't win the raffle.

Exclusive Q&A with C&C Music Factory's Scarlett Santana

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen: Scarlett, thank you so much for this Q&A. As you know, I'll be coming to a benefit event on Nov. 6 in which you'll be performing. Could you please tell us more about it and share your personal connection to it?  
Scarlett Santana: Thank you so much! I look forward to meeting you too! I'd be gladly to explain, K.i.D (Kids of International Deportees) is in the process of becoming a non-profit organization. K.i.D is a program that will focus on Children of Deportees. Not everyone is aware of what an epidemic this situation has become. It will help these children with social, financial, employment, education, legal & mental health concerns. In addition, it's a place where young children & adolescents can talk to other kids that are in the same situation and most importantly keep in touch with their parent(s). And so, I feel the need to lend my support to such a great cause if it helps in anyway to bring awareness and get this organization to meet its goals and subsequently help all those affected by the deportation process. I have seen first hand what it does to a family when they become separated because of deportation. It's so heartbreaking to see children and family members separated from their loved ones.
 
DBB: You're a Jersey Girl born and raised in Newark, and I'm a Jersey Boy born and raised in Paterson, so right away, we share a connection! But you were born in 1988 (just a wee bit later than I).  When you grew up, who were your musical influences?
SS: Ok! New Jersey in the house! I must say I have a few musical influences; growing up, my mother was my biggest influence. She would always have music playing in our home and we would sing songs from Whitney Houston to La India and Marvin Gaye to George Lamond. We had eclectic taste in our music. I think different types of music and musicians/artists influenced the artist I am today. However, I really love Whitney Houston, Lauren Hill, TLC and Mariah Carey.

DBB: Share with our readers who Ivy Wallace is and how she has influenced and/or inspired you?
SS: Oh, my God! I love Miss Wallace. She was my elementary music teacher who introduced me to what music was all about. She hand-picked me out of my kindergarten class as we were all singing and said that I had a strong voice. She distinctively heard it right out of the group and ever since took me in under her wing from kindergarten to 7th grade. She taught me so much about music at an early age. She broke my fear of performing in front of an audience, and would have me perform solos in school concerts or have me stand up in class and sing. She gave me and my voice the confidence it needed. After so many years, I [recently] went to visit her and found that she is still teaching. It was definitely an emotional moment once we saw each other. Miss Wallace is one of the most amazing and talented women I know with such a big and beautiful personality. She loves all her students, and I love her so much for everything she has done for me. She will always be the best teacher I've ever had.
 
DBB: A great teacher who inspires us is a really a treasure. I loved hearing about that. Early on, you gave spoken word performances at Nuyorican Poet’s Café in New York  and sang at places like China Club and Club New York. How old were you at that time and what was that period of your life like?
SS: My cousin introduced me to Nuyorican Poet’s Café. I was about 17 when I began to recite my spoken word poetry and sing in places where I wasn't suppose to be because I wasn't old enough.  Put it this way, I've been to a lot of places because of my tenacity and determination. I went anywhere as long as my voice was heard. Around that time, I had a good friend of mine who also believed in my music, his name is Che from Red Eye Entertainment. He was a big part of my life and was responsible for booking my shows and, because of him, I opened up for George Lamond. I continued to have shows with my dancers everywhere, and it's those moments that have been some of the best times in my life.
 
DBB: You opened for Lamond during this time and then became his protege. You recorded with him and subsequently met and recorded "Live Your Life" in 2010 for C&C Music Factory. Were you pinching yourself?
SS: Yes, definitely! I'm very blessed to have met him and call him a friend. I grew up listening to George who was one of my mom's favorite artists and also turned out to be one of my favorite artists to work with. He is an amazing friend, and a great person overall. I always say he's my guardian angel, always looking out for my best interest. We have tons of unreleased music where we have collaborated together and hopefully we will release them soon. He has a new single coming out, so make sure you look out for it... wait until you hear "Live Your Life" the remix featuring George Lamond, Kulture Done and yours truly!
 

DBB:  Let me just tell you, I love "Rain"! You had a well-deserved top 10 Billboard smash with that, again with C&C Music Factory. How did that impact you personally and how did it affect your career?
SS: Thank you so much for loving the record. That means a lot to me. It was an unforgettable moment in my life when I received the call about the song I love so much and wrote my heart into and being told that it peaked on Billboard at No. 1 in the U.K. I remember vividly calling my mom and grandma and going crazy with excitement over the phone about the great news. My musical career has definitely been an interesting one. It has its rewarding and trivial moments but all that matters to me is that I get to do what I have always dreamed of and love doing with a passion.
 
DBB: You also worked with the legendary Todd ("The God") Terry and had a couple of dance hits. How did you meet and could you fill us in on your collaborations?
SS: We met about two years ago at an industry event, he's the coolest person you'll ever meet. He's so real and down to earth. We have so many different collaborations already that we can literally put out a hot and eclectic prolific album. It's quite a blessing to be working with the best and I'm not exaggerating when I say that I've met a lot of talented people in my life but Todd Terry is the best at what he does from House Music to Pop to Trap to Dub Step to Edm to R&B to Rap to Freestyle and to everything. It's mind blowing how consistent he is with hot music. I have the creative freedom musically to do what feels right because I work with such a talented genius of a producer that has so much versatility in music, which I believe is also important when creating music. I must say that while working with him, I have written some of my best work, and besides music, he has taught me the business aspect of it. He's also an amazing person and a wonderful friend.

  
DBB:You're 25. Where would you like to go, musically, creatively, professionally in the next five years? 
SS: In five years, I would love to have as many albums and hit singles as possible. I would love for my music to be appreciated worldwide, and hopefully by then and God willing, I would have my own record company with amazing artists on board. I want my fans to know and believe that if you believe in yourself and put in the hard work that anything is possible.

DBB: How do you feel about the state of dance music right now? And about what's on mainstream radio?
SS: I definitely feel dance music right now needs to give new artists a chance to showcase their talent, and that mainstream radio can be more diversified in their selection of music. 

DBB: You have also been part of the cause known as Milagros Day  (“Non-Profit Organization that provides personal growth and professional development to Survivors of Domestic Violence”). Please tell us about how and why you came to be involved in this and what it's like to work with the legendary La India, your sister ambassador at Milagros Day.
SS: I'm actually glad you brought this up because I am so honored and proud to be an ambassador of Milagros Day Non-Profit organization. I was introduced to Dawn Diaz, the founder of Milagros Day through Genco Cheviano, and Ms. Diaz wanted to use my song "Live Your Life" as the organization's theme song. I was also asked to represent the organization as their ambassador due to my personal experience that resonated with so many women survivors of domestic violence. La India and myself shared our own personal experiences and we hope that by sharing our personal experiences it would empower women to overcome any trials and tribulations.
 
DBB: Scarlett, thank you so much for this interview. Can't wait to meet you on Nov. 6. Any last shout outs to your fans?
SS: Thank you so much for letting me share my story with you and the world! I'll be looking foward to [seeing] you November 6th. Yes, of course, I have shout outs!! I want to give a huge and major shout out to all my day one fans and to my new fans and a special shout out to the ones who reach out to me via Facebook (iamscarlettsantana) Instagram and twitter (@scarlettsantana). I read each and every one of your messages. I love you all! And thank you for your continued support!