Exclusive Interview with BAD ASS BEAUTY

Powerful R&B vocalist LaQuinta Prince (also known as Bad Ass Beauty) stretches her abilities in the rock genre. Her musical influences range from Led Zeppelin to Chaka Khan, Beyonce, and In This Moment. She received her education at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. By fusing the two genres, Prince is well on her way to bringing Hard Rock/Soul into the mainstream and upending the entire rock genre.

LaQuinta has spent her entire life performing in bands and other professional settings, such as studio sessions and live events. The upcoming album 4 Horsemen was inspired by the many struggles and setbacks a strong-minded woman faced while dealing with sexual harassment, misogyny, misrepresentation, painful love relationships, challenging family dynamics, etc. The 2018 New York Musical Festival accepted the rock opera adaptation of this previously unreleased 4 Horsemen.

A truly talented rock band and star, according to Jack Bowman for Theatermania, best describes the impact this music can have. Prince also had a starring role in the production, which received ecstatic reviews. She set up shop in Los Angeles, California, in 2020, and is prepared to release the lead single “Me” on February 24, 2023, as well as the complete album “4 Horsemen” in the fall of that same year. Prince wants to change the face of rock music one step, click, fan, and dynamic show at a time as a black independent artist. Check out the latest single and the exclusive Interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

BAD ASS BEAUTY: music has been in my soul since birth. I had no choice in the matter 😂. I attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Ma and have been honing my skills in various bands and studio session work and I moved to Los Angeles in 2020 and here I am!

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

BAD ASS BEAUTY: some vocal lessons in high school…but other than that its just a vibe. A feeling. A God-given blessing I’ve been working on forever

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘BAD ASS BEAUTY’?

BAD ASS BEAUTY: my musical influences are way too many to list because I love music and I listen to EVERYTHING!! Rock, soul, pop, rnb, funk,broadway, a little bit of country and everything in between. Bad Ass Beauty name is a way of being. It’s a message. I’m not here to fuck around. Join the awesome train or get left at the station.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

BAD ASS BEAUTY: Hard rock with rnb fused vocals. It’s a rough sexy soul movement that takes no prisoners and asks for no permission to be anything other than fabulous 🤩

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as ROCK?

BAD ASS BEAUTY:

I listened to all the great vocalists. Whitney, Aretha, Chaka, Patti, Gladys, Celene, Mariah…but I always knew I didn’t sound like them and I shouldn’t even try! U have to make your own way and move to your own original flow. I also knew that to be able to make a living singing doing studio session work and with corporate bands and the like u have to know how to emulate these phenomenal singers to a point.

There is a fine line to walk! When it came to my original stuff I just kind of went with the tone of things. I was doing rnb. My writing was ok but not great during this time and I wasn’t overwhelmed by the stuff I was doing. I liked it sure! But it wasn’t stirring my soul for some reason. I unexpectedly made the transition from rnb to rock and everything just clicked.

An old friend, Anthony Gemignani dm’d me to reconnect one day and come out to his studio and see what we could cook up. Bad Ass Beauty was born and I never looked back ♥️

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

BAD ASS BEAUTY: Music…my music is any narrative you choose it to be. I can only write from my perspective and what I’ve been through/are going through at the moment. Someone may listen to one of my songs and get something completely different out of it and that ok! It’s all subjective. I just want you to feel it and express it according to what you’re going through at the moment. Prayerfully it’s a powerful and positive message you’re getting. Or a don’t fuck up like I did message 🤣. It’s all relative!

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

BAD ASS BEAUTY: Presently yes but I certainly want so much more from it. I’m just launching this project from scratch after a multitude of setbacks and disappointments so I’m finally seeing this can go the distance. I want the masses to feel this energy and ride the wave. I want the world to feel my blood sweat and tears and be able to feel me and relate to me and me to them! We’re all in the crazy fuckin world together so let’s love and be loved and bad ass!!

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

BAD ASS BEAUTY: ideas are always swimming around in my head. I’m always writing thing down. Bits and pieces of lyrics…singing a melody into my phone…then that comes together as a song. I definitely collaborate with others. That’s the only way I can work! But it was to be with someone who respects me and my vision as much as I do and as a woman in this industry that can be difficult at times. But I’ve managed to find some outstanding partners in this game!

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

BAD ASS BEAUTY: That’s a WHOLE other talk show right there…u name it I’ve been through it. Shitty people, shitty relationships, being minimized and sexually harassed…a tell-all book will be released on my deathbed 😳

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

BAD ASS BEAUTY: I’m still here. It’s that simple. I’ve made it through ALL storms and ready to tackle the next wave in faith and confidence

11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

BAD ASS BEAUTY: 🖕🏾. I mean…that pretty much says it all

12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

BAD ASS BEAUTY: Both equally. Studio is to unleash the ideas and watch them come to life. It’s mind blowing. Live audience is when you can actually see those ideas click with people and it’s the best feeling in the world.

13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

BAD ASS BEAUTY: If you like it I love it. however u feelin it is just fine by me! I can tell you how and why I write it and what was going on in my head but what’s going on in your head when u’re listening to it is your own groove. I’m perfectly satisfied with that!!