Heather Hunter: The Unexpected

By Mark Williams-Washington

You may know her from her former porn star days, erotic pop-art paintings, upcoming books, or even from her music endeavors with some of the most elite in the hip-hop game. One thing is for certain - if you don't already know the versatile Heather Hunter, eventually you will. Shine Magazine recently caught up with her to find out what she has going on now, and what's coming up next...

Shine: What's going on, how are you?

HH: What’s up, I’m chilling.

Shine: So, what are you working on now?

HH: Oh wow. Everything. For the past seven years I’ve been building my empire. I have a record. My album drops in stores July 12, 2005, this summer. It’s called Double H: The Unexpected. It’s hot, it’s really hot. People are going to be really shocked. It’s all hip-hop and rhyming. I got platinum producers – Scott Storch, DJ Premier, A Freedom Lyles, Fantom Of The Beat (the cat who did Magic Stick for 50 Cent) Akinyele, Mr.Cee from Hot 97, and Pitbull. The album is something I’ve been looking forward to. I been working on this album for two years. It’s hot. I am very proud of this project. I’ve done music before but this is a killer. I named it The Unexpected because people going to be shocked about it. Also, I plan to do my own record label, Blo Records, and it’s distributed through Selector Hits. On top of that I been working on my book. My book comes out in the fall. And back in the day I used to do graffiti so I have an art gallery opening.

Shine: What’s the title of the book?

HH: Sensational Desires. It’s a semi-autobiographical fictional story about a girl like me. I draw some experiences from my life. It’s a guess-who book. I didn’t put nobody out there like that.

Shine: I noticed the paintings on your website, what style would you say they are?

HH: I call it erotic pop art. My stuff that’s on the website right now, all of the original pieces have been sold. I have a brand new collection of about thirty-five paintings. It’s all colorful work. A lot of stuff has inspired me.

Shine: Is it in any museums or exhibits?

HH: No it’s going to be in my own art galley. I’m opening it up in Brooklyn. It’s called Artcore NYC.

Shine: I remember back in the days when Lil’ Kim said your name in one of her songs. What did you think about that?

HH: When Lil’ Kim did it, it was an honor. Other rappers put my name in their songs, but it really feels good when it’s coming from a female. I give her much respect.

Shine: What about a Heather Hunter, Lil’ Kim collaboration?

HH: Maybe one day! You know. Who knows?

Shine: How did you get into the adult industry?

HH: Wow! I got into the adult industry from stripping. I was 18 years old. If you didn’t know I’ve been retired from the industry for about 12 years. So when I got into it was like when I was 18. It was more or less when I was dancing I realized I could make more money doing films. But, I did not expect to become as successful as I became. I became real popular, so I just ran with it. My key with that was to collaborate the erotic side with the mainstream; that was like my focus all the way through.

Shine: What would you tell someone thinking of getting into the adult industry?

HH: If you going into the adult industry it’s mandatory to practice safe sex. Honestly, you really got to want to do it for the passion. The money is quick; it’s easy money, so when the money does run out you got to be happy with what you have done with your life. You don’t want to regret anything. You want to embrace everything that you did in life. So, my most important thing is protect yourself going in mentally as well as physically.

Shine: It seems like - or at least I’m just thinking - that it would be a little tough to handle mentally?

HH: Well yeah it’s a hard business. It’s a really hard business. And, it’s more of surviving through it. Cause it’s a land of everything’s wonderful.:::Laughs::: You just have to watch yourself. To me I feel the strongest survive and that’s it. There's very few who become very successful at it. If you want to do it, do it because you’re just a freak.

Shine: Other than the business ventures you told me about, are there any other ventures you’re involved in?

HH: Well with the book I plan on writing a bunch of books, it’s not just going to stop there. Right now I got a lot on my plate. I’m running a record label, I’m also an artist on that label, and then I got this art gallery. Right now I got a lot on my plate. I been waiting to clear up my plate a little bit.:::Laughs:::

Shine: So where are you at spiritually right now?

HH: Right now, I’m in the best place I have ever been in my life because I’m truly at peace. I'm fortunate of everything that has been blessed my way in life. I struggled - and I believe I deserve everything that I got right now. I worked hard to get to this point. And I’m just happy, I’m so happy.:::Laughs:::

Shine: What’s the first single off the album?

HH: The single that’s coming out is called “So Serious.” The most important thing is that I want people to take the message, or try to. Even though I’ve done porn movies, that’s my past. I want people to take me serious in any other creative things I bring their way. This is very important to me. At the end of the day, whether this album does incredible or whether it’s a flop, I can [still] wake up every day being proud of myself because it’s a very good product. I’m waiting for the haters; I’m ready to embrace them. :::Laughs:::

Shine: What are some of the misconceptions people have about you?

HH: I think people want to typecast you in any type of entertainment. If you doing something for a while and people know you for that, they’re going to typecast you in that way. I just believe that you gotta' give a sister a time to shine in a different way, and I think that’s my biggest struggle. The best thing about me is I’m a very patient person…so I wait my turn and I know right now my time is now. So I’m going to get in where I sort of fit in.

Shine: You mentioned before about people taking you seriously – Is it hard to get respect from people?

HH: Oh no, that’s the craziest thing, I get so much respect. Don’t get me wrong – women respect me, men respect me. I don’t even put myself in a situation where I’m not going to be respected. You gotta' respect me in any manner because I’m a lady at the end of the day. You feel me? No matter how crazy or cranky I may be. I believe if you true to yourself that will kind of set you free. I just want people to realize that there’s more to me than just the porn. That’s why I’m throwing all these projects at people, so they can see the other side of Heather Hunter.

Shine: What was your reason for moving from LA back to NY?

HH: I had to come back home. I was born and raised in New York. I missed home, and when I got here I was working on my album out here, and I’m opening up this art gallery. My business brought me back to New York. It’s good to be back home. I got my NY accent again, it’s on hard it's disgusting, and I love it. :::Laughs:::

Shine: Do you have any last words or shout outs?

HH: Definitely. Much respect to all the female MCs out there doing they thing. Whether you on or not on I give you much respect. Keep it moving and you know us women, we run this. :::Laughs::: And much love to the guys. Buy my sh*t. :::Laughs::: I gave my public announcement to practice safe sex because, that’s the most important thing. People need to realize you can freak and still freak for the rest of your life but do it safely. That’s it baby!