Isheena: Hey, I’m Isheena Murphy, 20 year old R&B artist from Madison WI.
AOTR: What is your stage name?
Isheena: Isheena Murphy
AOTR: I read on your website all the problems you have had in the past with groups, artists not putting the songs you sang with them on the album, etc Did you ever start to believe that this may not be the right career choice for you?/
Isheena: Yes. I think there comes a time when every unsigned artist starts to become unsure of themselves, especially when things are not going the way you want them to.
AOTR: Where do you get your inspirations to keep going with your singing?
Isheena: From my parents. They have been a real support system for me. Also from inside myself. I can honestly say there is nothing else I would rather do.
AOTR: Where do you get your inspirations to write your lyrics?
Isheena: Everyday life. What I’m feeling at that moment or month or year. Everything stems from my life past or present.
AOTR: How many songs total have you wrote?
Isheena: I’ve never courted, but I believe over forty. But I’m not sure. LOL
AOTR: Who is your number on fan?
Isheena: My Mommy. LOL, I know I sound like a little kid. But my mother is my biggest fan and my biggest critic.
AOTR: Do your family and friends support your singing and modeling?
Isheena: Family and friends support my career 120%. I actually get a lot of encouragement from them, which to be honest when I started I didn’t expect to.
AOTR: What was it like to record your first album at home on your computor?
Isheena: Hard. I had to do all the work. I had to not only learn how to really sing, but how to produce as well. Then you have to master, mix, EQ and merge. It’s a lot of work but very rewarding when your done.
AOTR: I read that you were signed with a local record label. Some people believe that you only get one chance to get signed. Do you believe with them?
Isheena: Oh gosh no. Ashanti, Kelly Price, Mariah Cary, were all dropped from the first label then signed with. I believe I’ll get my chance to shine again.
AOTR: Have you ever performed live?
Isheena: I have performed live, but not in the last year. But I have some things in the works for this spring and summer. I’ll keep you posted.
AOTR: What type of music do you sing?
Isheena: R&B/Soul with a little Hip Hop and Pop.
AOTR: What record label do you dream to be signed with?
Isheena: I never really thought about it. I guess the label that lets me have the most freedom over the music I make.
AOTR: Have you ever come across with anti-Ebony people?
Isheena: Of course. Every artist signed or unsigned has haters. But what can you so about it.
AOTR: Why do you want to be a singer?
Isheena: That’s like asking, Why do I breath. It just comes nature.
AOTR: What do you think about today's music scene and the way your image matters?
Isheena: Its sad, but sex sells. We all buy into it, so there is not much we can say about it. But artist like Jill Scott, Alice Keys, Music Soul Child and so many more are bringing it back to what music is suppose to be about, the SOUL. With artist like that music has a fighting chance of really meaning something.
AOTR: If you had to change your image to make it in the music industry as a singer, would you?
Isheena: The only part about my image that needs to be changed is my weight, and I would do that for health reasons. But I think I might change my image to make in the industry, but never my heart and my passion for music.
AOTR: How many albums have you sold? How many would you like to sell?
Isheena: I haven’t sold many albums, but I hope to sell at least 1200 when I go on tour some time in the near future.
AOTR: Any last comments? (links)
Isheena: Thank you for taking the time to interview me and thank you to everyone who reads it. Check out the official site for the latest at Isheena Murphyonline.tk of the official music site for the newest music at Isheena.
Interview by Ashley for AOTR.