Honey Mag

I’m settling in for my phone chat with emerging Brit-Bajan singer-songwriter, Livvi Franc. It’s her day off, and she’s laying on the beach in Barbados soaking up the sun. Her friendly English-Caribbean accent is easy and relaxed, the sound of a young woman who comes across as anything but a bitch. Yet, that is the title of her empowering anthem “Now I’m That Bitch” featuring Pitbull – the rhythmic hot single off her self-titled debut album. Honey spoke with the 21-year-old pop gem to find out why she’s that bitch.

HoneyMag: Your first single, “Now I’m That Bitch” is making quite a statement! Why did you feel the need to write such an empowering song?
Livvi Franc: I think I was at this point in my life where I feel like I got all of the negativity out of my personal life. I just felt very confident. The whole idea of the song is just about being in control and knowing what you want. I just wanted to make that statement … people hear the title “I’m that bitch” and they think “She’s calling herself a bitch?” But you know, the whole thing with the word bitch, everyone has their own meaning for it. For me, I’m making it so that it’s positive: A Babe In Total Control of Herself. I’m reclaiming it. It’s not about being aggressive. It’s not about being feisty or anything like that. It’s just about being in control and knowing what you want in your life and what you don’t want.

How was it working with Pitbull?
It was great! When I finished playing the song, we just felt like it could be great to get that male perspective on the song. And it’s great because people would hear the song and say “okay, it’s female empowerment, it’s a man bashing song.” With the male perspective, it sort of softens it, and makes people realize it’s more universal. It could be both sides. It could be a guy that gets passed by, he could say — well, not that he’s that bitch (laughs) — but he could say now he’s that dude. It was great working with him; he’s got great energy. I’m really happy. I loved the way that he complimented the record.

Was there any chemistry between you two. Did he try to hit on you?
Ah no! None of that, none of that (laughs)!

You are a songwriter and wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on your album.
Yes, I wrote that with the producer Salaam Remi. I had a great time working with him. I learned a lot from him. He’s so talented and so versatile. He really suited my style and I got a bit of his style, so it was a great collaboration.

What is your songwriting process?
I try not to think too much. I just put on the paper whatever comes to me, and sometimes a melody comes to my head, sometimes words come to my head. My main inspiration is just life and people around me and the things that I go through and things people around me go through. So it’s just day to day stuff – people with problems, people’s victories and people’s experiences – all bunched up into a bunch of songs that I’ve written.

You wrote “Walking on Snow” for Jordin Sparks. What was it like working with her?
Well, I actually didn’t write the song with her in the studio. I wrote it [before] with Frankie Storm, and the producer of the song, Lucas. When she heard it after I recorded the demo for it, she went, “Oh I love this song!” We found out afterward that she was recording it. I love her as an artist. I think she’s great. I saw her in concert recently, and I saw her perform the song. It was a magical moment.

Who are you listening to?
Right now I’m listening to La Rue who is out of the UK. I love Santogold. Some of my all-time favorites are Sade, Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Gwen Stefani … I love her quirky style.

Describe your sound.
It’s kind of hard [to describe my sound] because I love all different types of music. So when people ask me [to] describe [my] sound, I think everyone usually expects you to say, “well it’s soft rock, or it’s alternative rock” or something like that. But for me it’s a mixture of so many different things all bunched into one, so it’s a fusion of lots of different that I love like reggae – ’cause you know, being from the Caribbean I love reggae music. I love retro music, which is sort of my London background. I love dance music, so it’s a mixture of those three put together. And it’s a great sound.

Do you feel people in the states are embracing British artists and music more and more these days?
I think it’s definitely getting a lot more popular. It’s like the sound of UK pop music is becoming a little bit more easy on the ears. It’s not some straight techno music that just put you in a trance. But it has a little bit more personality in it, so I think that’s what’s making it a lot more popular in the states now. But I really love it; it’s definitely influenced my songs so I hope everyone loves it.

Being Barbados-bred, I’m sure you’ve heard over and over again the comparisons between you and Rihanna. What would you say makes you different. How do you stand apart from her?
I think what makes us different is that we’re two different people really. I really embrace a lot of myself, and my writing and everything, and my music. [Rihanna] embraces herself as an individual. I’m fine with the comparison. She’s beautiful. I love her music and she’s representing Barbados, my hometown. I’m really happy that Bajans are makin it!

Would you welcome the opportunity to work with her in the future?
If that opportunity comes, I would love to.

Is there anyone else you’d like to work with?
I’m thinking of some other features, because on the album right now the only feature is Pitbull. Maybe for my next album I’d love to collaborate with Alicia Keys, Santogold, MIA, Gwen Stefani, maybe Justin Timberlake. I think those will be some cool people. I love Andre 3000, too.

What is your personal style?
I love bright colors, you know, being from the Caribbean. I love bold shapes. Something that’s classy, but sexy at the same time.

Speaking of sexy, do you have an active love life? Are you dating?
I haven’t had any time so far, but I’m just enjoying what I’m doing right now – promoting my single, promoting my music and getting out there and interacting with my fans. I don’t really have time for that right now, but when the time comes I’ll see if I can squeeze in a little bit of dating, but right now I’m good.

How have your friends and family from back home responded to your success?
They are amazing and supportive, and I really have my family to thank for where I am right now. It was really a huge process having to develop myself here and then going to the States. I have no money to really fly all over the place to try to get my music out there. I really have my family and my management team to thank for all that, because they really helped me just get out there.

Tell me one thing you know for sure.
I know for sure that singing and this music career that I’m in is what I was born to do. I’ve been blessed with a talent and all I want to do is get out there and share it.

Do you have any aspirations outside of music?
I’m a true artist, so I love all different types of things. I would definitely love to get into acting. I’d also love to get into fashion. And I love to cook! Maybe I could open a couple restaurants, have some of my personal dishes, my personal recipes on the menu for people to try.

What is your specialty?
Oh God, I have so many! I love Bajan cooking, baked chicken, rice and peas.

Finish this sentence: I’m a Honey girl because…?
I’m a Honey girl because I’m down to earth. I love to laugh. I love to have a good time. I’m happy that I’m here to sing and make people feel good and I hope people appreciate that.