5 Questions With America Foster

This week, 5 Questions With… caught up with America Foster, the British-Jamaican artiste, content creator, and performer, who joins Diplo, Walshy Fire, and Ape Drums as the fourth member of Major Lazer. The charismatic Foster, who “brings fresh energy to Major Lazer’s global sound”, made her live début with the group at Paris’s Fête de la Musique in June.

1. Tell us about your name ‘America Foster’ and what inspired it?

My mother gave me this name. I don’t know the story behind it, but I take it as her final gift to me, as she is no longer here. Miss America Foster is my full name. I don’t have a middle name. I get various reactions. I have a demographic of people, including Jamaican uncles, who call me ‘American Foster’. I will be formally introduced to people and say, “Oh hi, my name’s America Foster,” and they will be like, “Well, my name’s Scotland.” Everyone’s always joking… I’ve heard them all. People will ask me what’s my name and, when I tell them, they go, “But seriously, what is your name?”, and I’ve had to pull out my ID. My own [fans] online call themselves the ‘Foster Children’. The interesting part is, I was in foster care when I was young, although it has nothing to do with my name.

2. You were “raised between cultures and continents”. Share with us what your upbringing was like, and how it has shaped you.

I was orphaned by the age of five and went to live with my maternal aunt, coming from foster care. My aunt and her husband were born and bred in Jamaica so they would spend a lot of time [there]. As a result, I spent a lot of time in Jamaica. I also [spent] a lot of time in Northwest London where there was a heavy Jamaican culture in the Harlesden area. I was always surrounded by the Jamaican diaspora, constantly immersed in the culture.

The only time I didn’t feel a part of the culture was when I went to school. I went to a predominantly white school and was a victim of racial abuse. I felt like I had to carry and defend my culture as one person against 1,800 students... there must have been, at max, 12 to 15 black students. Another boy I’m still friends with now, [whose] family came from the British Virgin Islands, was the only other Caribbean-background student. It was crazy, but it thickened my skin and made me more confident and assertive with who I am.

3. You have family in St Elizabeth, which was hit hard by Hurricane Melissa. Are they okay, and is there any message you would like to send to them and Jamaicans in general?

I spoke to one of the heads of the family, and no one was harmed. The homes are wrecked. We’ve got a lot of aid going out to our family members. Loads of barrels are being sent. As far as a message to my family members directly: Auntie Sharon, soon land with the barrels. Bear with us. To all Jamaicans, my heart is with you. Sitting in England, seeing it happen from afar, and not being able to do as much as I want to do, it’s really heartbreaking. We are little but we are tallawah and whatever they throw at us Jamaicans, we will always overcome it and shine bright like we always have. Our vibes have led the world. We’ll be able to get through this. Melissa cyan dun we, we ah guh dun Melissa.

4. How did you link with Major Lazer and how has your life changed since?

Diplo engaged with me on Instagram. I took a shot and let him know I want to work with him, and he said, “Bet.” A few months later I flew to Jamaica, we made some music… fast forward six months and I was confirmed as the fourth member, and now we have Gyalgebra... It’s energy, it’s vibes, it’s girl maths, it’s about living in the moment. My life has changed in so many ways, but I’m still processing it because I’ve been in survival mode for 28 years. I haven’t had a break. The opportunity itself, being able to work with the people I dreamt about, is momentous. I’m working with giants. Being on the stage and hearing people roar and cheer… that was a dream come true. I’m having pinch-me moments. I’m digesting it, taking it in stride, and letting gratitude lead me. I’m growing at a rapid speed. Even with my musicality, working with the boys and the talent we have access to puts me in a space where I can sharpen my tools. Iron sharpens iron. Being in the room with these people, I’m growing in a way I never have before.

5. Coachella is on your agenda, did you ever imagine yourself on that stage?

Yes, I did. In my dreams. It’s surreal that I’ve been able to turn my dreams into reality. I’ve heard the roars and the cheers, I’ve pictured my name in lights, so to be able to have that come to reality, is literally a dream come true. It sounds so cliché and cheesy but it literally is that. I saw myself in my mind being friends with the likes of Jaden Smith and Justin Bieber, who I’ve now got access to. Like, what the hell? We could well be performing with him at Coachella. He’s on a day before us. Hopefully we could get him to come and play Cold Water.

BRAWTA: What would people be surprised to know about America Foster?

I think they would be surprised that I am an orphan. Whenever I tell people that, the reaction I get is very sympathetic. I find it heartwarming, I appreciate it, but I don’t look for it. Because of how I carry myself and where I’ve been able to get in life, people get really shocked. Not many people know it. It’s not something I’ve worn as a T-shirt. I’ve been speaking on it more recently because I’ve had to digest how far I’ve come and how that’s part of my story. Statistically, I shouldn’t be where I am.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com