Havana Brown
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Havana Brown

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DJ Havana Brown is no overnight success story. And while it may appear that way to some, it has taken years for the young, striking lass hailing from Melbourne to emerge on the grand stage. Her driven approach and dedication have taken her to the States where she’s been on a whirlwind tour with superstar Pitbull. “It’s been pretty full on but that’s how I like it anyway,” she says from the set of her latest video shoot for You’ll Be Mine, being shot in LA. “I’ve been on tour with Pitbull for the last three weeks, so literally we’ve had no time to do proper rehearsal for the video clip and I was pretty adamant because I wanted choreography for the video.” 

Eschewing the typical diva mentality that some may expect, Brown considers every aspect of her work, from all angles. “I’m absolutely hands-on with everything I do, from the production down to the vocals to the writing,” she says. “For the video I have worked with the director on the concept.” 

It’s this approach that has seen her make such strides despite some folk questioning her credentials. “If you wanna get what you want then you’re pretty much going to have to do it yourself,” she says. “People think I just stand there and look pretty.” 

While aesthetic is important and no doubt has played a significant part in her ascension as a pop star, Brown doesn’t want it to overshadow her work. “Obviously every girl wants to look the best way they can possibly look but looking pretty doesn’t mean necessarily that you are not talented or that you don’t have your own mind,” she says. “I actually know what I want and I like shocking people like that. I actually have a vision for myself.” 

Even with her determination, Brown didn’t foresee the runaway success her first single We Run The Night would have. “I never would’ve expected my first single to be the one that hits it international,” she says. “I’ve seen a lot of Aussie acts have tried to crack it in the States and international [acts] and it’s not easy.” 

As dance music continues to make a major impact on the US charts, it’s the perfect opportunity for a fresh face like Havana Brown to take centre stage. “Everyone’s ready for a new sound, they’re ready to hear that more electronic sound that’s not necessarily hip hop or R&B,” she says. “It’s something that’s fresh to them and that’s definitely opened the door for me.” 

Living proof that it can happen, We Run The Night is currently sitting at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. With that success under her belt the globetrotting star is returning home to take a break from her Pitbull Planet Pit World Tour 2012 to smash out a set at Eve Nightclub. “I cannot wait to get back,” she says, with noticeable excitement in her voice. “I haven’t been back in Australia since March; I’ve been touring like crazy. I’m just excited to get back to the Aussie clubs that I’ve toured. I miss Aussie culture and Aussie people.”

She has clearly enjoyed her time on the road with tour-mate Pitbull so far and has picked up some inspiration from the American rapper and producer. “I like the way he handles things, he is a business man and he knows his music,” she says. Aside from behind the scenes, Brown has also been inspired by Pitbull’s stage presentation. “His shows are so much fun,” she says. “I don’t think I’ve ever been to a concert where the hands of the audience are up the whole entire time. It’s like a big massive party.” The atmosphere and enthusiasm Pitbull brings has helped Brown develop her own stage show. “Even for me, as the support act, they’re out their dancing with their hands up, they’re so much fun.” 

Well on her own way, Brown’s latest single You’ll Be Mine is taking off on charts around the globe. The evolution of Havana Brown as a performer is a reality and she has graduated from playing someone else’s songs to now performing her own and producing original tracks. “I would say I care about it a lot more now because it’s personal,” she says of her musical journey so far. It has been a journey that started out years ago, setting out the goals she wanted to achieve. “There were a lot of things I had set out and step by step I got there,” she says. “It wasn’t fast, it wasn’t overnight, every day I did one thing, if not 10 things, towards the next goal.”

As someone who likes to take action rather than talk about what she is going to do, the singer and performer hasn’t been so open about her goals in public. “I never really talked about it because I feel like I’m constantly having to prove myself; I don’t want to feel like I have to do any of that,” she says. “I know where my mind’s at, I know what I’m doing and I know where I wanna go. All I need to do is prove it for myself.”

Ready to seize the opportunities she has ahead of her, Brown is working on her debut studio album. While she is “almost there” with regards to the completion of the record, she wants to make a good impression. “I want to be a well-rounded artist rather than just a DJ that released a song,” she says. “I want people to know I’m very serious about my music too.”

BY ANDREW ‘HAZARD’ HICKEY

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