Melanie Fiona recently became “every woman” (literally) for a Derek Blanks alter-ego photo shoot in honor of Women’s History Month.

The Grammy-nominated singer says she wanted to show the strength of women throughout time.

“In this portrait, I am the face of every woman who ever stood, fought, or perished, for the rights and strength of a progressive cause,” she says.

Fiona is also preparing to release her sophomore album, “The MF Life.” Fiona spoke candidly with ESSENCE about her “Every Woman” photo shoot and explains exactly what she means by”MF Life”.

Melanie’s “MF Life” definition PLUS more photos & behind the scenes video below:

It’s called ‘The MF Life.’ It’s about all the experiences of being a new artist trying to establish themselves and what that means to go on this journey personally and professionally. Sometimes life isn’t always so great, but I think that’s the beautiful thing that we need to celebrate.

‘The MF Life’ is that balance, it’s that yin and yang of life. It’s the highs and lows. I’m so excited about it. After touring with Alicia Keys and Kanye West, I’ve felt more inspired to take my base, which is rooted in soul music, and make it bigger so it’s stadium soul now.

The songs are more introspective. [My first album,] ‘The Bridge’ was definitely a collection of songs and stories that were not just my own, but everyone’s. But for this album, a lot more of it comes from my own personal experience.

VIDEO: Behind the Scenes of Melanie Fiona’s D. Blanks Photoshoot

Why did you start the “Sistory: Every Woman” campaign?

MELANIE FIONA: I wanted to do something that was different that would represent the way I feel as a young woman in music and just a young woman in general. In making music, I found that women really responded to my music. So that was really the focus of the stories that were being told from a woman’s perspective.

When it came time to this ‘Her Story’ campaign I wanted to do the alter ego shoot with Derek Blanks and become several different women in different times and in different cultures. I’m in the middle of the photograph, which is where I’m representing the unity of music, love and peace. It’s really just about showing the fight of women throughout time. Rather than history, it’s ‘Her Story’.

Read Melonie Fiona’s full Essence interview HERE….