On the eve of her much anticipated performance at the Mas Camp for Bacchanal Jamaica's - Friday Night Fete, she walks into the lobby of the Knutsford Court Hotel and has necks snapping, watching her every move. A man can be heard whispering, "Is that Allison Hinds?" Yes it is!

She looks even more stunning in person, with no indication of jet lag from her long flight into the island. Sitting quickly, 'Ms Roll It' is ready to speak about life, motherhood, soca and the asset she is known for.

How does it feel to be dubbed 'Queen of Soca'?
I appreciate it a lot because the public bestowed it upon me. It was not a moniker that I created for myself; the people named me that, so it means so much.

How did you start singing?
As a little girl while in primary school in England, I was in the choir, however when I moved to Barbados there was no choir in my school and I became a bit shy. It just so happened that later on in life, one of my old band members of Square One, Young Blood, made me sing over the phone, liked what he heard and entered me in a local competition. I then went to the finals and placed third, after which he asked me to join Square One.

You mentioned Square One. Why did you leave the band?
I had to make the hard decision to leave after having my daughter. Because I now had the responsibility of a child and a husband, I knew I was not going to be able to devote as much time to the band as I had previously.

Secondly, I knew I would need more control of my life. With Square One we were all equal partners, so I could not make decisions solely on my own. Now being a solo artiste, I am the boss, and have control to work when I need to, and spend time with my family, which is imperative. Where as with Square One I would not have been able to do that because it would not have been fair to the band.

Do you still talk to the members of the band?
Yes. There are no hard feelings. I was with the band for a long time, but things in my life changed and I had to move on.

The other members of the band all had children though Allison, but they are males. Is it because you are a female, that it made a difference?

Exactly, they all had their kids and were still able to devote time to the band, but I became a mommy. I am not saying you can't be a mother and work, because that is what I am doing now, but I have more control of my time. And that is what makes the difference. Plus, I put on a lot of weight during the pregnancy, and I had to work to get it off, and let me tell you, it's been tough. Being a parent is tough, but losing the weight is tougher.

So the weight gain, leaving the band, was it all worth it in your estimation?
Oh yes, I have my daughter, it's so worth it.

In your own words explain what it is like to be a mother?
It's wonderful and challenging. But also fulfilling. When I see her and she runs to me and screams 'mommy!' there is no feeling like that in the world (almost tears up).

Above anything, it is so worth it. I may scold my daughter one minute then the next she will come up to me and say 'Mommy, are you happy?, I love you.' And it just melts my heart.

Roll It Gal is an anthem empowering women to have pride in themselves. Did you write it, and how did it come about?
No I did not write it. An up and coming writer and artiste in Barbados named Shandra wrote it. It came about from my manager seeing that she was hungry, and thinking he would give her a chance, he gave her the rhythm, and told her to write something for me, keeping in mind where I was in my life and I am all about empowering women. Thus she came up with Roll It Gal.

Would you consider yourself a feminist?
(Quickly) Yes, because I support any thing that is positive when it comes to women.

Do you consider yourself a role model for young girls?
The role model thing is a hard one because; it puts more focus on you as an artiste. (She thinks for a moment, then continues) My mom raised me to conduct myself in a certain way. So how I carry myself is from my upbringing. Yes, I do have a certain responsibility to the public because my music is played in a public forum.

But there is only so far that my influence can go. In terms of me now being a parent, I think my husband and I are the ones who have control over our daughter with what she listens to and will be allowed to do. So I believe that the responsibility is on parents to instill certain morals and values into there children so that when they are not present, the children can still think for themselves and know right from wrong.

What were your musical influences growing up?
I had a lot. I was always interested in different types of music like alternative and soft rock. However, having West Indian parents I listened to calypso and reggae. But Prince, I would say, is one of my favourite artistes because he has always been ahead of his time and always pushing the envelope regardless of what people think of him.

Do you care what people think about you?
Whatever people think, I don't care. My family and friends know the real Allison, not Allison Hinds on stage, and as long as I have that core support, then it does not matter what anybody else says. So they can't stop me from pursuing my goals or progressing, by voicing their opinion.

You are known for your 'wining' skills, was it something that was innate within you?
No, a lot of people don't know this, but being born in England I didn't know how to wine. And when I first moved to Barbados, I remember being at an event and calypso was playing and I could not wine to save my life. Everyone teased me laughed , saying 'Allison can't wine'. And I made up my mind, that I was gonna practice until I could wine. And the practice paid off.

You like to call men onstage to wine with you, why?
I love to call men onstage, I think it is a part of the whole interactivity, and that comes from Square One, which was about getting the audience involved. It's good entertainment for the audience and I never let it go too far, cause I don't play. But I find that it makes the men happy.

As a married woman how does your husband feel about your 'wining' antics with other men onstage?
Oh, he doesn't care in the least. When he met me this is what I was doing. And he will carry on the same way, 'wining' with my friends or this one or that one and I don't care either. He knows it's all a part of the job and is very much a free spirit when it comes on to that. It really is a good union, and I am lucky to have a husband like that.

Did you know that other than J-Lo you arguably have one of the most admired derrieres?

(Laughs, and is almost falling off the couch) It is a blessing and a curse, I guess I don't think about it because it is on me. I was born with it and it's always gonna be there. It really amuses me the fascination that people have with it, all kinds of things, like it's not real, it's a strap on. But all I think to myself is, jealousy is a serious thing. Seriously though, the comments are something that I have learnt to deal with. It wasn't anything that I consciously set out to draw attention to, but I guess my performances made people develop the obsession.

Jamaicans, who typically embrace reggae and dancehall have embraced you. How does that make you feel?
It feels so good especially because, this is the land and heart and soul of reggae, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Beres and Buju. So sometimes I can't believe it when Jamaicans come up to me and express a true appreciation for my music.

For example, at the ICC cricket World Cup opening ceremony here, I met Buju for the first time, and I went to introduce myself to him, and I was surprised that he knew who I was and said he liked my music. So it is an honour and huge compliment for me to be embraced by Jamaicans.

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?
There are many, but Richie Spice definitely, because through his songs, I feel that he has a real respect for women. Beres Hammond and I have spoken about a collaboration, so I am hoping to get that off the ground soon. Oh and Buju. I love his voice, I can't believe that big voice comes out of that little body.

Do you ever get stage fright?
Sometimes, and I think it's a good thing, cause it keeps you alive. When I get onstage that's it, I am comfortable, but the anticipation of getting onstage is what makes me nervous sometimes.

How long do you plan to keep doing this?
As long as I possibly can, because I really have a passion for music and performing.

Will Allison Hinds be a Soca Granny, then?
(Laughs) Probably. I really can see that, but my daughter is only three so that won't happen for a while.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I would like to be doing a show in Vegas, just like Celine Dion. Taking the genre of soca to a different market, and making it a big extravaganza. Also helping other artistes to come to the forefront. Anything to make Soca more popular and accepted.

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