PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Carol Riddick began her career touring with Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, and has become one of the most respected artists in the music community.

Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Riddick says the City of Brotherly Love has helped her become the artist she is.

“That is the thing about Philly. It encourages that growth, that development,” she says.

Riddick says Philadelphia’s diversity is the key to its success:   “There’s so many different cultures here. There’s a hybrid of culture here that’s like no other.”

And Riddick says there’s a new energy in Philadelphia that’s about what the city does best: embracing new ideas and innovation on all levels.

“The city was kind of losing that, we were losing that,” she told KYW Newsradio recently.  “But I feel that it is widespread now and I love it; it’s so vibrant.”

Hear the expanded interview in this CBS Philly podcast…

Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio 1060.

Black History Month Guide to Events:

• Philadelphia and Pa. Suburbs

• South Jersey