Q: Is the message on Montego Bay going to differ from the songs that you've been recording previously?

Queen Ifrica: As usual, my message don't change. My music is about self-development and self-empowerment. I say it with so much strength and conviction that it could never change. Last night in my living room, I witnessed on television the chance for black people to finally be recognized properly with [Barack] Obama getting elected president of America. [Likewise] my music is all about showing that you can do whatever you want to do as an individual if you're true to yourself.

Q: How did you personally interpret Obama's election last night here in the States?

Queen Ifrica: I saw black people saying to the world that aggression is not a part of us. It's a reaction to what's been given to us. Over time, we have learned to be diplomatic in our approach to our defense. I think Obama realized and studied the mistakes that his ancestors made, and he decided not to head to the streets with violence and aggression but rather with education and diplomacy. He played the fool to catch the wise. And it all happened violence free.

Q: That's a good point. Do you worry about his safety now that he has been elected?

Queen Ifrica: I don't even think he worries about it, so no. He stood before 200,000 people last night without any security guards [in Chicago] saying, shoot me if you want, but I am not here to divide. I am here on behalf of the people who are downpressed and downtrodden.