Mandy Rose, the vibrant artist behind the recently released Hurricane Mandy EP, invites listeners on a journey into the most exhilarating period of her life. With a deliberate intention to instill confidence and joy, the EP exudes positivity and self-assurance. Each track was carefully curated from Mandy’s collection, reflecting her personal growth and character development while ensuring a rollicking good time for her audience.
The EP’s striking artwork, featuring Mandy’s wild hair, encapsulates the raw essence and candid spirit of youth. Inspired by the aftermath of a wild night out, it perfectly complements the themes and vibe of the EP. This bold visual representation underscores Mandy’s commitment to authenticity and sets the stage for an electrifying musical experience.
In her latest music video for “Criminal Attraction,” Mandy delves into the darker side of temptation and escapism. Drawing from her own experiences, including her time as an exotic dancer, she brings a haunting intensity to the visuals, offering viewers a glimpse into her personal struggles and growth. Despite the challenges, Mandy’s resilience shines through, reflecting her ability to confront adversity head-on.
Through her music and unwavering authenticity, Mandy is poised to leave a lasting legacy, inspiring others to embrace their true selves and pursue their passions with unwavering determination – read on for our interview with Mandy about her new EP, moving to LA to pursue her dreams as well as her ultimate career goals.
SheBOPS: Welcome to SheBOPS Mandy and congrats on your recent Hurricane Mandy EP release! What can you share with us about the overall concept of the EP and the decision behind the title?
Mandy Rose: This EP is all about my journey of stepping into the most fun and exhilarating period of my life yet. It was produced with the intention to make the listeners feel good in their skin and move with a sense of confidence.
How did you curate these songs to make up the EP and what do you hope they say about you as an artist?
I had been making records with my label Champagne Therapy for about a year, and these were the songs that really stood out to me and felt the most like where I’m at in my life. As an artist, I hope this EP portrays my growth and character development (and shows I know how to have a good time).
The EP artwork is very striking, especially with your wild hair – can you talk us through the process of creating this look and how it represents your vision for your EP?
The EP artwork captures a raw, bold essence with its messy, wild look. Inspired by the aftermath of a wild night out, it symbolizes the candid spirit of youth and the authenticity of the EP’s themes and vibe.
You recently shared the music video for “Criminal Attraction” off the EP. What can you share about the process of creating the music video and how it portrays the story of the song?
I actually started the process of creating “Criminal Attraction” when I was in high school, then picked it back up a few months ago when the time was right. The song is essentially about battling addictions and other temptations of the world, and struggling to create boundaries growing up. The video has this very dark, creepy vibe to it which represents the darker side of the “party” life and the escapism that comes with it. I used to be an exotic dancer and I battled these problems a lot at that time, so I wanted to incorporate that into the video as well.
Did you do anything in particular to physically prepare for the choreo in the music video?
I had a clear vision for the music video’s aesthetic and direction, focusing on simplicity and organic settings. While I didn’t engage in specific physical preparation for the choreography, I trusted the creative process to unfold naturally. The result was a captivating video that reflects my ability to shine even under pressure.
A lot of your music has a strong sense of female empowerment. What role do you think music plays in promoting social change and awareness?
Music moves people and truly changes people’s perceptions of life. I think music is one of the most influential things in this world. Making empowering music makes me happy because people tell me all the time how it changed their confidence in themselves and the way they walk around this world. That’s how I know it’s working.
Some of your musical inspirations include Doja Cat, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Fergie, and Nicki Minaj – what is it about those artists that connected with you and in what ways have you been inspired by them?
I love how uptempo their songs are, it gets me super pumped up and excited to be alive. I feel like I connect with them because a lot of their stuff is very “against the grain” and pushes social boundaries. I love testing the limits and seeing how far I can take my artistry.
How do you think the representation of women in the music industry has evolved over the years, and what improvements would you still like to see?
As of recent years I feel like women have really put their foot down and demanded more respect from the world, and that definitely reflects in the music industry. Since this still is a male dominated industry I think there’s still a little push back with it. You hear female artists talk about being seen as objects by certain people, but lucky for me I’m with great people and a wonderful team who looks after me. I’d love to see more female producers in this field.
Have you ever felt pressure to conform to certain stereotypes or expectations as a woman in the music industry? If so, how did you navigate that?
Absolutely. If you wanna get somewhere, you gotta grab people’s attention. Sex sells, everyone knows that. Luckily I love dressing and feeling sexy so I don’t mind leaning into those expectations, but sometimes I just wanna let loose and not always be so dolled up. I got lots of layers to my personality.
From your perspective, what steps do you think the industry can take to counteract inequality and make the industry safer for women?
To make the industry safer for women and reduce inequality, it’s crucial to focus on respect. When everyone understands the importance of professionalism at work, many issues can be addressed effectively.
How do you think women can support and uplift each other in the music industry?
By supporting each other’s music and collaborating together. It’s about celebrating each other’s successes and seeing them as positive achievements instead of viewing each other as competitors.
Looking ahead, what do you hope the future holds for women in music, and what role do you see yourself playing in that future?
I hope the future holds a place where women can feel comfortable to openly speak out about their journey and be proud to be who they are. I’m gonna play a large role in this cause I have no shame in being authentic and sharing who I really am with the world. If they see I can do it, they can too.
You worked as an exotic dancer before pursuing music full-time. How did your experience as an exotic dancer influence your pursuit of a career in music?
I always knew I wanted to do music, I was actually making music independently while dancing. The money I made is what helped me move out to LA on my own, so I’m super grateful.
What inspired you to submit your video to Grammy Award-winning producer Tommy Brown’s verse challenge contest on Instagram and how did it feel to be discovered?
I LOVE his records with Ariana Grande, when I saw the opportunity I had to jump on it. I honestly couldn’t believe he responded to me. The second I saw he DMed me, I didn’t let him lose sight of me. I was sending him tracks everyday till we finally got to meet in person.
You moved from your hometown of Richmond to LA in support of your career. What expectations of LA did you have before moving there, and do you feel these expectations have been met?
I didn’t have specific expectations other than making great music. Overall, my expectations have been met, but I’m still focused on pursuing my creative endeavors in music and videos.
How would you describe the music scene in LA and has it had any impact on your current musical direction?
Most of the sessions I’ve done are at the Champagne Therapy House, I feel like each label does things their own way but there it feels like home. It’s had a huge impact on my direction and collaborating with people really expanded my music direction and my creative horizons.
How do you define success as a musician?
For me, success means creating music that resonates with who I am and reflects my true self. It’s about connecting with my audience and delivering a genuine message through my music, rather than focusing on numbers or others’ opinions.
What legacy do you hope to leave through your music?
My ultimate aspiration is to become a musical icon whose songs resonate deeply with people from all walks of life. I aim to touch hearts and souls around the world, offering solace and inspiration to those who need it most. By creating music that evokes genuine emotions and connects with listeners on a profound level, I hope to leave behind a legacy of authenticity, empathy, and profound human connection. For me, true fulfillment lies in knowing that my music has the power to uplift, comfort, and inspire others in meaningful ways.
Hurricane Mandy by Mandy Rose is out now.