hip-hop

Baltimore Hip-Hop/Rap artist Cara-Mel describes her style as Conscious Trill, a blend of R&B, Hip Hop, Down South, and Dance meets Trap with a social aspect.  She recently released her latest single, Q.U.E.E.N., about woman empowerment with a history lesson about women of color. The song also celebrates sisterhood as well as encourages strength. Cara-Mel’s path to pursue music demonstrates her own resilience in successfully overcoming the challenges and obstacles to make her dreams come true.

Cara-Mel, whose real name is Dana Lawrence, started her musical journey at age seven listening to inspirational legendary R&B artists such as Stevie Wonder and Al Green. By the age of 11, she was writing full R&B/Soul ballads as well as up-tempo playful tunes. In sixth grade, she was intensely into jazz artists and took up playing the saxophone in school. She would be invited to play the All-City Band her first year and be ranked the third chair overall in her hometown of Chesapeake, Virginia. At 14, Cara-Mel would discover Miami Bass, Down South and Hip Hop music which would allow her own creative style of rhythmical writing to soar early on in her career.

She decided to stop pursuing her dream career in music after she struggled for years to get signed with a major label. She also quit producing and creating music for years after. Cara-Mel would go on to work as a special education teacher as well as in the fitness industry.  For five years beginning in 2008, she ran her own successful health and wellness business throughout the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. But the economic slowdown of mid-2013 and the federal government’s sequestration resulted in cutbacks resulted in her closing the business. As a result of suddenly losing her income, she had to foreclose on her home and later file for bankruptcy.

It would be more devastating news that would have Cara-Mel make a life-changing decision. She was diagnosed with the earliest form of breast cancer called Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) and after reflecting on her life, decided to return to the music which she so loved.  She wrote and recorded a hip-hop song, “Broke”, which caught the attention of DJ Sidereal.  The song landed on the “Stamp of Approval” mixtape and bangers of the year in 2015.  She released her debut mixtape “Racial Profile” in 2016 and today, her music has successfully continued to be placed on mixtapes.

Currently, Cara-Mel will soon have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland University College. Her dream is to make use of her gifts to establish a positive perspective within the music industry.

I recently interviewed Cara-Mel in-depth via email about her new single, forthcoming album, her musical journey, her successful return to music, dealing with the music industry, overcoming challenges, and much more. As a bonus question, we asked Cara-Mel what her superpower is. Watch the video below where Cara-Mel reveals the answer!

Congratulations on the release of your latest single, “Q.U.E.E.N.”  What is the concept or theme of it? How did you come up with the concept/theme?

First, I want to say “thank you.” The title song “Q.U.E.E.N.” stands for quality, unique, elegant, empowered, a nurturer; and basically, it is about women empowerment as a whole while giving a little history lesson about women of color. I originally knew for my next single I wanted to put out a song that celebrated sisterhood and encouraged strength, but I was having a hard time locating an instrumental that had that special kick! However, randomly out of the blue one of my Twitter followers connected me with this producer by the name of Shadow Black and I remember it like yesterday. I went onto his website and in less than ten minutes I found what I was looking for, and the rest is history.

What can we expect from your forthcoming album?

As far as my new album, this will be a continuation from the “Q.U.E.E.N.” single. With this said, the project will consist of strong music production by various producers including my husband Dallah Day Beats a.k.a. D-Law from the DMV. In addition, the material will still touch on a few social aspects like my mixtape “Racial Profile,” but I wanted to take it back a little to my roots where my rap style originated, so it will have a few dance/club banger types of songs up there as well.

There’s a wonderful behind the scenes footage of the final filming of your music video for Q.U.E.E.N. on your YouTube channel. Tell us more about where it was filmed, who produced/directed it, and what the concept is.

Yes, shout out to all the beautiful ladies that came out to be a part of the filming for the music video “Q.U.E.E.N.” This video was shot at the Graffiti Warehouse located in Baltimore, Maryland by Caps-N-Cans-Graphics and Media. Pretty much, in a nutshell, I wanted to make sure the video captured a diverse group of ladies that demonstrated strength and power while staying true to my culture. We also have included a choreographed Hip Hop dance piece by Shannon Salemi from Baltimore Dance Center/NYC Hip Hop Shock Dancers.

