Katriana Huguet, better known by her stage name Kat Dahlia, is a Cuban-American recording artist from Miami, Florida. Dahlia, a singer-songwriter and rapper, is known for her "razor sharp" lyrics and her "unique, aggressive flow". She released her debut single "Gangsta", in March 2013. Dahlia is set to release her debut studio album My Garden, in January 2015, with Vested in Culture and Epic Records, the latter of which she secured a recording contract with in 2012. In 2013, Dahlia ranked number eight on Billboard's "Next Big Sound".
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Hi everybody. I am Kat Dahlia. I'm a singer/songwriter from Miami, Florida. My first debut album just released yesterday - "My Garden" - and it's emotional, it's real, it's soulful pop / hip-hop, a mixture of genres. When I'm not making music, I'm playing pranks on friends or sleeping on my sister's couch or stealing someone's Netflix password (love House of Cards) or laying on the beach.
Victoria's helping me out today from reddit NYC. AMA!
https://twitter.com/reddit_AMA/status/555416383568494592
Update So I want to give a big shout-out to all my fans who have purchased the album, listening to it, everyone who has been following me for the past 3 years on this journal. It's a very exciting time for me, I've been waiting for this album to come out for such a long time. I feel like I've been artistically constipated for a long time, and I've finally relieved myself. Thanks for your questions. Enjoy My Garden.
If you had to defeat a man with just one hit,what would you do???
This is really funny.
Do I have any weapons? Because if so - and it all depends on what he did to me, why I'm afraid, or am I just hitting him because I'm angry, is he trying to steal my purse... it all depends. Cuz then I'll know what tactic to use on him. Is my force going to be more emotionally-driven or more on defense mode?
Most personal song on the record ?
Most personal song on the record... I would say would be "Just Another Dude." They're all very personal, but what makes this one moreso is probably because I literally went into the booth and just sang it out without even writing anything down - literally sang out my feelings in the moment, and we pretty much kept that take. We only did 2 takes, and we kept those takes in the moment.
Best show on netflix besides house of cards?
Errrr....I love HOUSE OF CARDS...and AMERICAN HORROR STORY. I know! Is that cheesy? I just started watching the second season, which is reallyreally good. Yeah, those are my obsessions.
have you seen old people at your shows with no kids in tow?
Yes. I have. There was a couple times where like, really older men (and women)... but the more striking and kind of like memorable ones are the really older guys that have like greasy hair and stuff. And they really are like, huge fans, and it's really cool, because you get to see the whole spectrum of fans. Cuz there are like 5 year olds there, and then a 49 year old. It kind of feels like an accomplishment, in some way!
what inspires you?
People inspire me, a lot. I think more than anything, it's people and the experiences i have with them. Because honestly, all we have is each other and the experiences that we have - whether it's just the things we do for each other, or the music we create, or what we wear, I'm always inspired by people.
Do you get nervous when singing in front of an audience? I can't even talk in front of a crowd so i admire people who can actually perform!
I don't. You know what I realized? Is that i don't get nervous, I get either really excited and look forward to something, or I really don't look forward to something. But there's not a lot of nervousness. I get excited to be able to see the fans, see their reactions, be able to meet them. Nervousness? There's nothing that I'm trying to hide, I think that's where nervousness comes from, that's when you get scared. But the fans know I'm really upfront and pretty honest about everything so that makes it easier.
For example,if I was about to punch you and you had to defend yourself by punch,kicking,kneeing or anything like that,what would you do???
Well, what kind of a punch is it? Are you coming at me with an uppercut? Hook to the left or right? If we want to get detailed. I would probably do some kind of like, karate block. And then uppercut him in the solarplex.
Dear kat, i hope you always keep on mind while on your journey how your music is speaking to us, and how genuine they are while we struggle going on with our lives ❤
Awww. Thank you. I think that that's what keeps me going. When I go to a show and meet the fans after, that's a big encouragement. Because a lot of times this business can wear you down, tire you out and make you want to go to sleep forever. But when you hear something like that... it really does motivate you to keep going.
What do you do to stay in shape? Do you lift? Pump iron? What do you like to do in the gym and do you have a fitness trainer?
