Fefe Dobson‘s fans have been saying it for a while now. The Rihanna we know as the “Good Girl Gone Bad” is actually what Fefe Dobson was supposed to be, had her label Def Jam (also Rihanna’s label) focused their attention on her instead of turning Rihanna into a punk rocker with a hint of pop and R&B. And now, Fefe herself is speaking out via an exclusive interview with Honey Magazine. And surprisingly she’s not even mad. She actually takes it as a compliment…
HoneyMag: You were already on Def Jam when Rihanna signed, right?
Fefe: I was first I was signed to Def Jam in 2003. I think she was signed in 2005HoneyMag: First of all, what happened when you left the label?
Fefe: It was just musical difference. It was a mutual breakup. Things weren’t working out the way we had wanted and it was time to part ways and let me create some things. Is Rihanna rock and roll? I don’t know. I mean I think that term is used really loosely.HoneyMag: Basically, her career did not affect yours whatsoever?
Fefe: I wasn’t associated with it anymore, but do I get comparison… all over the place. To me, again, we are different. It’s like Avril-syndrome. You ask me now, and yes, we are both black but it’s not the same music. She might have some guitars on her thing but what is that? It doesn’t make it the same music.HoneyMag: That’s my point. The image thing — to go so extreme, from dancehall reggae queen girl to cool, punky, rocker-chick. People say Rihanna bit your style.
Fefe: I mean, for sure I question that, but who wouldn’t. She is supposedly a fan of mine. I try to take it as a compliment. It gets a little much when she starts getting the same tattoos as me but overall I just want people to separate the image and listen to the music. It’s about the music. Its like Prince and Michael Jackson, totally different artists. Or its like Kanye West and Jay-Z. So what? They are both black men, they sound different. So they both wear jeans, they are different. And why would you want the same type of artist?HoneyMag: People are definitely do an image comparison.
Fefe: To me, dressing is like an expression. You don’t have to be crazy or whatever. Just wear whatever you want to wear.HoneyMag: I think you can tell when it’s contrived and when it’s authentic.
Fefe: I agree. I do have to say one thing though, her songs are well written. I know Ne-Yo writes some stuff and he is an amazing writer but we’re just different.HoneyMag: Have you guys met?
Fefe: Yeah, I met her when she was the dance hall queen with the long hair. She was a nice girl but very quiet.
