What’s the origin behind your name? Where are you from?
Bien Aime means “good friend” in French. Aime is also the femminin version of the French verb “to love.” I chose it because it reflects how I feel about my music. It has been a reliable and supportive friend in good times and bad and affirms the love I feel towards myself as a black woman and towards others. The name is also a celebration of my heritage. I am of French-Caribbean descent. My family on my mother’s side is from Haiti and Martinique.
What moment in hip hop has stood out to you the most?
Watching Drake become the icon that he is now has been fascinating to watch. I was a fan of his in elementary school, I grew up watching him on the hit show Degrassi. I also enjoyed listening to early mixtapes such as Room For Improvement. I loved seeing the evolution of his work. This is the same artist that is featured on Yes Indeed by Lil Baby, also gave us The Calm. The differences in Drake’s performances in those two songs are incredible. In Yes Indeed he takes us on more of a trap feel to his style and cadence, even the content of his rap is more aggressive. In The Calm he is more vulnerable, and open with the audience with his life issues. I love the versatility he’s displayed throughout his career. Drake’s music and how he has presented himself have inspired me and been very influential. While I wouldn’t compare us on a technical level as artists or people I do see us being similar in our drive and determination to be great.
If you weren’t doing hip hop what would you be doing?
If I weren’t making music I would be working on photography. Before music swooped in, taking photos was what I loved to do all day everyday. I would spend hours looking at photos I’d like to recreate with my own twist. I would ask friends, family and even strangers if I could take their pictures. The outcome of a great photo is priceless. Knowing that one moment ago this piece of art didn’t exist and now it does never ceases to amaze me.
If you could work with anyone in the industry who would it be?
I would love to work with Brent Fyiaz. I love his music’s sound. It’s the calm, sultry voice with great beats and lyrics that does it for me. I admire his humble rise to the top, and his impressive body of work. Each of his songs tell a story or share a message that I can’t wait to hear time and time again. While I have heard comments saying that Brent sounds one-note I must disagree. I hear the style he has and it gives me similar notes to some of my music coming out soon. I believe we would have a great collaboration!
What is your creative process? Do you write or freestyle your rhymes?
I’ve spent the past 6 months working on music with producer, singer, song writer Simonne Jones. She helped me mold my craft, and focus on my skill sets. She encouraged me not to force being creative. Time will align everything when something is meant to be. I believe creativity will hit me when it’s supposed to and at that time I will get to work! I typically love to have a beat prior to writing a song. It helps me get in the flow of writing. When I have a beat I can vibe I begin to write, hum or rap. The connection I have with music is a spirituality of sorts. I feel transcended when the creative juices are flowing it’s a waterfall of moving fingers, and racing thoughts. When I’m in the zone I feel like I can write forever. However sometimes even without a beat lyrics just come to me and I have to begin writing right away before I lose the creative juice.
What do you have going on right now? (Merch, Music, Events, Collabs, etc)
I have merch out for the song I Am Rising T-shirts available now on my website. I have more interviews coming up that will be out soon. There will also be more content added to my youtube channel and my website.
What’s one thing you wish someone told you about the music industry which would have drastically changed your career?
I wish someone would have told me it’s not about who you know, it’s what you do. Thankfully it didn’t take me too long to learn this lesson. I implement this in my everyday life. I make music for those who care and will be impacted by it. I strive everyday to be the best me that I can be, and to create the best content that I can. I truly care about what I’m making. I want to create change, and make a difference in people’s lives. I believe that is what people care about, what is the artist doing not who the artist knows.
Superhero or Villain?
Super hero. I had a session in therapy one day speaking about myself as if I was a superhero. What would my superhero name be, and what would my superpower be. I named myself… The Lyricist. My super power was using my words for good and not evil. Which in real life is something my mother says to be regularly. She says my mind is powerful and that I need to use my brain for good and not evil. I play that saying in my head often, and so I must pick the side of the superheroes. It’s only right.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I see myself releasing more music and collaborating with artists I admire and artists I haven’t even heard of yet. I will have music videos out, I have so many ideas for how I’d like to direct my own videos and star in them. I will be touring all over the world. I see myself being a philanthropist, using my resources to give back. I see myself public speaking, on topics such as mental health, social justice issues, and women’s empowerment. I’ll have a family of my own, and a place I can call mine. I will be able to give my parents everything and anything they’ve ever wanted or needed because they deserve it.
Where can people connect with you at?
Connect with me on my website: https://melodybienaime.com join the listening room to keep up with me and everything I have going on! Follow me on social media Instagram: Melodybienaimeofficial, Twitter/Facebook: Melodybienaime