MWN: Hi how are you, can you introduce yourselves for me and tell me about yourself ?
Jenn Morel: Hey, my name is Jenn Morel and I’m here for the first time in Austin, Tx. I’m really excited, how my career started. I was a urban model, a dancer before, I moved to california and two years ago i told my team that i wanted to be a rapper. I got started with flow friday, where i give my audience a beat with my flow on it every friday. I did that for 35 weeks straight. And the 7th week was when my first single was born, “Ponteme” and how that came about i told my brother, listen we gotta do something different, an urban sound from the dominican republic from our country and we did! We did flow friday number 7, and listen, when things are meant for you it went! That little small clip one minute went viral and people were asking hey where can i download this song. In a matter of a week we recorded the video, i choreographed the video, me and my brother wrote the song and a year later i have a platinum record. I’ve been traveling all over Europe, 7 tours and i just got signed to universal music. I’m here to conquer the world!
MWN: Tell me about Kumbara and what inspired it?
Jenn Morel: Kumbara means freedom of expression, what inspired that was celia cruz. She was a freedom singer and that song i felt that freedom and im like listen i want to be able to do something that empowers people, fo for me kumbara means freedom of expression and women empowerment. I got the idea from Quimbara, that’s what really inspired kumbara. Movement for my ladies and my people all over the world with a lot of colors.
MWN: Is this your first time performing at SXSW? How do you feel?
Jenn Morel: Yes!! It’s my first time in Austin and it’s beautiful. I’m super excited, everywhere you go the people are amazing, amazing food, just walking down you feel the energy, the music, there’s art everywhere you go, i’m really excited, and i get to perform tomorrow and i’m really excited!
MWN: You mentioned Celia Cruz as one of your influences, who are some more of your musical influences?
Jenn Morel: One of my inspirations is daddy yankee ever since i was a little girl, I didn’t know what he was saying but i wanted to do that when i grew up you know not knowing that i was going to be a rapper. As a kid you’re always exposed to different things and Ivy queen la reyna de reggeton. Stylewise i love rihanna i love how wild she is and i love she’s unapologetic, she don’t give a “F” and a boss ass ish i love beyonce she’s like imma take control and i grab different inspiration from those people.
MWN: If there’s anyone in your shoes out there what would you tell them?
Jenn Morel: Don’t ever give up, there’s always going to be people and situations that criticize you. At the end of the day you are the only one who knows your potential, who knows your vision. I remember when I first started i was a urban model so i was told keep doing this, be sexy, do whatever you do. I was like man F it i’m talented so i show my talents. Show it to yourself and the world will understand, believe in yourself.
MWN: Thanks for your time!
By: Michael Perea | Exclusively for @Music, Why Not!