There is no wonder why Melanie Fiona is one of the brightest and freshest faces currently on the music scene. Her striking good looks, girlish charm and immense talent has placed her at the forefront and has garnered her a Grammy nomination and critical acclaim with the release of her debut album, “The Bridge.”
Hailing from Toronto, this emerging artist is signed to SRC/Title 9/Universal Motown and co-managed by Roc Nation and will co-headline the BET Music Matters Tour with Marsha Ambrosius that will hit Chicago, Saturday at the House of Blues.
Fiona, who is promoting her new
single, “Gone and Never Coming Back,” off her upcoming album, “The MF Life,” is
excited about the tour and feels it is needed for upcoming artists.
“BET has
been at the front of this campaign and they highlight artists that they really
want there viewing public to become more familiar with because they believe in
these artists. It’s a really amazing program because you get the opportunity to
learn about new artists and genres that may have never had a mainstream look,”
the singer told the Defender.
BET Music
Matters, which launched last year, showcases upcoming stars by giving them a
platform to perform and share an intimate setting with their current and
potential fans. The tour spans across the country and includes stops in Dallas,
Detroit, Baltimore and Los Angeles – where Fiona will headline a solo show.
“It’s
really great that it will take us in the key markets where they have followers
coming to experience music that really matters so we get to do small venues of
like 1,500-2,000 people in major markets. It’s just a really good look,” she
said.
Fiona,
who is also the face of Rocawear, is currently working on her second album –
“The MF Life” – slated for release in May. She describes the album as having a
stadium sound.
“It’s not
just an album. It is a whole concept and lifestyle. I wanted this sound to be
an evolution from “The Bridge,” which was rooted in my soul and my love for
Motown that was mixed with other genres. It is characteristic to who I am but
this album has more instruments, it’s pushing me vocally, and it’s a little
deeper and introspective. It is about the ups and you riding the wave of
whatever is coming your way,” she explained.
“The
Bridge” garnered Fiona much critical praise as well as featured her number
smash single, “It Kills Me” which held the No. 1 slot on the Billboard urban
charts for nine weeks.
“I worked
with some of the same song writers and producers from the first album so it was
nice to start this project with them,” Fiona added.
Although
she has become well versed with what comes with the music business she has
taken lessons learned into her future.
“I feel like keeping my purpose in life and sharing my music at the forefront is always within my control. And I have definitely become a lot more certain with who I want to be in the music industry. It’s tough for a new artist because you try to find your place.
You know what you love to do and you know who you are and
then you get thrown into the world so I’m a little bit more in touch with who I
am and what I want people to recognize me for,” she said.
And
Fiona, who describes herself as a “big foodie” is excited about visiting
Chicago and basking in all the city has to offer, especially the food and
shopping.
“I love
to eat and have a slight obsession with food so I’m really excited that they
added the date in Chicago. Chicago is really one of my favorite cities and my
fans there have been amazing to me. I hope I see them and a lot more. And we
are at the House Of Blues so how awesome is that!” she exclaimed.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
