Alemeda

Summary

Podcast Summary: Black People Love Paramore – "Alemeda" (June 11, 2026)

Host: Sequoia Holmes
Guest: Alemeda (musician, songwriter, artist)
Theme: Exploring Alemeda’s experiences as a Black girl in the alternative music space, her journey, influences, and unique perspectives on music, family, culture, and identity.

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Episode Overview

This episode is a special interview with Alemeda, a talented Black artist thriving within the alternative music scene. Host Sequoia Holmes delves into Alemeda’s influences, creative process, personal history, and what it means to move through the world as an alternative Black woman. The conversation is filled with humor, vulnerability, pop culture nostalgia, and honest dialogue about representation, sisterhood, and the realities of the music industry.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Alemeda’s Music and Live Performances

• Favorite Song to Perform: “Beat A Up”
  • Alemeda loves performing it because of the crowd energy:

    “It's hype and everybody… I make the crowd sing the beat a up part.” (01:39, Alemeda)

• Least Favorite Song to Perform: “Over It”
  • Challenging vocally, requiring extensive practice.
  • Early emotional heaviness made it difficult to sing live, but no longer as she’s moved past the original feelings associated:

    “It’s like super… I had to actually practice that one a lot before performing... It’s a little bit heavier in subject matter.” (01:55, Alemeda & 02:13, Sequoia)

2. 2000s Pop and Musical Influences

• Alemeda’s all-time 2000s pop playlist includes Katy Perry’s “Hot and Cold,” Rihanna’s “Shut Up and Drive,” and pretty much anything Bruno Mars has released.

  “Almost anything Bruno Mars put out.” (02:45, Alemeda)

• Big fan of Silk Sonic and Bruno’s “Unorthodox Jukebox” album.

3. TV and Movie Favorites

• The Office: Her go-to comfort show, rewatched many times.
• Scandal: Watched for the first time recently, loved Shonda Rhimes’ work.
• Prefers sitcoms over shows/movies with violence or loud sounds:

  “I like to watch happy, sitcommy… I’m not trying to be sad.” (03:47, Alemeda)

4. Musical Origins & First Songs

• First song learned on guitar: “Cherry” by Amy Winehouse from the “Frank” era.
  • Appreciates musician-style storytelling and love for instruments.

    “She’s talking about her guitar the whole time. And she named her guitar Cherry… Very musician coded.” (04:43, Alemeda)

5. Friendship, Sisterhood, and Cats

• “Beat A Up” is about friendship, especially meaningful as someone with much older/younger siblings and who felt like an only child.
• Alemeda describes herself as a “crazy cat lady.”
  • Discusses the viral internet moment when fellow artist Doechii said she didn't like cats – emphasizes that Doechii is not strictly anti-cat.

    “Maybe cats are just for a certain type of people… you gotta be a certain type of person for a cat to really completely [get you].” (08:10, Alemeda)

  • Shares cultural perspective: cats regarded as clean/holy in Islamic/Ethiopian tradition, shaping her affinity for cats over dogs.

    “I grew up Muslim, and with Muslims, it’s like, cat's the only animal you’re allowed to have... it’s the holiest animal.” (08:42, Alemeda)

  • Has past trauma with dogs; cats became her rock through emotional moments.

6. Paramore, Haley Williams, and Influences

• Huge Paramore and Haley Williams fan:
  • Discusses favorite songs: “Decode”, “Misery Business”, and “The Only Exception.”
  • Never watched Twilight (associated with “Decode”), but loves the song (11:44 – 12:54).
  • Would love to cover “The Only Exception” live someday.
  • Admits to being slow with listening to whole projects, but keeps up with highlights on TikTok.

7. Rapid-Fire 'Would You Rather' Game

(15:56–23:55)

• Would choose a romantic breakup over a friendship breakup:

  “The friendship breakups hurt more. And you think this is gonna be your friend forever...” (16:39, Alemeda)

• If forced to pick, she’d keep Coldplay over Paramore for long-term listening:

  “Coldplay has picked me up in times I need… I’ll go through all the albums just… to find myself.” (17:33, Alemeda)

• Hannah Montana is non-negotiable Disney Channel inspiration – would erase Glee instead.

  “Hannah Montana, bro, that’s why I’m here right now. Like, I wouldn’t have even wanted to be an artist if it weren’t for Hannah Montana.” (18:09, Alemeda)

• Disney Channel Mount Rushmore:
  • Demi Lovato
  • Hannah Montana
  • Raven-Symoné
  • Ashley Tisdale
• Color hair is more vital to her than lip liner; pink is her current favorite.

8. Representation, Race, and Industry ‘Plant’ Allegations

• Growing up Black in mostly white Arizona was isolating; moving to LA and NY, she felt seen and beautiful.

