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Dawn Richard is best known as a member of Danity Kane and Diddy‘s Dirty Money, but good things have been happening for this former reality star since leaving Bad Boy Records. Millions watched Dawn Richard begin her journey in the music industry on MTV’s long-running reality show “Making The Band.” During her interview, which is part of the ongoing iTunes “Meet the Musician” series at the Apple Store in New York City, Dawn Richard explained why the visibility was both a blessing and a curse.

“It was the best and worst thing that ever happened to us,” Dawn recounted about the fame that came with being a part of Danity Kane and star of a reality show. “We broke records; we weren’t prepared for it.” After Danity Kane disbanded, Dawn Richard was retained on Bad Boy Records to sing for the forward-thinking trio Diddy-Dirty Money. Even though their only album Last Train To Paris spawned several hits and club bangers, Dawn Richard asked to be released from the label.

Instead of joining the professional graveyard that houses former Bad Boy artists like Black Rob, Dream, Cheri Dennis, G-Dep, Total, Craig Mack and Shyne, Dawn Richard has proved that life can be very good after leaving Bad Boy Records. Her latest project the EP “Armor On” went #1 on iTunes in only three hours, and this major feat was accomplished without Diddy seven months after leaving the label.

Unlike her former label mates, Dawn Richard has positive things to say about Diddy. During her conversation with Michael Scott Jones, the moderator and Multimedia Director of Interactive One (parent company of this site) at the Apple Store, she referred to herformer boss as a “genius.” Dawn Richard added that she looks up to Diddy as a mentor, and retains the upmost level of respect for him. She says, ”He’s always been a business man–he doesn’t owe you anything; he’s a boss.”

With Danity Kane, Dawn Richard stepped into the pop world, Dirty Money introduced her to hip-hop, and her mixtape “A Tell Tale Heart” was all about R&B. She describes her EP “Armor On” as progressive R&B, but notes that it does not belong in a box. She likens the sound to her hometown of New Orleans as says, “it’s like gumbo, but it’s worldly.” Hear why Dawn Richard is blowing up on iTunes by clicking here.

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Check out these photos of Dawn Richard…

Dawn Richard Dispels The Curse, Succeeds After Leaving Bad Boy [EXCLUSIVE]  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com