R&B/soul singer Amanda Holley recently released her new single/music video, “Fav Flavor.”
Following on the heels of hits such as “Code” and “Run Away,” “Fav Flavor” has received glowing reviews from not only fans but elite media outlets.
Among her fans are some prominent names: Grammy-winner Brian Stanley, The Gorillaz, Temptations songwriter Jimmy George, and Cuba Gooding, who called her “a beautiful young artist with a fantastic voice.” The tour that followed her 2020 debut single “Feenin” took her to Carnegie Hall, a Coachella afterparty, and the United Nations. She also had the title track on Showtime’s film Sharon 123 and starred on a reality show.
Co-directed by Amanda and Mikey Pilier, the video opens in a wash of deep pink light, and she’s joined by her girlfriends for some quality hangs. Together, they indulge in candy bars and dip strawberries and bananas in melted chocolate. While the lyrics – “the taste of you is my favorite flavor” – imbue the song with another meaning.
CelebMix spoke with Amanda Holley to find out more about the inspiration for “Fav Flavor” and her upcoming debut EP, The Holleygraphic.
What three things can’t you live without?
If I had to narrow it down to just three things, I would say I could not live without my voice, the piano, and crystals!!
What inspired your new single/music video, “Fav Flavor?”
The melodies and lyrics came to me as I was walking down the NYC streets on an emotional Saturday night – fighting with myself about learning to trust and surrender. I decided to give in to my deepest cravings for love, music, and soul.
Aside from the obvious meaning of the song ‘FAV FLAVOR,’ being addicted to that one person you can’t get enough of and letting love in, I wanted to touch on some other issues – those issues I’ve battled with since childhood that I think so many of us do struggle with – even in 2023. I’m bi-racial (African American, Cherokee, and Italian) and my father comes from a freed slave, highly musical family (the Holley family). I’m a survivor since birth, of two decades of abuse including racial abuse which cut me just as deep as the physical.
So the “Fav Flavor” video for me was really about showcasing beauty in all flavors, shades, and shapes so girls at home who are struggling the way did can see themselves on screen and know how gorgeous they truly are inside and out. My friends, Mitchie, J.J., and Sasha who are such talented actresses and unique beauties really drove that energy through the lens and I’m so thankful they could be a part of it!!
On a deeper note, it’s only when I stopped believing the abusers I escaped and released the programs instilled in me that I could feel comfortable in my milk chocolate skin enough to be open to love. I want everyone to feel empowered and loved and confident enough to know that they can love themselves and know that they are worthy of the deepest flavors of love in all its forms.
The fair-trade African chocolate, mud cloth, African copper and gold, my natural hair texture, and dream catcher featured throughout the video are in honor of my ancestors.
The sleepover scene was really just an excuse for me and my girls to eat chocolate and catch up after all of us have been apart – being so busy with our creative projects. We had so much fun! I feel that female camaraderie and sisterhood are one of the best ways we can create a shift in the world for the better!
Who directed the video and where was it shot?
I co-directed this video with the Director and Director of Photography, Mikey Piliero. He has such a raw sense of truth through the lens, and I am so thankful he decided to join the team!
What do you want viewers to take away from the video?
I want viewers to know how worthy of love they are, no matter where they come from or how jaded the pain can make us – every single person deserves to love themselves and give and receive love.
I also wanted to take a stand for Africa and all of the amazing headway they are making in terms of their chocolate, gold, and natural resources which is why we featured the fair-trade chocolate and other props throughout the video.
How did you get started in music? What’s the backstory there?
I’ve been told that I sang before I could speak. Started violin at age 2.5 and picked up piano soon after as I was constantly hearing and recording melodies, lyrics, and little arrangements and needed a way to bring them to life.
Though my mom and dad were troubled, and I only met my father a few times, they gave me the gift of music and I started professionally performing, singing, acting, and dancing as a kid.
I never really thought of any other way of existing but to make and share music. My estranged father wrote for Sarah Vaughan back in the day (though he never got his royalties as the industry was rough for black artists back then), his sister my aunt Pat Holley discovered, wrote for, and co-managed Stephanie Mills and got her into The Wiz, my uncles were in a doo-wop group on Warner Bros (also unpaid), and my mom was a concert cellist who went to the prestigious Manhattan School Of Music and played in orchestras and theater pits. I hear my nana and grandpa also sang and performed as did my mom’s father.
All I’ve ever known is music is who I am, the stage is the freest place in the world, and people would always ask me to sing their favorite songs and it made us both so happy. Music saved my life since day one and I owe it to music to be a vessel for more frequencies to those who need them the most.
Where are you from?
I was born in Newark, NJ, moved around a lot as a kid bouncing between NJ and Upper West Side NYC, eventually for the Off- and Off-Off-Bway shows and now I’m bi-coastal between NYC and Los Angeles!
Did your hometown impact your sound?
I feel like no matter where I go, I take the Holley ancestors with me . . . NYC is where I first felt accepted for who I am and free enough to be the soul singer I’ve always been – was born to be. I carry it with me everywhere I go.
Are there any recording techniques you like to use in the studio?
When I’m recording, I really just surrender to the song. Usually, I forget where I am. I love to do some lip trills because my voice has a mind of its own sometimes when it gets inspired, and I like it to be as free as possible to do what it feels and what the song demands of me!
How do you keep your sound consistent on stage?
I always get my original music in my vocal memory as best I can prior to a performance that way when the energy of the crowd and the emotions take me over whether it be 200 or 5000 at the venue or arena, my instrument is ready to fly and I can disappear.
When the song is in my body and in my vocal cords, it really takes on a life beyond what I could plan for and even when the moments are the wildest, my muscles are ready.
I also love to run and sing – a trick I learned from one of my choreographers as a kid, Monica Johnson, she worked for Spike Lee and really taught me so much about self-discipline and stage preparation.
Which artists in your opinion are killing it right now?
It’s hard for me to really pin down a handful of artists right now as there are so many amazing unique voices on the scene and I’m a Gemini who finds so much beauty in everyone’s artistry!
What’s your definition of success?
My definition of success is doing one’s best to live what we know our purpose to be even when it seems impossible (which it usually does). Living and pursuing our passions, loving ourselves and one another, and being a light in the world even if it’s just to that one person who needs us.
What can your fans look forward to over the next six months? New music? Videos? Live gigs?
I’m so excited for the next six months!! We have so much new music about to be released, all a part of my first EP, ‘THE HOLLEYGRAPHIC EP,’ along with videos, visualizers, and little cinematic pieces that build on top of one another, and I pray that, through the art, we can empower, uplift, and inspire, and spread love, music, passion, and soul on the planet. Live shows are actually my favorite thing to do, and we can’t wait to announce the next performance dates soon!!
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