After six years of dealing with changes in the line-up of the now-defunct pop group Danity Kane and gaining success with Diddy-Dirty Money, it's now Dawn Richard's time to shine on her own. The 27 year-old singer told Rap-Up TV that she's gearing up to release her first solo album, Goldenheart. 

Richard, who recently released the A Tell Tale Heart mixtape, says she's excited for the upcoming album which expands on the concepts touched on in the tape. "The last six years have been a battle for people to understand and conform me into what they really want me to be and I've kind of had to protect that throughout this whole journey," said Dawn. "It's kind of the story of me protecting this golden heart, which really kind of symbolizes my own heart and my passion for this music thing and really who I am." 

The album set for release on Bad Boy Records will be available by the end of the year. Two other projects, BlackHeart and RedemptionHeart will follow as the last two parts in the trilogy. 

(Photo: Walik Goshorn/Retna Ltd.)