Interview

1.      I read once that you try to take off one to two days a week. Does that still happen?

 I try to take one now. When I’m releasing an album, I don’t really get time off because I’ve got to work to promote the album. But other than that, I try to take one to two days off a week.

2.      And then what do you do?

 I just hang out with my friends, go to the movies. In London I go round to see my Best friends all the time.

3.      Who Is Your Inspiration or Role Model?

Without a doubt, I am inspired by my mother. She has been selfless and made me number one in her life throughout all the ups and downs. I'm happy and well on my way to a successful career so I can repay her any way I can so she can enjoy her retirement.

4.       Your next record will be coming out soon, and let’s say that’s number one. Is this the new goal?

 There are different goals. Like in London, I played at the O2 arena. I hope to set the record for the most sold-out performances in a single tour.

5.       But what does that mean to you? Just a goal to have?

 My goal at the end of the day is that I want to be successful and be great at what I do. But eventually, I want to become the best at what I do. I want to be the best. I want to be better than anybody that’s ever done it. And in order to do that, I need to strive to be the best, be good to people and treat people with respect, and work as hard as I can.

6.       So who’s the best now?

Right now? I mean, I consider Michael Jackson the best. If I could be at his level… But I’ve got a lot of work to do. I’m not saying it’s going to happen within the next few years. But hopefully by the time I’m 30, people will remember me. I think people will remember me at this point, but I don’t want people to just think of me as a teen sensation. Because I could probably just sell out, and then in two years not put out another album, and just become Marie Black the teen sensation. But I don’t want to be that. I want become the greatest.

7.      You’re going to be 18 in July. It’s a big benchmark from childhood to adulthood. Do you feel like you have to play the role of a kid still?

 Here’s the thing: I think that I don’t need to try to do anything. There are people who try to grow up too fast—they’re 18, so they’re like, I’m not a kid anymore. People need to know I’m not a kid anymore. But at the end of the day, I’m not completely grown-up. I’m still learning. I’m going to grow up how I grow up. I’m not going to try to conform to what people want me to be or go out there and start partying, have people see me with alcohol. I want to do it at my own pace. I want to be able to do what Michael did—he always sang clean lyrics—and it was always that little kids loved Michael and grandparents loved Michael. I don’t want to start singing about things like sex, drugs, and swearing. I’m into love, and maybe I’ll get more into making love when I’m older. But I want to be someone who is respected by everybody. Because right now, the young people are who make society. Young people determine what’s cool. Young people determine what’s going to be in style. So I always stick with the young person.

8.       You’re talking about keeping clean and making music for everybody, but a lot of the artists you look up to, like Lil Wayne, Kanye—a lot of what those guys rap about is drugs, sex, and money. So what is it that you like so much about them? Is it the music? The rhymes?

 I can’t say I look up to them, but I definitely like what they do. I think that they’re amazing. But are they on Michael’s level? I don’t think they’re on Michael’s level.

9.      So right now predominantly girls listen to your music. How are you going to reach out to a wider audience?

 It’s all about making good music, and people hate me before they even listen to my music. I know a lot of people say they hate Marie Black who haven’t even listened to any of my music. They just hate me because they hate the idea of me. I feel like the more I put out, people will realize it’s really good music, and they’re going to come. I’m not worried about the guy fans because they’re going to come. If they listen to the music and they like it, it doesn’t matter if they go and act like they don’t like me. They’re going to go home and listen to it.