Natalie “The Floacist” Stewart, 31, admits to being on a journey of “manifesting an ethos of poetic delivery with musical intent” since a teenager. The 31-year-old’s rebirth as a solo artist—since her and Marsha Ambrosius decided to part ways as Floetry—sees her embrace her roots as a master poet and orator. Recorded over a two-week period, Stewart’s new album The Floacist Presents: Floetic Soul is the soulful culmination of the past four years of her life out of the spotlight.

Congratulations on the release of The Floacist Presents: Floetic Soul. What kind of response are you receiving thus far?
“Thank you! The response has been incredible! I created Floetic Soul with intention, not expectation, so to debut at number two on the iTunes Soul album chart is just a beautiful thing.”

You took some time off from recording before making this album. What kind of decisions did you come to during that period in regards to the kind of music you wanted to make?
“The past four years have been filled with enlightenment and affirmations of identity. With that being said, my major decisions were to get out of the way of myself and flow with my own evolution. When I began making music in 2000, it was a very organic process. The spiritual journey that I have been on with my art has led me into a space where the creative process is safe from greed.”

Floetry has a very dedicated fan base. What are some of your favorite memories from your time as a duo?
“All of my favorite moments are inclusive of my incredible fans and our live experience. I love my fans very much.”

What’s your favorite Floetry track and why?
“‘Fantasize.’ Because it was the first and therefore remained truest to the Floetic ethos.”

Poetry and spoken word are experiencing a new burst of popularity, thanks to shows like HBO’s Brave New Voices. How important is the encouragement of written expression in young people’s overall development?
“I can not stress highly enough the importance of both the written and spoken word. To experience life without an outlet of observation and comprehension is to live life without study. I can not imagine myself without writing. I can not imagine me being the person that I am without literature. Written, spoken or read.”

Where are your favorite places to write?
“Everywhere.”

What advice can you give to aspiring writers?
“Write always. Learn from your own writing. Embellish your perspective through reading and studying. Allow yourself to evolve.”

What other projects are you working on aside from music?
“I have an affirmation book that I am completing for release in 2011, a children’s book series and a one woman show. That’s not mentioning the musical theater script and screenplay that’s coming together. I suppose, ‘watch this space’ is the thing to say here!”

Watch The Floacist’s current single “Forever” featuring Musiq Soulchild:

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