Explain your production process. 

When it comes to music production, I am always looking out for music by producers with a unique sound. I do have my key producers I love to go to such as Lil Renzo and Ceasar Beats. However, there are times quite often where I may see a new follower that is a producer on one of my social media platforms; and I’ll save that individual’s page to review later. In the event I like what I hear, I will definitely reach out to them.

You describe your music style as Conscious Trill — a blend of R&B, Hip Hop, Down South, and Dance meets Trap with a social aspect. Can you expound on that? 

My original style when I started out rapping was more of a Down South/Miami Bass flow. This was way before it even got popular and other rappers started trying to mimic that style. However, when I stopped doing music, I guess you can say over time I evolved or grew up and began getting into the politics/news and was really paying attention to community and world events. So, this side of me as an adult began to develop and blossom. When I returned back to the music industry, I did not want to be placed in a box. I knew I was not a straight up conscious rap artist because I still love my bounce/southern style of rap/dance music. So basically I was trying to figure out a way to blend the two styles and still be a reflection of who I am as a person and artist. With this said, I came up with the name Conscious Trill and that is the best way I can describe my music as a whole.

You were deeply into jazz artists Kenny G and Najee at age 11. At that time, you started playing saxophone because you wanted to be like your brother who played saxophone in his high school marching band competitions. What drew you specifically to the saxophone itself to want to play it?

I became a music lover of many genres very early in my childhood. In fact, one of my favorite instruments to this day is the violin. But being the baby of the family, you usually get some of those hand me downs and this is how I fell into playing the saxophone. Point blank, I was given a choice to either play the clarinet or the saxophone in my school band. But it was cool because after watching my brother play (demonstrating to me privately the versatility in the songs an individual could play) and seeing him compete in the high school marching band competitions; this all drew me towards the instrument even more.

At the time you started playing saxophone, you were invited to play with the All-City Band which led you to be ranked third chair overall in your hometown of Chesapeake, Virginia. What was that experience like?

I mean that was like my first year playing in the band and very unexpected. So

I was going through my first year of band; just happy to be learning about this instrument that I would tug home every night and practice. I do not recall him ever mentioning anything during the school year about an “All City” Band event and/or how teachers would be inviting a particular number of students for this prestigious event. But it was very cool for all the students to come together from various institutions to join as one, and pull off a great show for our parents.

You began writing songs at an early age, beginning at age 11 with full R&B/Soul ballads and playful up-tempo tunes. What was it about R&B and your interest in artists such as Steve Wonder and Al Green that inspired your songwriting?

I love R&B and is still a big fan of the old school style. Those were the main two artists my parents played in the car a lot along with Aretha Franklin, Lionel Richie, Tina Turner, and many other greats. But Al Green and Stevie Wonder lyrics were just amazing to listen to as a kid back then. I remember the first time hearing Al Green’s song “Let Stay Together.” Now, this song still gives me chills in reference to the passion he displayed on this particular track. And Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon In The Sky,” will remain always one of my favorite R&B tunes.

At age 14, your interest in Miami Bass, Down South, and Hip Hop and musical influences such as Luke, Tupac, Lauryn Hill, Salt-N-Pepa had your writing take on its own rhythmical style which fueled your own creation. Explain the impact on your creative process.

When I would listen to these artists, I could feel the passion and the realness of their lyrics. Each artist had their own style and was unique to me when I heard their songs on the radio. So the main thing I took from these artists when it came to my own creative process was that same mentality. This meant I needed to keep my music real and truthful when I talk about my thoughts or share some of my life experiences. Majority of the passion and feeling for me comes from living and having those trying storms in my life. In addition,

As far as my songwriting, I think that it really varies for me when it comes to this continued creative process. Sometimes, I can wake up with a song in my head and I’ll just hurry up and write down the lines before I forget. Then there are times I may hear a beat and the words and ideas just start pouring out immediately. One of the interesting things many people don’t know about me is that while I am working on a music project, I actually stop listening to music altogether. I do this to ensure that I am not influenced in my writing, which I think is key for me.

