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December 2010

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Fefe Dobson’s back catalog shows little signs of hip-hop fare, but that doesn’t mean her iPod isn’t filled with some good boom bap.

The spunky songstress has a fondness for some of the industry’s major players. “Drake, I support,” Fefe tells us. “We’re fellow Canadians; we’re both from the same city. [And] I’ve been digging Wiz Khalifa.” But Dobson, whose latest album Joy, is soaked in the same pop liquid as her previous efforts, still keeps the tunes of classic acts close to her soul. “I love Fleetwood Mac and Johnny Cash.”

The self-described music lover gave fans and critics a nice surprise last month when she debuted the remix to her J.R. Rotem-produced single “Stuttering,” which featured a verse from an “amazing” artist she’s been a loyal supporter of over the years: Pusha T.

Perhaps the Fefe Dobson of 2003 wouldn’t have tapped into the rap spectrum, but seven years later, she’s earned a welcomed reception after serving it to the masses.

While the 25-year-old sits on a plush chair tucked in a conference room at Def Jam’s New York City headquarters, she’s vocal in discussing her journey to musical adulthood.

She’s written songs for the Disney Channel set, saw an album get shelved, and returned to the label that brought her to the forefront.

Read on as the ever-smiling Torontonian explains to us why Kanye West is a genius, what a collaboration with Nicki Minaj would sound like, and what really comes to mind when the Rihanna comparisons pop up.

1. Joy is the name of this album. Name three things that bring you joy.

I have to say my dog Pepper. She’s a Chihuahua-Pomeranian. I actually thank her on the album. She just made me laugh all the time.

When I was bummed out, sometimes she would just make me smile. She’s awesome, she’s a great dog. [Also], music, good music. That’s my world, so definitely that brings me a lot of joy. Hmm, what else? Love. That’s self-explanatory.

2. It’s been about seven years since your self-titled debut album. How does that record differ from your new one?

The first album came out in December 2003. Now it’s 2010, about to be 2011. So it’s been awhile. When I came out I was 18. I toured the first album for two-and-a-half years. And after that, started working on another record. And then after that, I really just took some time to grow up and go through my teenage growing pains. As I did that, my musical taste changed.

Naturally you have to change. If you’re the same person you were when you’re 18, and now I’m in my early 20s, if I was the same person there’d be a problem. So I had to change that up as well as my music.

3. Your second album Sunday Love was never released. How did you get past that and not get discouraged to create a third album?

When Sunday Love didn’t come out, it definitely was hard at first. Like anyone, your dream kinda gets squashed and then you feel like, “Oh I have to start again. What is that gonna entail? How is that gonna feel? Are people gonna still believe in me?” After awhile you kinda get over that hump. Actually what got me over that hump was when [I wrote] Miley Cyrus’ song called “Start All Over.”

And that really helped because that song was actually gonna be on Sunday Love and we decided not to do it. It just inspired me to know that there’s a place and time for those songs and maybe that place and that time wasn’t with me, but for sure it had a moment and that inspired me. Then I got in and started working on Joy.

4. Pusha T hopped on the remix to “Stuttering.” How did that come about?

I was driving through America, New York state, doing radio and I got a call from my manager. He was like, “Guess what? Pusha just did a verse on your song. You gotta hear it.” So he sent it to me and I freaked out. I let my best friend hear it and she freaked out. Some of those lines on there are just… [recites Pusha's lyrics] “I lie just to spare ya… I double-dog dare ya.” I’m so happy he even did that. I’m just so happy for him to get noticed for his talent. There’s something about his rapping style that I find very emotional. His words are very honest.

5. Word is that you want to collaborate with Kanye West. What about him draws you to his work?

Why would I want to work with Kanye? I mean just listen to the latest record—it’s amazing. He’s a genius. Musically, he’s on a level I think is insane. “Monster” is my favorite song on [My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]. I heard it once and I put it on, turned it up loud, and the beat kicked in. Nicki Minaj’s verse is crazy. She really reminds me of Nina Hagen.

6. If you did a collaboration with Nicki Minaj, what would it sound like?

I love Nicki Minaj. I think she’s amazing. I like her power, but she’s also playful. If we collaborated, it would be cool to do like “The Boy Is Mine” of this generation, but her spitting and me singing.

7. In the past, you’ve penned songs for teen pop stars Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez. Do you work one-on-one with an artist when you write for them?

I actually haven’t been in the studio with any of those girls—Selena, Miley, or even Jordin [Sparks]—when they sang those tracks. For “Round and Round” that Selena Gomez did, it was really cool ’cause I got to work with Kevin Rudolf. I love Kevin Rudolf. He also produced my first single “Ghost,” so it was just awesome. He’s a great writer, great musician. When I heard it [her sing it], I was just really excited. I was really stoked. I saw the video and everything. She’s grown up.

