LITT MAGAZINE

It is in the opinion of many, that greatness isn’t a condition you luck upon rather it’s a reaction of when hard work eclipses sheer talent.

Exploring those gifts befit a superstar comes from Minneapolis native, and Beluga Heights songstress Auburn. Her hit single “La La La” is wowing crowds the world round, and a tour with label mate Jason Derulo has fans cued up with anticipation for her debut album, which is due in stores in the next coming months.

Litt Magazine caught up with Auburn to discuss her homegrown roots, what inspires the songstress, and the many lessons she’s learned on her road to the top. Here’s what she had to say.

Alaina L. Lewis: How did you go from being an independent artist on MySpace, to getting signed with a major label?
Auburn: Honestly, I don’t know. [LAUGHS] I give all credit to God. The MySpace page in itself I made that just for fun. I didn’t know you could network when I made it. A cousin had told me that I was lame for not having a social network. When I found out you could make a music profile band page, I was like, and “You know what, that’s pretty dope.” I was just making music from my room, and next thing you know, the numbers went from a couple hundred thousand, to a million and it just kept going on like that. I’d tell my mom, “Mom, these numbers keep going up.” She thought I was just a kid, that didn’t know what a big number was.

She was like, ‘sure sure, yeah right.’ Then finally when she saw that it had hit like 4 million, she was like wait, there’s nothing normal about that. So, it went from just me making music, to actually making a connection with the people who are actually listening to my music. I think it had a lot to do with respecting the listener, and also in turn the listener respecting you. It was my way of having a personal relationship through the music with my fans. I didn’t just get responses like, “Oh this song was hot,” from them, I actually got why they connected with the song because I was writing about things that I was going through- whether it was spiritual or something fun, you could relate to it. So when JR Rotem found my page, they flew me out to L.A. and sang for them, and did a song with them that night, and ever since I have been making music with them.
Alaina L. Lewis: When does your full album come out?
Auburn: We don’t have a solid date for it yet, but if it isn’t released later on this year, it will be out early next year for sure.

Alaina L. Lewis: Even though it’s still fresh, what so far in your career has been the number one highlight for you as an artist?
Auburn: Being accepted for me. That’s what I worried about the most, was people wanting me to change who I was. No one asks that of me. Everyone is okay with me being myself, and that’s one of the things I’m most thankful for.

Alaina L. Lewis: What are some of the experiences that you’ve cherished so far on your rise to fame and how do they continue to inspire you?

Auburn: One thing that inspired me was meeting Keyshia Cole, but that was in 2007 before I got signed. After seeing her again, and being told that my show had improved and I was doing great, showed me that she was watching. That meant a lot to me. It also meant a lot to hear that I was improving, because it encourages me to keep getting better and better. My label mates inspire me, Jason and Iyaz- we all are really tight. Before any of us released anything, it was just so low key. We were all just going to the studio, chilling and kickin it, and imagine a few years later, everything is taking off. We’re all finally getting that opportunity and that chance. That in itself is a motivator. We’re all inspired by each other.

Alaina L. Lewis: What has been the biggest thing you’ve learned in this industry that has changed your outlook and perspective from a place it might have used to be?
Auburn: I’ve learned that as long as you have the right people in your circle that you don’t have to fight to remain yourself. With my circle and everyone I work with, they’re doing their job of making me comfortable and keeping my best interest at the heart of everything, including my music. At the same time I’m learning from them. I thought going into the industry that I would have to fight to stay me. I don’t have to fight as hard as I thought that I would.

Alaina L. Lewis: So with the new album, are you the one writing the music, and do you have total control over the sound, or is there a collection of people working together to define what the “Auburn Sound” is?
Auburn: I write music. The one song I didn’t write was the “La, La. La” single. Iyaz wrote that song. The overall sound is a collaboration of me and JR Rotem. There’s not too many other people writing or involved. When I have a song, or a concept and I walk into the studio, JR will build a beat around that or vice versa. I might come in and he’ll have a beat already ready, and I can write to that beat. So the sound is not so much me, it’s me figuring out me. I’m still learning, so I will take constructive criticism from JR. We both feed off each other sound wise.

Alaina L. Lewis: Where do you hope your career will go and where do you hope to see yourself in the next 2 or 3 years?
Auburn: I would just hope to have more experience. I don’t go to far ahead, but I do plan ahead with everything I do in order to make sure that I’m going the right way. I hope that I’m still just as humble, and that my music grows with me. Whatever else I venture out to do, I hope that I do it to my best ability.

Alaina L. Lewis: Are there any regrets so far in your career?
Auburn: Not necessarily regrets, but lessons, yes. I’ve learned a lot of do’s and don’ts. Knowing whom to keep around you, and who is ultimately there for you; who has your best interest at heart, spiritually and mentally, and knowing the right people who you should surround yourself with. That’s what I’ve learned, because starting off I didn’t always make the smartest choices as to who my circle was. I’ve learned not to be so trustworthy and let everyone in. It’s okay to be cool and to let people in, but I’ve learned not to let so many people in without first knowing who they really are first. Who you surround yourself with reflects who you are. I could be changing- not be as spiritual, not pray as much, and not even know it because of who I’m around. I’m not saying everyone should be on the same page, mind wise, but in terms of wanting everyone to be in your life or being so close to certain people, you have to know who to trust and not let everyone get that close to you. It’s okay to have associates, but when you call someone a friend, make sure they’re your friend and not just a title.

Alaina L. Lewis: What’s the coolest thing about Hollywood?
Auburn: How fast it moves. Everyone is always doing something. Everyone’s trying to get something done. It’s always busy.

Alaina L. Lewis: Do you find yourself trying to keep up with the parties and the paparazzi?
Auburn: [Laughs] Oh no, I don’t go out, at all. Don’t get me wrong, I am human. When I first got to Hollywood, I tried to venture out into that world, but I realized that it wasn’t for me.

Alaina L. Lewis: What does Auburn do on a lazy day?
Auburn: On a lazy day I’m probably just home watching TV or reading, or editing a video and making music on Garage Band.

Alaina L. Lewis: Are any of your friends from Minnesota currently in LA with you?
Auburn: I have my own friends out here, but none of the friends I grew up with in Minnesota. All of my friends have their own thing going on. When I would see artists, I would wonder how all their friends were in their entourage. All of my friends are doing something- in college or working, but they’re doing something. All of them are supportive, but they have their own mind and life. I’m not at that point where I can say, “Hey, come out to L.A.” I’d have to take care of them and myself. So yeah, I kick it with the few friends I have here. I had a lot of folks that I associated with out here, but I’ve since cut it down to just a few people that I trust. So when I do have a chance and a day off, we go to the movies, or hang out.

Alaina L. Lewis: It’s gotta be a cool feeling to know that there are people that admire you even at 21. What would you say to your fans, especially the ones in Minneapolis who have watched you grow up, and went to church with you- how would you encourage them in their dreams?
Auburn: I would say always remember your foundation. A lot of people forget their family and where they’re from. When you do that you forget who you are because you have nothing to fall back on. Remember your foundation and put God first. Always hold on to that, it will keep you grounded and when you’re in the process of making your music, it will keep you who you are. Even if you’re not doing music, whatever your doing, always make sure you know who you are. If not, you leave room for someone else to come in and tell you who you are.