An Interview With The Rising Pop Singer, ARI B!

Born and raised in Boston, Ari has always lived her life with passion and perseverance. She believes that music is the conductor of our beating hearts, furthermore fully shaping our perspectives. The story behind “Dance Into The Party” speaks to this, showcasing vulnerability and acceptance. The video begins with two dance groups challenging each other to a battle, which continues throughout the video until the ending. The competing groups eventually realize that they have more in common than they thought, and they can see beyond their differences with their equivalent passion for dance. The glass is broken in the final scene; Ari is leading her group into the opposing room, and together the two groups no longer dance separately, but united as one large group. As fantasy becomes reality, we see their passion for dance and power shine through, within a spirit of respect and profound acceptance. 

 For More Information on Ari B:

Website // Instagram // Youtube // Facebook // Soundcloud

Learn more about Ari B in the following All Access interview:

-Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it? What music gets you instantly out of a bad mood? What is a song you are loving these days?

Yeah, thanks! This is my favorite part. I hear the music of wind and birds in the background, haha. Any MJ will get me out of a bad mood – anything that speaks to you does. I’m digging Calvin Harris’, “Feels.” There’s something unique about that track – it gets you hooked, immediately.

-Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory? Was there a time where you thought of doing something completely different?

Interesting question. I didn’t know I was going to be where I am now. My father used to sit at the piano and I would try to sing with him – Jackson 5 or any good jazz tunes. It was something that was always being developed in my case.

-Musically, did you approach this year any differently than you did last year? How has 2017 been treating you and your career? What are you most excited about for in 2018?

Absolutely. Big change. I know more now. Also, I think everyone’s perspective is always shifting as you soak up new information… It was amazing- I shot a video in LA recently with extremely talented artists in the industry. I’m most excited about recording new music in 2018 because I have a lot of ideas that will be great to see in action.

-I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think your hometown of Boston has affected you and your music today?

For sure. That’s a cool question. Everywhere you are totally shapes your perspective. I spent most of my time training as a dancer at a studio in Downtown Boston (JNDS.) It had a very old school mentality/feeling about it – it has definitely shaped who I am as a person and the way I see art today.

-What was the inspiration for your newest single “Dance Into Party”? How creatively involved were you with the music video for it? What was it like working with the director, Wayne Isham?

“Dance into the Party” was very self explanatory when I wrote it. Ultimately, the message of the song is to own every situation you’re in, be your true self, and not worry about people’s judgmental opinions. It’s important to “dance into the party” everywhere you are… Wayne Isham is a great guy and it was an honor working with him. The first thing he said to me over the phone was, “tell me your ideas.” You don’t always hear this from directors in the industry. I was really grateful to be working with a director who listened to my ideas creatively for the video, but also had a strong creative mind of his own.

-When do you hope to release more new music and a full album of new songs? Are you currently working on that right now?

Yup! Just got back from the studio recently. I’m planning to release a couple more songs by the end of the year. I’m excited to get in the studio on these – it will be a full album, for sure.

-I understand that along with singing, you are also quite the accomplished dancer so I am curious to know if you find that you enjoy doing one over the other at all? If you had to choose right now, what was your favorite, what would you choose?

That’s pretty tough. I love them both, but dance is more accessible in a way. I’m a singer first, but dance is an easier way to communicate with others, I think.

-With the summer now, what was something fun or new that you tried this summer?

Haha. Hmm. I saw Lady GaGa in concert- it was my first concert, ever. It was a super dope experience. She was really fun to watch.

-We are living in a crazy and at times rough world right now so I am curious how you think being a musician gives you the most joy in life today? Do you think that new music being created today is going to reflect these hard times?

Yes, I do. We all need music, even if the music isn’t specifically targeting these struggles. Music is essential in life, and without music, life is hardly relevant. Music completely shapes our perspectives and gives us a sense of what hope and opportunity looks like. I always like to create a positive space through my music – I believe in this perspective. We should all be living in peace and harmony.

-Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? What musicians would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

I love a lot of artists. MJ is my number 1. I like Beyonce, Bruno, Pharell, Mary J, tons of people. Although, I would really like to collaborate with Bruno one day. I think we have similar styles.

-What do you hope fans take away from your music? Do you think that your music has an overall message at all?

I hope people listen to my music and feel uplifted and that they’ve been taken on a journey. The journey is everything to me, and I think that’s what art is really meant to do- emotionally take you somewhere else. Art reflects these mini parts of life that are hard to see on a regular basis, but once they are brought out through a creative form (which we call, “art”), you are left moved because it is a deeper truth. That’s my goal as an artist- to bring out these parts and pieces.

-How do you hope to be a good role model to your young female fans in particular? How active are you on social media? How important has it all been to your career so far?

Well, I hope to be a good role model to all people. You have to find strength within yourself and find something that you love, and commit to it, work at it, and be a boss at it- doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from. We all deserve this… I definitely try to be active on social media. It’s important for me as an artist to reach out to people and for people to see what I’m about. I like Instagram a lot.

-What advice would you give to a young person who is thinking about becoming a musician one day?

I would say love it, fight for it, and work at it. If being is a musician is your way of life, you have to do it.

-Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

Hmm. I love people and I love music. I hope to have fun with people through my music, lol. Thanks for interviewing me. Really cool questions!