The following interview belongs to Black Voices.

For pop star Kat DeLuna, Black Music Month gives the Dominican singer a time to reflect on her heritage and all that she aspires to be.

We recently caught up with the Newark-raised singer in Miami after her performance as part of the Hotel Thrillist festivities. The 22-year-old, born Kathleen DeLuna, says participating in the media event speaks to her diverse audience, but warns to not be confused; she identifies with her “black” heritage.

“My music is pop but who says pop isn’t black?,” she asked.

“A lot of people see a girl that’s a pop artist and think, ‘That’s Anglo music or world music’ but just because there is a category to the song, doesn’t mean that you should frame it with a color,” she continued.

“I see myself definitely in the middle of this big melting pot,” DeLuna declared.

“Even by race, I’m Dominican, but to me Dominican is black and white, but more black and more black. We just speak Spanish,” she laughed.

Black Music Month is something that the Billboard Latin Music Award winner believes should be celebrated by all.

“I do definitely think that there needs to be a month, not only to just the African American culture, but for the music, too” DeLuna added.

“I’m black, we’re black and we know our history, but a lot of people don’t know that the music itself and the history of music and that a lot of [other] things came from African Americans.”

In the three years since her 2007 debut ’9 Lives,’ the Universal Motown Records artist has been on an extensive European tour catering to her fan-base overseas. DeLuna, who still considers herself a new artist, believes that she could be the next big Latina pop star with the release of her upcoming sophomore set ‘Inside Out.’

“I felt like I was ahead of my time [at that time when the album was released],” the ‘Whine Up’ singer explained. “It broke harder in Europe and this time around, I wanted to connect more here.”

“I’m Latina, I can’t hide that [but] ever since J Lo and Shakira, there hasn’t been another Latin girl.Shakira is very Latina and J Lo is a very American girl and me I’m very in the middle. I’m that Spanglish-Afro-girl and I know it sounds weird but I am the girl of today.”

DeLuna just shot the video to her new single ‘Push Push’ with Akon in Atlanta. ‘Project Runway’ winner Christian Siriano designed her outfits for the clip, which is due next month, and also styled her.

‘Inside Out’ is set for a fall release.