Fantasia was great!! She is so full of energy. A great performer - and really involved the crowd. She is ready!!!!
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Appearing on the third season of the hit TV show American Idol, Fantasia Barrino (known these days simply as Fantasia) won America's heart - and the competition - with her soulful singing and deeply affecting performances. Since being crowned an American Idol, the young singer with the captivating, old school-flavored voice has gone on to become a true R&B/pop diva with a string of chart-topping hits to her name - "I Believe," "Truth Is," "Free Yourself" and "Hood Boy," among others. On top of her success in the music world, Fantasia's penned a best-selling autobiography and starred in an original Lifetime movie based on the book. Fantasia recently took time out of her busy schedule to speak with Ticketmaster about her latest self-titled album, her music idols, and the joys of performing live.
Ticketmaster: How do you think your latest album, Fantasia, compares with your first album, Free Yourself? It's been described as having a more consistent R&B sound.
Fantasia Barrino: On my first album, Free Yourself, I had a lot of ballads on there, and I was talking about a lot of different situations that I was going through. With this new album, after doing the book and doing the movie, it's like I let a lot of that stuff go. We self-titled the album Fantasia because I just feel like a brand new person. I feel like a brand new Fantasia. So with this album, I wanted it to be more up-tempo, have more songs for the DJs, wanted to show my young side, ‘cause I'm only 22. When I would say that, a lot of people would say, "Get out of here! You're just 22 years old?" So I guess that's from just dealing with so much at such a young age and sharing that with the people. A lot of people just say, "Wow, you've been through so much. You seem so much older." So I just wanted to show my young side and take it back to good, good music. We have a lot of live instruments being played on the album. To me, it's a lot different from the previous album.
TM: Tell me about some of the people you collaborated with on the album. I know you worked with a lot of great people, including Missy Elliot.null
FB: Yeah, it's Miss. She's my girl. She's a good friend of mine. She gets me and that's one of the reasons I like working with her. You know, I'm a soul singer coming out of the church and you don't really hear a lot of soul singing anymore. You know, a lot of singing singing going on. So you really have to work with the right producers who can give you the right songs, give you the stuff that fits you, and Missy gives me that. Who else? Harold Lilly. Another one that gets me. Worked with him on the last album. Did the song "Baby Mama" with him. And he's another church boy so he gets it. He knows what I need. Worked with Midi Mafia. Did a song with Swizz Beatz. He's amazing. Candice and Bulewa. Dre and Vidal. Gosh, I don't want to foget anybody (laughs). Sean Garrett. Also collaborated with Big Boi on a single, which was an honor to work with him. I'm a big, big fan. Much respect to him. And who else? Diane Warren. I can't forget Diane. I went looking for her. I was like, "I have to do a song with her." There was a reason I was looking for her. She had the song "I Feel Beautiful" for me. And like I said, in the place that I am right now, I feel really beautiful. I feel like a brand new person. All of the producers I worked with were amazing. They all got me and they were asking, "What do you want? What are you looking for?" And that was a blessing. So I enjoyed myself on this album, working with everybody.
TM: The song "Hood Boy" has been doing really well. Do you have a favorite track from the album or do you like them all equally?
FB: Let's see. It changes every day. So today, I'll have to say "Bore Me," which is a song that I did with my brother. That's my older brother on there with me. And when we do it live, it's just a very good song, everyone enjoys it, so I'll have to say "Bore Me."
TM: You started out performing live to millions of people on American Idol. Since then you've spent a lot of time writing and recording new songs. So, at this point, which do you prefer: performing live on stage or recording in the studio?
FB: On stage. I love performing live. I love performing for people. That's my peaceful place, being on stage. If I could go on stage right now, I would go (laughs). As an artist, we go through things every day and every day is a challenge, so when I get on stage I just let it all out. So I would have to say that performing live is my favorite.
TM: Do you have a favorite venue where you like to perform?
FB: No, I would perform out on the street in the cold (laughs). On the corner. All I need is a band and a mic and I'm good to go.
TM: You worked with Aretha Franklin on a song ("Let Me Put You Up On Game") for her new album A Woman Falling Out Of Love. What was that experience like?
FB: She's my idol. I grew up studying Aretha Franklin. I knew everything about her. She's my favorite. So working with her was an honor. She's an amazing woman, when she sings, when she speaks, everything about her is amazing. So it was an honor working with her. The first time I met her was when they did the celebration for her (the 28th annual An Evening of Stars®Tribute to Aretha Franklin). I had so much to say and I didn't say any of it (laughs). I didn't say anything. Believe it or not, the whole time I just sat there and cried. And she was like, "What are you crying for?" She is such an inspiration to me and she is such an amazing woman. For me to be able to be on her album is an honor.
