Diandra Interviews Dominique Fils-Aimé: Passion, Heart, And Intuition

I LOVE Dominique Fils-Aimé’s mind. She is fiercely intelligent but also wise; understand that how you smart you are is amplified by how at peace your spirit can be. It was so hard not to clap through her interview because she gives such thoughtful responses that make you wonder whether positivity is that bad. Okay, I know “being positive” is good, but often it is treated as impossible or too cheesy enact. Yet, there is a serenity to Dominique that she gained and observed in her album trilogy and her newest album: Three Little Words. 

Diandra: Name 3 things things this album taught you to love about yourself and be grateful for.

Dominique: 1- The people who love and support me.None of this would be possible without them. Truly!
2- Breathing: Being able to breathe in and out every emotion, and turning them into sound and frequencies for a living. Luxury!
3- My voice: An instrument I used to underestimate in its legitimacy. I now recognize what a magical instrument it is!

Diandra: If you could turn your favorite album into a movie, which would it be, why, and what would be the premise/ concept and potential cast?

Dominique: The miseducation of Lauryn hill has always been a huge influence on me. I would probably make it into a documentary that would go into schools, all around the world, and have the same conversations she has in the album about the meaning of love with the youth today. I would cast Lous and the Yakuza, Seinabo Sey, and Liam Bailey to host the conversations in different groups. I believe they would inspire the youth as much as the youth would inspire them.

Diandra: If you could turn your favorite movie into a concept album, which would it be and why?

Dominique: Wow, this question made me realize I really don’t watch enough movies.

Diandra: If songs are like tiny love stories, how do you feel yours emanates your favorite love story?

Dominique: The healing song is meant to spread the kind of love that heals and unites us. Feeling in sync with myself and my surroundings, connecting with others, and remembering we can all have a positive impact is one of my favourite love stories ever. Falling in love with the process of bettering ourselves as part of a larger unit.

Diandra: How has music helped you see what you need in a partner? What are 3 things you desire?

Dominique: Being passionate about what I do makes me want to surround myself with people who are also passionate. No matter what the passion is, it inspires me to see the beautiful outcomes of someone following their heart and their intuition.
So passion, heart, and intuition are 3 common threads I desire in a relationship.

Diandra: Three Little Words culminates your trilogy exploring Black American culture. What are the 3 things that most surprised you as discoveries in that exploration.

Dominique: I was surprised to realize how slowly we truly evolve in comparison with how much progress I envision. I was also startled by the conclusion that hate is simply a by-product of fear, which makes the opposite of love not hate but fear. Moreover, I realized that it’s so much easier to begin conversations from a non-violent outlet such as a song. Songs may seem innocent and trivial, which is why we underestimate the power they hold. It can unlock the hearts of many and allow for conversations to take place.

Diandra: How has your definition of “blackness” been changed or grown from before to now after the trilogy?

Dominique: To me, Blackness has always meant strength, resilience, and beauty. This definition did not change 🙂

Diandra: LOVE IT!

Diandra: What do you feel is universal about that definition?

Dominique: This definition obviously applies to all living beings, which makes it a universal fact about who we all are. It just felt good to underline it when it comes to Blackness since, for too long, it has been associated with negative stereotypes that still haunt our collective’s journey as well as the imagination of some people.

Diandra: Singing to good vibes only, what are the things you do, beyond music, to maintain good vibes?

Dominique: From conscious efforts to making it a habit, practicing gratitude and positivity takes just that: practice. When possible, observing nature, even in the city, makes it easier for me to reconnect.

Diandra: If you could define what qualities in a person emanate goody vibes to you, which would they be?

Dominique: Authenticity! Rather than good vibes, I like to encourage true vibes the most. If some of the energy being generated is at a lower frequency, it must be brought to light so that it may change. Certain emotions are still somewhat taboo when navigating social conventions, which is something I believe needs to change. Repressing and pretending to be good vibes is no solution. For some, generating good vibes is more work than for others, and the only way to get there is through authenticity.

Diandra: What are the things, behaviors, or characteristics about you that have grown versus changed through music?

Dominique: Embracing music, and the life that comes with it, can make you feel marginalized from society at first. But what felt lonely, for a minute, now feels like freedom. What initially felt like a secluded place, now feels like home, and that home has a sunny, front porch. That porch has the best view on this beautiful and strange world.

Diandra: The album has themes of forgiveness and faith. What is one thing you truly believe and another thing you always forgive?

Dominique: I truly believe the engine for change lies within our own mind. It starts with the heart of people. If the heart is in pain or drowned in fear, it may not operate to its full potential and cultivate empathy. To me, this is directly linked to the significance of mental health. When it comes to forgiveness, I forgive because carrying resentment is heavy. If someone does me wrong, holding a grudge feels like inflating the level of pain. That being said, I will forgive, but I won’t forget.

Diandra: How has music redefined what freedom means to you, and what do you envision when you see the “freest” Dominique?

Dominique: Music, definitely, redefined what freedom means to me. My view of it used to be on a more physical and practical level. Now I can begin to see how important it is to free our minds, as well. Breaking down the walls we’ve erected inside our own heads is a major challenge that we often underestimate. The freest version of myself will be when everyone else reaches that stage of freedom for themselves.

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