  “They truly made me feel like I was ugly… When I moved to LA, I was like 20, I was like, ‘Oh, so y’all were just racist.’” (25:54 & 25:57, Alemeda)

• Industry Plant accusations: She rejects the term for Black women, pointing to history and the uphill battle Black women face in music:

  “When a Black person is making it and they are doing well, don't put that word on them... How many dark-skinned women are in mainstream quickly?... It takes 10 years [for us]… It takes five years for a white person.” (27:39–28:06, Alemeda)

• Many Black artists have long, difficult journeys.
  • Alemeda herself has been in music for nearly a decade before her big break.
  • Industry plant rhetoric, she argues, is unfairly and selectively weaponized.

9. Identity and Community

• Alemeda and Sequoia reflect on the shared experience of being “scene” as alternative Black girls, especially before cultural spaces for them were visible online.

  “I appreciate your existence… a dark-skinned Black woman making the music that I like.” (31:06–31:13, Sequoia)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Friendship & Breakups:

  “The friendship breakups hurt more. And you think this is gonna be your friend forever… those still kind of take me… I’m still processing.” (16:39, Alemeda)

• On Cats and Emotional Support:

  “My little orange cat licks my face when I’m crying… Cats over… my cats are over everything.” (10:59 & 23:37, Alemeda)

• On Representation:

  “They truly made me feel like I was ugly… When I moved to LA, I was like 20, I was like, ‘Oh, so y'all were just racist.’” (25:54 & 25:57, Alemeda)

• On Industry ‘Plant’ Discourse:

  “That word gets put on any Black woman who's doing well… Y’ all don’t say that to anybody else.” (28:26 & 28:31, Alemeda)

• On Disney Channel Influence:

  “Hannah Montana, bro, that's why I'm here right now. Like, I wouldn't have even wanted to be an artist if it weren't for Hannah Montana.” (18:09, Alemeda)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro and Alemeda’s Music: 00:48–02:22
• Pop and Musical Influences: 02:31–03:29
• TV/Movie Preferences: 03:29–04:38
• First Song Learned: 04:38–05:40
• Friendship, Cats, and Ethiopian/Muslim Perspective: 05:44–10:22
• Becoming a Cat Person, Emotional Connection: 10:22–11:10
• Paramore/Influences: 11:10–13:38
• Rapid-Fire Would You Rather: 15:45–23:55
• Growing Up Between Ethiopia & Arizona: 24:10–26:54
• On Being Black in Alternative Spaces & Industry Plant Discourse: 26:54–30:44
• Closing Thoughts on Representation & Community: 30:44–31:18

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Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is funny, warm, and unfiltered. Both Sequoia and Alemeda blend sincerity with humor, embracing “scene” culture and celebrating alternative Black girl magic, while engaging in thoughtful dialogue about identity and the realities of the music industry.

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Final Thoughts

This is an affirming, joyful, and honest episode that will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt “different”—especially Black people navigating alternative spaces. Alemeda’s insights, humor, and storytelling offer both inspiration and powerful cultural commentary.

Go check out Alemeda’s latest single “Broken Record” and watch her music video.

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End of episode summary.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign. Hey, y'. All. Y' all are about to hear a very special interview with an artist named Alameda. Every now and again, I like to interview people of note on this podcast who makes sense for black people. Love Paramore. For instance, Alameda is a black girl in the alternative space. She is a Paramore fan, and so it just seemed like it'd be really fun to interview her, get her perspective on things, and introduce her to you all if you're not already aware of her. So that's what you're about to hear. And every now and again, you'll probably hear more of these, and I hope that you enjoy them. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

[B]

Bye.

[A]

Hi, Alameda. Hi. Thank you so much for joining.

[B]

Thank you for having me.

[A]

Of course. Welcome to Black People Love Paramore, a podcast not about the band Paramore, but a show about the coming as well as the uncommon interests of black people. I am Sequoia, and today we have musician, amazing songwriter, artist, singer, Alameda. New EP out.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But what the hell do I know?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Love it. Such a good. That's a good title first.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Yeah, very fun title. I like the name of the tour as well.

[B]

Where the hell should I Go?

[A]

Where the hell should I Go? Yeah. Who came up with that period? I know, I know, I know. When I'm in the presence of a genius.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. I have a question for you. Love the ep. Love your music overall. What's your favorite and least favorite song to perform?

[B]

My favorite song to perform is Beat A Up.

[A]

Period.

[B]

Because it's just like, it gets. It's hype and everybody. I make the crowd sing the Beat A Up part.

[A]

Yes. As you should.

[B]

And then I tell them that they're

[A]

being violent not to guess. Like, no.

