Known simply as Chanel, Chanel Nicole Sosa is an American Pop and R&B Singer-Songwriter, who is from a Black and Puerto Rican decent. Since a very young age Chanel has aspired to be a singer. At the age of 8, she was singing alto and Seprano in her Church Choir. It was during this period of Chanel’s life that she really started to develop her taste and interest. Family and friends were not surprised to see how quickly she was able to develop and how musical inclined she was. Being exposed to a wealth of music genres as a child and hearing Whitney Houston’s song “ Will Always Love You”, influenced Chanel to pursue music beyond a hobby. And as her confidence and skills grew, she began performing in Community and School Shows. In 2007 Chanel wanted to take her Vocal and performing skills to another level, and fell under the tutelage of Ron Shelter, a renowned Broadway vocal coach. Since then Chanel has done Lead and Background vocals for Gordon Chambers, Ray J, Cassidy, and numerous other artists thru out the industry, in which had one of her original song featured on MTV Reality Show “ Taking the Stage “. Currently, Chanel is promoting her first Street Mixtape titled “ LETS GET IT “ due to be released Mid month of June , 2011. With her manager Free, who’s back round speaks for itself. He is no stranger to the industry being one of the foundations of Wu-Tang, since the beginning when his cousin “RZA “ formulated the group in 1991. Free has periodically managed them as a whole, and individually managed Ghost Face Killah, career for many years. Upon jump starting “Get It In - Tertainment “, he was introduced to Chanel. There, became a mutual understanding, that with hard work ethics to succeed, that what ever she chooses to do within this industry can go beyond heights, of anyone's imagination. Chanel being surrounded by a wealth of experience, is excited to take on the industry without hesitation and move forward with confidents on recording her first album. Wu-International caught up with this star in the making for this exclusive three series interview and find out more about her past, present and future endeavours. Enjoy!! PS: For those that missed Free's interview please click here to read it

Part 3

I like to say thanks first and foremost for taking the time to answer these questions, highly appreciated, and will also point out that nothing will be altered, edited or changed when this is published online.

Wu-International: Hello Chanel, how are you?
Chanel:  I’m doing good, I can’t complain right now. It’s great to be here, thanks for having me.

Wu-International: Thank you for agreeing to do this, can you please introduce yourself to the fans, and tell us who you are, where you are from etc?
Chanel:  Hello everyone this is your girl Chanel. I’m a pop/ R&B singer/songwriter and I’m from Brooklyn, New York. Shout out to New York!

Wu-International: Is Chanel your real name and do you go by any names/aliases?
Chanel: Yes Chanel is my real name, my mom gave it to me but my friends and family call me Nelly...

Wu-International: How would you classify your music?
Chanel:  I would classify my music as being realistic, fun and hot. ( Laughs out loud ) seriously , I love my music and that's what I want people to also feel when listening to my music.. ---like. Dang that girl’s hot, you heard her song? {Laughs out loud again}

Wu-International: How long have you been recording music professionally?
Chanel:  I’ve been recording music since I was 16 or 17 years old

Wu-International: When did you realize you had the skills and decided to pick up the mic?
Chanel:  I knew that I was destined to be a superstar. Music is embedded in my soul; I swear I was born to do this.

Wu-International: Who would you say your influences are as far as music goes?
Chanel:  MY main influence is my mother; she taught me all I know.

Wu-International: Have you always been a solo artist?
Chanel:  YES I’ve always been a solo artist but I would love to work with other artists periodically.

Wu-International: It is said that you have worked with the likes of Cassidy, Raj J as background singer; can you please tell us more about this, as in how it came about, songs you recorded and the whole experience?
Chanel:  Yes I’ve worked with Cassidy, Ray J and a lot of other dope artist such as Al B Back who played in the movie "ATL" formally know as "Brooklyn", Grammy award winner singer/songwriter Gordon Chambers, "Ill Knob' from ‘KillahShark’, and Reverend Burk, it all came about from me just being in different recording studios, the vibes were there and it just clicked, so shout out to them all.

