Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Charmaine Renee brings forth a new era of hip-hop/R&B music. Charmaine has been singing music since the age of 9 and blends her Detroit-bred sound into every piece she creates. With influence ranging from Aaliyah, Rihanna, Ella Mai, Jhene Aiko, H.E.R. Kehlani, Whitney Houston, and Brandy, Charmaine Renee is inspired by greatness and puts her own personal spin on her latest hip-hop single “Bout That”.
“Bout That” is a song that carefully walks the line between urban, R&B, and hip-hop, appealing with familiarity but also engaging the more thoughtful listener with a uniquely dreamlike ambiance, a clear level of character, and a poetic and confident, emotional lyrical drive. Charmaine Renee’s vocal style is mature, captivating, and charmingly smooth. There’s an accessible nature to the melody in “Bout That”, the rise up from the hard-hitting verses to the uplifting hook, but with that, you get a notable level of personality and style that helps move the song away into its own hip-hop realm. Contrast is utilized effortlessly, in both the development of the instrumentation and in Charmaine’s own varied and passionate performance. The song is addictively enjoyable, seeming partly classic, nostalgic, and a fresh and exciting alternative to the mainstream loops of today.
Have you had any professional training or having you honed your vocal style over time?
Throughout my musical journey, I have had vocal training in my high school years. I took vocals lessons in the 10th and 11th grade however have been around music my whole life. I have sung in numerous church choirs and college choirs. My vocal style over time has changed due to maturity and life experiences. I have shaped my sound based on what I have learned over the years as well as what I hear when shaping a song.
What does your track “Bout That” mean to you? What inspired this song?
My track bout that is a fun hip/hop type feel, in this song I am basically stating that myself and the individuals I surround myself with are all about getting money. This song stresses the fact that people may hate on you but not to let the negativity affect your hustle. It is also stating that my “squad” are good people who are all about prosperity and getting to our next level, we are motivated, determined, and all-around good people we genuinely mean well but to cross us would be dangerous.
Who has had the biggest influence on your life musically thus far? Can you describe the impact this particular individual has had in terms of your new song “Bout That”?
The biggest influence on my life musically so far has been the various artists I meet daily. It is interesting for me to see other artists who are striving to get their music out and heard. I take everything I hear and apply it to my approach as an artist. I love getting feedback, advice, and hearing how another artist would attack a song. When it comes to “Bout That” these artists have all impacted me to make the best music possible from their words of wisdom, advice, criticism, and compliments as a whole.
How do you think you and your music have grown since you first started writing, versus now?
I believe with time comes experience. When I first started writing it started with poetry which progressed to personal feelings and later led to music. Before I would write only hooks. I was not comfortable completing an entire song, but It was easy for me to find one concept to center the song around. I would have other artists do verses to my hooks and would do features. Now I have grown as an artist because previously I was writing based on one concept. (my hook), now I still write about a concept but build upon it within my verses to form a story that is relatable and catchy to the ear.
What are you working on through the end of 2019?
Although I have been doing music for a while as far as features and writing. This year is when I decided to focus on myself as an artist. For this year I developed a whole game plan. I have released two videos and 3 tracks. I have recorded two EP's ones I plan on dropping later this month and the other sometime in February. I plan to do 3 more videos by the end of the year as well as release my first EP entitled “No Games”. I have released my single “No Games” on all social media platforms as well as my single “Bout That”. I also released a track entitled “Come Chill”, and the video to that as a sneak peek into my EP.