[B]

I'm like, you guys are violent. Relax. And then my least favorite song is over it.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Because it's just so hard to sing. It's like head, voice, chest voice. Head, voice, chest voice. Like, it's like super. Like. I had to actually practice that one a lot before performing. I almost didn't perform it on any tour. Really? Yeah. Because it was so hard. But I eventually just had to do a lot of breath. Breath control workouts and.

[A]

Yeah, that's a really good one. Vocally, I really do like that one. And it's a little bit heavier in subject matter. Does that make it harder to sing live as well?

[B]

In the beginning, yes. But I think. I mean, it's like an older song, so I kind of. I'm over whatever. I Went through. But yeah, like in the beginning. Yeah, for sure. Sad.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. And speaking of Your Music Taste, what 2000s pop songs live on your forever playlist?

[B]

Pop songs.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Hot and Cold. Katy Perry.

[A]

Okay. Fun one. Classic.

[B]

Shut up and drive. Rihanna. Almost anything Bruno Mars put out. I was a huge Bruno Mars fan. What was pop? I think that was like. That was. To sum up. Yeah, I think that was my vibes right there. Are you a silk sonic person from the.

[A]

That's Bruno Mars band with Anderson.

[B]

Yeah, I. I liked it. Yeah, Yeah, I liked it.

[A]

It's so good.

[B]

My favorite album from him will be the. The Unorthodox. Is that the name of it?

[A]

I can't remember the name of it, but I know which one you're talking about.

[B]

That has. You made me feel like. Yeah, the one that has.

[A]

That one.

[B]

That was. That was my favorite album. Yeah, I like the. It's nice, though.

[A]

It is, really.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, I like that. Yeah, I like that. Do you like any specific TV shows, movies lately? What have you been into?

[B]

My favorite show, like, I. I'm actually re. Watching is the Office.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

That's my favorite show.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Ever.

[A]

I can. I think I watched it.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

It's based on the Office. I like that.

[B]

And then I actually watched Scandal for the first time because I was really young when it, when it was like, like popping like, I think I. It was. It didn't catch my attention as a 13, maybe even less than that naturally year old. So I loved it. I was like, oh, my God, Shonda Rhimes. What else? Yeah, I'm, I'm like, I like to watch Happy Sit Commie. I hate, like, action when somebody's like, okay. Like the first question. I'm like, okay, how many people are dying in the show? Because I can't. I'm trying to be happy. Like, I'm not trying to.

[A]

Yeah, there's too much going on.

[B]

There's a lot going on.

[A]

Anytime my fiance is watching something on tv, it's loud. It sounds actually. I hear people suffering. I hear gunshots. I hear people dying. But yeah, I don't like that.

[B]

I don't like loud sounds.

[A]

I don't like loud sounds.

[B]

Yeah. Who.

[A]

Who signs up for that?

[B]

No, I don'.

[A]

I don't appreciate that. What is the first song you learned to play on the guitar?

[B]

Amy Winehouse, Cherry. It's like that on her first ep. Is her first EP called Frank? Right? I have a horrible memory.

[A]

I also have a really.

[B]

Okay. I think it's called Frank.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

It's a. It's an EP or album. I don't remember, but it's a project. And it's like a two part song. It's a song. The first part is a song called you sent me flying. And the second part is a song about her talking about how she's gonna cheat on this guy. And she's like, describing the person and she's talk about it as if it's a woman, but she's talking about her guitar the whole time. Oh, and she named her guitar Cherry. Oh, yeah.

[A]

Very musician coded.

[B]

I love that. I love it.

[A]

Not a love letter to your instrument. That's really fun.

[B]

Yeah. She like, basically like comparing the man to the guitar and she's like, he treats. Like it treats me better. She, like, does this, she does that. And at the end she goes, she's made of wooden strings, period. And that's like. She doesn't like, blatantly say it's, like, about my guitar. I think she does actually once. But yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It leads up to the.

[A]

Yeah, we can deduce it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So in an interview, you mentioned that Beat A up is actually about friendship.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You said growing up without siblings your age made you a lot more prone to thinking your friends were kind of sibling. Yeah, I have that exact same experience.

[B]

Really? Okay.

[A]

My older brother is 11 years older than me, and so I. And I don't have any younger siblings.

[B]

Like, I.

[A]

So I identify as an only child, essentially.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

From your perspective, what does, like, sisterhood really look like for us girlies who didn't grow up with that?

[B]

So I, like, I'm a. I'm a loner. Like, I don't even. I don't even know if I know what sisterhood really is, to be honest. I have a sister. She's like eight years younger than me. So I kind of. Our dynamic has also always been more like, I'm like her parental figure. Yeah. So I don't think I've. Because I didn't grow up with sisters, because I grew up alone. I have, like, 20 siblings, but they're all way older than me or way younger. So I didn't. You know what I mean?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Talk to them. And they're all, like, all over the world. And so I don't know. I don't think, like, I'm very much like two mice. Like, I don't have. Yeah. I wouldn't even know how to. I'm not the person who could define that. Yeah. I'm so. I'm just. It's literally just Me and my cats. Like, I'm a crazy. I'm a really a crazy cat lady.

