THE REAL DIAMOND

Natural diamonds are formed underground after enduring many years of immense heat and high pressure. These precious stones are a rare find, an exquisite commodity. That and a lot more can be said of Atlanta native and resident hit maker, Diamond.

Born Brittany Carpentero, Diamond has spent her entire life surrounded by music, thanks largely in part to her family. “My earliest memories of home include my parents spinning old school records, plus, my idol [my sister] was in a rap group, so music was everywhere. I’ve always loved music,” she fondly recalls. It was this deep rooted love and unrelenting drive to pick up where her sister left off that led the rapper to pursue her dreams. She would soon join forces with a collaborative of rappers, and begin performing at every talent showcase and open mic in their hometown. The group would eventually be discovered by rapper Scrappy, and offered an opportunity of a lifetime, transitioning them from the underground to the mainstream.

Known by most as one fifth of the platinum selling rap group Crime Mob, Diamond was a standout. Only 14 years old when she signed her initial deal to Lil Jon’s label, Crunk Records, Diamond proved to be at the head of the class lyrically, dropping the most memorable verses of their hit singles. The group burst on the scene with their debut smash record “Knuck If You Buck,” and the world would quickly take notice of the tiny female emcee with the giant voice. Her larger than life personality coupled with an even grander stage presence, quickly pushed the emcee to the forefront of the group. While with Crime Mob, Diamond garnered a reputation for spitting gritty street bars from a female’s perspective.

In 2007 Diamond parted ways with Crime Mob to pursue a solo career amidst turmoil within the group, controversy and naysayers. She used this self-inflicted pressure as fuel and motivation to release the first installment of her mixtape series Bitch Muzik, which contained the female street anthem and club banger, “I’m A Star.” Because of street demand, she quickly followed up with the second project in the series, Bitch Muzik Vol. 2 that garnered the hit single “Skittles.” This year Diamond released Pardon My Swagg (P.M.S.) hosted by DJ Smallz to the satisfaction of fans anxiously awaiting a new hit music from the artist, and once again she hasn’t disappointed. Her latest project has given life to smash “Superbad” produced by Cee Lo. Since departing Crime Mob, the artist has been in high demand, being featured on projects with Yo Gotti, Webbie, and Lil Scrappy. She is currently putting the finishing touches on her highly anticipated major label release that will have collaborations with Cee Lo, Lloyd, and Keri Hilson.

Remaining true to self first and foremost, Diamond is definitely a power player in the new female emcee movement. Counting female rappers Remy Ma, Queen Latifah, Lil Kim and Rasheeda among influences on her music, Diamond is in a lane all her own. “When it’s all said and done I want to leave a legacy that will inspire the next me, to be an icon like the artists I look up to.” With rhymes that promote female empowerment and confidence, Diamond is proving to be a rare gem, brilliant in style and flawless in sound.