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Tami Chynn has a musical style that is as eclectic as her racial background. She has a unique unique multicultural background includes a mixture of Caucasian, Chinese, Cherokee and Black. We caught up with her as she was putting the finishing touches on her album. Tami talks openly about her experience with a major label (Universal), image and the industry, and her desire to one day collaborate with a conscious artist.
-- Interview conducted by Raumi Alkebu-Lan
Peppa Pot: Wha gwan? How has your the experience signed to major?
Tami Chynn: My experience has been much better than expected. It s still very early on but i have to be grateful. It s been going well.
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Peppa Pot: Are you getting love from the Jamaican public?
Tami Chynn: Of course. Honestly I wouldn t be where if it wasn t for the Jamaican public. I have to big up all the Jamaican people who support Tami Chynn from day one. Jamaica has been the best schooling for me. It has taught me so much. It s because of my people why I am where I am today.
Peppa Pot: What s the makeup of the album? Local or international producers?
Tami Chynn: Local producers - definitely. A lot of unknowns and a few people that you do know. I did a collaboration with Assassin that s the only collaboration on the album. Big up to Assassin. It s a Jamaican album with influences from all over.
On the album I worked a lot with South Soul. They re the producers who basically discovered me. I ve been working them for the past 5 years. I also got the opportunity to work with Baby G, Black Chiney, and of course Renaissance is on the album. Dem jus bad.
Peppa Pot: Did you experiment with other genres on the album?
Tami Chynn: I mix it up with a little bit of R&B, a little pop, a little jazz, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Something for everybody. Something in there in there for you too you know. [laughs]
Peppa Pot: During your performances I notice that you dance.
Tami Chynn: Ya man. I try not to sacrifice the singing for the dancing or visa versa. I do a little something here and there.
Peppa Pot: How do you keep up with dances? They change so often.
Tami Chynn: I don t. I just do what I like to do. I don t feel that I have to Willy Bounce because it s Willy Bounce season. [laughs]. I enjoy it. I think it s brilliant, it s a part of our culture. How you keep up with it?
 Peppa Pot: I can t dance. Being that im in the media I just observe. Today we were at Skateland with Color Color. What I noticed was since the death of Bogle a lot of dancers seem like they re trying to reinvent Bogle.
Tami Chynn: I think somebody is trying to claim the throne. I don t want to say it s empty, but that s our culture. People are going to try to be the next. If it s not the next Bogle it s the next this one or that one. Rather them dancing than out there ah do a whole leap [a lot] of badness.
Peppa Pot: It seems that there has been a surge of female artists in Jamaica. You have you, Alaine, D Angel, Jovi ....
Tami Chynn: That wicked. Just two years ago there were hardly any female artists on the scene. Now you can list off a load of new female artists. It s only making each of our jobs easier.
Peppa Pot: Being a female in the entertainment industry - sex sells?
Tami Chynn: Of course. Sex sells with men and women. It s known and i m not going to try to hide and say it doesn t sell. If you turn on MTV tomorrow what you think selling music? The song dem [laughs]. That s our reality now. It s a big part of the marketing. It s not our fault.
Peppa Pot: So it s all about image?
Tami Chynn: It s not all about image but image counts for something.
Peppa Pot: What do you do outside of music?
Tami Chynn: Not a rahtid ting. [laughs] I sleep. These days I spend most of my time is devoted to music. I m usually writing songs. I write a lot with my younger sister, Tessanne Chynn, too. If you don t know her name now you ah go know it very soon.
Peppa Pot: I m hoping to see you do a combination with a Rasta.
Tami Chynn: Ah dat mi waan see too. [laughs]. I love Turbulance, Fantan Mojah and Richie Spice. Wow I don t think there s a Richie Spice song out there that I don t love. Of course I love Sizzla, and Buju, everybody. Capleton baaad.
Peppa Pot: It was good speaking with you - how can your fans get in touch with you?
Tami Chynn: You can check out the website tamichynn.com and myspace.com/tamichynn. Thank you. Peppa Pot ya hot eehhh [laughs].
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