After an unanticipated hiatus to beat a (stage 2) breast cancer diagnosis following the release of her debut album “Morena,” Carmelina returns to music and her fans as a true survivor. Stronger than ever, Carmelina has a renewed appreciation for life and pours her resilient heart and soul into a new single titled “LOVE” — dedicated to breast cancer survivors everywhere. “LOVE” was written and recorded as a cathartic practice for Carmelina herself.
“I never let fear inside my heart and learned that I had already beaten breast cancer through a self-test. My breast cancer diagnosis, surgery and chemotherapy were just stepping stones to my new birth as a stronger, more compassionate spirit. LOVE conquers all, shares Carmelina.
Fondly known as Harlem’s golden girl, Carmelina has gone back in the studio to record a special survivor’s version of the song “LOVE,” which will be released along with a music video this Spring.
As the daughter of a merengue musician, Carmelina is an artist from birth. She lets her music communicate her soul and reflect her upbringing, which spanned from Barahona, Dominican Republic to New York City.
Carmelina first appeared on the national music scene in the summer of 2008 with the release of her first single “Mueve Las Caderas,” a rhythmic modern Pop/R&B track infused with tropical elements and dynamic harmonies. The song became the #1 Listed Track on LALA.com and inspired ASCAP Latino to highlight Carmelina’s new album “Morena” (Morena Records, June 9, 2009) as one of the most anticipated albums of the coming year.
“Since I was a little girl I wanted to sing and dance and my family always encouraged me to explore my creativity. At home we listened to Merengue, Salsa and Bachata but outside the window the base line of hip-hop rattled my window. That baseline and combination of tropical sounds has become a signature of my pop/R&B Sound,” explains Carmelina. “I was heavily involved in all facets of this album and it has been a labor of love, literally.”
“After writing some lyrics, I already knew in my head how the music should sound. The producer and I would sit and share ideas about instrumental influences and that became our blueprint. I really enjoy the writing process.”
Carmelina collaborated with producers (former Trackmaster) Curt Gowdy, Game G and Coptic. Carmelina penned the entire album and co-produced three of the twelve tracks.
Carmelina has appeared in the pages of Defining Trends Magazine, La Isla Magazine and El Especial Newspaper. Online features include LaMega.com, Batanga.com, Sparkleshelf.com, Nochelatina.com (album review), Domicantoday.com, Pontealdia.com, Mijamag.com, Ahorre.com and Corrientelatina.com. She also recently appeared alongside Sesame Street icon “Maria” (Sonia Manzano) at the Children’s Aid Society to raise funds for New York Public Schools.
Watch for Carmelina as she supports breast cancer research for the years to come.
When asked if she’d ever been told she can’t because she’s a girl, Carmelina responded:
I used to love playing sports. My favorite was baseball. My big brother teased me and told me “baseball is for boys”, so I joined my school’s “softball” team.
I preferred it.
Because I was a girl, the ball was bigger and softer. Our uniforms had pink and we wore gloves that fit our small hands. I learned how to be a team-player and how to compete and bond with my girlfriends. We shared secrets and had a female coach!
Eventually, I became the captain. Ironically, I had been practicing my pitching for years before I joined the team with my big brothers baseball.
Girls are soft outside but some of us are built like warrior inside.
