Chicago singer-songwriter Faith Amari has just released her newest album, Complex Butterfly. The mixtape album features 18 alternative R&B and Hip Hop tracks that showcase Faith’s skills not only as an accomplished vocalist but also as a songwriter and arranger.

We had a chance to speak with Faith as part of our Refrain Interview Series.

Refrain Music Blog: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. You have a
new Mixtape out now featuring the single Blk Boy. Tell us about it?

Faith: Absolutely! Thanks for having me. My second mixtape, “Complex Butterfly”
is out now and this project is all about growth and transformation. “Complex
Butterfly” features the singles “Blk Boy” and “Looking Good”. “Blk Boy” is all
about my experience with street harassment from men in my neighborhood where
the racial population is predominantly black. Instead of calling these black men
men, I call these men boys because they have not grown up yet. This song has a
huge message and brings awareness to catcalling not only from black men, but all
men around the world.

RMB: What’s the story on how the mixtape was recorded? The Who, When,
Where etc. Was it a long process or quick? Any good stories about the
recording process?

Faith: Complex Butterfly was actually recorded in my bedroom by me! I used Logic
mainly and towards the end started using Pro Tools. This amount of time it takes
me to record my songs all varies on the vibe. Sometimes some songs will take
longer than others if I really want to focus on the harmonies and background
adlibs , like “Essent” or it can be super quick and be a freestyle like “Be Your Girl”
that doesn’t take that long because it’s not much adlibs or harmonies needed to
be recorded. Overall recoding “Complex Butterfly” as a whole was pretty quick.
The most fun/good story about me always recording is when I lay down my
harmonies. It’s never wrote down and always free styled. I believe it helps bring
the songs to life and adds a different perspective to the song. And it’s just super
fun for me to do!

RMB: So what makes this a mixtape as opposed to an album?

Faith: Although “Complex Butterfly” is a mixtape, I do tend to call it an album
because I look at all my music as beautiful bodies of work. But the reason I go with
a mixtape because I know I can even do better than “Complex Butterfly.” I’m
always looking on ways to improve and reinvent myself. There’s still things I would
like to do before I release my debut album. I still want to experiment and see what I
like. I still want to build up my supporters. And there’s definitely certain features I
want when I do have my debut album. Honestly, the term “album” just stresses me
out. I want to give my take my time and give my best for my debut album and generally all my albums, so I’m just letting myself grow until I say okay faith, this is the perfect time to do the album. I want to wait until I feel comfortable putting my debut out there.

RMB: The mixtape is out now? Where can people find it?

Faith: Yes! Complex Butterfly is available on all streaming platforms! You can find it
using this link https://faithamari.hearnow.com/complex-butterfly

RMB: Is this your first album? If not tell us about your previous work and how
this differs from your previous work.

Faith: “Complex Butterfly” is my 2nd mixtape. My first mixtape is titled “Candor”
and it’s a 90’s inspired mixtape. I had lots of fun creating “Candor” and I would say
there is a definitely growth from “Candor” vs “Complex Butterfly”. “Candor” was
written when I was 17 and “Complex Butterfly” was written when I was 20-22. Also
“Candor” had beats from songs that I had no rights to, where as in “Complex
Butterfly”, all the songs were produced by me. So it was a lot of growth between
those 5 years and I’ve learned a lot.

RMB: Tell us a little bit about yourself. When did you start pursuing music?

Faith: I grew up in the city of Chicago born and raised and I started singing when I
was 11. Everybody at my elementary school knew I sung music and was very
supportive. I was very influenced by Beyonce early on and she is actually the
reason I started singing because I saw another black woman doing it so I told
myself I could do it too. Later on in life when I went into high school, I started
getting into rap and listening to artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Lauryn Hill,
Tupac, Biggie, NWA and etc. I remember writing my first freestyle at 17 and
showing my dad and it was nice. I kept working on my singing and rapping abilities
and that’s what brings me to who I am today!

RMB: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

Faith: Janet Jackson, Dwele, Brandy, Beyonce, Aaliyah, Ye and Jay-Z. I have so
much more and I listen to all types of music but these are the people I listen to on
a daily basis.

RMB: What’s the one thing you are most proud of in your career so far?

Faith: Releasing Complex Butterfly. This project not only represented growth and
transformation for me but I also had the pleasure to release it on my fathers
birthday so it was a very special moment and he was very happy and proud of me!

RMB: If you had to pitch your music to a potential fan in less than 10 seconds,
what would you say?

Faith: If you want to hear music that’s versatile, see growth and see an artist that
reinvents their selves every time, then I am your girl.

RMB: What’s one piece of advice you’ve gotten that you think everyone needs
to hear or that has meant the most to you?

Faith: So the funny thing is I’m always the person that gives the advice but I think
the main advice I can say that sticks out to me is when my dad tells me to take my
time with my art and to basically trust the process. I always remember that and
“Complex Butterfly” has helped me learn so much more patience and made me
respect and love the process of creating a project.

RMB: If you could go back in time, what’s a piece of advice you would give to
a younger you?

Faith: I would tell myself that you will get through it all. I’ve been through a lot of
personal things in my life and sometimes it felt as if I wasn’t going to get through
it. So I would reassure myself and let myself know that you’re almost there and you
will be okay.

RMB: What’s coming up next for your musical project?

Faith: I am planning on releasing a deluxe version of “Complex Butterfly” some
time next year so be on the lookout for that! It’s going to be way different from the
original and if you liked “Complex Butterfly”, you will 10/10 love this deluxe project!

RMB: Anything we haven’t thought of that you want to talk about? Now is the
time!

Faith: I am selling limited edition signed CDS and merch on my merch shop at
http://www.shopfaithamari.com!
Also, if you want to contact me for any bookings or serious inquires you can reach
me at itsthequeenfaithh@gmail.com.