Fantasia: talks about new album 'Free Yourself' and her life as an 'American Idol'

Jet, Jan 10, 2005 by Marti Yarbrough

Since having blown away her competition on FOX television's third installment of "American Idol," singer Fantasia Barrino has been on a firstname basis with the entire nation. After she won the reality show's grand prize of a $1 million recording contract, she catapulted into instant stardom and capped off a year full of accomplishments.

Already the 20-year-old has made music history by becoming the first artist on Billboard's Hot 100 chart to premiere at No. 1 with her first solo single I Believe. The record sold 375,000 units, according to Nielsen SoundSean, making it the best-selling single of 2004.

Even with this major achievement, Fantasia realizes that to whom much is given, much is required. Now with her debut CD Fantasia: Free Yourself, the girl from High Point, NC, with the raspy voice is giving back to America and the rest of the world all the love that was given to her through a diverse collection of songs like only she can deliver.

"I love my album!" says Fantasia, who describes her 13-track solo project as "soulful." She tells JET, "It's very different from what's hot right now. I wanted to just stand out, be me, be different and be creative with it."

Work for Free Yourself began almost immediately after Fantasia was crowned America's newest idol. Album producer Clive Davis, chairman and CEO of BMG North America, signed Fantasia to J Records in association with "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller's 19 Recordings Ltd. He also served as a judge during the final stages of the "Idol" competition.

"After I won the show, Clive Davis brought me into his office and we talked about the direction for the album," she explains. "As a young person, I wanted to make sure we had songs that you could hear in the clubs as well as on the radio."

Known in the industry as the man with the "golden ears," Davis spotted the young stager s talent right away. "Fantasia is the real deal, an artist who is instantly identifiable and very much her own person. She will have a long and illustrious career," he says.

Davis, the same man responsible for the successful careers of Grammy-winners Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys, put together an all-star team of producers to work with Fantasia, including hit makers Missy Elliott, Jermaine Dupri, Rodney Jerkins and Jazze Pha.

Elliott, a superstar tapper in her own right, wrote a trio of songs on the CD, including the mellow, soul-drenched title track Free Yourself.

Dupri's contribution to the project is the slow groove Got Me Waiting. The young music mogul praised the artist on her hard work and vocal skills.

"Working with Fantasia was fun because she's so into what she does and she understands that she's one hit record away from being not only the biggest 'American Idol,' but one of the biggest stars in the world."

Fantasia says that working with the super producers on her CD was an "awesome" experience that she'll never forget.

"When it was time for me to go to the studio, I was so nervous because I look up to all of them so much," she says. "But they made me feel at home. They asked for my input and took me in like their little sister. They are all so talented. Working with them just encouraged and inspired me."

Fantasia's performances on "American Idol," much like on her CD, proved that she is very capable of singing in a variety of musical genres, including R&B, country, jazz and show tunes. She says that while her favorite song on Free Yourself may change from week to week, the one that sits high on her list is You Were Always On My Mind, first made famous by country music great Willie Nelson.

"Every time I sing that song it makes me think of my grandparents, Madeia and Curt Barrino, who are not here with me today. They passed away about four years ago. They would be really proud of what I'm doing right now."

The fact that Fantasia is the unwed mother of a 3-year-old daughter, Zion, became public knowledge while she was on "American Idol" The song on her CD that best reflects her own real-life story is Baby Mama, an anthem to single motherhood.

"The song is a 'shout out' to all the single moms out there," explains Fantasia, who says that she is still single. "I'm a baby mama, and I know the struggle. I still have friends at home who are single moms who work very hard and go to school and are trying to better themselves and take care of their kids alone.

"Now, it's not that I'm promoting sex outside of marriage, but I've met moms of all nationalities and all ages who have raised kids on their own. It's a good thing to give them a 'shout out.'

"When they [finish] a hard day's work they can get in their car, turn the radio up and hear a song that's saying, 'Alright girl, this one is for you. You're doing your thing.'"

When Fantasia wasn't in the studio recording the final tracks to her CD, she was on the road as one of the top 10 finalists in the "American Idol" summer tour. The 52-city engagement was exhausting at times, she says, but it was also a pleasant reminder of the days when she traveled the country with the Barrino Family: her parents, brothers and cousin in a a singing gospel group.