Several short months ago when I started this blog, I had this grand vision in my mind of what I wanted it to be..But with that great vision comes great work, which I anticipated, but not to this degree. So needless to say I got sidetracked a bit and it took a little longer than I would have like to get things rolling...
Soooo now after much anticipation and waiting, I finally present M.Y.B's very first feature presentation!:
This was also my very very 1st interview, so I picked a good friend of mine to use as my experiment on my way to becoming a pseudo 'journalist'..lol..It was fun and I have a lot more to come! Stay tuned
Who:: Selina Carerra
Location:: Philadelphia
Age:: 22 -Sagittarius/Capricorn
Occupation:: Singer/MC/Poet
Label:: Columbia Records
Her Sound:: Latin Jazz/Hip-Hop
::How long have you been involved with music::
I know a lot of people say they’ve been doing it forever..But I really have, I started playing around with singing when I was 4 or 5, and I started getting formally trained at the age of 9
::When did you realize that singing was more than just a hobby to you::
When I couldn’t escape it. It was constantly surrounding me.
My father was a Latin percussionist, my mother was a latin dancer, everybody in my family is into music or some form of the arts. At one point I really tried to step away from music. I tried to major in something else in college, but I just couldn’t. I couldn’t escape it
::Describe your sound::
I would say my sound right now is a fusion of Latin Jazz and Hip-Hop..
The Latin Jazz sound is similar to old school samba/salsa [i.e. Joao Gilberto, Buena Vista Social Club] & 90’s era Hip Hop
::Describe the moment when you found out you had gotten signed to Columbia Records::
When it happened it was honestly like something out of a movie.
It was such a crazy day for me; my car broke down, I had a few finals and on top of that I was late to work..I was just all messed up.
And then my manager called me and said he had good news, he had went to a meeting that morning with my demo,and then he told me what I wanted to hear.
It was a moment of realization that this was what I was supposed to be doing and nothing could stop destiny. I’m gonna ride this as far it goes, but no matter what happens I’ll always be involved in the arts. I kinda feel the same way as before I got signed, its just now I have the distribution power that I need to get my stuff heard.
Somebody wise told me, you’re always independent until your album drops. So I’m still hungry.
Right now I'm listening to a lot of new age jazz, Jose James to name one. Also to a lot of experimental artist that are out now like Santogold, Janelle Monae and N.E.R.D.
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:: What are your thoughts on the current State of music::
Music is still very dynamic as a whole. But to focus in on hip-hop/R&B I think its going into a very experimental state, which is exciting for me because it allows breathing room for creativity.
::Where do you see yourself fitting in::
I see myself just creating. I stay true to my art.
I can only create what I hear in my head. So in that way I don't fit in anywhere, I create my own lane.
::Favorite Artists::
Wow thats a hard question..J-Dilla is my #1 favorite producer, Common, Ella Fitzgerald as far as skats, Nina Simone, Lauryn Hill of course, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, N.E.R.D. Lupe Fiasco...Theres so much that I listen to, its hard to really narrow it down as you can see
::What music or artist could you do without::
I don’t really listen to country that much, and unless I’m at a party or in an ignorant mood, I’m always turning down Soulja Boy. I respect his grind and his hustle, but I can do without him.
:: Who's Business savvy do you admire::
Jay-Z, I respect his hustle..Janelle Monae, shes doin her thing, she got her deal, she created her own lane shes doin it.
I really respect independent artists a lot, just coming from that grind its just so much. You could be the dopest mc, the illest musician but it doesn't matter if no one knows you.
You gotta go out there and push yourself
::What Songs are in heavy rotation on your iPod::
*J-Dilla-The Things you do
*Arrested Development-Tennesee
*Common - Love the Way I Am
*Biggie - 'Sky is the Limit'
::How do you unwind when you're not in the studio::
I'll usually just relax in house. Light some incense, put on some music, grab an interesting book and I'm good. Besides that, I love kickin' it with my homies, whether it be at a party, in a park actin stupid, havin some deep a$ intellectual convo. lol..whatever the case. Having less time on my hands really makes me appreciate the people I have around me outside of the buisness.
::Share a Quote that inspires you::
'*Theres No Time for Dead time
*Every moment can not be rewinded
::Advice for other aspiring artist::
#1-Don't get caught up in the hype..theres this fake a$ industry shit that makes it seem like as soon as you get a deal, your famous.
I say be true to your art, and stay on your grind. Stay on top of it and know why you're doing it.
Don't live your life as another should've, could’ve, would’ve..just simply, live YOUR life
::What can the fans expect in 2009::
For me to be dedicated to what I do, which = me being GHOST!
I'm working on my album a majority of the time, but it's my first baby so I'm taking my time making sure it's everything thats good.. lol. In between working on the album, I’m putting out a couple of Mixtapes. Right now I'm focused on my Hip-Hop, Jazz and Poetry Mixtapes.
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