TM: Who would you like to collaborate with in the future? Any other dream collaborations?
FB: Too many people. I'm serious. I could tell you names for days. But I'm on this rock star thing right now. I've been saying it and hopefully she'll hear it and we'll be able to get together, but I would love to get together and do a song with Avril Lavigne.
TM: Who else are you listening to these days?
FB: Listening to a lot of different types of music right now. I'm really feeling Panic! At the Disco. My Chemical Romance. John Legend of course. Nelly Furtado. My ears now are just looking for something different. And these rock stars, these boys, are really giving me different, and that's what I'm on right now...Oh, I have to give a shout out to Timbaland, because he's really doing his thing this year. He gave Nelly Furtado her album. It's amazing. Justin Timberlake's album. It's amazing. And it's just different, a breath of fresh air. So I'm really feeling those albums and these rock stars right now.
TM: You're a multi-talented artist. You've acted in a movie and in television shows. You've written an autobiography. Is this something you'd like to do more of? Do you consider yourself first and foremost a music artist?
FB: Music, of course, will always be my first love. But after doing my movie, I think I want to do some more acting. I want to do something very challenging. A role that's very, very challenging. You know, whatever door opens, that's a blessed door. I always say I'm going to ride the train until the wheels fall off. So I'd love to do some more acting and maybe even some Broadway. I don't know. That would be a challenge. We could get into some Broadway stuff. So I could sing, which is my first love, and I could do some acting.
Ticketmaster: How do you think your latest album, Fantasia, compares with your first album, Free Yourself? It's been described as having a more consistent R&B sound.
Fantasia Barrino: On my first album, Free Yourself, I had a lot of ballads on there, and I was talking about a lot of different situations that I was going through. With this new album, after doing the book and doing the movie, it's like I let a lot of that stuff go. We self-titled the album Fantasia because I just feel like a brand new person. I feel like a brand new Fantasia. So with this album, I wanted it to be more up-tempo, have more songs for the DJs, wanted to show my young side, ‘cause I'm only 22. When I would say that, a lot of people would say, "Get out of here! You're just 22 years old?" So I guess that's from just dealing with so much at such a young age and sharing that with the people. A lot of people just say, "Wow, you've been through so much. You seem so much older." So I just wanted to show my young side and take it back to good, good music. We have a lot of live instruments being played on the album. To me, it's a lot different from the previous album.
TM: Tell me about some of the people you collaborated with on the album. I know you worked with a lot of great people, including Missy Elliot.null
FB: Yeah, it's Miss. She's my girl. She's a good friend of mine. She gets me and that's one of the reasons I like working with her. You know, I'm a soul singer coming out of the church and you don't really hear a lot of soul singing anymore. You know, a lot of singing singing going on. So you really have to work with the right producers who can give you the right songs, give you the stuff that fits you, and Missy gives me that. Who else? Harold Lilly. Another one that gets me. Worked with him on the last album. Did the song "Baby Mama" with him. And he's another church boy so he gets it. He knows what I need. Worked with Midi Mafia. Did a song with Swizz Beatz. He's amazing. Candice and Bulewa. Dre and Vidal. Gosh, I don't want to foget anybody (laughs). Sean Garrett. Also collaborated with Big Boi on a single, which was an honor to work with him. I'm a big, big fan. Much respect to him. And who else? Diane Warren. I can't forget Diane. I went looking for her. I was like, "I have to do a song with her." There was a reason I was looking for her. She had the song "I Feel Beautiful" for me. And like I said, in the place that I am right now, I feel really beautiful. I feel like a brand new person. All of the producers I worked with were amazing. They all got me and they were asking, "What do you want? What are you looking for?" And that was a blessing. So I enjoyed myself on this album, working with everybody.
TM: The song "Hood Boy" has been doing really well. Do you have a favorite track from the album or do you like them all equally?
FB: Let's see. It changes every day. So today, I'll have to say "Bore Me," which is a song that I did with my brother. That's my older brother on there with me. And when we do it live, it's just a very good song, everyone enjoys it, so I'll have to say "Bore Me."
TM: You started out performing live to millions of people on American Idol. Since then you've spent a lot of time writing and recording new songs. So, at this point, which do you prefer: performing live on stage or recording in the studio?