Wu-International:  William Burk you said? Interesting, which song did you do with Burk?
Chanel:  The song was called" Dime piece". I don't know if he released it yet or not, he may have though.

Wu-International: Which MTV reality show was the song “Taking the Stage” featured on and did you specifically record that song for the show?
Chanel:  No I didn’t record the song “Reasons" for the MTV show "Taking the stage"... one of my many talented friends who is a singer/songwriter and who also wrote the song worked together at the time and it was for his music catalog, he shopped the song to MTV, the show heard it, loved it and they picked it up.

Wu-International: Are you aware of Free’s affiliation with Wu and what’s your take on that?
Chanel:  yes I am aware of Free being affiliated with the Wu and I think its dope.

Wu-International: With that said, Free’s connection with Wu-Tang means some of the fans would automatically rightly and wrongly label or associate you with the Wu as well, what is your take on that?
Chanel:  I’m not here to say I am affiliated with the Wu or anyone else. I’m just here to showcase my talents so I know the fans will definitely respect what I have to offer because it’s all me and its all real.

Wu-International: Free has stated out loudly that he is not presenting you under Wu or as an affiliate, how do you feel about this considering that you could have automatically gained new fans under the W, as well as being part of hip-hop’s loyal legendary movement?
Chanel:  I would be proud to gain new fans under the W because they are timeless and in my eyes they truly are legendary, like I remember them being one of the 1st rap groups with their own video game with Def Jam when I was younger and that was dope to me seeing that as a kid. That’s a great movement to be apart of if you ask me, although I’m not affiliated with them and my reasoning being is that Free and myself didn’t want me to be put in a box or labelled as just another Wu artist. I want the fans to really know who I am and they wouldn’t get that opportunity if they didn’t see that we weren’t doing this on our own...

Wu-International: Were you a fan of Wu-Tang’s music and if so who within the Clan was your favorite if any, and why?
Chanel:  Yes I’ve been a Wu-Tang fan since I was little; they all have their own ill style that’s what I loved about them. Seriously... but one of my favorite songs was by Method Man "Bring the Pain" I love that song and the beat was hard. I don’t really have a favorite but I used to love how animated ODB was... aww man R.I.P. to the ODB, may god bless his soul... and shout out to the Wu-Tang they definitely made history

Wu-International: So you have a new street mixtape “Lets Get It” dropping on this month, how are you feeling about it?
Chanel:  I am excited to drop my mixtape ' Lets Get It'. I just can’t wait to hear what my fans think about it because it’s strictly for them... Let’s get it!!
 

Wu-International:  The mixtape has a couple of Wu-Tang instrumentals on there, how did you go about selecting beats for this project and are they any original songs on there as far as the beats go? Chanel:  well I actually do have some original beats on the mixtape but I needed more at the time and a lot of these producers were acting like they were scared to give me beats because of their previous situations. So that’s when I decided to go online and listen to some instrumentals. And that’s how it all came about but I would definitely have to say the process was really long and fun at the same time.

Wu-International: Are you really the first singer/songwriter to release a street album?
Chanel:  When it comes to mixtapes I know that a DJ usually is hosting it but on mines it’s just me and one other feature. So that’s why I say I am the 1st female singer/songwriter to put out a mixtape on my own.

Wu-International:  Which songs from the street album are your favorites and why?
Chanel:  To be honest I love every song on my mixtape. It all came from me but if I had to choose I would have to say “Love me for me" is one of my favorites. When I wrote that song it was at a time in my life when I didn’t appreciate who I was as a young woman so that song is very heart felt to me and I hope it touches someone the way it did me.

Wu-International: What are you expecting to achieve from this release?
Chanel:  From this mixtape release I’m really expecting for the fans to get an understanding of who I am and to create a buzz for myself. I want the fans to see me grow as there are following my career as well as the grind and hard work that I’m putting in, this is just a stepping stone and for everyone to be prepared for what I’m going bring to them in the future because this is only one of my styles.