[A]

Me too. I have two cats. I just saw the funniest cat video before you came up. I saved it so I can show it to you afterwards because I was really amused by it. I did notice that you are a cat person. I. Let me know if this is too contentious of a question. You do not have to answer it. We can cut it if you need a cut.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I just want to know what you and Dochi's text thread look like when she posted that she did not like cats.

[B]

You know what? I didn't. Okay. So I already knew that she. That wasn't her favorite animal.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And we did a. We did a commercial with my cat, Mr. Cinnamon.

[A]

Y' all did a commercial with your cat?

[B]

It was for the commercial.

[A]

I did not know that was your cat.

[B]

Yeah, that was my commercial. Yeah. Because I was like, guys, my cat's super nice. I'm like, honestly, I'm trying to be a. His agent now and, like, try to get him bookings and shit.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Period. But I just feel like my cat Mr. Cinnamon's like, super made for cameras, and he. He's not scared to be in public. He's super, like, brave and curious, and so I brought him, and I remember asking her. I was like, oh, do you like cats? And she was. She. She doesn't hate cats. She doesn't hate. I think. I think people obviously took it and ran with it.

[A]

They did. People.

[B]

But she doesn't. From what I. Like, she didn't hate the cat. She. I think she loves all animals and just thinks that dogs are more friendly than cats, but I think that people just. I don't know. Maybe cats are just for a certain type of people. Yeah. Maybe you got to be a certain type of person for a cat to really completely. Or you gotta. You guys have to both be open to it. Right. Like. And I grew up with cats, so I've. I've never been scared of cats. I've never. Like, I grew up Muslim, and with Muslims, it's like, cat's the only animal you're allowed to have.

[A]

I've heard.

[B]

Yeah. It's like the holy. The holiest animal.

[A]

Wow. I didn't know it was holy.

[B]

Well, in a way, where it's, like. It's the cleanest, and you can drink out of a cup of water that a cat drinks from. It's.

[A]

Can you.

[B]

The cat's the only animal, I think, that can come into a mosque.

[A]

Really? Yeah. Wow. I did not know any of this. Yeah. Okay.

[B]

You know what?

[A]

And that's why I feel energetically tied to maybe.

[B]

Maybe. I mean, they're like. It's. Yeah. It's, like, mentioned a lot in the Islamic, like, phase about the prophets, just all having cats and taking care of them. And there's, like, even one, like, story where, like, he cut his clothing off because the cat was sleeping on it. So, like, cut it off so the cat. So he didn't wake up the cat.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

I was like, that's what I would do and exactly as you should do. But, yeah. So I grew up with a different. Like, my. Mine is opposite. Like, I don't like dogs.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I really don't. Like, I'm scared of them. I have super traumatic stories with dogs chasing me. Dogs eating cats in Africa. Yeah. When I was in Ethiopia.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

I have a really trauma. I don't know if you want to hear it. Long story short, I had, like, four baby kittens, and the neighborhood dog ate them.

[A]

Do you hear the. Our producer gasping?

[B]

What happened?

[A]

Laura is gasping at the store.

[B]

Do you like cats? I'm a dog person. Okay. No, it. The dogs in Africa are, like, super un. Taken care of. Like any third world country dog is, like, not comparable to an American dog that has, like, vet appointments and. But appointments. Yeah. So I have a valid reason. You know, maybe she has a valid reason. Right. You know, or maybe she just hasn't found the cat to. Sometimes I've seen people who said they didn't like cats for 10 years, and then, boom, the cat distribution system gets them.

[A]

I promise you, I grew up not really messing with cats like that. I was a dog person. Didn't have any pets ever.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I was like, oh, my God. Dogs are so much friendlier. Dogs are so much nicer.

[B]

Propaganda.

[A]

Propaganda. I fell for the propaganda. It really got to my brain system. I had a partner who lived with the cat for the first time. I got laid off from my job. The cat had not fucked with me at all. The day I got laid off, the cat comes over to me, lays on my lap, and I said, she can tell that something's wrong. Ever since then, I've been sold. I now have.

[B]

That's how my cat is.

[A]

Two cats, they can tell. Like, they're emotionally.

[B]

They just come and sit on me. I'm like, thanks.

[A]

My little orange cat licks my face when I'm crying. Licks up my tears.

[B]

What's. What's. What's his name?

[A]

Gus. I have an Orange cat named Gus and a gray cat named.

[B]

Okay, we love that.