FB: On stage. I love performing live. I love performing for people. That's my peaceful place, being on stage. If I could go on stage right now, I would go (laughs). As an artist, we go through things every day and every day is a challenge, so when I get on stage I just let it all out. So I would have to say that performing live is my favorite.
TM: Do you have a favorite venue where you like to perform?
FB: No, I would perform out on the street in the cold (laughs). On the corner. All I need is a band and a mic and I'm good to go.
TM: You worked with Aretha Franklin on a song ("Let Me Put You Up On Game") for her new album A Woman Falling Out Of Love. What was that experience like?
FB: She's my idol. I grew up studying Aretha Franklin. I knew everything about her. She's my favorite. So working with her was an honor. She's an amazing woman, when she sings, when she speaks, everything about her is amazing. So it was an honor working with her. The first time I met her was when they did the celebration for her (the 28th annual An Evening of Stars®Tribute to Aretha Franklin). I had so much to say and I didn't say any of it (laughs). I didn't say anything. Believe it or not, the whole time I just sat there and cried. And she was like, "What are you crying for?" She is such an inspiration to me and she is such an amazing woman. For me to be able to be on her album is an honor.
TM: Who would you like to collaborate with in the future? Any other dream collaborations?
FB: Too many people. I'm serious. I could tell you names for days. But I'm on this rock star thing right now. I've been saying it and hopefully she'll hear it and we'll be able to get together, but I would love to get together and do a song with Avril Lavigne.
TM: Who else are you listening to these days?
FB: Listening to a lot of different types of music right now. I'm really feeling Panic! At the Disco. My Chemical Romance. John Legend of course. Nelly Furtado. My ears now are just looking for something different. And these rock stars, these boys, are really giving me different, and that's what I'm on right now...Oh, I have to give a shout out to Timbaland, because he's really doing his thing this year. He gave Nelly Furtado her album. It's amazing. Justin Timberlake's album. It's amazing. And it's just different, a breath of fresh air. So I'm really feeling those albums and these rock stars right now.
TM: You're a multi-talented artist. You've acted in a movie and in television shows. You've written an autobiography. Is this something you'd like to do more of? Do you consider yourself first and foremost a music artist?
FB: Music, of course, will always be my first love. But after doing my movie, I think I want to do some more acting. I want to do something very challenging. A role that's very, very challenging. You know, whatever door opens, that's a blessed door. I always say I'm going to ride the train until the wheels fall off. So I'd love to do some more acting and maybe even some Broadway. I don't know. That would be a challenge. We could get into some Broadway stuff. So I could sing, which is my first love, and I could do some acting.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 7/21/10Birchmere - Alexandria Rating: 5 out of 5 Fantasia
by Bspencer on 7/21/10Birchmere - AlexandriaFantasia was absolutely wonderful. She sounded fabulous and she had so much energy. We partied the entire time.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Oh my GOD!!!!!
by AGreatShow on 7/21/10Birchmere - AlexandriaNever will you see someone with more raw and untamed talent. She is AMAZING!!!!! OVERLY talented and just great!!!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Fantasia is a True Performer
by TrueFan3 on 7/21/10Birchmere - AlexandriaYou get what you expect from Fantasia. She is an honest, high energy performer with a range of interests in music and she truly pleases the crowd with whom she seeks to connect. If you love anything about her you'll love her show because she gives it all to you without reserve.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Fantasia = Fantastic
by Bzwoman on 7/21/10Birchmere - AlexandriaOh what a night! From the moment Fantasia stepped on stage she was moving. She walked in, took off her shoes, and announced she was in VA to have some fun. She did and we did.The audience was on their feet most of the evening. Her performance included current and old favorite songs, particularly Baby Mama and Free Yourself. Her set also included old standards including Purple Rain. She was very approachable as she worked the audience. She reached out and held hands, danced with, and gave high fives to the people lucky enough to be right in front. She then moved out into the crowd and did about fifteen minutes from the heart of the arena. She was funny and her banter was endearing. I think everyone left the event with a smile on their face feeling like they had had a great visit with an old friend.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Fantasia at the Birchmere
by Brwneyez on 7/21/10Birchmere - AlexandriaFantasia gave us a show that will long be remembered. She is truly blessed with a beautiful voice and she is using it to the full. She is amazing. I like that fact that she was very personable and interactive with the crowd. She pretty much stayed right on the floor with the crowd and put on her performance. Her band was excellent as well. If i had tickets to go again tonight i would be front and center. I can't wait to see her again. She will also be in Richmond this weekend, but i can't go. Wonderful show and well worth the money.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Fantasia
by ladydee46 on 7/21/10Birchmere - AlexandriaThe show was great. Fantasia really did her thing as she always does. It was really good to see her back in action and still thanking God for her success. The Brichmere was comfortable and everything was done with such professionalism. Looking forward to another show there.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Great show!
by Anonymous on 7/21/10Birchmere - AlexandriaGreat show, would go see her again in simlar venue, she's really personnal, great entertainer.
