Recently, Beige World editor in chief David Burnett spoke with former American Idol contestant Sineta Roker to discuss her music career.
David Burnett, Beige World Editor In Chief:
Earlier this summer, I had the privilege of watching St. Louis area singer and recording artist Sineta Roker perform at the Alton Comedy Jam held at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois.
If Sineta's last name sounds familiar, that's because she's related to Al Roker, the popular meteorologist on NBC's The Today Show. She also was a contestant on the Fox reality show American Idol.
After giving a fantastic performance, she sat down with me to discuss a variety of topics, among them her musical background, her cultural influences, and the lessons she's learned in the music business.
Here's the transcript of our conversation:
David: How's everything?
Sineta: Wow, I'm doing great. Thank you.
David: Looking good!
Sineta: Thank you.
David: Feeling good?
Sineta: I feel great. I just had a ball on stage, and my adrenaline is still going, so I'm trying to calm down.
David: Just oozing out of your pores.
Sineta: Right, right.
David: For those who don't know, what is your ethnic background?
Sineta: My mother is Mexican, and my father is black, from the Virgin Islands.
David: Are you originally from St. Louis?
Sineta: I'm originally from California, and...I've lived a little bit of everywhere. I went to high school in Miami. I went to college in Albany, Georgia. And I also lived in Alton [Illinois] and St. Louis in my younger years, like on and off.
David: A very diverse background, and a lot of cultural influences growing up?
Sineta: Oh, yeah. Especially in Miami. Miami was the best. I love the diversity of Miami. I think there's no greater education than being able to be exposed to the different cultures, and being able to travel. I think that's the best education you can get.
David: Excellent. So how did you get your start in music? What was that moment for you?
Sineta: [Laughter] I was in love with Whitney Houston! My mother used to make me stand in the living room, in front of my brother and his friends, and just sing. [Laughter] So I think my first performance, I was maybe in the 5th grade. Yeah, maybe...I don't know...eight, nine [years old], or something like that. Ten, eleven, twelve? [Laughter] Years ago!
David: [Laughter] OK. Now, to many, the last name Roker is very familiar, and you have a very interesting family. Could you name some of the people in your family?
Sineta: I do. My father's first cousin is Al Roker, which, everybody loves him from The Today Show. My cousin down the line is Lenny Kravitz. And Roxie Roker was my cousin, who was obviously Lenny's mom, and she passed. She was on The Jeffersons. So, yeah, there's a lot of entertainment in the Roker family.
David: Now, we had this conversation a while back. I remember your father, Renny Roker...
Sineta: Uh huh.
David: ...on Sanford and Son...
Sineta: [Laughter]
David: ...'cause I'm a big Sanford and Son fan. And there was a scene...
Sineta: Oh! [Laughter]
David: ...where Fred is in the waiting room in a hospital...
Sineta: Uh huh.
David: ...and your father plays another character in the waiting room.
Sineta: That's hilarious.
David: Yeah, I just remember things like that.
Sineta: Yeah, he used to act many years ago, when I was younger. And then he started doing more of the behind the scenes, producing special events for television, stuff like that.
David: Now, did he encourage, discourage?
Sineta: Discourage. He did not want me pursuing a career in music at all. I think 'cause he was exposed to all the gruff, and just all the negativity of the industry that came along with it, and just did not want that for his little girl.
David: Right. So, did he offer you any words of advice? Since you were determined to go in that direction, what did he impart upon you?
Sineta: You know, the only thing that really stands out, that I carry with me always, is he always told me that beauty is only skin deep. And I don't know how that relates to the music, but I think he just wanted to make sure that I always used my brains, and not the physical. And I think that's so important. I guess it relates to the music in the sense where I refuse to compromise. There's a lot of artists out there that kinda "use what they got to get what they want." But I feel like when you're talented, you don't have to do that.
David: That's right. That's so true. What projects are you currently working on right now?
Sineta: I'm in the studio right now, just recording, recording, recording, and really just now getting back on stage a lot more, and just jumpin' out there, tryin' to get a lot of exposure, and get my name out there.
David: Oh, of course.
Sineta: I've kinda been in hiding for a minute.
David: I guess American Idol was instrumental in that regard, too. Tell me about that experience.
Sineta: Oh, boy! [Laughter]
David: Was Simon mean to you? [Laughter]
Sineta: No, he was very quiet! Simon was very quiet! A lot of that's for television, I think. And I don't wanna say anything negative about any of them.
David: OK.
Sineta: I had a ball, though. It was well worth the experience. And, gosh, it was so amazing to see so many talented people around the same age, and who were all passionate about the same thing. It was like, you walk in the room, and you could just feel the energy, just feel the passion. And everybody that was there loved to sing, you know? It was just like one big happy family.
David: What was the biggest thing you learned through that process?
Sineta: That it's a reality show. [Laughter]
David: [Laughter]
Sineta: And you gotta keep goin', you know? You'll have people that don't like your music. You'll have people that don't like your sound, your look, your whatever. But you can't let that stop you. You just gotta keep goin'. If it's in your heart, if you're passionate about it, just do it. Somebody will like it.
David: So you kinda answered my next question. What words of advice would you give to someone aspiring for a career in music?
Sineta: You know what? I would say don't give up. And I hate to sound hypocritical, 'cause I have tried to give it up. I really have. But I think if it's in you, if you're just feelin' it inside of you, and that's what you feel you were just born to do, you can't give it up. So you gotta keep pressin' on, no matter what. Like I said, if you hear "No," or "I don't like that," or "We're not quite looking for that sound, or that look," somebody else will be, you know? So you just gotta keep goin', and don't give up.
David: It seems natural to ask this question, in light of what's taken place these days. What are your thoughts on Mr. Michael Jackson?
Sineta: Oh...don't make me cry.
David: I won't.
Sineta: Wow...it's so surreal. I still can't even...I can't believe it. I can't. Everybody knows he inspired so many people. And he is loved by so many around the world. This is funny...I was in the nail salon the other day [Laughter], and the lady says, "Oh, Michael, I love him, and my mother loves him, and she doesn't understand him, but that's her favorite! She loves him!" You know, it's like, people that don't even speak the language, you know, he was just...oh...the greatest. So there's no words.
David: You don't what you've got until it's gone.
Sineta: You don't. Well, I think we knew, but I think sometimes we just take life for granted. And you never know. And it goes to show you, it doesn't matter how much money you have, when it's your time, it's your time. So you gotta live each day to the fullest, and keep praisin' God for wakin' up each morning.
David: Right. Absolutely. What's on your iPod these days?
Sineta: I don't have an iPod! [Laughter]
David: You want mine? You want my iPod?
Sineta: Yes! [Laughter]
David: It's nice. [Laughter]
Sineta: That's crazy. I've been asking and wanting an iPod for so long. But, you know, the bills just take precedence over the iPod investment. [Laughter]
David: I'll talk to the iPod Fairy, and see what she has to say.
Sineta: OK. I appreciate that. Maybe one day I'll get one. [Laughter]
David: I guess, most importantly, how can your fans can get a hold of you? What's the best way for them to reach out to you?
Sineta: Right now, MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/sinetamusic). Everybody knows about MySpace. And I'm also on Facebook now. Not on Twitter...I refuse! I can't up with those two as it is. And I'll keep everybody posted on shows, and any music I have coming out, and any appearances, stuff like that. I'll definitely make sure to keep people informed on MySpace and Facebook.
David: Well, Sineta, it's been a pleasure.
Sineta: Thank you.
David: I wanna thank you for taking time out for me, and I wish you all the very best.
Sineta: Thank you so much.
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