By: Arli Lima, Staff Writer
Up-and-coming singer WISH is not all blonde hair and bright lips, the girl can actually sing! Hailing from the Westside of Baltimore, WISH started singing on the church choir and moved on to singing in local girl groups. She is now signed to JIVE Records and recently performed her new single, “Suga Daddy” at the African American Heritage Festival. Read on to find out WISH doesn’t prefer the term “mixtape” and why WISH is here to stay.
You have been singing since the age of 6 years old. Walk us through your journey from then until now. Growing up in Maryland, I was a member in two different girl-groups. It was three years ago I decided to go solo. I decided to go solo becasuse one of the girls in the group decided she was too old to be in a girl group and another girl got pregnant. It was a hassle trying to find other members, so I decided to do it on my own and I like it better this way.
How did you transition from girl group to solo artist all while managing to get the attention of Jive Records?
Me and my writing partner decided to put together an mixtape, or I’ll say “album” because I don’t like to use the term “mixtape”. We decided to put together this album for free. We created my first album together titled “School Girl Diaries” and it got the attention of the management I’m working with now.
Why don’t you like to use the term “mixtape”? It just sounds so urban. When mixtapes first came out it was mainly rap and that’s not my sound at all. I decided to say “promotional album” or “WISHtape”. Just like the WISHtape I currently have out now.
Your name “WISH” is that an acronym for anything? It was actually a nickname my Mother gave me. A lot of people think it’s a long story behind it but basically when she was pregnant she wished for a girl and out came me, so it kind of stuck.
Tell us more about this WISHtape. My goal was to show people that I wasn’t all 50’s music and Motown driven like my new single “Suga Daddy”. That was just the song that the label wanted to go with and put out first and I agreed to that. My WISHtape is a collection of versital records to show my range. It’s also currently available for free at my website www.wishishere.com “Suga Daddy” … that title speaks volumes.
What is your interpretation of the song? It’s not just about a man. It’s about taking care of yourself and being the best. A lot of my music is about female empowerment, I think that is very important. Whether it’s going to school to get your education, or working on your career, or doing whatever makes you happy.
You recently performed at the Baltimore African American Heritage Festival. How did that feel to come home and perform for your hometown? It was awesome to be around people I know. Just seeing my friends and family and a lot of people I went to school with. Also I had the chance to perform with other local acts that I’m friends with and it was fantabulous to be on the bill with those guys.
You once worked in design, right ? Are we going to see a WISH creating and designing her own label in the near future? Yes, I do have a background in fashion. I’m definitely looking into venturing into fashion and movies. I think an accessories line would be good for me that is definitely something I love and would like to touch on.
For more information on WISH you can visit her at:
www.wishishere.com
www.twitter.com/wishishere
