Neon Hitch: Gypsy Child to Musical Superstar (EXCLUSIVE Q&A)

Posted on Mar 29th 2012 3:30PM by Sarah Chazan

Sheryl Nields

Our call with Neon Hitch last week crackled with static from the moment we were connected with the "F U Betta" singer. Sure, we could blame the iPhone's horrible reception in our tall office building in downtown Manhattan. But instead, we'd like to think it was Neon's electric personality somehow being transferred through the phone lines ... making the call all the more frenetic and challenging.

Before the conversation even started, we'd expected Neon to be an interesting interview ... and the British beauty didn't disappoint. This is the woman who, after all, roomed with Amy Winehouse, opened for 50 Cent and held her own in a recent duet with Gym Class Heroes. Did we mention that Neon was born on the same day that her parent's house burned down? Girlfriend knows how to make an entrance!

If you think those Neon facts above are interesting, you've got to check out our entire interview. The songstress didn't hold back on anything -- from how her video for "F U Betta" is like revenge on her ex-boyfriend, to how her childhood as a traveling gypsy shaped her as an artist. For those who didn't know who Neon was before, be prepared to learn about an artist you'll never forget.

So let's talk your upcoming album, Beg, Borrow and Steal. Why choose that name for the CD? What does it mean to you?

It represents my journey to get here. I'm a hustler, [doing] everything you can imagine to make money. Beg, Borrow and Steal is just, you gotta do what you gotta do. It represents the hustle.

I gotta tell you, the video for your current single 'F U Betta' is pretty steamy!

It's quite raunchy. The song is called "F--- You Betta" so I needed a raunchy video to go with the raunchy song. I wanted to make something beautiful. It's for my ex boyfriend ... it's about him ... dedicated to him.

Were you nervous to film the really racy video?

I'm very comfortable performer so I'm comfortable doing that. I have fun.

As a female in the music industry, how do you walk that line of being sexy, but not letting the image overshadow the music?

I don't think people should be afraid of being sexy there's nothing wrong with being sexy. If anything, embrace it. I don't have a problem with it. I think it's important.

That's a great message for all the ladies out there!

I want to make women around the world feel good about themselves. Be sexy ladies!

Sheryl Nields

You grew up as a gypsy, living on a school bus. What were the highs and lows being raised that way?

Growing up with no money was pretty difficult. We had no money, ever. It was very tough. It was a beautiful lifestyle growing up and getting to see the world, wonderful, but there was a lot of us in that bus! We had no money. We didn't have electricity or running water. I had to chop wood and make fires to keep warm ...

Wow, you were so young to be doing that type of labor ...

It definitely taught you to be a stronger person. I'm definitely a warrior now, I can take on the world!

I've read that the campsites your family lived on where raided by the police frequently. That must have been scary.

It was illegal to be a traveler or a gypsy. It made our lifestyle impossible. There really wasn't anywhere for us to park up. We'd park somewhere and the next day police would raid the site. Children would get put in care, parents would get arrested ... it was terrifying. We weren't doing anything wrong, just living in a bus, traveling. We were homeless, but looked after the earth. We were good people, it was just against the law, which was bizarre.

Prejudice against Gypsy Travelers is still a major issue in the UK still, isn't it?

It's very frowned upon. I'm trying to stand up for my community and prove we're not all bad.

What about your childhood would you like your own children to experience?

Freedom is the biggest thing, and I stand for freedom. If you don't have freedom you really don't have a lot.

I can't believe Neon Hitch is your real name! Did you ever want to change it to something more average when you were younger?

When I was a kid I tried to change my name to Melanie, I thought "Oh God my name is so weird." I hate it. My mom wouldn't let me change my name. I wanted to change it so bad. But I embraced it. I feel like everyone should embrace who they are, what they are, and what they stand for. That comes with age, I believe.

Watch Neon Hitch's "F U Betta"