"Hi everyone. I'm Melanie Fiona," the Canadian singer announced while joyfully accepting the first of two trophies at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards earlier this year. Melanie felt the need for introduction but fans and producers know the chart-topper behind songs like 'It Kills Me' well. She was honored that night for her duet prowess on Cee Lo Green's soulful track, 'Fool for You,' and has worked with the likes of Nas, Drake, John Legend, Salaam Remi and J. Cole. She's a rising star from the "Great White North" and after adding "Grammy award-winner" to her bio, hopefully there will be no need for further introductions.
Despite getting the last flight out of snow-panicked Chicago, Melanie looked stress-free as she strolled into the Universal Republic Records office building in midtown New York City. She was calm, collected and ready to chat. Melanie has an air of confidence about her -- she knows who she is and where she's going. The '4 AM' singer looked at home in a cozy room filled with leather couches and worldly textiles. Her first album, 'The Bridge,' was highly influenced by artists like Amy Winehouse so it seems fitting that an almost wall-sized portrait of the late songstress sits mounted proudly overhead.
While enjoying some sliced pineapple, the Canadian native discussed the Adele-like breakup that fueled her sophomore album, 'The MF Life,' due March 20, her longtime relationship with Aubrey Drake Graham, and her genre-bending dream of collaborating with Thom Yorke or David Guetta.
Tell me how your sophomore album has evolved beyond 'The Bridge'?
The first album was definitely more reflective of my inspirations, an homage and respect to retro
