Fantasia is flying freer than ever and looks set to celebrate her liberation on ‘Sketchbook.’
Due October 11th, the hotly anticipated set serves as her seventh studio album and her first as an independent artist helming her own label (RockSoul). Ahead of its arrival, That Grape Juice caught up with the ‘American Idol’ champion, who spoke candidly on a number hot topics.
She waxed honest about steering her own career while also addressing the much talked about collaboration with Brandy and Jazmine Sullivan. The vocal supernova also revealed she’s eyeing a collaboration with ‘Telephone’ singers Beyonce and Lady Gaga and even addressed Kim Burrell‘s public jab.
All this and more after the jump…
That Grape Juice (Rashad): We’re so excited to talk to you about your new album, ‘Sketchbook’ (in stores October 11). Tell us what we should expect from this project that’s different from your previous work.
Fantasia: It’s a soup, a gumbo of all my other albums. The things people loved about [my first album] ‘Free Yourself’ and all the other records put into one. I took it back to my ‘American Idol’ days. So, just like back on that show we did all kinds of genres, people can expect to hear all kinds of genres – Pop, R&B, Soul, etc. – on this project.
TGJ: Having been in the industry for 16 years now, albums don’t only represent eras of your career but also of your life. When it’s all said and done, what do you think the ‘Sketchbook’ period will represent for you?
Fantasia: Growth and wisdom, baby! In every area of my life. I’m a mother, a sister, a wife, a daughter, a friend, and now an independent artist. I wear a lot of hats.
TGJ: Speaking of being independent, what would you say have been some of the unexpected challenges of taking that route for getting your music to the masses?
Fantasia: There’s been a lot of negative stuff, but when you step out and do some things on your own you expect that. Without a rainstorm, there’s no rainbow. It’s all necessary. I’m the boss and I work with my team daily on everything from what I wear to where I go and more. But, I know all the hard work always pays off.
TGJ: Part of the “negativity” you’ve mentioned in previous interviews are things like “industry politics” – which is what was cited as the reason we won’t be hearing the Jazmine Sullivan and Brandy collaboration originally slated for your ‘Sketchbook’ album. Can you give us more details about what went wrong?
Fantasia: I’ll just say this: it just wasn’t the time. They are two of my favorite artists and I believe when the timing is right, it will happen.
TGJ: Can you confirm if the song was actually recorded or not?
Fantasia: The song was halfway recorded, how about that?
TGJ: Ok. Switching gears, it’s time for our “Five from Fans” segment where we’ve collected 5 questions specifically for you from some of your biggest fans.
- What song released in the last year did you hear and go “man, I wish I recorded that”?
Fantasia: I love Lizzo‘s ‘Truth Hurts,’ so it would definitely be that one!
- When was the last time you actually watched ‘American Idol’?
Fantasia: (laughs). Y’all wrong for that! I think it was when La’Porsha was on it (2016).
- You never officially responded to Kim Burrell’s shady comments comparing you to Gospel singer Le’Andria Johnson (click here to read more). How do you feel about Kim today?
Fantasia: I love Kim and think she’s amazing. I don’t have any ill feelings toward her and I love her as a sister in Christ, which is what I’m supposed to do.
- Other than Jazmine Sullivan and Brandy, what other female artists your age would you collaborate on a song with?
Fantasia: Beyonce and Lady Gaga! Gaga is bad and I would love to hear her just kill a Soul or R&B record!
- You went on record and said your last album, ‘The Definition Of…,’ was ‘garbage’ (click here to read more). If you feel it’s your worst, what would you say is your best?
Fantasia: I need to clarify. It wasn’t garbage, it just wasn’t the best. But, I think my first album was the best because Clive Davis was behind it. Man, I had Missy Elliott, Sean Garrett, Jermaine Dupri, Jazze Pha, and so many big names on it. So, I’m going to go with ‘Free Yourself.’
TGJ: As always, thanks for participating in that. Before we let you go, we’re curious to know what the future holds. Beyond the forthcoming ‘Sketchbook’ tour (click here for dates), should we expect to see you in movies or maybe on reality TV again?
Fantasia: Reality TV? That depends on what type of show it is. If they want to encourage people and show love and no drama? Yes, I’m down for it.
