Poisen Ivy Carib Flava interview ( April 2008 )
Ever wondered who is Poisen Ivy really? Well look no further as she fully exposes herself in this Carib-flava online magazine interview.
Note from Poisen Ivy : I really dug deep in my heart for this one
Written by FlavaPress. Monday, 07 April 2008 , time 17:26:12, Atlanta Georgia
Note from the editor:
It is not often you come across an individual so inspiring this interview made my week Poisen Ivy has shown herself to be more than a performer with talent she is true soul with a voice that will resonate no matter what
Interview
Name: Cathrina de Graf a.k.a Poisen Ivy
Date of Birth: October 19th 1982
Place of Birth: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Where have you been living the past 2 years: In Amsterdam, the Netherlands
What is your connection to the Caribbean?
My mother comes from the island of Aruba which is in the Caribbean. I moved to Aruba when I was six years old and spent most of my childhood there. I returned to Europe ( Amsterdam ) when I was 17 years old. However, it is in Aruba that I discovered my singing talents by competing in Aruba´s youth Calypso & Roadmarch singing contest for 5 years since I was twelve. ( 12 ) Calypso & Roadmarch, is the music made to celebrate the carnaval season in Aruba which is every year in January & February. The music style can also be compared to islands such as St Martin, Barbados ( Alison Hinds ), Trinidad & Tobago´s ( Destra ) soca music.
Languages?
I speak four languages. English first and foremost, then Dutch, the language from the Netherlands, Spanish & last but not least Aruba´s native language Papiamento, which is influenced a lot by Portuguese.
Current Occupation / Student?
I am currently a fulltime second year student at the University of Wolverhampton in England and I also attend the Higher Education studies school in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. My major is international degree in English & Education. It´s an exchange program so I go back and forth from Amsterdam to Wolverhampton.
How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as a highly driven individual who sees all the possibilities in life and is using everything she has to live up to her full human potential & hopefully inspire others to do the same in the process.
What is or are the accomplishments you are most proud of up until now?
There are quite a few actually. What I do is set out goals for myself each year and at the end of the year look back at whether I´ve achieved my goals or not. Most of them I do manage to see through. Last year I had my heart set out on going to Africa for the first time. I had no idea how it would come about, but then when I least expected I was informed of a cultural exchange program between 15 South African & 15 Dutch upcoming artists. There were only a few weeks left before the Dutch group would fly off to South Africa, but they were luckily still recruiting artists and were in particular need of singers. I don´t think I´ve been happier than to fall in the Singer/Songwriter category at that point.
My South Africa experience is one that I hold dear to my heart and will never forget. It was such an illuminating experience and I am now a better & wiser person. I plan to go back forever and ever. We were there for approximately two weeks and there was so much left to see.
Last year I also completed my first unofficial release, my mixtape ´Poisen Ivy on the rise´ which I distributed mainly to radio & retail. I am very proud of the work I put into it. It´s a 25 track listing production of soul, R&B, hip hop with a Caribbean twist of dancehall tunes as well. What I´d like people to take note of are the conscious Hip hop tunes I got on the mixtape. Hopefully they will be an enlightenment.
So in conclusion I would say my accomplishments of 2007, South Africa & releasing my mixtape, are in the top ranking!
Listening to your music on Myspace and on Hyves you take pride of your very diverse background, which is a reality for many in the Caribbean. How do you feel this experience has made you stronger or set you back?
My upbringing has definitely made me stronger !!!
I think one should always seek pride in where they came from. A quote from my all time favorite movie ´Coming to America´ with Eddie Murphy describes it best;
´´ To be able to fly, one must first learn to stand and walk, one cannot fly into flying´´
Therefore I am very grateful and privileged to have come from humble beginnings in the Caribbean. It allows me to endure a lot more & appreciate the things I have than my peers here in Europe. When they think something is bad or extreme, I would usually feel like I´ve seen and experienced much worse. I think having lived in different parts of the world enables me to analyze situations more and therefore have more compassion for others. Hence having a broader perspective on life...
and how has this background affected your experience where you are living now?
