Southern songbird Miranda Brooke knows how to play with the boys (see VIBE mag shot on next page), but the confident, stylish mixed chick has a knack for singing the lives of young ladies.
Stamped by the Bu Vision imprint beneath Island Def Jam’s umbrella, the 21-year-old Tennessee-bred signee got comfortable with the mic from an early age, then her unstoppable hustle began. Brooke finally flew to southern music mecca, Atlanta, and garnered well-deserved co-signs from music top hitmakers, including Jermaine Dupri, Sean Garrett and Bryan Michael Cox.
Currently, the bubbly and quite vocal songstress is holed up in the studio recording her debut effort and pushing broken-hearted girl anthem “Hater.” VIBE Vixen caught up with MB to discuss why a man in her life won’t slow her down, the beauty products she swears by and what sets her apart from your everyday artist.
Were you nervous when you first signed to Def Jam?
Yes! Are you kidding me? LA Reid was head here at the time, and I was like, Oh my God! I have to sing for L.A. Reid right now. But he was so cool about everything. He believed in me, so he welcomed me into open arms. Then he ended up leaving and doing X-Factor, so Barry Weiss came in. I had to re-audition and everything. Thank you, Jesus, that they both believed in me! That’s major. Not many artists can say that they had to audition twice.
What was the most difficult part of your journey?
That hardest would have to be me being in public school. Most people who want to be artists are home-schooled, but I did public schooling. When you’re trying to be a singer, and you’re in public school, people hate on you and they discourage you. I felt like that was pretty hard, but I believed in myself so that kept me going. I would be sad some days after school, but I kept pushing.
Touching on the topic of haters, your lead single, “Hater” takes on a different meaning. Hands down, it’s a very relatable and honest record about getting your heart broken.
That’s what I’m trying to do.
Did you pull anything from an experience for that?
That’s a real life experience. Then I see my friends go through it all the time, especially in college. ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe he dates her!’ [Laughs]
Are you in a relationship now?
Yeah I am.
How is that influencing your music and even the journey of your career?
My business comes first, and as long as that’s okay and he gets that, it’s all good.
What are three tips for girls who are dream chasing and in a relationship?
Stay focused on your career because the relationship can come and go. At the end of the day, you always want what you’ve always dreamed of. So if this is what you’ve always dreamed of, make sure you stay focused and pursue that.
Communicate! You might not be face-to-face too much, so Skype or send a little text every now and then. You’re never too busy to text. Make sure you keep the communication going.
Whenever you have off, bring him with you. If he’s supportive and he’s happy about you and for your career, then he’ll support it. If he doesn’t, and he’s complaining? Big no-no. He’s got to be willing to let you do your thing.
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Knowing the legacy with Def Jam, are you nervous to fill those shoes? What will you bring to the table that we haven’t seen?
I don’t think they have a young, urban girl who speaks to the youth right now. I can fill those shoes. They definitely don’t have an urban girl that’s doing the type of music that I’m doing, so I’m definitely bringing that to the table. For them to sign me, they have to believe that I can fill those shoes so I gotta believe it too. It’s only right that I do.
For your image, what direction are you headed into as far as style?
It’s got to stand out; it’s cool and young. I’m vibrant and energetic, so I gotta have color; the shoes got to be funky. Jackets and shoes are my thing and hoop earrings. It can’t be too mature or too safe. I want people to say, ‘Have you seen what Miranda is wearing?” It has to be like that.
Any beauty products you have to have?
My MAC foundation and lip gloss! Gotta put my face on [laughs]. There’s this product called Mixed Chicks; I use it for my hair. I’m a mixed chick, so it works for me.
Lastly, what sets you apart from everyone else coming up right now?
I am the voice for young girls right now. We need that. I want to be the “homegirl” kind of artist, not too far away or not approachable. I think people can feel that through the music and people can rock with that. Once they figure who I am, I definitely think they’ll be down with it.