You gave up your musical dreams after years of struggling to get a major label deal. Why do you think it was so difficult to get a deal back then? Based on your experience, do you think that path for indie musicians still viable today? Why or why not?

Things were different back then because you really didn’t have the social media platforms and outside resources to get your music out there. It was much harder. Though I think it is still about all in whom you know; the major labels had more control when it came to radio stations, giving out deals, etc. But now, with so much technology where an individual can create their own radio station, sell volumes of music, and pretty much gain the capable tools to create their own lanes …this is a good time for musicians across the globe. The World Wide Web is definitely an indie artist’s best friend when it comes to gaining exposure and building a fan base.

and I love it!

During your time away from music, you were a special education teacher. Why did you choose to go into teaching? Why did you eventually leave it? Was it to start your health and wellness business?

I originally started out at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA pursuing a career in Pre-Occupational Therapy. However, after hearing that incoming students entering the program at that time potentially may have to be placed on a waiting list for MCV, I decided to head back home at the end of my sophomore year to pursue a degree in Developmental Disabilities. I taught for eight years total in an inclusive special education program that dealt with Autistic children and adults majority of the time in the Hampton Roads area and later in Northern Virginia. As my eighth year approached during the school year, I started to get burnt out and began to take up fitness studies at a local community college and transition into this industry. After gaining and building my experience in the fitness industry I started my first health and wellness business; which was very successful for a little over five years.

In 2008 you started a very successful health and wellness business that fell victim to the mid-2013 economic slowdown and the federal government’s sequestration which resulted in closing the business and subsequently filing for bankruptcy and losing your home. If things had been different, do you think you would have continued with the business and never gone back to music? Why or why not?

I love being in the health and wellness industry as much as music. When I had my business it took up a lot of my time. But it at the same token as I look back, it actually prepared me for the music industry from a business perspective. Truth be told, my husband never really left music and he would still record with other artists and I would attend an occasional open mic night to support him or our friends. So, I guess the love never left for the music, just the motivation and desire was no longer there during that time for me. If anything, I probably would not be necessarily pursuing an artist career but maybe playing a behind the scenes role in management to help my husband and other artists out with such things like promotions, songwriting, and or booking.

You re-entered the music industry after a diagnosis of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, the earliest form of breast cancer, motivated you to return to your dream. The result was recording your hip-hop song “Broke” in 2015 which caught the attention of DJ SIDEREAL and got a spot on the “Stamp of Approval” mixtape Song Bangers of 2015.

Explain what this meant to you.   

I did not know how people would receive my music when I re-entered the industry. I knew I didn’t sound like everyone else out there. However,

This song alone automatically started connecting me with so many great supporters/music lovers of all ages. So when DJ Sidereal contacted me and was like he loved my song and wanted to put “Broke” on his mixtape, I was excited and from there, things started to take off for me.

What has given you the strength to triumph in the very difficult times of your life?

Besides my supportive family and friends; it has been definitely my faith. I am a firm believer in God, and I was taught that he will not give you any more than you can handle. However, I used to be one of those individuals that did not understand why I had to go through certain situations; while others with a corrupt or evil agenda just continued to breeze through life? But, I understand now that those trials actually helped mold me into the person I am today. Over the years, I have learned how to relax more through the use of Yoga/prayer, made a decision to not stress, and became a better communicator. I believe in positive thinking no matter what the given situation may be at the time. It is my belief that getting through a trial or a tough season in your life first starts with the mind.

In another interview, you mentioned that hip-hop and rap music is all about having a gimmick and the industry isn’t creating artists that are unique in quality and original. Explain how an artist who rejects what the industry wants can be successful.

With hard work and dedication, I feel that any indie artist has an opportunity to have a successful career. It’s all about choices and sticking to your beliefs and style.

