Photo Credit: Shotbysed
[Amala](https://www.instagram.com/askaboutamala/) is the newest bad bitch on the scene. Influenced greatly by both Nicki Minaj and Missy Elliot, the DMV recording artist prides herself in her artistry, creating feel-good, turn up bangers for her growing fanbase. When it comes to her sound, her persona, and her overall brand, Amala is unafraid to be unapologetically herself in all facets of her life.
Having done music for a minute now, Amala is enthralled for the world to catch on and get to know her on a personal level. The rising rapper is described as “sometimes savage, sometimes sweetheart,” the former of which comes to life in her music. On her confident, high-energy single “ON DEMAND,” Amala talks her shit while reminding listeners to get in their bag.
With intricate lyricism and a spitfire flow, Amala blends the sounds of the early 2000’s and mixes it with modern-day production. Most recently, she released the official music video for her latest single titled “Tik Tok,” serving looks in each scene.
Flaunt caught up with Amala, who was posted at her spot in Miami smoking on some hookah which she calls her “everyday vibe.” Read below as we discuss her roots in Maryland, singles “Tik Tok” and “ON DEMAND,” studio essentials, dream collabs, goals, and more!
**What were you seeing growing up in Maryland?**
It's a blend. It's always a balance in Maryland. You can go to where I'm from and see some wild shit, then if you go 10 minutes down the road, you're in a nice neighborhood. We're near D.C. so you can see the city a lot. It's a different vibe in Maryland, we get the best of both worlds.
**I know you love Nicki Minaj. What's your favorite Nicki song?**
"Itty Bitty Piggy.” If that's considered a song or freestyle, that's my favorite.
**At what point did you realize you could do this music thing for a living?**
When my brothers put a studio in their house, they said "do it, get in there!" I heard my voice, I’m like "ahh!! \[screams\] It sounds good, I'm doing this." It was love at first hearing.
**Were there any contenders for a name other than Amala?**
Mala is my nickname. Little Mala was my thing because everyone around the way would call me Little Mala. But I'm not little, I'm grown now so Amala is cool.
**"Tik Tok" is a banger, bring us back to that recording session.**
The easiest recording session by far. "Tik Tok" is my baby forreal because she didn’t give me no problems! It was so easy for me. My voice didn't crack. I had good vibes, good energy. Literally I got that song done in 30 to 45 minutes, which is impressive.
**Where did you record it?**
In Baltimore. See Maryland is so different. I'm from PG, Maryland and I went all the way to Baltimore to record. It’s an hour and a half away.
**How was the video shoot for "Tik Tok"?**
Definitely the whole energy of "Tik Tok,” I wanted it to be in your face. I wanted you to feel that bounce, feel that energy. I didn't want my visual to be something with me just rapping. I wanted to incorporate dancing because I love to dance. We had some choreography in there. Shout out to Siren, one of the dancers in there also choreographed the dance. I wanted to make it TikTok trendy, you know how everybody does the dances on TikTok? I wanted to incorporate that. I love edgy stuff, I wanted to show my edgy side even though it was a fun record.
**Talk about the independent grind and having creative control.**
It's the best grind y'all. It's amazing having your say in everything: your say in music, when you want to drop, when you want to do this or that. Now the budget as an independent artist is a little ehh, but it's okay. At the end of the day, I know it's going to pay out.
**3 things you need in the studio?**
Candles. Me myself and I, my engineer. Honestly good vibes between me and my engineer. I like to be by myself with my candle. I don't like a lot of people in my session because it's work. It's time to get down and get dirty, we can have fun later.
**One thing you want fans to get from “On Demand”?**
I want people to understand that you need to get in your bag. Don't let nobody take you out of your bag. Don't let nobody distract you. Stay in your bag. Tell everybody “look I'm in my bag, I don't got time for your bullshit." Push them to the side.
**How was opening for Mulatto?**
Oh my gosh, dope! It was my first performance back. I took 2 years to get myself together, get my music and really hone in on my craft. Everybody's nervous, they're like "oh, how's she gonna do? We don't know anything about her." I’m like “okay! Let's do this.” I was high energy. I did a split, which I didn't need to do. \[laughs\] It was dope.
**Did you learn anything from watching her perform?**
I learned how to be yourself. We're all different, especially as female rappers. There's so many of us. We have to be ourselves. It was me, Deetranada, and Mulatto, 3 different women killing the fucking stage. What more can you ask for? It's dope.
**Do you have a love for fashion as well?**
Yes! I love chill stuff, but you can still make chill stuff fashion. That's my thing. I love wearing a cute sweatsuit, I love dressing up=. When I dress up, I dress up. This \[shows fit\], I'm still chillin’ and I feel confident. You have to be confident with your fashion, no matter what you're wearing.
**What’s your take on social activist?**
I definitely fight for my rights. I fight for what's right. I believe in equality and peace. If we get down to it, I've been doing it for years since I was a teenager. Maybe a little bit younger. Marching and being on the frontline is no different no matter how big I get.
**Who's your dream collab?**
Honey, I want to name all of them. I’d love to work with Kanye, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Nicki, Rihanna, Eminem. Even the new people, I’d love to work with all them because they're all so different.
**Where’s your doggie at?**
Yes, Zeus! If he comes in here, he's going to knock all my candles over. I have a pitbull, he's almost 3. He's bigger than me, he sleeps with me every night. I love him, he's literally my life.
**Goals for yourself as an artist at this point in your career?**
Definitely to headline. Even though it's COVID, I want to headline on tours. I want to be a charting artist. Definitely some larger collabs, my dream collabs would be dope. Get my name out there, be at award shows. I have so many goals that I'm going to make achievements. I'm ready girl!
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