Amare Symoné
Photo Credit: Ezgi Gruler
Brooklyn, New York’s Amare Symoné was born to be a musician. Growing up with a love of music, she’s studied jazz, opera, gospel, and has sung in 7 different languages over the course of her career. Since releasing her debut single “B.W.R. (Black Woman Rant)”, her career has blossomed into a fantastic showcase of these different musical influences. In 2019, Symoné released the Hello Heathrow EP, which consists of some of her most popular music to date. Songs like “Smeppl” and “Nu Dawn” currently have tens of thousands of streams. The release of 2020’s Agape Acoustics EP only adds to her over two thousand monthly Spotify listeners and growing fanbase. We recently spoke with Amare about her dream venue, her favorite of her own songs, and more!
How did you start making music?
I like to think that I was destined for music. I do not just make music. But I am music. My life, spirit, and journey is music. You could say my life is full of vibrant sounds, and that it creates an endless body of music, kind of like a soundtrack. So therefore, I never started to make music, it was always there. It was written. My mother gave me the middle name, “Symone” after the great Ms. Nina Simone, when I was still being carried in her womb. I like to think my mother always knew who and what I would become. So yeah, it was already written.
Most artists have a dream venue. Where’s yours?
My dream venue would be Madison Square Garden. I would love to pack it out. I remember being a young kid in Brooklyn, and my parents, and I would travel there for youth poetry conventions. I used to think to myself, “wow, this is hella big”. In addition to Madison Square Garden, I would love to perform, and pack out Barclays Center. I remember going to school around the corner, and watching as they began to build up the Barclays Center on Atlantic Ave. Honestly, it would be a huge accomplishment for me.
What does Amare Symoné do in her free time?
I like to stay offline, and chill with my loved ones. You can find me traveling somewhere. Eating amazing food, and drinking tasty bevs in the next place. I love to play instruments - I have a live looper, a guitar, a keyboard, a ukulele, and of course, my voice. You can also find me reading a good book or longboarding too.
It’s collab time: who are you choosing to make a song with?
I would love to collaborate with Miguel, MF DOOM, Eryn Allen Kane, Phony PPL, and/or Baby Rose. They all are so unique and uber-talented people that have inspired me so much.
Describe your music in 3 words.
Soulful. Vulnerable. Epiphanic.
Which one of your songs was your favorite to make and why?
My favorite song to create was, “Pictures” because it literally took two continents, three cities, and four people to bring it into fruition. I also feel like it was such a relatable song, and I knew that when I was going through my own breakup, I really needed a song that spoke to my situation. “Pictures” was a song that I truly needed, and it was beautiful to know that so did the world.
What’s in the works for the future?
I am growing more and more into my music production bag. I am inspired by women like Missy Elliott, Kali Uchis, ABRA, and Amber Mark because they are so DOPE, and they have chosen to create their own soundscapes. I feel like a large part of me was taught to think that I wasn’t adequate or “smart” enough to produce my own music because of the sexism that I experienced in the music business industry. I am excited for this addition to my musical journey, and I can’t wait to see my growth.