Musically, there is a difference in growing and expanding as an artist versus being a copycat. I too struggled with this for a while in my earlier days when individuals tried to force me to switch up to a more provocative style. But I came to realize eventually if you stick to your guns and keep it real, those genuine fans will start coming your way and they will stay. An artist looking to have a career in music should never want to just do a song or a style of music to get a second of clout because, in the end, they may get stuck in a never-ending cycle doing musical tunes they hate, which will make them unhappy after a while.

You have said that the music should speak for itself and women should not “feel the need to remove clothing, get hair weaves or implants just to get a record deal or make a sale.”  How do you think we can get women artists who believe this is the way to success, to change their attitude?

I mean this has been going on for a long time. And society cannot blame it fully on television or the entertainment industry as a whole, because I feel parents have a responsibility too. As little girls, we grow up watching shows, music videos, and commercials that have embedded into our heads that famous saying “sex sale.” Unfortunately, the entertainment industry is a male-dominated field and it has always been harder to break into areas of the industry as a woman without going along with this type of mentality in hopes of making it big. However, I do see things changing through such movements as “Me Too” and the “Global Girls Alliance.” Women have had enough and it is time for more positive female role models to be highlighted in the public eye to motivate these much-needed changes. In addition, I think if more female artists start coming into the industry demanding respect and choose to make that decision to no longer compromise their womanhood, I think those who believe in that “sex sale” mentality will slowly be faded out.

However, I do feel that many women that are already in the industry just been playing the game and don’t feel this way at all. So these new movements are opening a door of opportunity to no longer be silent and to allow them to speak out finally; as I believe we all have a certain responsibility as a role model like it or not once in the public eye.

 It has been said in the media that there aren’t enough women producers. Do you believe that’s true? Why or why not?  How can more women be encouraged to become producers?

The music industry, in general, is still very much male-dominated. I feel there is a need for female producers, but I am seeing an increase in the indie scene more than ever. The only way to encourage and help these female producers in gaining exposure is by getting more female musicians to team up and work together. This form of female alliance demonstrates strength and sisterhood versus this hater’s mentality; where many see their fellow female musician as competition.

How do you think women can be better supported in indie music?

It will take women putting their differences to the side and stop worrying so much about someone taking their shine. For example, back in the day women in Hip Hop had a genuine respect for each other’s craft and many artists shared the spotlight at the same time such as Salt-N-Pepa, MC Lyte, and Queen Latifah to name a few. Nowadays it seems like the music industry is trying to pit us women against one another! Like in the movie Highlander (there can only be 1) in a particular genre. Well, my response to that… it’s enough room for us all! All female artists that are mainstream/independent need to wake up and realize that there is a reason behind this plan and it is because

And it is time for a change!

What advice do you have for women thinking about or are actively pursuing a career in music?

The best advice I can give to any female entering the industry is to remain true to their musical craft and to make sure they place themselves around a team of individuals that believes in their music and genuinely want to help/see them become a success.

What are your tour plans for 2019?

2019 will definitely be the year of shows for me. I am currently working on show opportunities in my local area of the DMV; this is in addition to teaming up with a few indie artists as we plan to do some shows out on the west coast and in the mid-west areas. One way everyone can keep up to date on my upcoming show is by joining my mailing list at www.iamcara-mel.com

What projects are you working on for 2018/2019?

I have collaborated with Caps-N-Cans Graphics and Media to create the Cara-Mel Couture clothing line. It is pretty much a style of clothing that compliments my music brand.

I recently released phase one of the “Q.U.E.E.N” Collection and the second half will be released in November. Everyone can check out this line on my website under “Cara-Mel Couture.” As far as my music, I am in the process of releasing a soulful Rap/R&B single featuring Patrice Lee called “Only You Can,” as we approach the Winter season so my music family can be on the lookout for this new single coming soon. After this, music lovers can look for me to drop a single off my upcoming album in early 2019 prior to its official release date (TBD).

Thank you, Cara-Mel, for the opportunity to interview you.

VIDEO: BONUS QUESTION  

We asked Cara-Mel what her superpower is and how she uses it in her music.

You can purchase and stream “Q.U.E.E.N.” on all major platforms and HERE.

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