Well, I often don´t agree with the way of thinking of most people around me here in Europe which I am now learning can be challenging to certain friendships. But just because we are different in some ways, doesn´t mean we can´t get along. I am learning the true meaning of compromise.
What or who have been your inspirations so far?
Alicia keys has been a huge inspiration to me as a whole. Musically she´s really touched my soul and what she stands for as a person, with regards to her humanitarian work as the spokesperson for Keep A child alive, an urgent response to the AIDS pandemic ravaging Africa. I have the utmost respect for how she´s really putting her celebrity status to good use.
Another one of my inspirations is the incomparable Angelina Jolie. Apart from being a phenomenal actress she´s also my definition of a truly beautiful person. All that she´s doing as a goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations is so moving and inspiring. Not to mention the multi-racial family that she´s building in her very own home. It´s a wonderful display of how the world should be. Black, white, Asian all under one roof, coming together as one.
I admire these two women not only for their artistry, but mainly for their humanity. I hope to be able to follow in their footsteps with doing just whatever they can to try to make the world a better place for the less privileged to live in.
What keeps you inspired right now?
What keeps me inspired and motivated not to give up hope to succeed is my mother. I see how she´s struggled most of her life and it breaks my heart when she says that maybe this is just her faith and thinks that she shall die an unhappy person. I am motivated to do everything in my power to succeed with my life´s ambitions that will also be beneficial to her and make her life just a little bit easier. My biggest fear is that my mother won´t be around to share my triumphs with me so that´s why there´s a sense of urgency to succeed.
Do you write and compose your songs?
I write & produce (vocal production ) my own songs. I do the vocal arrangements myself & work with several musical producers. Usually I get a beat/rhythm and then I make a song out of it. I am however still looking for that one producer to really build my own trademark sound with.
Who are you working with right now and what can we look forward to in 2008?
I am actually in the process of writing new music with a few promising upcoming producers. I started a band about a year and a half ago and am now seeking musicians that also produce music, which can be carried out by a live band. When my band and I rehearse one of my tracks off of my mixtape we basically have to re-arrange the whole production and convert it to a live band sound. This has proven to be quite tricky and I believe to we would have better results if we worked with a musical director/producer. Also look out for a 5 track EP coming out this year of my band and I. It will be a taste of what´s to come on the album which will hopefully be released shortly after.
What are the top 5 songs on your top playlists right now(not your own)?
´Sure looks good to me´ by Alicia Keys
´ I remember´ by Keyshia Cole
´Roll it´ by Alison Hinds
´Till the end of time´ by Justin Timberlake & Beyonce
´Kiss Kiss´ by Chris Brown feat. T Pain
What makes you really happy?
Giving. Whether it´s a present or merely encouragement. I am honestly at my happiest when I´ve managed to make someone´s day with what I see as the tiniest gesture...I´m actually not a good gift receiver. It feels slightly uncomfortable when I´m on the receiving end. People also never know what to get me, because the things I seek in life are not materialistic.
What makes you very mad?
“Injustice” in the world makes me mad & sad at the same time. It´s the rare time in my life that I feel defeatist, because people often say it´s the way the world works so you can´t do much about it.
What are the choices you made that have brought you to where you are today?
Always following my heart & having a mind of my own. I encourage myself and others not to be greatly influenced by what someone else thinks is best for you. Sure be open to advice, but make the decision for yourself in the end.
Staying true to myself. Being grounded and not getting caught up in the hype.
Most importantly having faith, believing in myself and the Almighty´s love & guidance for me.
When will we be able to see more and where?
You can keep track of my latests developments on my pages on the following websites: www.myspace.com/poisenivystar My latest music
www.youtube.com/poisenivystar My live performances/ videos
www.poisenivy.nl My personal website
Shout out to the CaribFlava Community:
Keep up the positive vibes !
Especially to my Caribbean women;
Don´t give up the fight, keep ya head up girl cause I´ll be by your side & we goin´make it!!!
Shout out to the Global Community
“When you are not afraid to fall, that´s when you fly the highest !!!!
much luv, peace n soul
Poisen Ivy
