There are many reasons why you might know Daisy World: perhaps for her L.A. based R&B-punk band, Daisy, or maybe from her hand-painted clothing that’s been worn by everyone from Benny Blanco to Addison Rae. There’s also a good chance you’ve seen her name listed as a collaborator alongside The Internet or (most recently and arguably most notably) as a featured guest on Tyler, The Creator’s “Rise!” off his latest Billboard 200 No. 1 album, Call Me If You Get Lost.
Following the appearance (and her Hot 100 debut that followed), Daisy World — born Daisy Hamel-Buffa — kept momentum going with a pair of solo tracks, “Sundown” and “Six Two,” that preview much more to come. Ahead, she’ll hit the road on a nationwide tour with Daisy following the band’s upcoming EP while also continuing to work on more solo music and art projects. But for now, as she says, she’s just enjoying this “miraculous” moment.
Get to know the singer better below with Billboard’s 20 Questions series:
1. Where are you in the world right now, and what’s the setting like?
I’M IN L.A. BEBE!!! I am quite literally looking into the eyes of the Hollywood sign with a perfect gorgeous blue sky behind it and it reminds me that I am from an amazing place. I am also with a fat dog.
2. What is the first album or piece of music you bought for yourself, and what was the medium?
The first CD I ever bought was Get Rich or Die Tryin’ by 50 Cent at the Virgin record store off Sunset. I ate that shit up…first off, that album cover was definitely a sexual awakening and I remember thinking, “This man is rapping AND singing, and I love that and appreciate that and I want to do that too.” I still love it and listen to it all the time!
3. What made you want to become an artist full-time?
I cant ever remember a time in my life when I didn’t want to be a musician… I have a memory from pre-school where I was playing some Britney Spears out of a boombox and I stood on a chair so that I could be tall enough to sing into the speaker. I thought I was recording myself on to the song… it was always meant to be.
4. What’s the first song you remember covering?
“Vision of Love” [by Mariah Carey] in 2003.
5. Who’s been your greatest mentor, and what was the best advice they gave you?
I had an amazing singing teacher/piano teacher/everything teacher named Jody who would yell at me whenever I would tell him I couldn’t hit a certain note or sing a particularly hard song. He would be like, “F–K YOU, DAISY! F–KING SING THE F–KING SONG!” And honestly, then I would just f–king sing the f–king song and I realized I actually could and I sounded good. He really pushed me and helped me discover parts of my voice that I didn’t know were there. He made me feel confident in being loud and powerful and now I know I can sing anything.
6. What’s the first non-gear thing you bought for yourself when you started making money as an artist?
One time I was going to buy a huge see-through purple lucite foot from Jonathan Adler but I never did… I’m realizing I don’t buy myself anything that’s not for work… Maybe I need to go shopping and get back to you. OH! MY CAR! I got a sexy lil car and we love her.
7. How and when did you become passionate about fashion?
My passion for fashion you ask? You ever seen a child wear elbow pads to school as a fashion statement?
8. Who’s the most surprising person you’ve seen wearing a piece you designed?
I really love seeing Benny [Blanco] in my clothes. He ordered my first ever custom commissioned piece and I love painting stuff for him. I guess it’s not surprising, but I am always shocked by our resemblance.
9. What song always makes you cry?
“Wilshire” by Tyler, The Creator.
10. What TV series have you watched all the way through multiple times?
I watch High Maintenance on repeat.
11. What’s the best business decision you’ve ever made?
Not taking anybody’s advice and doing whatever felt right to ME.
12. You’re featured on Tyler, The Creator’s new album, how did that happen?
He texted me one night saying, “I want to hear you on this new song” and I was immediately shaking in my little pants. I got so excited about it that I actually got scared that he accidentally texted me or that he just wanted me to be a part of a choir or something, haha. But alas bebe got the bridge! LOVE YOU T THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH THAT MEANT TO ME!
13. “Rise!” scored you your first Hot 100 hit, how did you celebrate?
Oh holious molious… I like to celebrate by allowing myself to do absolutely nothing. I can be a bit of a workaholic, so sometimes I need to say, “NO DAISY GO LAY IN THE SUN AND RELAX,” and that’s exactly what I did.
14. You already performed the song live with Tyler, how did it feelbeing back on stage and what was the energy like?
Performing is my absolute favorite activity in life. Performing with one of my most respected and most loved artists??? No words for that. I emotionally blacked out. The energy was f–king alive. I’ve played most of my favorite shows at the Roxy, that place is something very special. Everybody was sweaty and smiling and dancing. It made me SO EXCITED for my upcoming shows, I cant wait to sing for everybody again.
15. With live music coming back, who are you eager to see perform?
Girl, I am ready to be attending shows EVERY NIGHT. I want to go see everyone and anyone… But to be specific, I cant wait to see Smino perform again. He goes the f–k off and inspires me so much. His live shows? Unreal, drop-dead talented, gorgeous perfection. Anderson .Paak too. Lizzo was one of the last shows I saw and I left there beaming. Ugh, I cant wait to go to shows. I need to see Meg — I will cut off my arms to see Meg, take my legs too, I don’t care.
16. Who would you love to collaborate with next?
I can’t answer this question, the length of this list is disgusting. I LOVE collaborating and I want to work with everyone. There is so much to learn… I had a dream when I was little that I would sing the hook on every rap song ever recorded. That’s still a goal of mine, haha — but really I want to work with absolutely everyone.
17. You recently released your two-track solo project, Sundown & SixTwo, how does it feel to have those songs out?
I had moments of deep excitement and other moments of intense doubt. Now I feel very much at peace. These songs really just feel like ME, that’s a feeling I’ve been chasing. I am happy to have released a little piece of me into the world and I can’t wait to keep adding more and more pieces to the pile. I am also just so happy that people are liking them and rocking with me because I know the s–t is different.
18. What are your future solo plans?
This is also a disgusting list…WAY more music, like, you’re not even ready for the amount of content I’m about to bestow upon you… Live shows, music videos, acoustic versions, short films, pop-up events and shops, much more collaborating. MUCH more clothing, Christmas music… let’s open a restaurant too, why don’t we? And maybe even a night club. And finally, my dying wish is to design a city. I don’t know the logistics of that, but I think I would do a phenomenal job and it would be very cute.
19. What’s at the top of your professional bucket list?
I want to shake hands with Snoop Dogg and I would also love to hear myself on the radio, or in a cool movie or even just in a store. I want to drive by a car filled with people blasting my music, singing and dancing, and I will be crying and watching somewhere in the shadows. I could get down with a Grammy too, and also I’d like to headline festivals and arenas.
20. What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
No one will respect you if you don’t show respect to yourself.
