Photo: Fantasia | Story by Samantha Dorisca, AfroTech | It’s been two decades since Fantasia Barrino’s “American Idol” win. The Grammy Award-winning singer was crowned in the show’s third season in 2004, at just 19 years old. In the finale, she had three standout performances including “All My Life,” “I Believe,” and “Summertime,” which was also performed earlier in the season and is the song she believes changed America’s heart towards her.
“For me, going back to ‘Summertime,’ it means a lot because that’s the song that made people change their mind on me. When I first was on ‘American Idol,’ you’re thinking someone who’s clean, polished, who has somewhat of a perfect story, and I do not have that,” she told AFROTECH. “I was already a young mom. I had already been speaking about how I got there.”
An ode to that special moment in time for Barrino, she is reimagining “Summertime,” collaborating with music director and producer Adam Blackstone — known for his work with Rihanna, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, and Jazmine Sullivan — in its latest rendition. . . .
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Business Of Music
Beyond her latest contribution in the world of music, the Golden Globe nominee also discussed her journey in the music business, which was not easy. Born and raised in High Point, North Carolina, and later becoming a teen mom, singing has always been at the center of her life.
“I’m from a small town where all we were really focused on was just the singing and the craft, and how could we make it better,” she explained. “How could we sing the song better? How could we move the crowd, move the room?”
While this helped develop her talent as a singer, there was far less attention being given towards managing her finances.
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Leveling Up In Business
Even with the wrongs Barrino experienced, they didn’t slow her momentum in business. In 2023, she enrolled at HBCU Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, and is studying business, according to Vibe. The same year she also obtained a sommelier certification, which is awarded to those skilled in blind tasting, wine and beverage knowledge, and expertise in sales for table side service, as AFROTECH previously reported.
“I got my sommelier certificate because I didn’t want people to think that I was just a Black girl putting my name on a wine to try to make money,” Barrino explained. “I really love the process of it, and I also love to drink it because it’s good. I love the process of wine. . . .
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Entertainment Company
The R&B star is also taking greater agency in her artistry. She is launching Rock Soul Productions, alongside live event producer and artist manager Yvonne McNair, per Variety. Grammy-winning producer Teddy Riley was also recruited by the company, running its management, music production for film and TV soundtracks, and Broadway scoring, while Blackstone serves as a collaborator for “musical supervision, creative direction and development for scripted and non-scripted content,” per the outlet. Additionally, movie producer Dennis Reed will oversee management, music direction, songwriting, and vocal coaching.
Rock Soul Productions’ development followed after a period of reflection for the “Truth Is” hitmaker, which led her to the conclusion she is capable of navigating her artistic career under her own terms.
“I just started really analyzing and dissecting, and looking around me on who was around me, who was working for me, what companies [was] I attached to, what are they getting out of it, are we getting the same thing? And that’s when I realized, I’ve been doing this for 21 years, and it is time for me to step out and actually, do my own thing. I have been doing it for 21 years. I’ve worked with a lot of people, some good, some bad,” she explained.
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Go here to read the full article on how Ms. Barrino is empowering herself:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/driven-by-her-desire-to-break-generational-curses-fantasia-barrino-is-studying-at-an-hbcu-and-reclaiming-her-power-by-establishing-herself-as-businesswoman/
Photo: Fantasia | From her Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=965122128316859&set=pb.100044572410119.-2207520000