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‘Sketchbook,’ featuring the songs ‘Enough,’ ‘PTSD,’ and ‘Holy Ghost’ hits stores and streaming services on October 11th.
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Off the Record: Fantasia dishes with That Grape Juice and reflects on Brandy‘s impact on the 25th anniversary of the ‘I Wanna Be Down’ singer’s debut album. Listen below:
![New Video: Offset - 'Swing My Way' [Starring Anok Yai]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/anok-yai-thatgrapejuice-2024-offset-thatgrapejuice-swing-my-way-464x260.jpg "New Video: Offset - 'Swing My Way' [Starring Anok Yai].")
Luv them both, but please don’t let it sound like any of their new songs. We need the sounds we love them for with a slighly modern twist.
I likes the interview Rashad. I just wish it was longer. She has a lot of advice she has been dishing out lately like her comment ‘women should submit to their men’. I wish you would have brought up that. Fantasia has a great voice and it really comes down to the writers and producers to use that voice in the best way. I wish Fantasia would record an album produced by Missy Elliott. They have done great songs in the past.
JENNIFER HUDSON IS THE TRUE TALENT AND YOU KNOW IT.
Jennifer Hudson sounds nothing like Fantasia. I like them both. Fantasia gives me that soulful voice I like on songs like ‘When I See U’ and ‘Free Yourself’ and soulful ratchet anthems like ‘Hood Boy’. Jennifer Hudson’s voice gives me soulful pop songs like ‘Spotlight’ and signature Step music like ‘It’s Your World (featuring R. kelly)’. Jennifer’s voice is more suited for broadway because she is a loud screamer and belter. Fantasia’s voice is more suited for concerts because she is pure soul. GROW UP and love on both these ladies’ talents instead of playing imaginary stan wars!
Missy is the only person who knows how to write and produce for her voice.
Untrue. Fantasia has four albums full of gems. Missy only produced a few of them. Let’s give credit where it’s deserved: Harmony Samuels, Raphael Saadiq, Cee-Lo and many more have done some awesome work with Fantasia.
Her new music sucks so bad. We’ve already heard half of the new album so I have no hope for the rest.
The Definition Of… was NOT garbage. It may not have been your usual Fantasia but I loved it and what it offered. Her debut is not her best album either. Just bc you have big names doesn’t mean it’s a great album, even tho it was a cute debut. Everyone knows her best is Side Effects Of You. She’s so far removed from what her music actually is and means, this isn’t a good look. It’s a turn off for me as a fan. What do I look like now listening to an album of yours that I love that you just verbalized you didn’t like? I can’t even stan this era.??♂️
It was not garbage. I agree wholeheartedly! If anything, it was more “RockSoul” than anything she’s released this era. I still love “Rollercoasters”
SAME! That album was the most “RockSoul” project she’s ever put out. It had Etta, Prince, Tina and James written all over it. Rollercoasters is a fav of mine too! Along with So Blue and When I Met You
u are a hater Fantasia Enough and PTSD and Holy Ghost are epic songs stop it u nothing but a hater
Well they sure ain’t playing on the radio…I will give to fantasia she like one of the main rb divas out here touring underneath the girls Rihanna, beyonce, alicia keys, Janelle monae, Ciara and Jennifer hudson… u mean to tell me all these producers out here and a & r people and none one will work with fantasia…something wrong there….where is neyo, pharrell, johnta Austin, missy
how is they not playing on the radio when her single Enough has been at the top of the charts at number 2 for months now
Thata adult radio baby, not rb and billboard hot 100
Your point is invalid – radio is not playing Beyoncé but you Tryna tell me it’s because her music ain’t it!????? In case you missed the MEMO Radio is AGEIST – they stop playing these vets after a while because they need need to attract listeners who will engage with their advertising and products that are advertising are not targeting the Older age demographic as much as the younger. It’s about money as usual.