[A]

We love that. And I am trying to get, like, you trying to get them some agents, get them some bookings.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Cuz they are cute. I. I think they're cute. I know that you are also a big Paramore fan, or if we really want to be specific, Haley Williams fan, as we all really are. This podcast is called Black People Love Paramore, But I did consider naming it Black People Love Haley Williams. That just didn't.

[B]

That would have. It would have hit just, you know. Yeah.

[A]

It didn't flow off the tongue, but that's really. Yeah, the whole thing. If you could only listen to three Paramore songs for the rest of your life.

[B]

Damn.

[A]

What songs you choosing?

[B]

That's a good question. Decode.

[A]

Yes. Are you a Twilight girl?

[B]

You know what? This is gonna. I've never watched Twilight. I've. I still, to this day have not watched Twilight. Like, it's actually insane now.

[A]

I feel like. Now I feel like we're too old.

[B]

Like, I'm not into the vampire.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, I never was. I never was into the, you know, the originals and all those vampire shows. Like I said, I don't like watching scary. I want to just be happy. Twilight scary, dude. Any. Like, as a kid. Yes. When that show came out, I mean, when that movie came out, I think I was. What year did. Like, 2009.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

I was nine, I think.

[A]

That's it. Yep.

[B]

Dude, I couldn't even watch Goosebumps, like, let alone Dry Light, so that was a lot. Once the. The fangs come out, like, I'm turning that tea, y'. All. Like, I can't. I was so scary. And dude, I was like.

[A]

Yeah, okay, so decode.

[B]

Okay. But I did, like. I know. It's the sound. Yeah. And everybody hates Misery. They don't hate it. They don't hate it. They don't hate it. But they just, like. This is like the one of the bigger Misery business. That's the one.

[A]

Yeah, of course.

[B]

And I don't know if.

[A]

If. If them. The two. That's the two. Yeah.

[B]

Let's just say those two. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Because that's a very fair, too. Yeah. Which Paramore song do you feel like you would eat if you were given a feature on it? Like, if. Hey.

[B]

Okay, wait.

[A]

Today.

[B]

Sorry, back to the other question. Only exception only.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

And then to answer your question, only exception. Very much.

[A]

Yeah. Understood.

[B]

But, yeah, I could see that for sure. I've done covers. I just haven't posted them. I was gonna do it on my tour and then I was like, my set list is like an hour and a half already.

[A]

We would have loved an additional three minute. I know the vocals would eat down.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

And at least you can post the COVID for us. Yeah, we would like to see it. In the meantime, have you gotten the opportunity to listen to Haley's new album? She has an individual album that she released separate from Paramore.

[B]

The the Bachelorette.

[A]

Yes. It's ego death at a Bachelorette. Yes.

[B]

You know what? I must when it comes to listening to projects, I'm like, I've heard songs because I'll hear it on TikTok and. But I don't know why I'm like this. When it comes to listening to projects, I'm like, I wait like so long like once everybody's given their debriefs and like I haven't fully know, but I want to. I'm going to soon. Yeah.

[A]

I love her. I've been watching her clips on tour right now. She just looks so cool. I know she. She spat on the stage on a clip that I saw the other day. I love her so bad. That's really my girl.

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[A]

Boop boop. Okay, I have a rapid like fire game situation for you. Are you ready?

[B]

Let's do it.

[A]

It's just. Would you rather. Nothing crazy.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Would you rather go through a friendship breakup or a romantic breakup?

[B]

Damn. Romantic.

[A]

Romantic. Why?

[B]

Because. I don't know, I'm over the romantic. Like, I feel like they're not. Like, it's easier to come back from to. Like, it's easier to get back with a friendship breakup.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

For me.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because to me, it's like, once I know if it's a romantic once I know you're like. I'm really, like, strict, so I'm like. And I get really disgusted by people easily. So once I'm. I know you've slept with someone else, I'm like, okay, I don't want. I won't ever see you ever again.

[A]

I'm finished with that.

[B]

Probably friendship. I mean, probably. I would rather keep the friendship.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

The friendship breakups hurt more. And you think this is gonna be your friend forever. And, like, I've gone through a couple, and I'm like, dude, those still kind of take me. Still. I'm still. I'm still.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Processing.

[A]

Processing. No, I definitely get that. Yeah. Would you rather never listen to Paramore again or never listen to Coldplay again?

[B]

Damn. That. That's evil. Hold on. That's evil. Okay,

[A]

okay.

[B]

Hold on. That. I actually can't answer that. Okay. I love Paramore. Okay. Okay. If I had to. If you put me on an island.

[A]

Yes. You're taking Coldplay because.

[B]

Just because, like, I like Paramore. There's. It's the rage, and it's like, it makes. It amps you up, and I. That gives us. That serves a certain feeling.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

But the Coldplay has picked me up.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

In times I need, like, I. Yeah, I'll do. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, guys.

