Bernadette Giacomazzo (@bgiacomazzo)

Hailing from the mean streets of Watts, California, Kanary Diamonds has exploded onto the scene as one of Hip Hop’s sexiest female rappers. With her masterful flow, irresistible sex appeal, and ridiculously hot lyrics, Kanary Diamonds is headed straight to the top.

Both rare and exotic, this half Puerto Rican beauty knows how to get in touch with her roots recording “Candy Girl” with Tatyana Ali on the Reggaeton compilation “Puro Fuego.”

She has been featured on Mack 10’s Hustla’s Handbook with the song “By the Bar” and has collaborated with artists such as Chingy, Colby O’Donis, Yo-Yo, Glasses Malone, Kam, Lady of Rage, and others. Furthermore, Kanary’s songs have been placed in various television shows and films such as Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane, Bad Girls Club, Making the Band 4, Code Name the Cleaner starring Lucy Liu and Cedrick The Entertainer, and Waist Deep starring Tyrese Gibson, Megan Good, The Game, and Larenz Tate.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kanarydiamonds

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kanaryd

Instagram: kanaryd

Website: www.kanarydiamonds.com

 

Tell us about yourself. Who are you? What do you do?

My name is Kanary Diamonds, and I'm from Watts, California. I'm a rapper, dancer, singer, model and actress. An all-over entertainer.

 

You're a female rapper—obviously, you're going to get compared to Nicki Minaj. Yet, your style is definitely not like hers. So, how do you respond to those people who would compare you—either to Nicki, or to other female rappers?

I don't mind being compared at all, that's the name of the game. Yet, I would tell them to give my music a chance.

 

What's the best show you've ever done? What's the worst?

The best show I've done was at The Rocky in Los Angeles, where I opened up for KRS-ONE. I was so honored to even share the same stage with him, and he personally invited me to perform. I was floored when he called me back on to spit a verse. That's something I'll never forget and will forever be grateful for. The worst show was at a club in LA where the power went out while I was performing. When the lights came back on, 3 fights had broken out while I was still on stage.

 

In five years, where do you see yourself in your career?

I'll definitely be a major, nationally known artist, and probably working on my 4th major release. I'll be on my second major movie role, and hopefully I'll be a Grammy winner and Oscar winner...or at least nominated.

 

Let's talk a little bit about growing up in Compton. We've heard a lot about it in early 1990's NWA songs and similar—would you say these descriptions are still accurate, today? Why or why not? How did you survive those streets?

Well I'm not from Compton I'm from Watts—which is just a street away. But NWA painted an accurate picture of life in the hood. Nowadays, it's still pretty hood but with more options that are being brought to the hood, like higher education and even entrepreneurship.  The hood has definitely evolved. Yet we are still plagued with gang violence, unfortunately where I'm from that's just a way of life and that's all most of us know. I grew up poor and street life was the easy way out, yet I have a devoutly Christian mom who kept us in line. My siblings and I made it out untainted, I can only say we are blessed.

 

What would you say is the biggest challenge that female rappers face today? How do you overcome these challenges?

Being underestimated, as in any career field. Just by the fact we're considered "female rappers" and not just rappers tells it all. It's a male dominated industry and unfortunately guys can't think with both heads at the same time. Also, the unity amongst females is rare. For some reason, we're made to feel like only one female rapper can exist at a time, and we foolishly believe it, so it becomes crabs in a barrel.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring rapper, what would it be, and why?

Find your own voice as soon as possible. Don't chase the current sound—find who you are. The earlier an artist does that, the better off they'll be. You might get rejected and ridiculed at first, but they'll catch up as long as you stay true to you.

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