I’m a huge fan of fantasia, I usually love everything she puts out, but I’ve heard half of the album and I’m not feeling what I’ve heard so far, I will be supporting her tour, she is phenomenal on stage.. it seems as if she is taking a different route on her first independent album far as her approach I understand the genre less album but could the songs me more up to date and fresh, sounding so far I’m waiting on bad girl which will be the only song that I heard that could save the album…fantasia we were routing for you and this is a major disappointment, its like she just picking random songs, how about we just let her do the superbowl national anthem and then give us a whole new album
Fantasia has something with this rock soul concept but she isn’t going by it the right way. She can actually create a whole new genre. When I think of rock soul, I think of an combination of rock music and soul music. Hip Hop Soul is basically R&B melodies over hip hop beats. None of her music reflect rock soul except for Get It Right, Lonely Legend, Roller Coasters, Enough and Side Effects of You (the song). Fantasia is just trying to mesh different genres into one album. Fantasia is very talented but she is no Stevie or Michael or Prince.
Fantasia is a soul singer through and through. She’s one of the only soul singers that this generation has. With that being said, her artistry is lacking severely. If this recent material is the best that she can come up with as an independent artist, then she needs not to be in control of her career. She did her best work on a major label. They picked incredible writers and producers that brought out the best in Fantasia. Now whether she was receptive of it or not was on her. She had a winning formula in the past. It’s understandable that she felt the label didn’t have her best interest at heart but at the same time, her team should. RockSoul should be her lane, but she’s fumbling the bag with mediocre tunes.
when Fantasia says rock soul she means all genres of music rock pop hip hop gospel everything yall need to get the meaning right than u can understand her better
I agree. Fantasia is a soul singer and she’s unapologetic. Her voice got grit and edge and there is a certain rawness that no other singer has. Soul is her lane. Her voice is soulful with a church vibe .
There is NO doubt in my mind that Fantasia won’t be a legend. She has the classics and a loyal following. It’s time for her to start moving like the royalty she is. Unfortunately songs like “PTSD” won’t do. She needs to get back in the studio with Raphael Saadiq and Cee-Lo start working with live bands in studio. “Christmas After Midnight” was simply stunning. Her vocals shine when singing jazz standards and bluesy tracks As wel. Hell I’d love to see her work with Bruno Mars.
Excuse me, Fantasia WILL be a legend.
i cant wait for this album i know its gonna be epic i love all the singles she drop so far
Baby open your ears
History = generic sounds boring, It will not be the best comeback of the year
Enough =not good enough for a first single, sounds like tamia siong
PTSD = sounds like dated rb t pain owned her on her own track
Take off sounds like a 2007 Rihanna reject
I been looking for your sounds like a boring gospel/ inspirational song, (not the kind of gospel we want from her
Holy Ghost a trap gospel song that sounds tacky
So what songs were u listening to and what did u hear, that I didn’t hear
Where was her A & r, and not her king kendall
And then she talking about she never would of got a prenup if he didnt ask…come on fantasia wake up look at Mary and countless other woman celebrities
Such a classy response to Kim Burrell’s fat hateful ass. I hope the current singles don’t reflect her entire album because I’m not feeling them.
Well she looks nice in the silver…
Jasmine bust your windows out the car she wrote that…..I notice Fantasia only wants to work with white and light skin women nothing wrong with it
she jealous of brown and dark skin singers
Not true. Fantasia supports and loves everyone and can give people their props. I would love to hear a Fantasia and Lady Gaga collab. Gaga can sing and Kelly Clarkson and Jessie J. What Fantasia needs to do is a down home soul album or a blues album with a live orchestra like how they did it back in the day. Fantasia has a voice that is beyond her years. It got grit and edge to it. I also feel like there is a jazz album in her as well.
LOOOOOOOVE HER PERSISTENCE! https://youtu.be/oMp58oVociw
I would like a Fantasia and KeKe Wyatt duet.
Although I’m a fan of all of Fantasias music, The Side Effects of You is my favourite album by her.
people on this Site have really been hating on Fantasia lately if this was Nicki Minaj yall would be going crazy but u got this phenomenal talent and still dont appreciate it
What site are you talking about? You can’t be talking about TGJ because the commenters on here hate Nicki Minaj.
I would want to believe that he/she are mixing up the commenters with the writers on this site. Only a handful of what remainds of the audience on this like/love Nicki Minaj.
That’s because Fantasia is not serving it up this era the way she should be. The music this era is horrible( with an exception of Enough”) I’m not sure about this album ??
“Enough” is my s***!
she’s so awesome she’s finally reaching the plateau that she deserves God bless her the fruit of righteousness will be peace the effect of righteousness will be guietness and confidence forever