So 2015, for me, is the year of balance. Because last year, I cut everything cold turkey and got SUPER healthy, but by the time the holidays rolled around, I turned into the Hulk in an unhealthy way and ate whatever i wanted and gained 15 pounds. This year, I want balance - to feel healthy, work out, do yoga, all that good stuff, but still have a cheat day every now and again, a drink every now and then. So that's what i'm working on now. I do have a trainer, I do go to the gym. But I want to have some balance and not feel like I need to be a size -2 all the time - let's be honest. I'm never going to get there. Not with my love of cupcakes.
What kind of pranks do you play on your friends?
Oh my god... I do a lot of prank calling. I make people believe that I've been kidnapped. It's so mean. I...will get them to believe I shaved my head, or that I quit music and that I've decided to just start interning at Amazon.com... It's always very impromptu. It's never super-duper planned. Except for one time we did an instagram prank that got the fans REALLY mad. i got the fans to think my phone was hijacked and this guy picked up my phone and he was holding all my nude pics for ransom - and he was posting "hint" photos of me with a little bit of my boobs out - I got the whole label, I got my publicist, everybody to believe my shit was stolen and I was kidnapped... I had to apologize the next day, because they were taking it so serious, and we did this final scene, and it looked very acted out, and it was OBVIOUSLY fake. So then I had to write this whole post to explain everything - I pull a lot of pranks, I'm sorry if I offended everybody! People were calling the cops, calling hitmen, trying to find me in Atlanta...it was a joke!!
Crazy.
My brother is a super-big prankster, so we get together, and we take it to a whole other level.
I don't know how to phrase this question without coming off like a jerk, so I'll just ask:
Why should I give your music a chance? What song would you want someone like me to listen to first?
Hmm, that's a good question. Why should you? That's a question you have to ask yourself, because my music is personal & relatable. So for whatever reason, if you feel like you need it, or it resonates with you, then it's worth listening to. But if you don't connect to it, then you just don't. Some of my favorite songs & some of the more popular ones people love are "Saturday Sunday," "Just Another Dude" and "Lava" so you should check those out.
What's more dangerous dating a Gangsta or Crazy?
intakes breath
Oooh. I dated...he was like a hybrid of the two. And I think those are the most dangerous of all. Um... what's what? I think dating a crazy guy. Cuz no matter what, if he's a gangsta, then whatever, you can weasel your way out of that one. But dating a crazy dude - your house is broken into, he's asking you for money, it just gets too crazy. I lost my entire wardrobe because of that muthafucka.
Do you plan on playing any festivals or other NYC shows? Assuming i dont win tickets to Friday night!!
Hahaha! Um... right now we are working on a second leg of the tour. I would love to do a NYC tour, just going to different spots in the city. Once i have more information I'll be able to post it up. We're still working on it.
When/would you play in Havana?
In Cuba? That's actually a really good idea. I'll try to work on that. Cuz I would love to do that. Once everything gets finalized over there, and everything is lifted as far as an embargo, I would love to do a show over there asap. Cuz I've still never been to Cuba. So I would like to visit my motherland!
Are you a fan of the ladies in comedy? Amy, Tina, Sarah Silverman etc? Kristen Wiig is my favorite!
LOVE KRISTEN WIIG! Sarah Silverman's pretty funny. Some people say that I remind them of her. Probably just cuz we both have black hair. But i do love women in comedy! And i love men in comedy. But I'm not like... a huge comedian follower or anything. But I love a good funny movie with females in it as the leading comedians. Isn't there like a new show? Broad City? Somebody was telling me about it - "You need to see it."
where does your inspiration come from? my garden has such a variety of tracks - absolutely love it! <3
People, experiences, whatever I'm going through at the momenta and however I'm feeling. So If I'm feeling a certain way, and I listen to a bunch of tracks, there will always be one that stands out to me because it connects to my mood, of the moment. I'm not afraid to do different genres. I don't like limiting myself. And I think that music is in a place right now where we can mix up a bunch of genres. And it's okay.
Dream duet would be with _ ?
My dream duet would be with Concha Buika. She is a singer from Spain. She was born and grew up as a gypsy. She is this amazing spanish flamenco/ jazz singer and her vocals are just insane...her delivery makes you want to cry. I haven't seen her live, would LOVE to do a collaboration with her. She has one of my favorite vocals in the world.
