NEW & IMPROVED- DANCER/SONGWRITER.
Houston has a problem, and her name is Natalie. After the success of her #1 single “Goin’ Crazy” and its subsequent album, Natalie, in 2005, the 27 year old Houston native shows no signs of letting up with her sophomore album, Everything New (Universal Republic).
In the wake of her melodious debut, the beautiful, sweet voiced Latina superstar is prepping to give her fans even more of herself. “As an artist you learn a lot after your first round,” reflects Natalie. “My last album was a more R&B feel, more midtempo. This album, it’s a lot more energetic, it’s a lot more mature. It’s got a more sexy vibe to it, it’s about being in the club, it’s about dancing, it’s about getting with somebody but I still kept it relatable to the people.”
The album’s hypnotizing and seductive lead single is produced by highly sought after production duo Play N Skillz (Chamillionaire “Ridin’”) and features Texas rap legend Bun B. “The minute I heard the track come on with the screwed ‘What ya gonna do…’ I was like, ‘I want it’,” says the sultry voiced singer.
The Pop meets Rap combo may seem awkward on paper but Natalie feels right at home on the track since she actually got her start in Houston’s red-hot Hip-Hop scene. She initially had dreams of moving to Los Angeles to become a choreographer and was well on her way since she was a dancer with the NBA’s Houston Rockets. But her talent at freestyle rapping led to her developing such an underground following in local rap circles that she actually signed to her management company, Latium Entertainment, as a rapper before her singing on hooks took on a life of it’s own.
“‘Goin’ Crazy’ was my first full singing song,” remembers Natalie. “That’s why it has that rap [like] monologue going on. I always wanted to write songs.”
Though she only started singing full time a few years ago, she’s already accomplished enough as a songwriter to have scored a publishing deal with EMI Publishing. It’s just one of the things that separates her from the crowded pack of Pop divas in the world.
“A lot of times artists have to be formed,” offers Natalie. “I’m still growing myself as an artist. I didn’t have to be shaped into who I am or the artist that I’m becoming.”
Natalie is as equally inspired by her family as she is local musicians made good like Beyonce and Chamillionaire to legends like Michael and Janet Jackson, Madonna and “anybody who incorporated dancing with their singing,” she says because, “Those are artists, and that’s why they’re still around today.”
The eclectic mix of musical influences manifests in the diverse collection of songs listeners are privy to hear on Everything New. The soothing ballad “All My Life”, an intimate look at love in sound, and the exotic “Pieces” are built around seductive guitar riffs. Meanwhile, uptempo numbers like the hyper “Dance With Me” and the club ready “If You Only Knew’ are surefire dance floor delights.
“I called the album Everything New because I think everything worked the first time because it was meant to happen that way,” explains Natalie. “It was a good intro but now what I’m about to do-the music that I’ve always been making-is about to sound new to the public. You always have to come with something better.”
By the sound of things, Natalie’s come back new and improved.
Courtesy of Latium/Universal Recordings
www.nataliemusic.com
Magnetic like Kismet.
Mtvmusichouston.blogspot.com
posted by RONNIE RAY-ALL-DAY- @ 8:46 PM
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