[A]

That's okay. We also have a Coldplay episode. Like, people love Coldplay as well. I get you. I get you on that. Coldplay does do a lot. They have a. They also have a range, bro. I get that.

[B]

I'll go through all the albums just to not mad. To find myself, period.

[A]

Would you rather erase Hannah Montana or erase Glee from.

[B]

Erase the planet?

[A]

Dang. Yeah. That was quick, bro.

[B]

I just watched that. That. I love Glee. I was a. I was a big Glee fan when it was out, and I would. I just wouldn't miss the episode.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But Hannah Montana, bro, that's why I'm here right now. Like, I wouldn't have even wanted to be an artist if it weren't for Hannah Montana.

[A]

So I get that.

[B]

That's like my inspo.

[A]

Okay, speaking of Hannah Montana, then, since we're gonna get back to the game, I have a couple more on there. But did you see Raven Simone's Mount Rushmore and the stir that that caused on the Internet?

[B]

No.

[A]

Okay, so Raven Simone played that's so Raven on Disney Channel. She was on a Shade Room podcast, and she gave who she thinks would belong on her Disney Channel, Mount Rushmore. The people that she named were herself, Shia LaBeouf from Even Stevens. People were really, really mad. Hilary Duff and Lee Thompson Young. Lee Thompson Young was like this black guy who played Jett Jackson. Jett Jackson came out very early, 2000s. Like, you would. You would not know who that man is. Those are the people she named. Who would you put on your Disney Channel? Mount Rushmore. Four people.

[B]

I'm sorry, Shia. Shia Lab. What?

[A]

She did, she did.

[B]

I'm sorry. That's insane.

[A]

You know who else is mad about that? Christy Carlson Romano, the voice of Kim Possible, and also the co star.

[B]

She was mad about that.

[A]

She was really mad about that.

[B]

Of course. As she should.

[A]

Yeah. She did not appreciate that.

[B]

The fact that that's insane. I would put Demi Lovato, period. Hannah Montana, Raven Simone, even though she said that. And damn, who would be the fourth one? I know. I feel like a lot of people say Selena, but I didn't watch Wizards of Waverly.

[A]

I didn't like Wizards of Waverly plays.

[B]

I wasn't. It didn't. It didn't do nothing.

[A]

Didn't do nothing for me.

[B]

Who was a Disney person. Honestly, Disney. Disney.

[A]

You got, like, Ashley Tisdale. You got Dylan and Cole Sprouse. People say Brenda Song.

[B]

Honestly, Ashley Tisdale because she was High School Musical. And, yeah, I would put her and

[A]

Sweet Life of Zach and Cody.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And did she do something else? And she was Phineas and Ferb. She was the voice of Kim. She high key is a little underrated in the Disney world.

[B]

And she's like a producer now making shows.

[A]

Oh, is she?

[B]

It's like sitcoms, I think.

[A]

Oh, I did not know that about her.

[B]

I think. I think I might be wrong. I saw a show and I saw that she.

[A]

She produced it.

[B]

Produced. Yeah.

[A]

Okay. I'm not mad. I saw that she changed her last name to her husband's last name, which I didn't appreciate personally.

[B]

I don't like. I don't like that.

[A]

I don't. I didn't like that. I was like, I don't know who Ashley French is. That's A girl I went to middle school with.

[B]

That's what. She changed her name.

[A]

I'm sorry.

[B]

If that's what you want. Anti changing for a man and likewise. That's just my opinion.

[A]

And likewise. I won't be doing that, thank very much.

[B]

Ever.

[A]

Okay. Especially, like, when you're famous and you made your name off of your name. Yeah. Why would I take that man's name? Nobody knows that man.

[B]

I'm also anti the kid having the dad's name, so I'll take it a step further.

[A]

We're hyphenating. Well, I. We're gonna.

[B]

You will be the middle name. I will be the last name. Because I curated.

[A]

Period. Thank you so much. Came out of me.

[B]

I mean, I'm not. I'm not having kids, but.

[A]

Yeah. For the woman who do it for you guys.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's what I suggest happening with you. Okay, next. Would you rather never wear colored hair again or never wear dark lip liner again?

[B]

Okay. Okay. Lip liner. Okay. I would choose to wear colored hair.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Because honestly, I've been a. I've been really doing a red liner.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

A dark red liner. Okay.

[A]

Period.

[B]

There's like, a Huda beauty, I think. I think the color is cinnamon. I don't remember. But it's. It's really. It looks really like. I have super dark lips and it shows up on my skin, so I'm like. Okay. And it looks really nice. It's, like, soft.

[A]

Good to know.

[B]

Especially when I'm wearing, like, bold eye makeup. It looks really good. But I could give up. I can't give up colored hair.