Are you going to have more tour dates this time around?
YES. so for the second leg of the tour, we are definitely hitting up more cities. We are setting up everything now. So as soon as we know, we'll be sending out dates & cities. But absolutely.
If you could collaborate with any living artists who would it be and why? PS Please get added onto Governor's Ball
Concha Buika! I would collaborate with her just because she's kind of like this... almost a fantasy, in the way that she sings and delivers her music, and I would just love to get into that world with her, and get as dramatic and passionate as possible, and create some kind of amazing song together. I feel like it would be an experience. She would teach me something, like a vocal guru.
KAT! Hi, it's Lewis. I need to feel better knowing I will see you in Miami before you leave to LA. Do you think that would be possible? I will take you out to lunch and not be creepy?
Lewis, you're awesome. I know exactly who this is. If I do have some time, I will definitely have a final show before I leave to LA, and we can meet then.
YES! I want to watch Broad City too, looks like a lot of fun and very realistic to how young women REALLY are. Amy Poehler is the exec producer!
I just started watching Parks & Rec just yesterday, and I did find myself chuckling a lot.
how did you start your career?
I started by putting an independent EP together called "Shades of Grey" (no relation to 50 Shades - I put out that EP 6 months before that fucking book came out and became the biggest sexual hit ever) that included "Gangsta" and let it simmer for a while... started doing a couple shows, got back into the studio, ended up getting signed by EPIC records a few months later. What happened was the Head of A&R, Amanda Berkowitz happened to just walk into the studio - we used to just have parties there - cuz some of her boys were there, she said it was her day off, and we were playing music, I was in the corner jamming, and she was like staring me down. I always make the joke like "What's up with this girl?" So the next day she brought me into her office, and I got signed that day.
Wow...just checked her out on Spotify. She's great. Also, as the whitest of white girls, I want you to know that I am working SO VERY HARD to memorize Tumboa. Look forward to singing along with you the next time you are in LA! Great album!
Thank you SO much!! Hope to see you soon in LA. And I wish I had some pointers for you. But just keep listening to it over and over, you'll get it, even if you don't know what you're saying.
hello Kat, the album is well planned and very diverse in all of it's blossoms; the question is what are you going to do with the songs that were not put on the album?
Whew. Such a good question...
I would love to just put out an EP. Probably in the next 3-4 months. Just put something out of all the songs that didn't make it on the album, because there are so many great songs we couldn't fit. It'll probably be a mixture of putting out some songs on an EP and then putting the other songs on a second album, that i hope to release by the end of this year.
I checked out "Saturday Sunday". I can dig it! Good luck with everything.
Ooohhhhhhh!
See you then. You have no idea how proud I am of you. Making a social presence in of the Cuban culture yet continuing that Hip Hop and Soulful influence. Never stop please.
Aww, thank you Lewis! I'll see you soon.
favorite snack?
Oooh, what's my favorite snack? Mmmmmmmm! Making me hungry. It depends. I mean, if it's a late night thing, I really do love a really good guac & chips with a beer. If I'm just feeling really bad and really naughty, I tend to go for a gluten-free mini-cupcake with dulce de leche inside... there's a spot in Miami called "Bunnycakes" that has them.
Who are some of your favorite artists working today?
I really love what the Weekend is doing right now. I love this guy, Marc E. Bassy... I really like Little Dragon. I'm really into Hozier, that "Take me to Church" songs. Just some randoms. There's a song I wrote a few days ago that I've been obsessing over. I listen to it 20-30 times a day. It's called "Don't ask." So don't ask.
Now I have to ask.
and a question to avoid the bot?
Hahaha. Okay, so: this is the situation, right?
So this person wants to tell me their number. I did not ask.
So I go to the studio. And i thought to write a song just about that. How when you get into a relationship, and the person may be hounding you and hounding you, about "What happened with this dude? How long were you with him?" we don't need to revisit the past, we don't need to live there. It's fun, and energetic, and funny. But also cool.
In real life, we were just talking and they were saying "This is how it's going to go because that's the last time it's happened to me the last 25 times" and I was like "Whoa whoa whoa, I didn't need to hear that." But I wanted to write it from another angle, where it's the dude asking, and it's like don't ask.
