With a forthcoming album and a long-standing background in the music industry, Cymphonique projects a cool and calm demeanor that a lot of her contemporaries lack. YA got a chance to interview the up and comer and we talked about everything from Lip Gloss to her foundation, Let the Kids Grow, and her love of reading including a mutual favorite, “Gone Girl”. Check it out!

 

Tell me a little bit about yourself when you were a younger adult…where did you grow up? What were you like in school?

I’ve lived in Texas, Louisiana but mainly Southern California. In school, “Share Day” was one of my favorite days where we could bring pets, toys or anything that we wanted to share with our class. I was really involved in my school. I was that kid who participated in almost all of the activities, including church choir, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, track, and the book club. I was actually notorious for selling lip gloss on the playground underneath the jungle gym, but one day this girl that didn’t like me ratted me out to the authorities (the yard teacher) and shut down my whole operation.

 

How did you get your start in music?

I’ve been singing since I learned how to talk. My parents told me that I’d randomly make up songs wherever I was — in the car, in the kitchen, no matter what I was doing, I would make a song out of it. I joined my church choir and took piano lessons in first grade. I even participated in the musical theater programs in our community.

 

What has been your biggest success to date?

I recently started a performing arts school with Let The Kids Grow Foundation where we also have a free program for underprivileged kids to take classes.

 

Tell me a little more about your vision as an artist and your image.

I make R&B, Pop, Hip Hop and Soul music. As an artist, I just want to make “feel good” music that people can relate to.

 

Who are some of your favorite artists or bands?

I’m inspired by so many… Etta James, Minnie Riperton, Jennifer Holiday, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, and Mary J. Blige.

What do you have coming up?

I’ve been working on my album Passion and I’ve been spending a lot of time training for a new teen franchise, action film project.

 

What can you tell others pursuing the same career?

First of all, make sure that it’s truly your passion. If you’re doing it for money or fame, eventually you’re going to be unhappy. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and dedication. You’ll get discouraged but don’t give up. It doesn’t happen overnight, you can take little steps at a time to get there. My advice would be to start where you are, in your community. Use the resources that you do have access to, like the Internet. YouTube is a great place to share your skills.

 

What’s your favorite book or what book are you currently reading?

“Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren is my favorite book. I’ve read it so many times. And I’m currently finishing up a mystery novel called “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn. 

 

What are three things you want your fans to know about you that they might not?

First of all, I want my fans to know that I love them so much that words can’t even begin to describe and that I wouldn’t be where I am today without their love and support. Second, giving back is when I’m most happy and I strongly encourage everyone to give back in their own way. I believe that you should invest your life in things that will outlast it.

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10?

Hopefully to have traveled the world and expanded my Fabulous Girls Charity which brings awareness, hope, and empowerment to young cancer patients. In 10 years, I hope to have filmed and produced movies.

 

What 5 songs (or artists) are you currently listening to on you iPod?

Right now on my playlist you can find Azealia Banks, Justin Timberlake, Lana Del Ray, Big Sean and Frank Ocean.