American jazz bassist, cellist and singer Esperanza Emily Spalding is featured in the May 2016 issue of Glamour magazine. Highlights from Esperanza Spalding's interview are below.
On her hair while growing up:
“My hair, growing up, was no fun at all. My mom never let me press it or put relaxer in it; she wanted me to embrace what my hair did naturally. I was allowed to brush it and let it dry, and then I had to get out of the house. When I was around 12, my hair was really, really thick and super curly—just dense and impossible. I went through a very embarrassing couple of years there. I just wanted to get my hair out of my life, out of the way, out of people’s sight, just away from everything because it was so crazy.”
On when she started to love her curls:
“At 15 I just decided to bleach it, relax it, color it—I did everything. At 17, when I left home [for Berklee College of Music in Boston], I shaved my hair to a quarter inch of my head. As it grew into an Afro, I liked that look. And it’s pretty much been growing out like that ever since. I like to let it be completely wild; it forces me to face people not knowing how I’m being seen. I don’t know what it’s doing and I just have to be cool with that—especially if I’m around somebody new. I’m like, All right, let’s go. This is it, unfiltered.”
On why she’s wearing her hair in braids for her new album and tour:
“Emily—which is my middle name, and what I was called growing up—is my onstage alter ego and the inspiration for this album. Her look reflects who she is and what she’s about, and draws from my childhood. Her hair is different from how I usually wear it: It’s twisted down in braids, soaking up the energy of her world.”
For more, be sure to grab a copy of Glamour (available at newsstands now).
