Fuzionz Magazine and TV Winter 2015 | Page 23

Singer, songwriter and producer Dionne Kirby is the epitome of musical talent. Her melodic voice has captured the attention of audiences around the world. The humbled Dallas, Texas native attended high school at Arts Magnet. After graduating, she moved to the East Coast, where she went on to college and graduated. She would later pursue her passion for music. Check out our interview with Dionne:

Fuzionz: What age were you when you started singing?

Dionne: I asked my mom that question a few years ago and she told me, she remembers me singing in the crib. The first time I remember hearing myself on a microphone, I was seven.

Fuzionz: What or who inspired you to sing?

Dionne: In terms of inspiration, I think it was initially a part of me; from the crib. Even now, it is something that I do just to entertain myself. There are definitely artists along the way who have inspired me; Musiq Soul Child, his lyrics are definitely something that I’m inspired by; Mint Condition is a band that I love and admire a lot; the others are Anita Baker and Frankie Beverly and Maze.

Fuzionz: What is your motto or advice that you live by?

Dionne: Right now, the thing that I am challenged by is to keep going and to keep pursuing my love for music. A while back I was looking at the industry and the artist that I knew and I realized how important it is to not quit, basically. You don’t know what’s around the corner or what opportu-

nity is going to come your way, so just continue to press forward and pursue what you love and that’s what I’m really living by, day to day.

Fuzionz: Is your family musically inclined?

Dionne: They are, definitely. My mom definitely sings and a lot of people in my family say that I sound like her. Even now and again, it’s funny, hearing my mom and if we sing something together, we definitely sing alike. So yes, there are definitely musicians all through my family.

Fuzionz: Tell me what famous musicians have you learned from and worked with?

Dionne: I’ve had the privilege of performing with Najee, he’s been nominated for Grammy’s and he is international and a legendary saxophonist, so I got to perform with him. I’ve also shared the stage with Jennifer Holiday, Niecy Nash, Tanya Blount and Jillian Michaels. It was exciting.

Fuzionz: What are your fondest musical memories?

Dionne: I think the times I’m most fond of is my music coming to life and when I'm preparing for a show.

Fuzionz: What are your musical goals and dreams in life?

Dionne: My goals are to continue performing and connecting with audiences. I really would love to see on someone’s face and even being able to feel something that I’ve created has inspired them, that’s really the dream, to continue performing and connecting with people.

Fuzionz: Have you released any albums in the past?

Dionne: Yes, I released my first project in 2010 and my second project was released in July of 2014. My first project was an EP and my second project was an LP. Both are available on iTunes. The first album reached a lot of countries; Japan, France and the UK, as well. A lot of internet and terrestrial radio stations have played my music and it has been sprinkled around the world, in places I didn’t know existed.

Fuzionz: What charities and causes you are

An Interview

with Dionne