Hopes and dreams aren’t just thoughts that float in our mind when we close our eyes. For Selina Carrera, 23, a Poet/singer/songwriter from Philadelphia these dreams were just images of what her life would soon be like if she allowed that little voice inside of her to take the lead.
As a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, singing is nothing new to Selina. In fact, by the age of nine she had already begun receiving professional training from some of the cities best vocal coaches. Yet, with age comes responsibility and it was not long after graduating high school that Selina found herself bombarded with reality. However, “something was missing in my life,” recalls Carrera “it was like, after I graduated high school I was living in the ‘real world’, but the musical aspect of my life that I was so familiar with was missing.” It was that yearning for creativity and self expression that moved Selina to make a decision many would deem as odd. She decided to be an artist full-time. “No one believed that I was doing this as a job at first” she says with a laugh “they looked at it like, you’re an artist, well, what is it that you do exactly? It was as if people look at this life as more of a fantasy than reality.”
Reality is what these dreams have become for Selina. Not long after graduating high school she was signed to Sony Records. There she released a track and a music video that many local Philadelphians know well entitled ‘Energy’. Yet, her career with Sony did not produce the longevity that she desired and Selina was subsequently dropped from the label. However, out of an unfortunate situation opportunity arose. Selina thus delved deep into her emotions and began to express herself through her first love, poetry. “You know a lot of my material comes from my old poetry books,” she states, “that was my very first outlet along with singing.” Through much work and persistence, Selina was able to translate her poems into lyrical expression that fueled her as she continued her musical journey. Her unique expression by means of language aroused the interest of former Fugee group member and Grammy award-winner Pras Michel. As a result, Selina was invited to join a new group being formed called Axixs.
This group provides a fresh outlook to hip-hop. Infused with a bit of rock, a smidge of electro funk, and some funky reggae Axixs is sure to bring a refreshing sound to the industry. “The group is my number one priority,” plainly states Selina, “however, everyone is their own individual and everyone has their own artistry.” So, maintaining a schedule of balance is a necessity. When she is not recording, doing shows, or collaborating with her fellow group members, Selina can be found working on her solo album, performing at local Philadelphia hotspots and laying the foundation to her recently established non-profit organization Lyrical Playground. A poetry driven youth on youth program set to provide children with the skills to express themselves through language and literacy.
As an independent artist Selina is still doing much to promote herself and her group. You can catch their new music video entitled “Hipstar” playing nationwide. In addition, they’re in the works of being signed to a major record label very soon. She also plans on having a group album out by the end of 2010. As of today, her goal is to not work with the intent to be famous, but work with the knowledge and will power to assist her community. “Fame isn’t important to me, it’s just something that comes with the job,” she says, “I just want to live free and as a person. As someone that can bring realism back to the industry; someone that can bring more back to the community to the city, to Philadelphia. I want to be a familiar face to the Latino community. I don’t want to be anything made up.”
It is no surprise that now days, life in the real world is much like the life she lived in her dreams. “I feel as if I am just a vessel,” Selina humbly states, “My message through my music is going to be whatever the Creator wants to be said and communicated. Music is bigger than me, I am just a tool.”
For more information about Selina Carrera please visit: http://www.selinacarrera.com/, http://www.axixs.com/, check her out on YouTube and follow her to twitter at www.twitter.com/selinacarrera.
~Tierra Fernandez