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Epiphany Mattel talks new hip hop single ‘#FixYoFace’ (Includes interview)

“#FixYoFacecame about actually from a debate on how I wanted to present myself to the world versus how my management team felt I should be introduced,” she said. “I am more of a in your face, rip of the band aid off hard core type of lyricist. A song that explores the trend of down low men living a double life by having relationships with transgendered individuals while still maintaining a ‘straight image’ with a spouse or significant other.”

Mattel continued, “You see people dress in their best outfits but just looking so unapproachable. Clubs seem to be filled with a bunch of pretty people doing the ugliest thing: frowning. It’s a buzz kill and I’m not here for it. I came to party not battle or stroke egos.”

On her experience on the song’s music video, she said, “It was fun yet a little bit of a challenge. When I write my demos i always shoot a video using the Thriller app on my cell phone. The process helps me memorize the new material. Shooting the video for ‘#FixYoFace’ was the first time I was a solo act on my own project. I love the styling and wardrobe process. The shooting process presented more of a challenge. I’m more of a cool laid back sexy type of individual. I was working with a director who has become accustomed to working with Drag Queens. As we know the queens tend to have very over-the-top personalities and tend to come off as campy. I think in entertainment a lot of people have trouble with knowing the difference between a Drag Queen and Transwoman therefore they have an expectation of this big animated boisterous individual which isn’t me. I think the director was more or less looking for a character while I was more focused on just being myself and presenting a sexy authentic woman of hip hop. It was kind of difficult for me finding the fine line between the two. Nevertheless I do respect people’s mastered crafts and trusted that the director and i had a common goal of presenting a great product so through active listening to his direction and him listening to my feedback we had a seamless and fun shoot. I cant wait to do it again. i come from a theater and modeling background so I love not only being in front of the camera but it’s even more of a high when your telling your own stories.”

On the impact of technology in the music scene, she said, “Technology has changed the music/club industry in one way and one way only. It flipped the script. Now you don’t need a record label to back you. You build a big enough following and you can thrive independently. Instead of you perusing labels and endorsement. If your social media presence is big enough they come to you. Look at Chance the Rapper and Cardi B. they are ‘the people’s champs.’ It was a social media platform that raised them to stardom. We live in a world now were your number of Instagram and other Social Media program followers determines your relevance. Now while the flip side of that is a lot of people with seeming no organic talent have become famous it still allows those with talent a chance for stardom with out being subjected to what some big company’s perception of beauty, talent, or marketability is. Technology today has allow us to truly become the pioneers of our own destiny. It also allows you to become one with your public. Depending on how transparent you choose to be they can get a chance to see who you are outside of the smoke and mirrors. They really get to connect with you, which only strengthens your fan base and secures your bag. As far as clubs go you’re only hot until your not. Meaning people may go to sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor to read reviews but that’s no longer the catalyst of success for any business. Again it the power of the people. People are looking at geotags and social media post to see what nightlife spots their favorite celebrities are at but also just their peers in general. The hash-tag has replaced the consumer review.”

On her use of technology, she said, “I’d be lost without today’s technology. It tells me how to get to where I’m going. It helps me pick where I’m going to dine. What’s hot what’s not. It allows me to connect with those who know about me and promote myself and my art to those who may not. Hell I’ll even admit that it stocks my dating pool. It still provides an endless supply of options, which always makes for inspiration to write good music. It provides not only inspiration but a way to get and idea, verse , hook, or line out as soon as it pops into my head. Today’s technology is my source of entertainment, my journal , my source for information, my creative outlet, my journal, and in most cases my pulpit.”

She listed K. Michelle, Teyana Taylor, The Weekend, Solange, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Beyonce, and Cardi B. as her dream duet choices. “I would love to work with Cardi B. Last but not least the Queen Mother Ms. Erykah Badu,” she said.

For her fans, she concluded, “The song is an effortless movement that is much needed today. Smile. Stop counting issues and count your blessings. Stand in your confidence and you never need to prove yourself. It’s OK to be vulnerable. Until we let these guards down and appear to be approachable we will never get to know each other and until we get to know each other will never learn how to coexist. Trying wearing a smile and just watch how contagious that good energy can be.”

Markos Papadatos
Written By

Markos Papadatos is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for Music News. Papadatos is a Greek-American journalist and educator that has authored over 20,000 original articles over the past 18 years. He has interviewed some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, lifestyle, magic, and sports. He is a 16-time "Best of Long Island" winner, where for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022), he was honored as the "Best Long Island Personality" in Arts & Entertainment, an honor that has gone to Billy Joel six times.

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