Rapper Connie Diiamond Is Placing The Bronx On The Map
Bronx, NY rapper Connie Diiamond is hungry and you can tell. Following a brief stint on tour with Azealia Banks, her freestyle on Drake’s “Summer Sixteen”, and many stops on stage at the infamous SOBs here in NYC, the female rapper is ready for her time to be known. She wants to break the mainstream and make a name for herself.
The rapper, who takes after Missy Elliott in many ways and considers her a big influence in hip hop and her own life, strays away from selling sex. “Missy Elliott taught me to do things differently and outside the box,” says the rapper. Diiamond comes fierce with her rapping skills. Thus, the rapper has a new song out aptly titled “FTN”, which is about an ex-boyfriend who cheated on her with a fan of hers.
Hype Magazine’s Robert Frezza sat down with the rapper to talk how she began in the rap game, why Azealia Banks is her mentor, and how she is placing the Bronx on the map.
When did you know you wanted to rap?
I started to write poetry when I was fourteen. Then I started to rap.
How has growing up in the Bronx helped your rap style?
The Bronx is very gritty and has many rough neighborhoods. It’s a reflection of struggle, aggression, and grittiness. I try my best to reflect that in my music.
How important is body image and image to you in general?
It’s very important to me. I have thyroid disease. My weight fluctuates. I am just starting to accept what it is and what’s going on. I realize it accepts my momentum of me putting it out music. I plan on being more open with this in the coming year when I release more stuff. I want to be my best and feel my best when putting out new music.
You opened for Azealia Banks, Benny the Butcher, Princess Nokia, etc. Who did you learn the most from and why?
Azealia. I don’t know what it is between Azealia and I, but she treats me like a little sister. I don’t know why everyone jumps down her throat. She says whatever comes to her brain sometimes. She’s the only one who really embraces me and checks up on me. She teaches me how to be consistent and how to stay confident.
Do you think the market is flooded with female rappers right now?
Its super flooded right now. It’s super saturated. If I say to much I’m gonna be a hater. Everyone sees how other female artists have benefited from it, so now everyone wants to do it. It’s kinda watered down, to me. I try to stay in my lane and do my thing. I feel like there will be a time. It will come and go. Keeping up with the hype and trends.
You were featured on SXSW.
A couple years ago. There was a lot of people and it was fun.
You are recording new material right now.
I have a secret tape. It’s the Connie Diiamond you’ve never heard before. Right now, though, I’m ready to release Trap Elliot 2 and Trap Elliot 2.0. One tape is just my regular hip hop, the other tape is more trappy vibe and melodic. I’m splitting them up because they are two different vibes, but will be released at the same time.
I’m also working with Queens artist Nyemiah Supreme. She worked with Timbaland and I have an EP coming out with her in April.
Will you be touring more?
I want to expand. I would love to tour more. When I checked my stats on my streaming—most of them are coming from overseas.
Words / Robert Frezza
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Robert Frezza I enjoy interviewing musicians! I have interviewed Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Naughty By Nature, Kings of Leon, among many more.
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