Our Interview with Prince Guitarist and Protégé Andy Allo

By Rinny of MissRiot.com

Pictures of Andy Allo have served as hairspiration on numerous Tumblr and Instagram accounts, and now we’re putting a name with the face. Andy Allo is a Cameroonian born singer/guitarist/songwriter who’s been taken under the wing by music legend Prince. He’s producing her upcoming album, Superconductor, and she is a guitarist/vocalist in his band, The New Power Generation. Her single, People Pleaser, has just been released and is available on Itunes and Amazon. And her album is coming out on November 20. She spoke with us about working with Prince, and how she keeps her curls looking so fresh…

On working with Prince…
First and foremost, I feel very blessed. The whole experience has been surreal. Working with Prince, I’ve never felt so excited, inspired and challenged all at once. When we first met, we just sang and jammed on our guitars. I was nervous in the beginning but there was no judgment and we ended up playing music all night.

I hope to make him proud by showing that the effort he has put in teaching me was worth it.

On her most memorable moment touring…
Wow! I’d have to say dressing up as Prince. I wore one of his suits and walked out on stage. You could only see my silhouette but I had his light-up shoes on so the audience went wild when they saw me walking out. Then I went in to Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix. Amazing!

On her upcoming album, Superconductor…
I think the title ‘SUPERCONDUCTOR’ says it all. There is a certain energy driving this record, and like my friend Ledisi said, “the musicianship on this project reminds me why I fell in love with music.” There is something on this album for everybody whether you want to dance, groove, relax or just drive.
One of the songs on the record, ‘Yellow Gold’, makes you want to put on some roller skates and get down.

While ‘Nothing More’ speaks of when you have attained true love/happiness and there is nothing more. One of my favorites and the first single, which is out now, is ‘People Pleaser’. Everyone at some point has been a people pleaser and I’m telling you, this is the anthem.

On her Cameroonian roots…
I haven’t been back since I moved to the Unites States and I look forward to returning. However, I want to go back to perform rather than just visit…I’d love to organize a music festival in Cameroon, bring out some amazing acts and put on a great show. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done there but it’d be wonderful to do something that celebrates African Art and Artists and promotes positivity.

On her hair story and regimen…
In high school, I would wear my hair in braids, cornrows or gelled back in to a ponytail. It wasn’t til I graduated that I just let my hair go free. Now, I just let it do what it wants.

I don’t have much of a routine. I just do what my hair needs. If it’s little dry, I’ll do a deep condition with Moroccan Oil Hydrating Mask. I like to rub in some Argan Oil, do one French braid, and then wrap my hair up with a scarf. That keeps my hair moisturized.

I have got to have Herbal Essence’s None Of Your Frizzness Shampoo and Conditioner. I’m about to hit the road again so I recently went a little over board and cleared out the shelf at the local store just so I would have enough while traveling. I also love Argan Oil and will use that occasionally to keep the moisture in after conditioning.

On her vow that she would shave her head on her third album…
Since I’m on album number 2, the reality of shaving my head on my third record is becoming a little too real. I may have spoken too soon. At some point I will shave my head, just to have a fresh start.

I find it fascinating what a strand of hair can tell you about your health, vitamin, and cortisol levels etc. I think it’s really cool how interconnected our bodies were created and the story just one strand of hair can tell.

Ladies, you can keep up with Andy on her Facebook page and her Twitter account @AndyAllo. And you can listen to her new single People Please — which was co-written by Prince — on Itunes.