Dominique Young Unique is an 18 year-old rapper out of Tampa Florida. Making music is nothing new to this young artist; her music is cutting, alarming, and fun. The fast stabs and elbow-popping (or as Dominique would say “Pussy-Popping”) beats will surely make you wish you were in Tampa on the dance floor at one of her notoriously energized shows.

Dominique's new mix tape has brought her some serious attention in the music world. She was recently named artist of the day by SXSW. Paste Magazine named her one of the top 10 new solo artists of 2010 and her song, “Show My Ass,” was sampled on the Girl Talk track “Down For The Count.” She has been sharing her music with SKATIC for a year now and she has shared a little insight into her musical career with us in this interview.

Hi Dominique,

I just want to start by thanking you for the interview. Once I heard your music on SKATIC and watched your music video I was anxious to get in contact with you. I just love your style and couldn't believe I had not heard your music before.

Anyway, let's get started with the interview:

How old where you when you first started making music and how did you first get into the music scene in Tampa?
I started making music when I was 11 years old but I found my talent when I turned 12 years old by writing me in my cousin raps. so I met up with my producer david and he flew me out to London, it left off from there!

Tell me a bit about what/who influenced you at a young age musically.
When I was into music, meaning writing my own lyrics, Trina influenced me. When I used to see her on TV in her music videos I was like 'that's going to be me in the future.' I was so in love with that girl, 'not a gay way' [Laugh]. I'm just saying her style so unique in that's what I see in me, so I watch her youtube video how she worked the stage in that just admiring to me!!!

Have the artists that influence you changed over the years? If so, who do you currently look up to the most in the music world?
Well, no the artists I looked up didn't changed she still Trina, in a bad-bitch-love-her attitude [smiles]. Right now the only female out there popping right now is Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, Jay-Z, and also Dominique Young Unique.

Great people to be influenced by and you can definitely see it in your music. Can you remember the moment (a show, an album or a song) that made this artist really stand out to you as something great?
Yes ummm.... Dominique Young Unique (me). When I first did my show in front of a lot of people had to remember all my verses, I DID ITTT, so lovely!

What album, song or artist are you listening to the most right now?
Tupac, Jadakiss, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Trina, Gucci, me.

What are your plans for the near future now that the mix tape has been released?
Working on another mix tape (getting ready to release it), featuring songs play in movies, get back on tour, etc!! Big plans? I'm-a make sure I succeed in not fail failure is not in my success.

And finally, what brought you to SKATIC.com?
Tell you the truth, a thing just popped up on my computer so I started going threw it and just signed up for it [laughs].

Well Dominique, we sure are glad to have your music on SKATIC.

Thank you so much for for the interview and we cannot wait to see what you bring to us next.

Below: Watch Dominique Young Unique's Video for the song 'Show My Ass.'