Tracy Cruz: Electric Soul

 Tracy Cruz: Electric Soul

By Shelah Moody

San Jose’s dynamic singer/songwriter, who caught the world’s attention with her community service and multiple awards, speaks about her motivations, her musical influences and current projects.

Streetwise Radio: Where were you born and raised, and what is the earliest music you remember hearing as a child

Tracy Cruz: I was born in Quezon City on the island of Luzon in the Philippines and was raised in San Jose, CA. The earliest music I remember hearing as a child were songs from Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Earth, Wind and Fire, and more. My mom absolutely loved R&B/Soul so I grew up listening to her magnificent music collection.

Streetwise Radio: What led you to gravitate to R&B music?

TC: I gravitated towards R&B music because of the heartfelt lyrics, passionate singing and beautiful arrangements. R&B music really pulls at my heartstrings because I can feel the music in my soul and relate to the life and love messages.

Streetwise Radio: How would you describe your vocals and your style of music?

TC: My vocals have depth and rich tones. My style of music is expressive, eclectic Soul.

Streetwise Radio: Tell us about your latest projects.

TC: I’ll be releasing a new single “Find A Way” was produced by Rodney Jones. He has worked with Eric Roberson, Conya Doss, D Maurice, and more. I’m currently working on my new album “Sun After The Reign” which I’m hoping to release sometime in 2022.

Streetwise Radio: Tell us about some of your community outreach and mentorship projects.

TC: I have taught youth singing classes for 15 years through my school, Tracy Cruz Vocal Studio, as well as other private music schools and after-school music programs. I’m also a voting member of the Recording Academy, a member of Pinayista (Filipina entrepreneurs and creatives) and a board member of Oakland School for the Arts CTE Art Advisory Board.

Streetwise Radio: How do you feel about the rise of Filipino performers on the charts today, such as H.E.R. and Bruno Mars?

TC: I am very excited about the rise of Filipino performers today! H.E.R. and Bruno Mars are incredibly talented and I’m definitely inspired by their innovative music, drive, and consistency.

Streetwise Radio: What element of your Filipino culture do you bring to your music?

TC: I bring the songwriting elements of Original Pilipino Music into my own music. I absolutely love singing and writing ballads. Like R&B/Soul music, it also pulls at your heartstrings.

Streetwise Radio: What advice would you give to independent artists like yourself who are promoting their music in the Bay Area?

TC: My advice is to be kind and supportive towards others. Make sure your great talent matches your attitude and you’re out there supporting your fellow music creators and professionals. Eliminate jealousy and envy. Eliminate the “all about me” mentality. Have a collaboration over competition mentality. It’s important to build your music community as you build your own career. Build professional relationships, stay consistent, and stay true to yourself and your music!

Streetwise Radio: What artist would you most like to collaborate with and why?

TC: Diane Warren. She is my favorite songwriter and has written so many hits. I want to learn more about her songwriting process. When I was a little girl, I used to read liner notes because of her impeccable songwriting.

Streetwise Radio: Where can we hear your music and follow you?

TC: You can listen to my music www.tracycruzmusic.com, Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, etc. Follow me on:

www.Facebook.com/tracycruzmusicpage

www.Twitter.com/tracycruzmusic

www.Instagram.com/tracycruzmusic.

You can also listen to the music of Tracy Cruz here on Streetwise Radio.

Bobby Brown “Masterpiece”

Born Robert Barisford Brown on February 5, 1969 in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in Roxbury Park Projects. Bobby Brown was a bad boy at an early age. Bobby grew up stealing, committing robbery and running with a gang. He said "I didn't wanna ask my mother or my father because they didn't have a lot of money", stating that whenever he saw something he wanted, "I'd just go to the store and take it." When Bobby was nine he started a group called “The Brick”, they were a trio. When Bobby was ten, he was shot in the knee during a fight with a rival gang. At the age of eleven Bobby’s life took a turn, he saw one of his friends lying dead from multiple stab wounds. Tommy Brown Bobby’s brother said after that Bobby took "his career, schooling, his whole life more seriously."

Bobby Brown former member of New Edition and former husband of the late Whitney Houston released an album, after 15 years called “Masterpiece”. This album has some tracks that have that old Bobby Brown sound. There are only a few songs on this album that I like “Don't Let Me Die”, “Get Out the Way”, “Damaged”, “Can’t Give Up” and “Man I Want to Be”. I think Bobby Brown could have been a real big star, if it were not for his drug and mental problems. I never really stopped liking his music, he just stopped making it! I give props to Bobby Brown for trying to comeback after 15 years. Tune in to Streetwise Radio and listen to some songs from his “Masterpiece” album. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, MyGen365, Athena365, live365.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Brown

Melanie Fiona

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

As the world focuses on the 21st Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada, its a good time to pay homage to one of that country's aspiring R&B singer-songwriters.  Melanie Fiona was born Melanie Hallim 26-years ago in Toronto, Canada to immigrant parents from Guyana.

Living in a music filled household, Fiona always knew music was her passion, from the time her guitarist father let her sit on stage and practice with his band.  Her mother would also constantly play music around the house, everything from 'The Ronettes' to 'Whitney Houston.  It was Houston's hit single "The Greatest Love of All' that became Fiona's childhood anthem, inspiring her to become a singer.

Active in the industry since 2002, Fiona was briefly in the Toronto R&B girl group 'X-Quisite', but left before their first album....although she did earn songwriting credits.  In the fall of 2008, 'Kanye West' hand picked her to open his European tour, where she befriended 'Jay-Z', who's 'Roc Nation' group now manages Fiona.

She was also featured on 'Reggae Gold 2008' with the 'Supa Dups'-produced "Somebody Come Get Me".  In February 2009 Fiona released her first single "Give it to Me Right", which was writtin by Andrea Martin....who praised Fiona as "finally a voice that is not only soulful, but ear-friendly".  The song peaked at #20 on "Billboard's Canadian Hot-100".

Her debut album 'The Bridge' was released last summer, where Fiona worked alongside 'Future Cut', 'Vada Nobles', 'Stereotypes', 'J. Phoenix', 'Peter Wade' and 'Salaam Remi'.  It was the album's second single "It Kills Me" that became Fiona's breakout song cracking the Top 50 and hitting #1 on the 'Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs' chart. 

It also earned Fiona a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while 'The Bridge' received a 'NAACP Image Award' nomination for Outstanding New Artist.

When first learning of the Grammy nomination Fiona commented, "It's like the best news I've ever received, oh my gosh....I instantly had flashbacks of singing as a little girl into my hairbrush in front of the bathroom mirror".  "Could I have ever imagined that singing around the house or just loving to sing would someday put me into this position now?  It's just unbelievable", she exclaimed.

What is believable is that Fiona's best times are still ahead of her, with a distinctive voice, great range, and keen adeptness at expressing vulnerability, strength, and....the right look! Currently, Fiona is set to go on tour with Alicia Keyes

Thanks, and keep listening to Streetwise Radio,

PeteCam4

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