Kendra Erika – Miami Love

By starrymag | April 12, 2016

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) My sound is cinematic vintage pop and hip-hop mixed with cinematic orchestic with strings. It’s basically a soundtrack. It reminds me of Lana Del Rey’s new age hip-hop style mixed in with some new age elements mixed into it. I really think people connect with it because they love movies and they love anything that is current and up to speed and new age.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Some of them include Lana Del Ray, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Jessie Ware and Ellie Goulding.

Q) Your new single “Miami Love” is blowing up. Where do you get the inspiration for your music?

A) I get it from experiences living in South Florida. It’s very exciting and one of America’s most famous playgrounds. It can be very exciting and a lot of cool experiences have happened for me in order to write about that. Also, I grew up with Bond films and movies like American Hustle and Scarface. Amy Adams and Michelle Pfieffer are icons I looked towards. The Bond Girl image is one I am fascinated with because they are always in control of themselves and their sexuality. They can be very tasteful and very classy as well.

Q) The video for “Miami Love” is out now. How does the video play into the message of the song?

A) There is a male counterpart in the video and I feel that “Miami Love” encompasses the night life in Miami. Growing up in the 21^st Century, a lot of views on sex and romance are changing rapidly. I’m encouraging young women to stay classy and be their own person while valuing what they truly want and getting what they want at the end of the day yet being a notable woman in society.

Q) What kind of fan reaction have you gotten to the song?

A) I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback. A lot of people really relate to it and actually someone related me to Lana Del Rey, which made me thrilled! That’s my homegirl! She’s one of my all-time music inspirations. A lot of people have said they love it and that the cinematography is incredible. That’s really what I aim for – having that cinematic quality come alive in my music videos, projects and songs.

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

A) I like to be very involved because there is a certain quality and a certain sound that I want to release out there. So, I like to have a major hand in that, especially with the writing and the production of the sounds the way I want it to sound.

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

A) I would love to collaborate with Jessie Ware because she has a similar sound to mine. I feel like if we were to collaborate it would be very smooth and cohesive.

Q) What can fans expect from a live Kendra Erika performance?

A) I would include live instruments, of course, with just a video playing of very cool images that reflect the Miami scene and anything luxurious and James Bond worthy. Of course, it would be me with a few singers along.

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

A) Social media is a great way to connect with people from all over. It’s the world’s largest cocktail party so you really want to engage and invite people to your party. You want people to get involved in your message and transport them into your world. That’s how you really capture and connect with them.

Q) What can fans do to help promote your music?

A) You can share the video and get in touch with me via social media. Just share the message and the hashtag that use, along with #KendraErika. You can also share the music of “Miami Love,” “Hustler” and “Hostage” as well.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure fans know about your music?

A) I just love the fact that I can make music that connects with me because I grew up singing in jazzy lounges and was involved in a lot of high society events. I was classically trained and I’m so glad I can make music that sticks to that integrity. I can stick to my foundational roots and do new age music that is trendy while vintage.

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

A) From the bottom of my heart, I give them all the thanks in the world and all the gratitude in the world. It means so much for people to really connect with it and I really hope they connect with it on a level they hope to experience because it might make them grow. I hope young women can connect with it and know they can get what they want while still maintaining their class and values while looking great.

 

 

Watch Kendra Erika’s Official Video for “Miami Love”