RINA CHANEL R&B Artist Making Moves When did you first get into music? I went to a gifted school for the arts for K-12 in kindergarten (New York) and then attended the Governor’s School for the Arts. I also attended college on a voice scholarship in Opera. I have always been involved in chorus, musicals and performing groups all throughout school. I have been interested in music since age 5 or 6. Who or What influenced you to pursue a career in music? Singing and performing have always brought me joy. I had two awesome chorus teachers Ms. Sandra Venters and Mr. Nultimier who helped to push me outside of my comfort zone, helped me grow and push through fear. They both inspired me and unlocked the passion for performing. This motivated me to audition and attend music on a voice scholarship.
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Describe your style of music. Rina fuses smooth R&B vocals with various R&B era instrumental backings that highlight her unique sound and blends the best elements of Jazz and R&B. Her skillful songwriting and vocal delivery provides a refreshing classic take on the return of the future of R&B music.
How has your music evolved since you first started in the music industry? My music initialing focused on singing collective empowerment themes and messages like my debut single “Worthy.” My current single “Sweetest of Melody” is a classic duet with a heart-felt love story. I am also working on an EP that will focus more on my individual thoughts as a person, a woman and more about me. The songs on the EP will more introspective and more reflective. I want to show growth as well as another layer of me as an artist. If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other, drives you to stay in this tough industry? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why? I would have to say passion truly drives me. If I didn’t have passion for music, I wouldn’t be moved to do anything and wouldn’t be able to put my all in it. Passion is what keeps me up late at night and early in the morning. If I’m passionate about something, it’s not work and it’s a joy for me and hopefully for listeners and those who discover my music.