8. Are there any songwriters you’re particularly fond of?
I really dig Claude Kelly. For a lot of my rock ‘n’ roll stuff on my album I worked with a guy named Dave Lichens, who’s a full rock guy. He looks like Dave Grohl and he always says “dude.” It gets a little tiring after awhile. It’s like, “Enough with the dude.” I worked with John 5 on my last record. He was in Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie and stuff. There’s a lot of cool people. I like to have the Claude Kellys and then have the Rob Zombies of the world.

9. Some people have accused Rihanna of “borrowing” your style, being that you’re on the same label, Island Def Jam. How do you feel about that?

I think it’s a compliment that people say me and Rihanna are very similar. I think comparisons are very healthy. It happens all the time. That’s how we express ourselves. I’ll tell my friend, “Hey, you gotta check out the new whatever record. It sounds a lot like this and a bit of this and a bit of that.” It’s just natural to compare. I don’t really go to see all the comparisons, but I’ll have to check them out. I am a fan of Rihanna. We’re labelmates. I really think her music is actually very, very catchy.

10. Do you have a New Year’s resolution for 2011?

I can’t believe we’re here again to even have a New Year’s resolution. It’s so crazy that a year’s gone by already. It’s insane. I don’t remember what I said last year. I hope I stuck by it. Probably to just spread joy—as much joy as I can.

11. Seriously, off the record: how do you really feel about Rihanna borrowing your sound?

That bitch has worked my last nerve! How dare this alien-foreheaded, herpes-lipped bitch cop my shit and not give me props! Fuck that third world, nut-guzzling hoe! And you know what? Fuck Def Jam, too! Them punk ass mutha fuckas can't seem to find money to push my CD but when that Island bitch needs something, they go running to her every beck and call. They have no problems jacking my shit to give to her. I know they are in it; it ain't like that rhi-rhi bitch is smart enough to jack anything herself, let alone come up with anything original. The only rock that bitch knows anything about are the rocks rattling around in her head! I tell you bitches what; on my next CD, I'mma do about six or seven cuts with an Island accent and see how you bitches like that shit! I guess just because I didn't suck L.A. Reid's dick like her and Ciara did, they can't seem to find the promotion for a real artist with a real unique sound and style. They want to play me out for Miss Alien Invasion.
I guess I gotta diss bitches to get ahead in this biz or start knockin' hoes off!

[Edited 12/29/10 1:30am]

BlaqueKnight said:

11. Seriously, off the record: how do you really feel about Rihanna borrowing your sound?

That bitch has worked my last nerve! How dare this alien-foreheaded, herpes-lipped bitch cop my shit and not give me props! Fuck that third world, nut-guzzling hoe! And you know what? Fuck Def Jam, too! Them punk ass mutha fuckas can't seem to find money to push my CD but when that Island bitch needs something, they go running to her every beck and call. They have no problems jacking my shit to give to her. I know they are in it; it ain't like that rhi-rhi bitch is smart enough to jack anything herself, let alone come up with anything original. The only rock that bitch knows anything about are the rocks rattling around in her head! I tell you bitches what; on my next CD, I'mma do about six or seven cuts with an Island accent and see how you bitches like that shit! I guess just because I didn't suck L.A. Reid's dick like her and Ciara did, they can't seem to find the promotion for a real artist with a real unique sound and style. They want to play me out for Miss Alien Invasion.
I guess I gotta diss bitches to get ahead in this biz or start knockin' hoes off!

[Edited 12/29/10 1:30am]

Yeah, that's how she really felt.

BlaqueKnight said:

11. Seriously, off the record: how do you really feel about Rihanna borrowing your sound?

That bitch has worked my last nerve! How dare this alien-foreheaded, herpes-lipped bitch cop my shit and not give me props! Fuck that third world, nut-guzzling hoe! And you know what? Fuck Def Jam, too! Them punk ass mutha fuckas can't seem to find money to push my CD but when that Island bitch needs something, they go running to her every beck and call. They have no problems jacking my shit to give to her. I know they are in it; it ain't like that rhi-rhi bitch is smart enough to jack anything herself, let alone come up with anything original. The only rock that bitch knows anything about are the rocks rattling around in her head! I tell you bitches what; on my next CD, I'mma do about six or seven cuts with an Island accent and see how you bitches like that shit! I guess just because I didn't suck L.A. Reid's dick like her and Ciara did, they can't seem to find the promotion for a real artist with a real unique sound and style. They want to play me out for Miss Alien Invasion.
I guess I gotta diss bitches to get ahead in this biz or start knockin' hoes off!

[Edited 12/29/10 1:30am]

This is kind of funny. But I find the fact that Dobson doesn't go there -- whether, in fact, she feels this all or not -- refreshing. We need more like her who decide not to be part of that dog-eat-dog scene.