Giiiiiirl!
You should work with 9th Wonder at some point. He's easily one of the best producers of the last decade.
9th Wonder. I've never heard of him but I will take your word for it? Okay! I'll look him up, see what's up. I'm always down to work with whomever if it makes sense.
best time to visit miami if you hate humidity and heat?
Hahaha. Actually, right now. Right now is the best time to visit. I think it's 73 degrees, the humidity's at 75%... it gets really nice & cool during January / February. This is the best time to visit. Take out a li'l blanket on the beach, do a night on the stars... Recently I haven't been going to the beach as much. I've been traveling a lot recently. But when I was living there, like for-real for-real, I would go there like every day.
let's see Miss Kat, now that the album has dropped and the word is on the street, where do you think you will be in two weeks?
In 2 weeks? In 2 weeks, I will be on the TODAY show, boo! Catch that shit! Monday the 26th! 9 AM!
are you sure you can win in AMA?
American Music Awards or Ask Me Anything? I can't really win in Ask me anything unless you guys give out awards. You should give out awards. Would make this whole thing more fun.
When did you know that you succeeded as an artist? Was there a moment when you could just feel that you made it?
I think the moment that I felt like I succeed as an artist was when I finished my first independent project that I put together by myself. That's when I felt accomplished. I didn't need recognition from anybody, or some kind of an award, I felt like I could just do it. That kind of passion of mine that I always wanted to conquer.
I have listened to the song I think I'm in Love so many times and I cannot sing lol but I really want to know how you practice or what do you do in order to reach the notes?!
I've been singing ALL of my life, and I guess - just singing and mimicking other artists, or I don't know what! but today to maintain my voice is very strict warmups and warm-downs before shows and recording. So i take 45 minutes to an hour to start warming up my voice before recording.
Who's going to win at Blackout 5, Charron or Pat Stay?
I ...don't understand any part of that question.
Being a female hip-hop artist, have people started to compare you to Nicki Minaj or Iggy Azalea? And if so, how do you feel about those comparisons
I don't really consider myself a hip-hop artist? And I don't know anybody that has even compared me to either of them. If you listen to the album, it's not all rap or hip-hop at all. It's a mixture of everything. So they can battle that shit out themselves. I'm good.
Kat, I'm currently visiting NYC but my question is are you fully aware of how many Houston, TX fans you have and how incredibly CRUCIAL it is that you visit?
I REALLY Look forward to visiting Houston. Unfortunately last minute we had to cancel that show in the tour. But this leg of the tour, we are definitely making a stop there and I can't wait to meet my fans.
Best place for your inspiration?
It's like a quiet room. in a quiet room, where i can really just soak in my thoughts and let my imagination just kind of take me... Where I can feel alone.
First off I just want you to know how amazing you are and how much your music affects me. You are an incredible songwriter.
But for my question, when you make music, do you always have the same process or do you change it up every now and then? Do you wrote the lyrics first or play around with melodies?
I always mix it up. But usually what i do is come up with the melody first. I hear a track. And then I get inspired with melody. And then I get in the booth, and sometimes when I hear the melody, the lyrics just naturally come out sometimes. Sometimes some of them come out, or then the whole line. It's usually whatever's on my heart that comes out. And then from there, I have the structure of a song, and then I can go from there.
The way you did Gangsta in spanish/english was crazy cool. Can you do a track in spanish with Immortal Technique?
I could...? I guess it's just about the right timing & seeing if Immortal Technique is willing to do the collaboration.
you don't have to be size 2 at all, i don't even know what a size two is, to be honest; but that can't be healthy; i like the concept of balance and that is a very important thing for all of us to be conscious of and i am glad you brought that up; i have been out of balance for a minute and am looking to flip the script in such a way that i am liquidating assets and going on my own sabbatical to the future in search of harmony , balance and a vision of love so deep, yeah i am ready! are you ready?
Wow. I am ready! I am ready for my balance. This week has been a little bit crazy and exciting, but I think it's re-energized me and put a lot of things in focus, and I'm having a really good time and not stressing about making sure that everything is perfect because I'm just really enjoying this moment. And I know that when I get back, I will start up fresh, and start some type of a regimen.