ANGEL FAYE RUSSELL is an up and coming artist that got in our hot seat for this edition of Straight Official Sit Downs. @klassikceo served up the questions and the vibe between the two was dope! Check out their one-on-one down below and click here for more editions of emerging artists on Straight Official Sit Downs!
Q&A WITH ANGEL FAYE RUSSELL
What is your name? Where are you from and what first got you interested in the entertainment industry?
My name is Angel Faye Russell and I was born in Montgomery, AL. I was raised on “Strong Island” Long Island in the Suburban part of New York. My mama said I started singing when I was about three years old. I would watch 106 and
Park with AJ and Free . After I saw it, I pictured myself singing on the show. There was no turning back after that.
Who and/or what inspires you to create?
Betty Wright, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce’, and Mary J Blige are some of the artists who inspire me. Their lyrics relate to things that happen every day in life. I like that concept.
How would you describe your sound?
My sound is a mixture of Hip-Hop beats, Southern Soul music and Blues type lyrics that usually tell a story. I think it is similar to Mary J. Beyonce’ or Lauryn Hill.
THE CREATIVE PROCESS
What is your creative process like?
I might hear someone say a phrase like “I know you miss me”. “Imma make a man outta you” or “You’re my baby boo” and turn it into a hook for a song. I will play around with some beats, have some lyrics that tell a story and try to put it together.
What artist(s) would you like to collaborate with?
Mary J Blige, Alicia Keys, KEM or BabyFace to name a few.
People can take a lot of things from you, but they can never take away your dreams. I’m still dreaming.
Angel Faye Russell
What is one message you would give to your supporters?
I would like to thank God for people like yourself, my management team Joe Mason and Vincent Berry.
My fans whom I consider to be my extended family and everyone in the music industry who supports Angel Faye Russell music.
SHIFTING GEARS
What is the best talent/skill you have that most people don’t know about?
I write my own music and lyrics and I can play my music on the keyboards.
What would you be doing right now if you weren’t doing music?
That’s a good question because I’ve been performing for a while. I guess I would be working with bands or someone else doing music.
Who are some artists/people you admire and why?
I have much respect for Betty Wright, LGBTQ and all female artist in the music industry. All female and LGBTQ
artists face different challenges in the industry that force us to work twice as hard to receive the recognition that our male artist would receive.
Don’t get me wrong, I am straight, but I believe it’s more challenging to be successful with these two groups of people.
IN CLOSING
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
If I had it my way, I would love to see Southern Soul Music added as a genre on the music charts and at the Grammys. I am actually working with a board member on the Grammy Voting Committee in California right now to try and make that a reality.
What’s next for you, where would you like to see yourself in the next year?
I am scheduled to perform at many venues this year. My ultimate goal for next year is to write a song for or have a major artist perform one of my previously recorded songs. I would also like to perform overseas.
What is your social media? How can people get in contact with you?
My FB link-https://www.facebook.com/ANGELFAYE77 IG link-https://www.instagram.com/angelfaye77/, Twitter link-https://twitter.com/ANGEL5245, YouTube link-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9iWR7nDWWTZpy1tAu4BMMA