[A]

Dude.

[B]

I love. I've changed my hair color so many times.

[A]

It looks so good on you. This pink is so good on you.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

I've never considered pink hair, but you're really making me consider it right now.

[B]

There's a resurgence. Yeah.

[A]

You eating that down.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Yeah. Okay. Would you rather only watch the Office forever.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Or never watch it again? Damn.

[B]

These are some really hard questions.

[A]

I only got one more after this. I did cater them to you.

[B]

Okay. Never watch it again. Because I've already watched it at least 11 times now.

[A]

Okay. Dang. The whole thing.

[B]

I have. When I say I think I have, like, I have a. I don't even want to manifest this for myself. I got, like, some memory loss in the future because, like, my memory is so bad I cannot watch a show and then the next year watch it again as if, like, I really won't even remember what's gonna happen next. And I'm Like, I know it's not normal, but that's okay. But it serves the purpose of being able to watch my favorite shows over and over.

[A]

It makes it more fun for you. So.

[B]

Yeah, I think. I think that's enough.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah. I've cried enough about that show. Cry the last episode.

[A]

I have. I never watched the last episode of Office. I've only seen it sporadically.

[B]

Okay. I. I avoided watching it the first four times because I just didn't want

[A]

to cry because it's not gonna be. Yeah.

[B]

And then I was. I need to grow up. And so I just one day just watched in is like, the endings. Like, they take the painting of the Office off the wall and they, like, get out. Oh, so sad.

[A]

Yeah. They really tried to get us back out. That's crazy.

[B]

They got bought out or something like that.

[A]

Oh, yeah. Okay. I didn't know the Office was giving up like that. I thought it was going to be a key, like, something I know.

[B]

No, they took it emotional.

[A]

Okay. Last one for you.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Never sing again or never cuddle your kittens.

[B]

Never sing again. Never sing again.

[A]

You can take this voice.

[B]

Never. Never seen it, bro. Cats over. My cats are over everything.

[A]

You should have played the Little Mermaid. Ursula will have your voice, bro.

[B]

Take it for my cats. Yeah.

[A]

Wow. I didn't know that you were this much of a cat person.

[B]

Dude. I always say cat mom first, artist second.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yeah. Okay. Yeah.

[A]

All right. My cat's gonna have to come live with you. Listen, they deserve you. You deserve them, and they deserve you, actually. Okay. Growing up between Ethiopia and Arizona, that feels like a big culture shift.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, you go from blending in to suddenly just, like, really sticking out. Yeah. How did that feel? How did you deal with that? What was that like?

[B]

I think there was things I loved about Ethiopia and things I loved about Arizona. For Arizona, like, mostly just, like, having a TV and a computer. And then for Ethiopia, like, obviously my family, like, like you said, blending in the. The thing I just didn't like about Arizona was always just being, like, one of the only black people. Especially, like, now it's better. But when I was in the. In the early 2000s in the area that I grew up in, it was just, like, not diverse and super. Just like, when you grow up in a. When you're the only. It doesn't matter if you're in, like, a suburb or like. Like, I grew up mostly in low income areas. Like, the racism that you get is like a different type of racism. And it's like you're Alone.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

And even if you. If there is somebody, like, there's this, like. Like there's actually a topic that was going on tick tock. About, like, when you're the only black girl, there's like a black guy. Like, usually that black guy won't defend

[A]

you don't even give.

[B]

That's a. That's something I did, like, experienced every single year of my childhood. And I was like, I had to just learn to, like, assimilate and like, not be myself.

[A]

O. And not be yourself.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Dang.

[B]

Or like, try to get rid of every part of me that was like, black, if that makes sense. Which is like. It's not. Obviously it's not the worst thing to go through in the world, but it's kind of.

[A]

It's.

[B]

It's weird, it's taxing. And then you leave that state. Like when I moved to California, I'm like, oh. And then when I went to, like, New York especially, I was like, oh, so y' all had a good time over here? I was over here suffering.

[A]

Isn't that crazy?

[B]

Yeah. Like, they truly made me feel like I was ugly.

[A]

I was just about to ask you, when did you realize you were fine?

[B]

When I was like 20. When I moved to. When I moved to LA, I was like 19 and I think 20, I was like, oh, okay. So, yeah, we're just racist. Yeah, extremely.

[A]

Just racist.

[B]

I think it's better now, though. I think from. A lot of people have moved because Arizona is such a new state. Like, it wasn't even developed when we were going up there. The. The downtown wasn't even done being built. It's like one of the newest states.

[A]

I really didn't know.

[B]

In the U.S. yeah. 200 something years old. Oh, yeah. So I mean, it's literally a. A town that was built in the middle of a desert.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Think about it.

[A]

Yeah. So. And that's how they treated you, like it was a. Yeah.

