Diamonique

The self-proclaimed “Queen of the West Coast” says it’s a good time to be a female in Latin hip hop: “I have a pretty good chance right now to represent, I just got to keep grinding.” The grind began nearly a decade ago, when the Whittier-born, San Bernardino-bred Diamonique began channeling her love of 2Pac, Lauryn Hill and R&B singer Teena Marie into rapping and singing.

Diamonique now rolls with a “who’s who” of Chicano rap – Mr. Capone-E, Down, Frost, Lil Rob – but you’ll be hard pressed to find breezy oldies backdrops or chipmunk vocal samples on her 2004 debut, Diamond in the Ruff. Pounding tracks like Boom Bap, “Get it On,” and “Nanana” suggest Diamonique leans closer to Missy Elliott than Mz. Krazie.

After touring in Hawaii and Japan in support of her debut, Diamonique is dropping a mix-tape, The Countdown, next month. Produced by Fingazz (Down AKA Kilo, LaLa, Melissa Lujan), the album should whet the appetites of those anticipating her forthcoming sophomore album, Queen of Da West.

Queen of the West is how most refer to this seasoned female MC. Most don’t know however that she is more than a lyricist, she is also a singer and songwriter. A master behind the board, Diamonique also produces many of her own tracks.

LA-born but Inland Empire-bread, Diamonique was exposed to all things hip-hop at an early age. Her sound is honest West Cost rap with a females touch; smooth lyrics with a singsong flow that doesn’t apologize for manipulating dynamic beats.

She pulls inspiration from a diverse list of musical influences that includes 2Pac, Lauryn Hill, Sade and Teena Marie. She topped Khool Aid’s playlist in a Latina Magazine article and called “the doppest female MC around.” Mun2 says “Diamonique now rolls with a “who’s who” of Chicano rap – Mr. Capone-E, Down, Frost, Lil Rob.Her 2004 debut, Diamond in the Ruff had pounding tracks like “Boom Bap,” “Chain Reaction,” and “Taboo” prooving that Diamonique leans closer to a Lauryn Hill.

She recorded her first record at the age of 13 and at 15 was signed to a production deal, recording and releasing her first full-length album Eazzin 4 The Season (Moola Records/Prodigal Records, 1994). After a brief hiatus Diamonique reemerged as part of the Homeless Nation and later as an artist under Streetlight Music.

In 2004, Diamonique released Diamond In Da’ Ruff (Pegasus Music Group, 2004), the 18-track album featured two singles “Get It On” and “Boom Bap” which together gained more than 10,000 nationwide radio spins.

She has been touring internationally, including three times to Japan as part of the Lowrider Car Show Tour and domestically she has performed along side artists such as Pitbull, Ciara, Lil Jon, Baby Bash, D-12, T-Weaponz and Xzibit. Diamonique’s recent productions include collaborations with famed-producers such as DJ Quik, Jon B., The Co-Stars, The Avila Brothers & Fingazz of Streetlight Music.

The most recent mixtape Coup D Etat (The Takeover Mixtape) contains the popular track “Still For La Raza” featuring Scoop Deville, Lil Rob & Frost, a track which have all helped Diamonique earn 143,740 MySpace spins. So, what’s next for Diamonique? She is about to release her new album entilted “Medicine Woman” independently through her own label BooKoo Records.

The lastest street single “Peek-A-Boo” was written and produced by herself along with killer percussion from the legendary Tony G. She is also currently launching her new production company Diamond Cut Productionz.

Not only is she writing and producing for herself but a lot of new and up and coming artist as well. She wrote and produced a track called “24/7” for her brother Danny Noriega of American Idol. She’s also currently producing tracks for rap group Gas, Dirty Birdy, Steelo, and many more.