Addicted To The Pen- A Interview with Adelle Platon

I had seen her around a few times, and since we had friends in common we would give each other that "hi, you're cool but I don't know you like that" smirk that you give people that your friends respect. Then that day came when we actually got to vibe. We were both at the Weeknd's "KissLand" listening party, and as if  we were already homies we two stepped and chanted to our favorite songs. Naturally, when I like someone's energy I want to learn more about them; and so I did. I started reading her articles and I was sold when I read her Cassie VIBE Vixen Cover Story.  Read FearlessLeon's exclusive interview with this pen master and follow her eventful life @Adelleplaton. When did you first fall in love with Hip-Hop?

I actually fell in love with Pop and R&B first before Hip-Hop, especially being raised in a household who considered Michael Jackson gospel. I was a late bloomer when it came to rap, probably the ripe age of 8, and my uncle (who was less than a decade older than I) had this Ludacris-sized afro. He spent his days and nights and everything in between, smoking cigs and flaunting his tats on the balcony of our crib in the Philippines, bumping 2Pac and shouting "Thug Life" any chance he got. My uncle was such a bad-ass and so invested in the culture that it's almost like he became the living example of Pac's bars. Because I looked up to him, I ended up jocking his playlists.

Who's your dream person to interview?

I would have to say Oprah, even though I already have. Spending six minutes with her at a press junket for The Butler doesn't even touch the ground of what I would do if I had an unlimited amount of time with her. I would also love a joint interview with Jay Z and Beyonce. Hey, if you're gonna dream big, go big or go to sleep. 

When you were in grade school, did you ever think you were going to be a writer?

Haha, I thought I was going to be Barbie. My dream career changed with every grade from wanting to be an artist to a singer to a veterinarian to an illustrator. But a friend from elementary school recently reminded me of how in fourth grade, we would have these faux newscasts and I always wanted to be the celebrity news correspondent just so I can talk about the Spice Girls to my classmates every week. That was a clear indication that I would end up in the journalism world as an adult later on.

Who's your most fearless rapper and why?

This will sound like a bandwagon cliché but Kendrick Lamar, Kendrick Lamar and Kendrick Lamar. He isn't scared to be himself in an industry that's chock full of fakers who place the emphasis on their material possessions. He's able to paint a story that hits close to home, especially when home feels like nowhere. Kdot's a silent killer and has a work hustle that would run circles around some of these MCs but he'll never allow a blinding chain to dictate to the world how successful he is. He's comfortable in knowing he's that damn good at what he does.

Which would you choose, true love with a guarantee of a broken heart, or never loved at all? Why?

Ahhhh, we're going here, aren't we? Haha. True love with a guarantee of a broken heart for sure. In every relationship I've entered, be it professional or romantic, there was no guarantee that me or my significant other would be in for the long haul or I'd see a paycheck, but I still dived in. Not knowing what's gonna happen tomorrow kind of adds to the thrill of living today. I never want to deprive myself of the opportunity of loving someone or not doing something I love, especially if I truly feel it in my chest.

What was the last interesting book that you read?

Damn Good Advice (for People With Talent!) by George Lois. The dude was THE Ad Man beforeMad Men (the show) made it a thing and is a master of communication. So many anecdotes and colorful examples of how working smart is a helluva lot better than working hard.

If you had only 4 pages to write before you left to the other world, what would you write about?

Gratitude. It's really important that I always remember to remain humble and that my success is shit if it wasn't for the people who constantly believed and supported me when I was a lowercase g. I would write a 4-page letter Aaliyah style to everyone who ever made a mark on me, especially the doubters. Haters need love too.

Are you fearless? What does that mean to you?I'm definitely no Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz but truth be told, I'm scared to let the people that matter most down. My biggest fear is actually not taking care of my family and my day-one supporters. When it comes to success, however, there is no one nor anything that can keep me from being great.

What do you feel is your spirit animal?

Beyonce/ Yonce. She's just a beast in every thing she does.

If you could choose the spirit of someone to always walk next to you, who would it be and why?

My dad. Thought it's almost been a decade since he passed, he was such a free spirit. He definitely passed down his stubbornness and enthusiasm for liver abuse down to me (sorry, ma, don't read that!) but he was also the light of any room he entered from what I could remember. I'd like to think I do the same.

Ms. Adelle is the Editorial Assistant for VIBE Magazine and the Online Content Producer for VIBE.com. She spends her days digesting music, popular culture and everything else in between.