“With music you only win if you have the streets. I plan to flood the streets.” – says Mia Eliani, new rap talent from Dallas, TX. Read whole interview below:
Peter Balkus: Your new mixtape “I Am Queen” is out now and it’s great. Do you do rap music for a long time?
Mia Eliani: Thank you! I started rapping at 11 but I actually just started taking it 100% serious last year.
PB: Is your new mixtape 100% about your own experience?
ME: Most of it yes but some songs like “Throw Dat” were just pure fun and creative expression.
PB: You live in Dallas, TX. I thought in Texas there’s only country music available on the radio and only country artists hang out there…
ME: Hip hop is huge in Texas. Our culture has become so diverse over the years. That’s a common misconception!
PB: You sound like rapping against everything. What bothers you the most in this world and around you?
ME: I hate that there are so many people that feel their dreams are impossible because of their current situation or surroundings. If everyone fulfilled their purpose the world would be a brighter place.
PB: Are you against mainstream pop/rap music and people like Nicki Minaj / Iggy Azaelia, or you do your stuff not caring about anyone else in music industry?
ME: I’m a huge Nicki fan, I believe it’s a smart business move. I respect everyone’s lane.
https://soundcloud.com/drealtapes/sets/mia-eliani-i-am-queen-mixtape
PB: Your mixtape is called “I Am Queen”. Why?
ME: In Dallas, TX, we don’t have many female artists. I feel I’ll be the first to blow up international. I feel I’m the queen of my city.
PB: You sing in the past tense (I was going through, not I am), does it mean now you are happier than before?
ME: Definitely. Last year was probably the hardest year of my life. I managed to always find time to write and it paid off.
PB: On the mixtape one of the most often word is “bitch”. Can you give me your own definition of “bitch”?
ME: A bitch in Dallas can be a person, place or thing. It’s just our slang I guess.
PB: Your mixtape is available on Datpiff. Are you rely on online self promoting only, or you have plans to hit the major labels?
ME: With music you only win if you have the streets. I plan to flood the streets.
PB: Do you believe you can change the face of music? I do.
ME: I believe it’s already begun.
Listen to Mia’s new mixtape here: https://www.datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-player-2014.2.php?mediaid=m045a1df&trackid=
Follow me on Twitter @Peter_Balkus
Peter Balkus