The entertainment industry is now graced with the presence of 2 multi-talented females who are set to change the world. Two crazy, sexy and cool music artists known as Fresh As Tommi aka F.A.T. hail from London, UK and are currently proclaimed "one of the best music groups out". The duo consists of an R&B singer Bambi who is exceptionally talented and has a massive worldwide following. The second member of the group is a rapper who goes by the name Peeks.
What's up ladies? It is very rare coming across such a talented music duo that consists of an R&B singer and a rapper. Is it difficult laying down tracks at times given your musical talents?
Peeks: First thank you very much for the compliments. No it's never difficult laying down tracks as we do have similar tastes in music and we sometimes find that our differences in some aspects bring out different flavors in our tracks. It's more like we compliment each other.
Bambi: No not really. We are pretty organized when it comes to studio work. We both have our own jobs to do and always try to do our best on any track.
How did you two meet and how long have you been together as a group?
Peeks: We both met threw our amazing producer BJ. He introduced us to each other as he was looking to work with new talent as Tomboys. I was actually found while visiting London (I live in Glasgow) so fate most definitely played a huge part! We have now been together for almost 10 years. Can you believe it? We have big dreams for success and we won't stop till we get there.
Bambi: We met each other about 9/10 years ago through our producer when he was looking for Tomboys for a group he was making. When we started out there was five of us. Through the years, there have been changes of people leaving and coming in. Now it's just us two reppin for longevity [laughs].
I have to ask, how did you come up with the group name "Fresh As Tommi" and your individual artist names, Bambi and Peeks?
Peeks: Well my name is called Peeks, short for Peekaboo because I was a huge fan of baseball caps from when I was a young teen. I pull the tip of the hat down real low so just my eyes are peeking back at you. So I was named Peekaboo when I joined the group. I'm still a big lover of all styles of hats now. As far as the name "Fresh As Tommi" goes, when myself and Bambi got together we were total tomboys, big baggy jeans and tops the whole nine so Tommi was all about being a tomboy. Now we have grown up a little and matured in style and our looks we are now called "Fresh As Tommi".
Bambi: My name Bambi was given to me by my producer and the original girls as they all thought I had eyes like the baby cartoon Deer when I was 14.
Being two very attractive music artists, I must ask the question for the fellas reading this interview. What is your current relationship status like?
Peeks: Well that part of my life has taken a major back seat for now as I have so many goals and work is pretty full at the moment. It just wouldn't be fair to date anyone at this time but if the right person came along I may be persuaded to re-think [laughs].
Bambi: [Laughs] My love life is complicated as I have a relationship with my music and I'm very determined to have a big holiday home somewhere nice by the time I'm thirty.
It is no secret of the international fan base you all have. How did you create and maintain such a strong following?
Peeks: Well you really can't ignore the power of the internet and hard work. It plays such a main part in us spreading the awareness of F.A.T. beyond the UK. We work hard to make sure we have new tracks and photos regularly and keeping everyone up to date with what's going on in our daily lives. We really appreciate the love, support and feedback we have received from everyone around the world & we always make sure to take time out to respond to everyone personally and that's what people have really gotten to know us for.
Bambi: That's simple, for the last 3 years we each spend the same amount of time per week talking to people on our sites, chatting to our peeps as well as promoting ourselves to them that don't know about us. As well as that, we have been pushing out 3 videos per year for the same amount of time via websites and local Music channels and PA's.
If you had to say, as respects to the quality of music that was put out, what is the difference between artists from the U.S. and artists from London?
Peeks: I really think the difference between UK and US. The US artists go more out of their way on every aspect of their image in terms of their own sound and style. Everyone tries to come with their own image or gimmick that makes them not be compared to someone else in this highly competitive market. In the UK, it's a lot different. Artists don't tend to go for image as top priority but there are a few that have and they stand out and are getting theirs.
We read that there was a third member in the group. Usually in a trio, the least talented which is usually referred to as the "back-up" singer, always faces a short-lived career and had no talent to begin with. Can you shed some light on this rumor?
Peeks: I feel that anyone who is part of a group does play an important part even if they are not necessarily as talented vocally as another member. They may have talent that contributes elsewhere or they wouldn't be there in the first place. In terms of Juice, the third member who left, I think one thing in common for the people who have a short lived career in this industry, is perhaps they get into it for the wrong reasons. It looks like a lot of fun, hanging out with friends or celebs and glamour which it most certainly can be, but there is an incredible amount of hard work and sacrifice involved and people are not prepared for that and soon start to miss having a "regular" life and doing what "they" want to do. It can't be just about you when you work with a team. So to anyone thinking about pursuing a career in entertainment, think very carefully why.
Bambi: Juice is the latest casualty of a business that's demanding on all areas of your life and very time consuming for all involved. She just felt that these pressures on top of everyday life were too much for her. She has a lot of talent but you do need more than just that alone to succeed.
We have seen countless photos and media appearances from Fresh As Tommi as official models for Nelly's clothing line Apple Bottom. How did you land that opportunity?
Peeks: Again the power of having a web presence! We were actually spotted there. Our manager went in for a meeting with Apple Bottom and told them our story. They viewed our music, videos and pics. Apple Bottom is new in the UK and they were looking to spread brand awareness visually so they thought we were perfect to team up with. It's been a great so far and we love their clothes.
The hit remix What's It Gonna Be is appearing on the G-Unit & Gallic Wars Presents Hell On Earth: Chaos & Anarchy, hosted by Hot Rod. What was it like making the song for this project and working with the Gallic Wars camp?
Peeks: It was a great experience especially since we have been getting a lot of love from fans in America. It was also a huge honor to work on the G-Unit and Gallic Wars mixtape. We love the beat and are really happy with how the song came out. We've had really great feedback and were looking forward to doing many more projects with Gallic Wars.
Bambi: It was fun although I did have cold at the time and I can officially say I hate hot water and honey with lemon. It's a pleasure to be featured on the G-Unit mixtape and it's even more of a pleasure working with Caesar at Gallic Wars that made it all happen.
We have received word that your group's digital mixtape entitled Two Kool For Love was released. What can we expect from this project?
Peeks: Well you can expect some really F.A.T. ass beats [laughs]. As always, people compliment us on our unique sound so you won't be disappointed. On the tape will be some great songs from our experiences as young women and you really just have to make sure you cop the mixtape and find out for yourself [laughs].
What separates Fresh As Tommi from all of the other music groups out?
Peeks: I really believe we have always had our own unique sound and this is what most people pick up on us for. We always make a special effort on our visual style, videos and photos, and the fact that we sing and rap. Rap hasn't played a huge part in any female acts for a very long time. People can see we enjoy ourselves and we really want to offer people something exciting, creative and entertaining. Plus we been here for a minute and we have a story that needs to be told.
Bambi: We are not just a group, we represent the UK. We have grown up through two decades of music, made so much and then lost just as much. We are looking to put all this experience together in building tunes that have our own unique sound on.
- By Mathew Aurelius
