Dominique Young Unique: ‘The First Time I Met Kanye It Was Pretty Cool’

Hot on the heels of Azealea Banks and Angel Haze, Dominique Young Unique is the latest female rapper about to hit the big time. Fresh from appearing on Earthquake, last year's collaboration between Diplo and DJ Fresh, the 22 year old from Tampa is now getting ready to release her debut album, starting with the very excellent single Throw It Down, produced by Benga and DJ Fresh. We talked to Dominique about meeting Cara Delevingne and Kanye West and how great the London Eye is.

Can you tell me about Throw It Down?

Oh, yeah. I just wanted to do something really different and stand out, you know?

You recorded it in the UK, right?

Yeah, and the album as well.

OK, and how does the UK compare to your hometown of Tampa?

It's really nuts. It's very sunny in Tampa and I come over here and it's all cold. It's a really different environment.

Do you have trouble with the accents?

Not really. I love the Scottish accent. I love it. But then I’ll be over here so much and when I go back home and talk to my friends, they’re like, ‘You sound like those London people!’ And I’m like: ‘Whaaaat?’

What’s your favourite place you’ve been to in the UK?

I like your tourist part. I forget what it’s called, with the really big wheel? You know what I'm talking about?

The London Eye?

Yeah. I got on that big wheel thingy. It goes so slow, though! Damn. Kind of cool, though.

What was it like appearing in Vogue last year?

It was really, really, really amazing. I met Cara Delevingne and the other models. It was so fun. We had a great chat. Oh my God, we had a really, really hard job shooting, though, because it started to rain. I can’t even remember what I talked to Cara about.

What's the most mental thing about the past couple years?

Things have been crazy for me. I'm so young, but I'm like travelling to all these places like Paris, Rome and London. I'm seeing all these beautiful things, you know, like travelling the world and stuff. That’s cool.

Have you met anyone really famous?

I first met Kanye West at his fashion show, where I modelled for Katie Eary. He was pretty cool and sweet. I was just like, ‘Oh my God!’ I kind of freaked out.

So 2014 is looking like it’ll be a huge year for female rappers. How are you going to make your mark and stand out?

I'm just going to continue to do what I do. You know, just be myself and continue to make music.

How has your style evolved as your career's progressed?

I meet new stylists every time. Back then when I was younger, I didn’t actually have a team like now. So, as a musician, my style has developed more. I think it’s getting better! I like to try new looks and stuff, but I don’t have specific style and brand that I really love because I'm still trying everything out!

Thrown It Down is out on 20 April

Follow Jess on Twitter @jess_commons

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.