Newark, NJ - When fans visit EssenceCarson.com, they’re given a choice on which side of Carson they want to know more about, EC17 or Pr3pE. Much like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, both paths are different and depending on where the mouse clicks, it reveals a different side of Carson. In Part II of our interview, she sheds some light on the musical part of her life.

If you click on the Pr3pE side, the opening lines of her bio read: “When you’re a kid you always wanted to be a lawyer or an astronaut. But I wanted to be Stevie Wonder in the 5th Grade.”

In her early teens, Carson decided to pursue her musical inclinations and was accepted to the Rosa L. Parks School of the Fine and Performing Arts studying piano and instrumental music. Although the school did not have an athletic program, she was able to join the basketball team at Paterson Eastside High School and competed athletically there.

Never favoring one over the other, Carson has managed to keep a fine balance between being an athlete and honing her musical talent. Whenever she is not on the court, she is occupied with music. Recently, she released a single, “Love Letter” which is available for purchase on iTunes.

SPM: What do you see yourself doing in your post-basketball career? It’s a known fact you’re talented musician and one would assume your post-WNBA aspirations would have to do with music.

EC: Of course. It would definitely be in the music industry. Whether it’s on the production side or the artist side, I’ll be in there some way, somehow.

SPM: Where do you draw your inspiration from for your music?

EC: Everyday experiences, whether it’s my life or someone else’s life. It’s just music that everyone can relate to depending on the situation. That’s what makes the best music, when people can relate to it.

SPM: Most people know you as an athlete. Did you always consider yourself as a musician as well or want to perform musically?

EC: Yeah, I pretty much started music before I started playing basketball. I started playing basketball for a team when I was 11 and music at 9. The two always went hand-in-hand, I never separated the two.

SPM: Do you feel your exposure as an athlete plays a role in helping your music career?

EC: Yeah, of course it does. It’s just a fact that people know who I am as an athlete and it opens doors a lot easier. But you know, it doesn’t mean that you don’t work as hard. I’m just glad that I do have this platform.

SPM: How do you find the balance between being an athlete and a musician?

EC: I don’t find it anymore, it just comes second hand. I’ve been doing it for so long, since I was a kid, so it’s just second nature for me.

SPM: Since most fans know you as Essence Carson, the WNBA player, what do you want them to know about the other side of Essence Carson?

EC: They should go to EssenceCarson.com or go to iTunes and search Pr3pE. They can figure it all out from there.

SPM: Now for some fun questions I ask everyone. Out of all the WNBA cities you visit every summer, name your favorite one.

EC: I don’t have a favorite, but the top three would have to be Atlanta, Chicago and LA.

SPM: Here is a question I can never get an answer to. Maybe you can answer this one. Who is the funniest person on the team?

EC: It used to be Sydney (Colson). I don’t know. Everyone has their own humor, but she used to be the funniest. Hands down.

SPM: Finish this sentence: If I wasn’t playing basketball, I would be doing…

EC: Music.

SPM: Who is the person who inspires you most?

EC: My mom and grandmother. My mom because of her battle with breast cancer and my grandmother because she is such a strong woman and was able to overcome a lot of things in her life.

SPM: What is the best advice someone has ever given you?

EC: Let it flow, just let everything flow. Don’t stress so much and take it as it comes.

SPM: How about a song or album no one would expect to find on your iTunes?

EC: Oh, I’ve got so many songs on my iPod. Hmm, Chumbawumba’s “Tubthumping” That’s from years ago.

SPM: I probably know the answer to this, but I will ask anyway. Mac or PC?

EC: Mac. Anyone that’s has anything to do with any type of art, whether it’s music, photography, it’s Mac.

SPM: Thank you for your time Essence. Good luck with the rest of the season.

Tags: Essence Carson, New York Liberty, WNBA