The talented and gifted Amanda Brown, that has been the entire year on tour with Alicia Keys as her background singer, kindly gave an exclusive interview to Keys4Life! Get to know this fantastic singer better!

1. When did you start singing?
I’ve been singing for as far back as I can remember. My dad once told me that the first time he heard me sing was when I was three but I don’t remember that…so I’m gonna say five. lol!

2. If you weren’t a singer, what would you be?
Wow….I think I’ll always be singing, whether or not I’l be making a living doing it is another thing. I love working with kids. I really want to start a community center, or refuge, for children to learn, play, and just have a safe place to “be”. That’s always been a dream of mine. I’d love to start one in the Bronx (where I grew up). Not just any community center but one that has “the works”: pools, gyms, games, after school learning programs, music programs. Just a place for children in the community to and be able to call theirs without their parents having to pay ANYTHING. I’d also love to travel the world and work with children that are less fortunate. Work with orphanages and group homes. Children are so important because they’re the future of the world we live in. If they have nothing to look forward to then this planet’s in trouble. So that’s the kind of work I want to do…in addition to music. Sorry for the book, I’m just passionate about it.

3. What do you like to do in your freetime?
I love to spend time with my family. Since I’ve been on the road I haven’t had much time to see them. I’ve missed a lot of family functions and so, when I have a moment, I love to be with my family and friends. I also love to read. I love autobiographies and stories that are “real”. I’m fascinated by the lives and stories of people that have come before me. I’m interested in undertanding the history of people and places and events. I know….I’m a nerd! Ha ha! I also like to write. Not writing with a purpose, like song lyrics or for school, but just to write about whatever comes to mind. Whether it’s about my day or how i’m feeling at the moment.

4. How did you got to be Alicia’s background singer?
I actually sang with a band on occasion and one of the horn players happened to be Dave Watson (also Alicia’s sax player). It was a Sunday night and I jokingly said to him, “well, if Alicia’s ever looking for a background singer…please let me know”. His response was, “well, actually, I think she’s holding auditions tomorrow”. I was in shock! I guess it was just a path I was meant to go down. I went to the audition the next day and the line was about 400 people long. I called Dave and he told me to go upstairs, pass all those people and ask for M. I did and ended up auditioning after two or three people. After three callbacks I found out I had the job. One of the happiest days of my life thus far.

5. How does it feels like to work with such a talented and inspiring person as Alicia Keys?
It’s great. There’s always something funny or crazy happening on stage. And Alicia’s cool and laid back. She knows her stuff, is on her music game, and is talented. I’m honored to have her as my boss and working with the other members of the band is just an added bonus.

6. You are such a gifted and talented person. Are you thinking about going solo?
Aww, thank you. I am more than thinking about going solo, that is a current aspiration. After the As I Am Tour is done I’ll be working on my solo album and hopefully, God will take my efforts and have them explode into a full-blown solo career.

7. What did you enjoyed the most about being on tour all over the world?
What I enjoyed most was definitely the places I was able to visit and experience. The different cultures and FOODS (one of my favorite things) just blew me away. Also being able to perform in front of thousands of people every night is such a humbling experience. It’s awesome!

PROFILE:
Full Name: Amanda Leah Brown
Nickname: Mandy; Honey; Makeup
Date of birth: June 4
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
City: Bronx, New York
Nationality: Puerto Rican/Jamaican
Ocupations: Singer
Instruments: Piano (little by little)
Languages: English; Spanish (un poco)
Favourite colors: Red; Brown; White
Favourite book: The Autobiography of Assata Shakur; Bible
Favourite movie: My Fair Lady…and every other musical made before the 90′s
Favourite country/city: Lisbon, Portugal; New York City; Los Angeles, CA; Abu Dhabi, UAE…..and the world! lol!
Heroes: My Mom; My Titi Debbie; My Grandma; Assata Shakur; Sarah Vaughan

IN ACTION: