4 Reasons Why “Love & Hip Hop: Miami” Star Amara La Negra is Very Necessary for the Culture
Amara La Negra, Dominican-American singer and star of “Love & Hip Hop: Miami,” is very necessary for the culture. There is a lot as creators can learn from her and the growing dialogue around the episode on “Love & Hip Hop Miami” where she meets with Young Hollywood.
She is yet another talented singer and performer, in a history of battling for representation for people of color in the entertainment industry, to be met with people like Young Hollywood telling her she has to conform in order to be successful. Afro-Latinas, particularly Afro-Latinas of darker complexions are not prevalent in main stream media or entertainment and as we know this is not something new. However, in a situation like this what will prevail over this type of adversity, in addition to talent, is self-confidence and an unbreakable vision.
Singers such as the legendary Celia Cruz and Elza Soares blew up and reigned in an era of racial segregation and these legendary women’s complexions isn’t as dark as Amara La Negra. There are a lot of things that we can learn from Amara La Negra and the company of legends she finds her self in.
Here are 4 things we can all learn from Amara Le Negra that makes her necessary for the culture:
1.Take who you are and what you do serious, if you don’t neither will they
Amara wants to be taken seriously as an artist, but specifically as an Afro-Latina artist because it is who she is and that means more. Who she is means more for the girls and women who look like her. Latina or not she represents little girls like her when she was young looking up to Celia Cruz. Being who you are with no filter shouldn’t be up for debate for an artist that has been doing her thing already. To Young Hollywood, she got this far with her afro.
2. Keep Pushing towards you’re vision, No Matter What!
Yes, you must be strong to keep pushing, stand for something and show integrity as Amara did and is doing. This is a reality that we the people needed to see! Amara Le Negra has been clear about those two things, she is beautiful as an Afro-Latina and accomplishing her goal of crossing over into the U.S market.
3. Take pride in who you are
Amara Le Negra knows that she is representing more than just herself where ever her career goes and I think that is her driving force. She brings with her the sacrifices her mother made for her throughout her career, the Dominican people, Latins and the many young talented girls fighting for their dreams as well. They will be there to celebrate in her success as well.
4. Be undeniable
Like Celia Cruz and Elza Soares, Amara is an amazing singer and performer. I had the privilege of seeing her perform live at Afro-Latino Fest NYC last year in Brooklyn, NY. This is where she announced that she would be in “Love and Hip Hop Miami.”
Sis, she is captivating. She killed it. That performance that night…I didn’t know the words or who she was at the time, but that night I became fan. So much so, that I stalked her after the performance to snap a photo with her and she was so gracious. (Side note: Security wasn’t trying to let me have my photo, but she made it happen.)
I kept thinking to myself she is the Dominican Beyonce. She just has an energy that is undeniable. Amara Le Negra was meant to be a star.
How do you become undeniable? it’s hard work, takes persistence and having a clear vision.
Authenticity is the new black
Young Hollywood is obviously stuck in a bumble because Amara Le Negra’s look is what’s popping right now. Women, but particularly women of color are no long with the bullshit. The growing trend are beauty products and shows catering to women who are naturally themselves, proud of their complexions and many with kinky or curly hair. Hence successful series, such as Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta have it” and Issa Rae’s “Insecure,” At the end of the day it’s really about being yourself and being able to celebrate who you are.
Amara’s timing is perfect for the U.S market
Basically, the way she looks is exactly what the people want. It’s time the dark-skin women get more love in the entertainment industry.
Closing Remarks
Moral of the story just be you, but also be undeniable and persistent. The world will bend to your authenticity. When you bend, you suffer and the people who could have benefited from your true essence will have to find inspiration elsewhere. It’s never only about you, who we are has a rippling effect. Imagine if Celia Cruz or Elza Soraes gave up, they wouldn’t have been around to inspire young Amara La Negra to see and know that it is possible for her to be a success as la negra.
I am so happy to have had the pleasure of meeting an Afro-Latina Queen Amara La Negra. She is a sweet, beautiful and very captivating soul who deserves all of the success and acclaim coming her way, not only because of her fight to be her, but she is an inspiration for those of us who are striving to do what she’s doing and that’s making an impact with what she loves and is called to do. #justdekit #beacreator
