Ciara: how did this 19-year-old army brat get crowned the first lady of crunk? The mistress of funk finds out

FERGIE: Hi, Clara. So, let's talk about crunk. Some people say "crunk" means to get chronicked up and drunk at the same time. People want to know: Do you get crunk?

CLARA: See, I don't get chronic and drunk at the same time. [laughs] My definition of crunk is that it's high-energy music. It's the heavy metal of hip-hop. When people get crunk, they wile out! When you get crunk in its original form, with no R&B, it can be a little bit crazy. But when you take that and put the R&B on there, and you sing on it--like Usher did on his record--that's Crunk&B.

F: I'm glad you spelled it out for our readers.

C: Yeah. It's not about getting drunk and chronic. [laughs]

F: That's good. Now people know what we're talking about. You're only 19, but people are already calling you the "Queen of Crunk."

C: That is so funny for people to give me that title. My first single, "Goodies," was Crunk&B, but to me, that is the only genuine Crunk&B track on my album [Goodies, La Face], being that Lil' Jon produced it. He's the "King of Crunk"; that's his thing. But I don't want to be known as the "Lady" or the "Queen" or the "Princess" of that particular sound.

F: How come?

C: It's like you're pigeonholed. I don't think that I should be called the "Queen of Crunk&B" when all my music is not Crunk&B. I'm doing all different kinds of music.

F: Now, you said you've gone out with thugs; you talk about it on the album. How do you feel about rappers taking battles beyond the mic?

C: No comment. I can't say nothing about that one. I want to say something, but then I don't.

F: Okay. For me, I just don't want to see another Biggie and Tupac thing go down.

C: You know what? Time out. Let me backtrack, because you're so right. As far as battles going beyond the mic, that's definitely too far. That's not even hip-hop to me.

F: It's hard, though, because people are rapping about thugging and being real-life gangsters. Usually in the past, when you would call out someone on the mic--when it was rappers who weren't gangsters--it would just stay at the mic.

C: So, this is what it is. I think it's really sad and scary to know that music can lead to that. Because now it's like, What are we living for? Music is so powerful, and we have the power to touch others, but to know that it goes beyond that, that people want to go against each other, and it gets that deep--that's sad.

F: I just don't want to lose anybody.

C: I agree. It's not worth it to me.

F: Well, I love that you talk about self-respect and empowerment for women in your music. I was so happy when Goodies came out because there are so many songs out there about girls just giving it up all the time.

C: Right. But for me, "goodies" can be anything that you feel is worth something to you. It can be your hugs, your kisses, your telephone number, sex--whatever it is that is of good value to a woman.

F: Yeah. For me, I think you can go to the club, and you can dance freaky, but it doesn't mean--

C: That you are! Right.

F: Or that men should presume that you're just going to go home with them.

C: That's right. That's real. You can relate to me.

F: Oh, by the way, you've got to take me out in Atlanta.

C: Of course!

F: I've only been out once over there, and I want to go.

C: Anytime. Let me know.

F: I want to go clubbing.

C: Hey, let's go. I'm not a party person, but I know where they party at. I've got a lot of friends that party like crazy.

F: Good. And when you come to L.A., I'll take you out.

C: Oh, for sure. We got to. We got to.

F: And the places I go, you won't need ID, so don't worry about it.

Fergie's group, the Black Eyed Peas, released their fourth album, Monkey Business, in June.

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