Janelle Nadine is a enigma. In an industry that focuses on looks over substance, she happens to bring a complete package. Penning her own songs, she matches talent with beauty making her a lethal combination. With production by Drum Majors among others, Janelle showcases her talent on her mixtape “Pen, Pad, Tatoos and Heelz”
Wordonthestreetsmag.com caught up with the star in the making to talk about her inspirations, her album title and what really sets her apart from other R&B songbirds.
WOTS: How did you find music?
Janelle Nadine: Music has always inspired me. It’s in my blood, it’s what I do. I’ve been writing since I was little. I always knew I would be in the music business in some way or another.
WOTS: I love your mixtape, “Pen, Pad, Tattoos and Heelz” how did you come up with that name?
Janelle Nadine: The title came from my engineer actually. We were joking around one day and he said, “every time I come in here all I see is a pen and pad, tattoos and heels” and it kinda stuck with me. It’s nice. DJ Infamous 804 put it together for me. I’m very happy with it. I’ve been working on it for a while.
WOTS: You also have a very unique voice and writing style. What influences that?
Janelle Nadine: The difference is I have a lot of alone time. I spend a lot of time by myself. I try to really focus on me when I do my music. I’m not really trying to be like anyone else. I enjoy myself and I like who I am. Sometimes I wonder what my genre is. I’m not trying to fit into a category. I’m very versatile. I just do me and I’m not trying to do anybody else.
WOTS: You’re a Gemini right?
Janelle Nadine: Yes I am
WOTS: See, that’s where all that “alone by myself” stuff comes from
Janelle Nadine: (laughs) Yeah, I’m half crazy and half sane.
WOTS: Talk about working with Drum Majors? How did that come about?
Janelle Nadine: Drum Majors are the business. Benny, one half of drum majors actually found me on Myspace and told me that he liked my music and wanted to work with me. So me and my publicist went up to Atlanta and we met up with them. From there we’ve been working together. Our styles matched so everything flowed naturally.
WOTS: Who inspired you as far as artists?
Janelle Nadine: There are so many artists who have inspired me. I like a lot of 90’s music. SWV, Jodeci, Dru Hill. 70’s was my era! I feel like if I could go back to any era, it would be that one. The Beatles inspired me a lot. And were a big influence on me. Lauryn Hill was a biig factor on me too
WOTS: What’s next for you? Are you working on an album or another mixtape?
Janelle Nadine: I’m working on another mixtape right now. I’m also going to do another one with Dj Infamous 804. All the songs are written so its just about me getting in the studio right now and recording. I’ve been doing this for a while so its good to start getting the attention that I have been. Hopefully you’ll see me everywhere. MTV, BET, Vh1, Comedy Central, Cartoon network, everywhere!
Check out Janelle Nadine’s mixtape “Pen, Pad, Tatoos and Heelz” at myspace.com/ janellenadine360 and follow the future star at twitter.com/jbillion
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