“Through my music I want to encourage my Latino community to start having conversations about Afro-latinidad and how we can start making a change together,” Melaner told Remixd Magazine.
Melaner brings a soulful R&B sound to Latin music and has been heating things up for the summer. The independent artist just dropped a new single called “Soltera,” which has a reggaeton fusion sound and shows off Melaner’s unique vocal range.
Her new song “Soltera” is the perfect summer song and puts Melaner’s abilities on display. After just one listen, it’s clear to see how Melaner is definitely someone talented that you’ll want to continue to watch. She is just getting started but already shows character and ambition throughout her social media platforms.
She attended Berklee College of Music and it was there where she discovered her passion for music. Now, Melaner’s main goal is to empower Latino culture through her music. She believes that the Afro-Latina woman is incredibly underrepresented in the Latin music market and is determined to step up and be the change she wants to see.
“As latinos we should be the first people supporting one another because our culture teaches us the importance of union,” Melaner said.
Keep reading to learn more about the independent artist and her debut EP “Soltera.”
What city are you from/ Where are you based now?
New Jersey
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music?
I’ve always wanted to be a musician since I was a little girl. I go back to old videos from when I was young and i’ve always had this evident talent that made it impossible for me not to pursue this industry.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
Growing up in a Dominican household I give thanks to my parents who introduced me to the sounds of artists like Juan Luis Guerra, Selena, and Jose Feliciano. Artists who without knowing were teaching me the foundations of music. Throughout my teenage years Juan Luis Guerra proved to be my biggest inspiration, so much so that I decided to follow in his footsteps and attend Berklee College of Music. It was there that I truly became the musician I always strived to be.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
I strive to bring my soulful R&B voice to Latin music fusing it to reggaeton creating a sound like no other. My sound is a fusion of cultures.
What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?
After singing for my entire life I felt like if I didn’t pursue this industry I would look back at my life and regret it. I want to change how the Latino market sees the Afro-Latina. We still aren’t fully accepted in the front row of this industry with women like Natti Natasha or Becky G and that has to change.
What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
The Afro-Latina is misrepresented and misidentified and that lights such a fire in me to disrupt this industry and force them to see that we exist and we can be at the front line with all of the other women in Latin music.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I actually do makeup and I am a curly hair blogger constantly creating content for women to help them embrace their beautiful curls and learn how to maintain them in a healthy way.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
A few current musical influences include Alaina Castillo, Jenn Morel, and Camilo.
What are some of your music career goals for the future?
Through my music I want to encourage my Latino community to start having conversations about Afro-latinidad and how we can start making a change together. We have to start supporting more of us Afro-Latina artists that have to work twice as hard as lighter skinned women to get noticed in this Latin industry. As latinos we experience twice the discrimination both for being Latino and for being of color. As latinos we should be the first people supporting one another because our culture teaches us the importance of union.
Tell us about the project that you are promoting. What is it about? Is it a single or EP? Also, what is the name of the last project you released?
Releasing my debut single called “Soltera” on July 31st. This is a women’s anthem uplifting all women especially my fellow Latinas to be single and proud and never let anyone make us feel less then strong and independent women.
What has the response been like to that project?
So far the people that have heard it cannot get the song out of their heads! After the first listen people are already singing the hook over and over again.
What are some projects you’ve done in the past that you are most proud of and why?
“Soltera” is actually my first debut single! But an accomplishment I’m most proud of is being able to make it to the Top 9 of Univision’s singing competition “Reina de la Cancion.” Being able to get critiqued by Daddy Yankee, Natti Natasha, and Olga Tanon really helped me hone in on the artist I want to be and how I want the world to know me. It was a life changing experience and propelled me to work even harder to get myself out there.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music?
That you can do anything you want even when people tell you they don’t feel like the genre is for you. I have been told to try and break through the American market and I refuse to. I want my Latino market to accept me and the uniqueness that I bring and I won’t stop until they do.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Insta @melaner
TikTok @melanerofficial
Youtube @melaner
Facebook @melanerofficial
Check out Melaner’s new song “Soltera” below.
