Karina Pasian created a buzz around herself at the age of 13, when she became a subject of a bidding war among three major labels. When she eventually got signed to Def Jam by Jay-Z, the same man who had previously signed Rihanna and Ne-Yo, there was no doubt that she had a bright future.
Karina, apart from being an incredibly skilled singer, has also been playing piano since the age of three. She caught interest of the legendary Quincy Jones, who later invited her to be a part of his „We Are The World“ charity concert in 2006. Her debut album „First Love“ hit stores on August 19 and features production from Ne-Yo, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, among others. We had the opportunity to talk to her about the album, her performance at the White House, collabos with John Legend and Lil' Mama and comparisons to Alicia Keys.
Cream: Your first album just got released, how does it feel? The reviews have been pretty positive so far…
Karina: I'm really excited, it's my first album and it was a great process making the album as well. All the songs on the album are great and different. I got up tempos, mid, piano songs too, so it's a well rounded album for adults and children.
Did you have a vision of how you wanted the album to sound, or was it something that evolved during the recording process?
Ummm, me and my family kinda had an idea from the beginning on what we wanted the album to sound like, so during the picking process we knew what songs fit for what we was trying to do.
We wanted the album to be a classic timeless album. We wanted to showcase my vocal and piano skills, so that's why we have a few piano songs on there. We wanted my age to show as well, so that's why [songs like] 90's Baby & Baby Baby [are on there], because I am young still, so we wanted some fun up tempos joints on there too. We wanted just great music and a universal sound and I think we did a great job with that for this album.
What happened to the song you recorded with John Legend?
I recorded a song with John Legend called Promise, it's a very very beautiful song that I wish could have made the album, but unfortunately it didn't. But you never know, we might throw it on my second album.
Tell us about the song you did with Lil' Mama. What was it like working with her?
I recorded Baby Baby with Lil Mama in ATL like last summer and it was so fun, she's really a great person to work with. The song came out really dope and she was perfect for the message we was trying to send out.
You can speak and sing fluently in Spanish and Russian. You are of Dominican descent, which explains your fluent Spanish, but where did you learn Russian?
Both my parents went to school in Russia, that's where they met and that's where my brother was born, so I just learned it from my parents.
I like the Spanish version of „Slow Motion“. Will you record more Spanish songs, or perhaps a whole album, in the future?
Thank you! (laughs) Yes, I recorded 16 @ War and Can't Find The Words in Spanish as well. You can get Can't Find The Words as a bonus song on iTunes when you buy my album for $6.99.
Last year, you performed at the White House where you were introduced by George Bush himself. What are your memories of that experience and how did it come about?
It was a great experience being able to perform at the White House for Black Music month and it was an even greater experience because after I performed, my brother had told me that I had just made history as the first Dominican person to perform at the White House, so it was a great feeling.
How do you feel about the comparisons between you and Alicia Keys, whom you mention among your influences?
It's cool to be compared to Alicia Keys, because she is a great artist and her last album did just go triple platnuim (laughs). But I do see how people can compare us, but at the same time, people do know who Karina is, and you will definitely know that in my album.
You've met or worked with a lot of people in the music business. Did you make some good friends among them?
Yea, everyone I've met so far has been really nice and polite. I haven't really met anyone that was nasty and snotty (laughs).
Can you still go to the mall without getting approached by fans?
Yea, I can go to the mall and stuff, like people would just be like „Hey, aren't you Karina!“ (laughs) But it's cool. I really still do regular things.
Do you have any career goals or things you want to accomplish in the future?
Yea, I plan on getting involved in acting and definitely giving back to poor countries such as where I'm from, Dominican Republic. But for right now, I really want to make my mark in this music business.
What's next for you? Are you already thinking of your next album?
Ummmm, not really. I'm still excited that my first one just dropped on Tuesday (laughs).
Last Words?
I love everyone, First Love In Stores Now. MeetKarina.net, Myspace.com/KarinaPasian!
