Chel – Nasty Woman

By starrymag | January 25, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Pop with a twist! A little bit of rock, soul and hip-hop infused into it.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) This is a hard question for me because I have so many. Up at the top would be Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury, Sia, Hall & Oates, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Rihanna, Adele and Sam Smith…There’s so many more but I’ll leave it at that for now!

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Nasty Woman.”

A) For the holidays, my grandma decided to send each of her grandchildren a little bit of money to do whatever they wanted with it. I decided to take that money and to write a song in honor of my Grandma. My Grandma is one of the most inspiring women I know. She was in the first class of women to go to Wharton Business School. She had four children and then went to American University for law school at 45 years old. She was one of only two women over the age of thirty. She worked for Ralph Nader and she helped pass bills that are still in effect today. She marched to protest the war in Vietnam. She started her own business in a male dominated field. She put all her grandchildren through college and, for some, graduate school. She has always been a woman without boundaries. She allowed me to see what it is to be a strong woman. She raised three strong women and because of the three strong women she raised (who are all equally impressive) she has strong granddaughters. We grew up knowing we could shoot for the stars because she paved the way.

I thought about how there is a trend in the current popular culture of calling strong women “Nasty.” I wanted to make a women’s empowerment anthem that was pretty and gritty all at the same time. I wanted to speak on the fact that women are still paid substantially less to do the same job as a man. Women Olympians make HALF what the men make. I wanted to address women being objectified and turned against each other instead of supporting each other. I don’t believe in superiority, but I believe in EQUALITY. My grandma worked hard for change so that I could have the CHOICE to live the life I live today. The reason this is important to me is because there is still change that needs to happen all around the world and it is being covered up. I want to make a statement and I want it to be LOUD. I want our daughters and granddaughters to know equality and if I can help move that ball, I want to do so. It is important to do this now because people are listening. At the time, with the elections around the corner and a woman as our Vice-Presidential nomination (and now the elect!), there has never been a better time to unite and push for a better future. Why not try to change history and for the first time EVER get a woman Vice President? We can only do this if we unite and fight for change. The time is now! AND WE DID IT!

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) It just has this “hell yeah” feeling about it. It feels good and empowering. I think it also helps that it is a play on words and that is always fun.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) I feel as though we hit the nail on the head with the official “Nasty Woman” video. I wanted to show the ways in which women are conditioned from a young age. I also wanted to represent women from all different backgrounds to show that there is not one “right” way to be a woman. I am happy that it is emotionally charged and that you can really feel the message!

 

Q) Equality for women and empowerment are a big deal to you. Why is this cause so close to your heart?

A) I have been so blessed to be surrounded by strong, empowered women my whole life. It really made me feel like I could achieve anything if I set my mind to it. I know that my mother had to fight to give me that opportunity and her mother had to do the same. I want to carry on that legacy and play my part to make sure that every woman has the opportunities we so deserve.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I do not need music before I write lyrics, but I prefer to have it. I like to play off the emotion of the music. My favorite way to write is to sit down with a producer and create something from scratch starting with the production. After getting a basic production melody we will start to come up with a melody. Once I have a solid melody, I’ll come up with lyrics! After we have lyrics I’ll go back in and add harmonies and ad-libs!

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) I am not a producer, but I enjoy sitting down with the producer and helping to come up with the sound and the structure. I can’t take much credit when it comes to production, but I like having a small hand in it!

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future? 

A) I would like to say yes, and it is something we are talking about, but I am not really sure at the moment. I can say there will be lots of new music in 2021!

 

Q) For others looking to get into the modeling industry, what advice would you give them?

A) Start by getting comfortable in front of the camera! Do some shoots with friends, look at yourself in the mirror while you practice posing. Ask people around you what their favorite pictures of you are because it tends to not be the ones we like and get comfortable with that. Watch behind the scenes of your favorite models to observe how they are posing. If you can, reach out to a model and see if they can teach you anything. Once you feel confident, submit yourself to an agency! Most of them are looking for fresh faces all the time.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future? 

A) Sia!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) Two Feet! I love that the music is dark and emotional. It makes me feel when I listen to it.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) To be honest, I feel as though social media is the only way to connect with your fans. They can’t really get to know you through an advertisement or a show. It is also the fastest way to keep people updated as well. I like that with social media you can get personal and it becomes more than just about the music.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) That I appreciate you. Truly and from the bottom of my heart. This has been my dream for as long as I can remember and it has been a journey to get to where I am. Having support makes it all worthwhile.

 

 

 

 

Watch The Video For “Nasty Woman”