Can you tell us about your latest project? What inspired it, and what can your fans expect from it?
My next release is called “The Flame”. It will be on all streaming platforms on 22 March.
It is an original song by Cheap Trick that was first released in 1988 and reached #1 on the Billboard charts. When I first heard it, I felt an instant connection to it and decided to make it my own. For the song I got to work with Damon Sharpe, who produced the single. Damon is a well-known artist, producer and DJ based in Los Angeles, known for his work writing the hit single “Love Don’t Cost A Thing”, which was released by Jennifer Lopez. He also worked with artists such as Ariana Grande, Kelly Rowland, Pitbull, Alesso and many more.
I feel very excited about this release and can’t wait to share it with my current and new fans.
Songwriting can be a cathartic process. What emotions or messages do you hope your music conveys to listeners?
I think for the most part, I want my lyrics to be genuine and heartfelt. I know songwriting has become almost something like a sport in our world nowadays. I am trying to keep it real and communicate the truth that lives in me.
How has your musical style evolved over the years, and what do you hope to convey through your music now compared to when you first started your career?
My style has definitely changed and gone through different phases from soul to R&B to rock to pop and now even EDM… However, the intention behind my music has never changed. I always wanted to convey the truth that lived within me at that particular point and that is still the case to this day.
Many fans look up to their favorite artists as role models. What advice do you have for aspiring musicians who hope to make a name for themselves in the music industry?
Get inspired by others, but don’t copy them. Find out who you are and share your authentic expression with the world.
And don’t give up.
In the age of streaming and digital platforms, how do you navigate the challenges of making a living as a recording artist, and what advice would you give to aspiring musicians trying to break into the industry?
Try to find a balance between the creative and the logical tasks you have to do to be successful. The sooner you learn how to market yourself, the sooner you will be able to earn money with your music. It can be a very daunting process at first and there are so many people out there trying to take advantage of you selling you things that never work and promise you things they knew were not going to happen in the first place.
The one thing that will create connection the fastest is being in front of an audience, whether it is on a lifestream or in concert. When people get to know you, they are much more likely to support your music.
Your image and style often become part of your brand as an artist. How do you approach your personal image and fashion choices to express yourself and connect with your fans?
Fashion has always been a part of my life, I went to fashion school and studied the process of designing and creating fashion. It is not something I am thinking about a lot, it kind of comes naturally to me. I love expressing myself through fashion and I even feel like it sometimes fuels my inspiration for new music.
The future is always uncertain, but what are your long-term goals and aspirations as a recording artist, and what can your fans expect from you in the coming years?
Win a bunch of Grammys, and perform the halftime show at the Super Bowl. Wouldn’t that be something?