“Emotional” (viral video)

Casely is an R&B singer from Miami who recently signed with Epic Records. We recently came across his new video for his single “Emotional”, (Above) and we’ve been hooked ever since. His sound is fresh, young, and soulful and his looks aren’t bad either. We got a chance to chat with Casely about his new project, the ladies, and how he’s helping to bring Miami to the forefront of the music industry. Let’s get to know more about Casely…
ATF: So Casely, how long have you been performing?Casely: I’ve been performing since I was about 6, and I’m 22, now, so its been a little while.

ATF: How did you get started?

Casely: I got started at school. Besides that, I was always singing around the house.

ATF: Do you feel like school was an important part of your career? I heard through the grapevine that you went to Berkley College of Music.

Casely: I definitely feel like it plays a part in setting me apart. Everyone doesn’t have to go to school to make it big as an artist, but for me, it adds a bit more to who I am as an artist and as a musician.

ATF: What’s your ethnicity?

Casely: My mother is Trini and my father is Panamanian.

ATF: Does that influence your sound at all?

Casely: Yeah, not directly. You’re not going to hear any Latin music or West Indian music on the album at all, but I think it influences my music in the sense of longevity, in terms of not having any barricades on my music. I grew up listening to a lot of different music around the house and in the city, so I drive influence from everything.

ATF: Who are some of your musical influences?

Casely: Definitely Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Donny Hathaway. I just basically like anything that’s unique and different.

ATF: So, tell us about your new project.

Casely: I’m bringing back that original, unique music! Its an R&B album but its also pop, hip-hop, its everything. Its real music, ya’ know? I’ve been grinding it out trying to get a deal for as long as I can remember. All of the music has that 80’s type of feel.

ATF: What is the most important thing that you can tell upcoming artists who are trying to be in the same position that you are in now?

Casely: The most important thing is to stay focused. Growing up, I always wanted to be a recording artist, so that helped keep me focused. Any decision that I’ve made throughout my life has been to affect my dream in a positive way. Just keep perfecting your craft. Stay out there, keep doing shows, and keep honing your craft.

ATF: So, I saw your video for “Emotional”, and I saw a couple of Miami artists that I recognized, including Pitbull. Are you currently based in Miami?

Casely: I was born in Miami, but I was raised in Ft. Lauderdale. I was back and forth because my parents got a divorce. My father lived in Miami and my father lived in Ft. Lauderdale.

ATF: AllThatsFab.com is based in New York. How about you let our readers know what Miami has to offer…

Casely: I think Miami has its energy to offer. The world has gotten a lot of Atlanta’s energy, maybe even Cali and New York, too. I’m excited to bring a new wave to the world. You guys have gotten to enjoy our hip hop, like Rick Ross, Trick Daddy and Pitbull, but now its time to hear what our R&B sounds like down in Miami.

ATF: One thing that I also like in your video is that you do a lot of dancing. How long have you been doing that?

Casely: I’ve been dancing for about 5 years. I haven’t been dancing as long as I’ve been singing, but dancing for me is definitely something that I wanted to be original. Like when you look at Prince, when he was dancing, you couldn’t really put a finger on it, but it looked fly, it looked dope. I don’t want people to look at me and be like, ‘Oh, he’s a pop-locker, or he break-dances.’ I touch different genres of dancing, but, at the end of the day, I want it to be organic and original.

ATF: I also heard that you play musical instruments. Is that something that we can hear on your album?

Casely: You’re probably going to see a lot more of it in my live shows. I’m definitely incorporating my piano in my show, and I play an acoustic version of “Emotional”. The album, for the most part, is production and beat based. There’s not really a lot of live music on there, but we wanted to focus on the groove, and wanted people to bobbin their heads.

ATF: Well, you know this was coming…Do you have a girlfriend?

Casely: Nah, nah, I’m single.

ATF: Are you single and ready to mingle, or are you single and just focused?

Casely: I’m single and focused! They go hand in hand. Everyone can hit me up on Myspace.com/casely. I do maintain it myself so hit me up with the comments. Also check out Caselymusic.com and request, “Emotional” on your local radio stations and cop it on itunes.

ATF: Are you currently in New York right now?

Casely: Yeah, I’m freezing right now in what you all call “warm weather”.

ATF: (Laughs) So, what do you have planned while you’re here in the city?

Casely: Well, just yesterday I was at the Ray J/Yung Berg shoot for “Sexy Can I“. They’re re-shooting the video, and I did a little cameo for that. Today, I’m doing interviews, and soon, I’ll be shooting to Philly to do some radio stuff and to open up for Wyclef.

ATF: Nice!

Casely: Yeah, I’m real excited about that. You know, I’m just doing things here and there.

ATF: Well, Casely, we’ll definitely look out for you, and we look forward to hearing more from you. Are there any last words that you’d like to leave us with?

Casely: Just be on the lookout! 1985 is coming back, so get ready.

Tags: Casely, Exclusive Interviews

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 23rd, 2008 at 11:55 pm and is filed under Exclusive Interviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.