Wu-International: We have learnt from Free that you both specifically did not want too many or any features on it, if you were to get a feature on this project, who would they have been and on what songs?
Chanel:  Yes, we decided not to have any features on mixtape, honestly through the process of recording and putting it together, there was never really even a thought about it. Focus was all on me, and toward the end was the realization that we didn't put anyone on it and it was fine just the way it was. Truthfully, I didn't think about any other artists on any of the songs when I created them, so at this point I cant say who I would've gotten to do what, on any particular songs.

Wu-International: It was nice to see Ill Knob featured on “Vudu” How and why did you get him involved on that song?
Chanel:   Awww. Shout out to my boy Ill Knob. I had so much fun working with him and meeting him and his wife, they were cool and really nice. Its so funny because we weren't even expecting to work with each other, him and his wife just came to visit Storm for the weekend, and the vibe was awesome so it just happen, that’s why he’s the only feature on my mixtape.

Wu-International: So after this mixtape it will be safe to assume you will be working on a debut album? Chanel:  Of course that’s my goal. That’s what every artist envisions to release their 1st album... Wu-International: What is the time line for the album and do you currently have a working title for it? Chanel:  At this time there isn’t a timeline for my album. I want to really work hard and give my fans an album they will appreciate and respect. Wu-International: How many songs deep are you and who are the intended featured guests if any? Chanel:  I’m in the creating process with my solo album.

Wu-International: How do you think your album will be different from what is currently out there now, what differentiates your or your style from the ones out there now?
Chanel:   I want to give my 1st album and every other album my all. I’m all about creating great music and that’s what I want my 1st album to be. When my fans hear my album I want them to feel good when they hear it, I want to send them on an emotional roller coaster ride like how Keyshia Cole did on her 1st album or Beyonce did on her 1st solo album,'you could literally listen to each song from beginning to end and that’s what I want to give my fans. So I am gonna take my time and give my fans an album they deserve.

Wu-International: Would you say your voice is your main instrument or do you play any musical instruments too? If so, which?
Chanel:  Right now I would have to say my voice is my main and most important instrument although I’ve played the flute since I was 10 but I mainly focus on my voice. In the future I do plan to learn how to play the piano and guitar because I feel every true artist plays an instrument.

Wu-International: Are you interested in the recording/producing process as well when you are in the studio? Have you ever tried to produce music yourself or do you plan to in future?
Chanel:  I actually produce now. I produced almost all my vocals and songs on my mix tape. I love it. Its fun and I’m more of a hands-on artist. So I want to learn and do it all when it comes to be being the best artist I can be.

Wu-International:  We are looking forward to hearing more from you, are there any solo songs you have recorded to date that stands out for you that you would like to share with the fans please?
Chanel:  Thank you so much. I know I’m on my way so be on the look out for me and be sure to check out my website www.iamthechanel.com  I have a few solo songs that I know everyone will love and respect.

Wu-International:  What are you hobbies outside of music?
Chanel:  Outside of my music I have so many hobbies. I love to draw and read books. But most of all I just like doing simple things like hanging out with my mom and my little brother. We love going out and travelling.

Wu-International:  So anything else you like to add or say that has not been covered on this interview?
Chanel:  I think we pretty much covered everything. everyone just check out my website www.iamthechanel.com  and leave me a comment , let me know what yall think about my music , pics, everything and you can connect to all my other links twitter, facebook, reverbnation. from my website.

Wu-International:  Thanks, any last words, shout outs etc?
Chanel:  Thank you again for having me. I look forward to another interview. I want to give a shout out to my mother (Ms Cynthia Sosa) I love you mommy! my little brother Tyler, my family, Breeze, and most of all my team Free and Storm and I thank God for always making all of this possible for all of us. Thank you and let’s get it!!!

   [Lil Free aka General Wah Interview]

Keep up to date with Chanel on
IamTheChanel.com 
Twitter.com/iamthechanel
Facebook.com/amthechanel

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Facebook.com/grandroyalmedia

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