RESPECT. Interview: Love & Hip Hop: Miami’s Amara La Negra

Amara La Negra. Photo taken by Miguel Crespo for RESPECT.

Love & Hip Hop: Miami star, Amara La Negra, is a Afro-Latina singer who grew up dancing and acting. She dealt with much adversity and racism even as a child in the entertainment industry. Amara looked up to Celia Cruz, an Afro-Cuban salsa singer that was the only woman in the music industry that resembled her. Like Cruz, Amara La Negra wants to be a role model for Afro-Latinas coming up in the industry today. Now, with new multi-album record deal and soon, her debute on the big screen, Amara is working to bridge the gap.

We sat down with Amara La Negra and spoke to her about her past, present and future.

What was your childhood like? How did the things you did as a child build you into who you are today?

It was a lot of work. I started doing beauty pageants when I was 4 years old so my whole life I’ve known what I wanted to do. My whole life I been preparing for this. I definitely do think the struggles my mother went thru, the things I saw her do and the strength she had as an immigrant in this country to make sure I was good gave me the confidence I have today.

You mentioned your mother. She’s the real deal parent. She did everything in her power to give you a great life. What does it mean to you to have someone like that in your corner?

She’s the only person to be there for me no matter what was going on or what happened. It definitely means a lot to know that I’m not alone in this world, you know what I mean? A lot of people are here for the hype, a lot of people are here for the benefits but she’s the one person I know that will be there for me no matter what.

A lot of people don’t know you were a certified Zumba instructor. What is it about dancing that you loved so much?

Well I originally became a Zumba instructor because I was over weight and wanted to lose the weight. I started teaching because I was already a professional dancer in the past so it was just perfect. I truly enjoy dancing. It’s another way of expressing myself through my body movements. I would never be able to sing without dancing.

How did you get your start in the music industry?

Well, I started when I was 4 years old. I was there every Saturday for 6 years but I officially began singing professionally when I was 15 or 16 years. All my life I knew what I wanted to do and music has definitely been it.

We know you love Beyoncé and Tina Turner. Who else would you like to work with in the future?

I’m very open-minded. I would love to work with Rihanna. I know it may seem crazy right now but nothing is impossible in this world. There are many talented women I would love to work with not only here in the United States but in Brazil, in Europe so like I said, I’m very open-minded.

You’re a member of the Love & Hip Hop: Miami cast. Does being on the show add any pressure to make good music?

Not to make good music. It definitely adds pressure to the drama in my life that’s not really like that. My life can be dramatic in other aspects but not when it comes to men, women or none of that stuff. That’s not really who I am. Anybody who knows me knows my whole life revolves around my mom and my career. That’s pretty much it. I do understand it’s a reality TV show and with the good comes the bad. The people like the drama.

Any upcoming music, projects or a tour to look forward to?

Actually, yes! I’m working on my EP called, Unstoppable, which will be out at the end of this year or the beginning of 2019. It means a lot to me because it’s my first American EP ever. I’m working really hard cause I want it to be the best I could ever imagine. I’ve recorded so many songs and I feel like none of them are good enough. I want to do something really amazing so I’m very tough on myself. I’m a perfectionist but it’s coming along.

2018 has been a great year for you. What does the future look like and what’s next for you?

I’m working on my EP, I just finished filming my first movie that will air on BET and Netflix so far. I’m working on my second movie called, Men Issues, in February which I am an executive producer. I just signed a book deal for children’s books and I have a lot going on. I’m still performing, doing commercials and everything everywhere else.