The New York Times described her as "having a voice that can fill 3 stadiums and the moves of Tina Turner."  Whether she’s on Broadway or NBC’s “The Voice”, Ashley Tamar continues to excel in creating her own path. She is truly an unstoppable force of nature and lucky for us, this is only the beginning.

With some of the most talented musicians in the world, Ashley Tamar releases her fourth independent album that is overflowing with love, honesty, sincerity, and musicianship like no other: My Name Is Tamar.

Your fourth independent album is arriving 10 years after My Name Is Tamar - how does it feel for the world to finally hear My Name Is Ashley?

It’s exhilarating. I didn’t realize that this year would be 10 years from releasing my first project. It was because of the supporters, aka #TamFam, sending me countless messages like, “What are you doing to celebrate your 10th anniversary since releasing My Name is Támar? I titled it My Name is Ashley because Ashley is my first name. I really wanted to approach this project strictly coming from me, every single song. No influences or submission of music. So this album is a true testament to my production and composition gifts.

What inspired My Name Is Ashley and what message do you hope your fans take from it?

My true inspiration came from the ideal of perseverance. In 2018, I went through a divorce, and it was a conversation I had with my ex-husband that gave me the gumption to relocate back to LA and try the city again. So when I began working with musicians such as Michael Nocny, Mononeon and Jason Moran, I knew it was time to tell an authentic message about my life. Not something I wanted my life to be. But transparency. And that’s what makes this project so rewarding.

Pop albums nonetheless, the R&B rhythm and groove of MNIT has taken a funk-inspired turn within MNIA. Why is that sonic evolution important to you?

I’ve always loved funk and rock. I feel it’s a genre that’s truly under-represented and there were times where I was compared to Tina Turner. And who better to be compared too. Especially as a black woman. So I knew, although I am a balladeer at heart, this project needed to pay homage to a rare vocal style being heard today.

Can you pull back the curtain on your creative process? How did that change during the height of quarantine?

Of course. First, I knew that I had to create derivative versions of songs from My Name is Tamar. The most popular songs from that project were Heartbeat, Kind Words and Love Speaks. So, I knew those three songs needed to be a new vibe yet remain true to their essence. Then, as irony has it, Prince told me at the original 3121 house that I would one day produce my own music. And sure enough that’s what happened. When I relocated back to LA, I met a man who turns out is a dear friend. But for some reason, I was smitten by him. I immediately went home, opened my computer and started composed “What is This Feeling?” The idea was all about timing. So I chose a tik tock, clock sound as my bedding and from there I recorded. What was so weird about the song was I kept asking myself “where are you going with this?” and “what key are you singing in?” Fast forward, I met Michael Nocny and played the song for him. He emphatically asked if he could spice it up and this song is by far one of my favorites. Needless to say, we added THE Jellybean Johnson. And he added spice and fire like non-other.

My Name Is Ashley features amazing artists and musicians: skills from MonoNeon’s bass lines to Jason Moran’s keys, to Eric Harland’s drumming and Jellybean Johnson’s guitar riffs...was there a common point in your creative process when you knew who you wanted on the album?

I knew right away I wanted to work with these gentlemen. My co-executive producer Jermaine and I discussed it and it was an immediate phone call. We can’t forget Mark Kelley on bass. What some people may not know is that Mark, Jason, Eric and I are fellow Houstonians and High School for the Performing and Visual Arts graduated. I was nervous that with their schedules it would be hectic, but they immediately recorded the songs and sent visuals of themselves during the recording process. I also added a dear female vocalist, Stephanie Ferrett, on the project.

It’s so exciting to hear you’ll be going on tour! Which aspect of your set will reflect Ashley the most?

Honestly, my ballads. I recently uploaded a reel’s remix and the viewership blew my mind. Almost 200k views in a few days and I’m realizing people desire to hear from me the simplicity. So, this I am excited about.

What has your experience been like as an independent artist in a male dominated industry? Do you have any words of advice for women in music navigating that terrain?

I am still navigating this male-dominated industry. But I have a motto: When women get in powerful positions, they should mentor other young women to follow in their footsteps. I guarantee you this. When I speak to high schools and aspiring artists, I emphatically tell all female artists to quickly find a female mentor in this business. It’s heartbreaking to see some of our most revered female artists always in photos with men only. Or only men on their team. Where are the Sharon Heyward’s? I recently took on a new powerful position and experienced micro- aggression for the first time. And some men will swear that you initiated it. My advice: align yourself with other women and women who are in current position of change, should thoroughly see change from conception to production. I also feel that women should align and band together more. My latest executive opportunities came through a female. And that's a rarity in this business. I am for all races and genders. However, it hits differently when women support each other and pay-it-forward. With all the disparities and pay gaps, women must have their voices told in a better light than what we are being fed through media. It's the BEST time for me to launch my production company. It took me weeks to realize "why can I not find any Black female who has launched a live entertainment production company?" That's a problem. So I'm glad to be a catalyst in this change.

Not only are you releasing an album and going on tour, but you’ve also added another job title of Music Supervisor for NBCUniversal/HBO Max and founded your own production company, Syren Entertainment + Media Group. What pushed you to venture into these projects? Is there anything specific you hope to achieve?

I knew that there must be more post-artistry. I wrote in my prayer journal that I desire to be more in the executive level. I wanted to apply my USC Thornton School of Music degree. And so, one conversation led to another, and I began training. Syren Entertainment + Media Group has been in existence since 2009, formerly under the name of Syren Music Group, LLC. I’ve always been compelled to solve a problem. For instance, why when I’m being booked for an event, it’s once again, men who are behind the event, per se. And then the constant phone calls from artists seeking advice and that’s when a light bulb went off. I wrote a book “100 Things to Know as an Independent Album” and a 27-page workbook. I was always giving away my knowledge for free. And that was the end of that. I desire to achieve being one of the biggest one-stop shop independent companies where all independent artists come to us for everything. I have access to a database of so many people. Why not put it to use?

Where do you see yourself in another ten years?

With commercial real estate operating and creatively producing substantial content. Think of us as the new creative YouTube sync tanked but operated by a Black Woman.

I am so inspired by Ashley. I feel very lucky to have conducted this interview with her at such a creatively pivotal time in her career.  Click here for Spotify and here for Tidal, to listen to the playlist curated of songs highlighting Tamar's best works and favorites.