[B]

Literally we had no business being there. But my mom went there because in the refugee camp, a lot of the people moved there because it was cheaper. It was a closer climate to Ethiopia.

[A]

I was gonna ask that. Yeah, like, hot temperature was probably tolerable for folks who were used to that type of.

[B]

Yeah. She loved the heat.

[A]

She loved the heat to this day.

[B]

We had a car. My whole childhood. Our car did not have air conditioning.

[A]

In Arizona.

[B]

In Arizona.

[A]

You're joking.

[B]

And I used to literally be. I'm gonna faint. I'm gonna faint. You're being dramatic.

[A]

Like, oh, my God.

[B]

No, it was it was crazy.

[A]

Oh my God. Yeah. You know what my mom used to tell me when I be like, mom, like, I'm so thirsty I'm going to faint. She'd be like, drink your spit.

[B]

That's insane. That's insane. You grew up in la?

[A]

I grew up in Long Beach, California. So like, yeah, here is. I mean, here is.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I can't imagine being in desert heat.

[B]

Delicious.

[A]

Yeah. With no ac. That is not fun. Oh my God. You had a really hot take that I thought was very fun.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

You said that black people can't be industry plants, bro.

[B]

They like ate me up for that. They're like, does she know what industry plant means? I know what a industry plan is. I just don't believe in this, in this time, in, in this industry, music was created by black people. But we're at a point now where black people are not the face of majority of the genres they created. So when a black person is making it and they are doing well, don't put that word on them. Because it's like, let's be real. How many dark skinned women are in mainstream quickly in mainstream.

[A]

Name them.

[B]

How many dark skinned women are getting the support that most white. How many black women in general are getting to support them? Like it takes 10 years to do it. It takes five years for a white person. And so I think that when you, when people are quick to. And I honestly feel like the industry plan allegations get put on the wrong people. Like isn't. Wouldn't by definition any of those Disney kids be industry plans?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

So to me, I'm like, that word gets put on any black woman who's doing well.

[A]

100.

[B]

And I'm like, y' all don't say that to anybody else. That's the part that irritates me because I was asked about that for Doji and I'm like, but you guys hadn't looked in her whole discography and seen how long she'd been making music for

[A]

a really long time.

[B]

Yeah. I mean I get called industry, industry plan.

[A]

Why do they do that when they say that? Like, what's the justification?

[B]

I've been making music. I've been making music for almost a decade, period. I've been making music since I was 18 and I am 26 now. So I thought, I don't really gotta explain myself planted where, like, I don't know. I think once people once an artist because I, I've now I've been signed for two years to like a major. Congratulations. I think now that. Thank you I think now that, like, once you start to get what you are, like, once people start doing their jobs like marketing and people are like, oh, why am I seeing you all of a sudden? Well, because I just signed and got a marketing department and the marketing department's doing their job. It's like, it's like if somebody opened a coffee shop and you're like, why are you hanging up flyers for your coffee shop?

[A]

Right.

[B]

Because I'm trying to sell my coffee. Like, like, it's. I don't know, it doesn't do anything for me.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because like, me just being like the life I could have had, like my mom being a refugee coming to America, I go back to Africa and I see the life I could have had and how lucky we were to be able to come here and, you know, have all these opportunities, I really don't care if somebody calls me industry plan bro. In my eyes, I already made it.

[A]

So period. And actually, it just also doesn't make any sense. Like, can you imagine being first generation? You don't have to imagine because this is your life, being first generation and people being like, yeah, and I write

[B]

my music and I produce all my music. Like, and I've been doing this for a long time.

[A]

Artist development, like, really honed in on your craft.

[B]

I think that's what it is though.

[A]

What that you're really honed in and that's your.

[B]

That it was good at that I had artist development that I went through that phase.

[A]

As opposed to what?

[B]

I don't know. I think people want to. They want to see me like, locked in a cage.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Beat up and right. You know, I don't know. They want to see you really go through it. Like, they don't want to see you succeed.

[A]

People nuts.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I don't, I don't understand.

[B]

I mean, I think it's a sign that you're about to, like, be big.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

I'll take it.

[A]

And I'm so excited to watch your ascent too, as a black girl who like, grow. Grew up emo a little bit. All a little bit different.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But not like deeply, because I feel like a lot of us kind of grew up in that space, but we didn't know each other existed.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So we were existing quietly in the shadows, not really trying to be super loud about it. I appreciate that you exist.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

I appreciate your existence. I appreciate, you know, a dark skinned black woman making the music that I like.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Being inspired by the same girlies who inspired me.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Appreciate that.

[A]

Of course. And that's it for this episode. Go check out Alameda's latest music video for her single Broken Record. And I will see you next time.

[B]

Bye,

[A]

Sam.