Rating: 5 out of 5 FANTASIA WAS FANTASTIC!
by Mitch8901 on 7/21/10Birchmere - AlexandriaFantasia took the show by storm. Her energy and singing ability was just outstanding. There was also a small church service going on at the Birchmere saying and singing Thank You Lord. Hopefully she will return to the Birchmere again.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Fantasia was "GREAT"
by Camalita on 7/21/10Birchmere - AlexandriaI have always been a HUGE FAN of Fantasia after seeing her perform last night for the first time. I LOVE HER even MORE then ever before. She gives a GREAT show she is truly BLESSED.......
Rating: 5 out of 5 Fantasia put on a SHOW!!!
by dnc730 on 7/21/10Birchmere - AlexandriaThe show was OUTSTANDING! She had so much energy. She definately knows how to put on a show. I would go again tonight if I could. She is so personal in her performance. She looks you right in your eye and sing to you LITERALLY! Her little girl introduced her which was the cutest thing ever!!! The only bad thing (TOTALLY not on Fantasia's part) is that I sat too close because my ears are ringing terrible this morning. Also the way the venue had the seating was very uncomfortable but when Fantasia came out I stood up anyway so she made the cons forgetable!!
Rating: 2 out of 5 Blahhhhh
by Tishwa on 7/21/10Birchmere - AlexandriaI am a true Fantasia fan. I thought the show was just okay. There was too much hollering and shouting. I felt like she should and could have sang more of her songs and promoted more of her new album. I was so excited to see her in such a small setting because at the Birchmere every seat is a great one. However, Ms. Lady encouraged everyone to stand up like we were teenagers or in a club. This crowd was diverse and she needs to recognize her setting. This setting is nice and suttle. This venue is not equipped, in my opinion, for the rowdy club scene. People want to sit back and see a great performance. You could tell people who had been there before and the newbies. It was a true culture shock. Having your crowd stand at a dinner venue is not wise and is inconsiderated to many. I thought she did okay, but it did let me know that this would be my first and last time ever seeing her live. I can not take. This is why I did not ever want to see Patti and Fantasia confirmed it for me. I still love her, but on tv and cd's only. Best of Luck Fantasia! You still my girl!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Awesome
by SciFiPrincess on 7/21/10Birchmere - AlexandriaFantasia brought alot of energy and talent to her performance. She was awesome. She engaged her audience, and made you feel as if you were part of the show. I enjoyed her alot.
Rating: 5 out of 5 A GREAT LIVE PERFORMER
by TNWade on 6/19/10African Hertiage Festival - BaltimoreFantasia was an excellent performer. She sounds nice live and she interacts well with her audience.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Fantasia was great, concert was not great
by soulvr on 12/7/09Alario Center - WestwegoSpent 2 hours listening to "local performers", which consisted of a bunch of rappers singing over their own pre-recorded tracks (including the rapping). The pre-show "talent" was terrible, unprofessional, and very very lengthy. I was not the only one who felt that way - people in the halls, restrooms, etc. were complaining about the 2 hour wait and all agreed they did not pay to see this poor quality "entertainment". K'Jon appeared without a band and sang only a few songs - it was disappointing. Finally, 3 hours after the concert start time, Fantasia took the stage. Her voice and band were terrific, but they only performed a short time. Waited all that time, only to feel disappointed.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Fantasia with K'Jon
by ethomas985 on 12/3/09Alario Center - WestwegoThe tickets were a gift from my husband; my daughter and I went and it was AWESOME. The only thing I would change is having the concert on a Friday or Saturday.
Rating: 4 out of 5by Anonymous on 12/3/09Alario Center - Westwego Great show, just a few less pre-show performers. K'jon is a great in person performer, great stage presence. His ship has absolutely come in. Fantasia is lively and very much intouch with her audience.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Bigger Fan of Fantasia
by Jadeal on 12/3/09Alario Center - WestwegoI love watching her performances on television so seeing her live was even better. Fantasia did not disappoint. I loved her energy and her voice is amazing. She is a beautiful person and has a warm spirit. I wish her all the best and I will be buying the her album when it drops in January. I give her 5 stars. K'jon and the violinist was good too.