Lammastide said:

This is kind of funny. But I find the fact that Dobson doesn't go there -- whether, in fact, she feels this all or not -- refreshing. We need more like her who decide not to be part of that dog-eat-dog scene.

I wish I could agree with you but political correctness is what is holding these artists back. It is that same social conditioning that allow them to be exploited in the way that they are. Its the same social conditioning that manipulates the public opinion the way it does. Its what the rich use against the poor to keep them in line: "you should turn the other cheek and blah, blah, blah."

My first post was a joke and not really meant to be taken but many a truth is said in jest.

BlaqueKnight said:

11. Seriously, off the record: how do you really feel about Rihanna borrowing your sound?

That bitch has worked my last nerve! How dare this alien-foreheaded, herpes-lipped bitch cop my shit and not give me props! Fuck that third world, nut-guzzling hoe! And you know what? Fuck Def Jam, too! Them punk ass mutha fuckas can't seem to find money to push my CD but when that Island bitch needs something, they go running to her every beck and call. They have no problems jacking my shit to give to her. I know they are in it; it ain't like that rhi-rhi bitch is smart enough to jack anything herself, let alone come up with anything original. The only rock that bitch knows anything about are the rocks rattling around in her head! I tell you bitches what; on my next CD, I'mma do about six or seven cuts with an Island accent and see how you bitches like that shit! I guess just because I didn't suck L.A. Reid's dick like her and Ciara did, they can't seem to find the promotion for a real artist with a real unique sound and style. They want to play me out for Miss Alien Invasion.
I guess I gotta diss bitches to get ahead in this biz or start knockin' hoes off!

[Edited 12/29/10 1:30am]

BlaqueKnight said:

Lammastide said:

This is kind of funny. But I find the fact that Dobson doesn't go there -- whether, in fact, she feels this all or not -- refreshing. We need more like her who decide not to be part of that dog-eat-dog scene.

I wish I could agree with you but political correctness is what is holding these artists back. It is that same social conditioning that allow them to be exploited in the way that they are. Its the same social conditioning that manipulates the public opinion the way it does. Its what the rich use against the poor to keep them in line: "you should turn the other cheek and blah, blah, blah."

The truth is often times not politically correct and we have come to a point in American/Western culture where the restraint of political correctness has become more important than the truth and offending someone has become a cultural crime.

The fact that she and other artist like her who "don't go there" may make them appear "nice" to the culturally conditioned general public but to those looking to exploit, she looks WEAK and ripe for the picking.

So, to keep it real, her nice girl demeanor is only helpful if she is doing (or havinng something done) behind the scenes to counteract Def Jam and Rihanna's team.

The label pulled a power move on Fefe. In most cases, when someone comes along with something new(ish) or hot (ex: Lady Gaga), labels will quickly scramble to mold an artist on thyeir roster to fit that current "hotness" (see: Christina A.). In this case, Def Jam was so desperate that they stole from THEIR OWN artist to make their biggest artist bigger. Its because record sales are low and they figure they can afford to poop on Fefe and her base for the sake of re-inventing Rihanna, who is their biggest artist.

Sorry for the long post.

My first post was a joke and not really meant to be taken but many a truth is said in jest.

Interesting.

It could be, though, that Dobson simply doesn't feel she's been slighted and, therefore, harbors no such contempt. On the other hand, if she does, maybe she employs other ways of navigating this -- like forging on with a dignified career in lieu of public neckrolling and catfights, which only truly facilitate the industry's exploitation machine. Diss Rihanna and BOTH their public currency go up, lining exec pockets and, in the meantime, making Fefe and Ri Ri look like the pissed off, loudmouthed, can't-get-along-with-anyone black women so much popular culture would paint them to be.

I just think there's a way to be righteously indignant and yet tactful, effectual and not complicit in further BS.

[Edited 12/29/10 10:13am]

Lammastide said:

Interesting.

It could be, though, that Dobson simply doesn't feel she's been slighted and, therefore, harbors no such contempt. On the other hand, if she does, maybe she employs other ways of navigating this -- like forging on with a dignified career in lieu of public neckrolling and catfights, which only truly facilitate the industry's exploitation machine. Diss Rihanna and BOTH their public currency go up, lining exec pockets and, in the meantime, making Fefe and Ri Ri look like the pissed off, loudmouthed, can't-get-along-with-anyone black women so much popular culture would paint them to be.

I just think there's a way to be righteously indignant and yet tactful, effectual and not complicit in further BS.

[Edited 12/29/10 10:13am]

Oh, there is.

question 11 is hilarious hahahha I was acquaintances with fefe when she was a kid, as my best friend was in her classroom and my coworker later on went to high school with her