Hailing from a world of sports CymcoLé is making her own name in the entertainment industry.
An artist of many talents, it’s hard to believe that she is only 20 years old. The emerging singer, songwriter, athlete, and model arrives with a unique blend of R&B and pop, sprinkled with island and Latin influences, which comes vividly to life in her music.
We caught up the up-and-coming R&B princess:
Who is CymcoLé, not personally but musically?
I would say I am a R&B, Pop, Caribbean, Trap artist mixture. I am a mixture a lot of different influences, I try to be very versatile with my music. My music is very fun and energetic most of the time.
Can you describe for our readers/listeners who haven’t listened yet what they can expect from your EP Shadows? What’s your most prized creation (song) from it?
Shadows has kind of an edgy, pop, R&B feel; it really goes off my father being an MLB player and me having to come out of his shadow to make my own name for myself. So, all the songs on the EP have an alternative meaning. Meaning, they always have a second meaning to what I’m actually saying. My favorite song on the EP is “Fix It,” because it’s very fun and catchy. It has this Pop-Caribbean feel to it. When I was on tour everyone stuck to it and also a song I love to sing.
What is your process for selecting songs to record and put on your EP?
Most of the time I’ll go to the studio, I like to be very involved in the process as well as the beat making. So, if the beats are already made we’ll sit and we’ll talk about what we want the sounds to be like. I’m just very involved in the process, I don’t like to be the artist that comes in and has the songs already written for her and just sings it.
You have such an eclectic style which is rare these days. Who or what was the direct influence to your style?
I am very influenced by Rihanna, Beyoncé and I’m really influenced by a lot of Caribbean music. I grew up listening to a lot of Latin music, originally, I did Latin music but I realized I didn’t want to go down that lane. So, in my music you’ll hear a lot of Latin influences. As for the edginess, I like to come off fun but also serious.
The “Bombs Away” video looked like a lot of fun shooting. Were you inspired by the 90’s when you did it or what was your inspiration for it?
Yes, I love the 90’s! I love everything about it, I think it’s slowly starting to make a comeback. I am super inspired by Janet Jackson, so you can see the link and connection to that in the video.
Do you remember the exact moment you decided you were going to start music and take it seriously? What was that day like for you?
I actually cried the day I figured out that music was what I wanted to do. I played sports for a very long time, so coming from an athletic background I was doing the opposite of what my family does. But my mom was into musical theater, so I went with what my mom loved, and my dad was the one who was into sports. It was tough trying to do both at the same time, until one day they told me I had to choose. I chose music, me and my sister moved out to LA where I really gave my all into my my music career and at that point I wasn’t turning back from it.
You come from a family of musicians and professional athletes, your father played for the Cincinnati Reds, what was it like having to pick between the two?
It was kind of hard for me, I played lacrosse for 11 years and had the opportunity to go to a lot of different colleges. I sometimes think about it and miss it so much, but I realized that if I didn’t give it up I wouldn’t be doing what I love to do now. I love to perform, so whenever I get the chance to perform it’s a whole new feeling for me, it’s an amazing feeling actually. I’m glad I made that decision.
Coming from a Latin background in Cincinnati, Ohio, what is it like where you grew up? How has your environment influenced your artistry and music?
My family is from Cincinnati, Ohio but I grew up in Orlando, Florida. Orlando is very suburban and your choices were to be a Disney kid or play sports. So, I did the sports thing and it was very boring. Once I got to the age when I realized I wanted to go out with my friends, I realized there was not a lot to do. I only did one year of high school, then I did virtual school because I worked overseas doing music in Brazil. I lost the whole high school experience because I chose my career.
Can you tell me a little more about what was it like starting your career working with Liana Bank$ and Rich Homie Quan? What is your relationship like with them today? How have they influenced you and your career?
Liana and I worked together on a project, I love Liana she is a really dope artist and we really clicked once we got in the studio. The song with Rich Homie Quan song was actually my first song! After we were done with it originally, we sat on it to see if we were going to get a feature. My executive producer at the time called to ask if I wanted Rich Homie on the song; I was like “That’s awesome! Let’s go ahead and do that.” It was a crazy experience because he sent a video of him doing the verse, and I never worked with someone like Rich Homie before so, I was crying. I really had him featured on my song.
There are many brilliant young female R&B singers breaking into the industry at such a young age, including Justine Skye, Liana Banks, just to name a few. But sometimes it is hard trying to get people in the industry to take you and your vision seriously. In a way, you guys are giving young girls who want be stars faith, some would say that would make you guys an icon. What is that like?
We all have our tough moments where we realize that it’s not going to be a walk in the park. It gets extremely difficult and mind blowing but you must have tough skin. Everyone knows the music industry is not what we know it to be. However, every time I get a tweet or comment from a young individual I get really happy because it’s like ‘wow, I’m reaching people who can relate to what I’m doing and really connect to my artistry. I love the fact that I can do that for these young girls out here. I actually got a chance to host a contest on Musically, and my song was featured on the discovery page, so there was a bunch of little girls making videos to my song, “Bombs Away.”
Any advice for the youth your age or the youth coming up that wants to be in your very shoes right now?
Your career, is your career. You can’t listen to what other people to tell you; listen to what your heart tells you because you create your music nobody creates it for you. In the end, you gotta do what you love and not pay attention to the people around you sometimes because they’ll get in the way of what you’re trying to do.
What do you hope to accomplish with your music going forward? Can you give us an idea of what to expect on your next project? And the rest of 2017?
Mainly just art. I am a very artistic person, I like to do many different things. I’m actually headlining my first show at SOB’s on May 7. 2017. I also just did my first show at SXSW, but this year I’m sure I’ll be doing another tour or two. Performing is my favorite thing about being an artist. I can’t wait to get back out there and show everyone why I am doing this and why I love it. New music, new video, new everything; just really developing a brand. I want people to know that I’m not just an artist, not just one hit song. Lastly, I’m working on some merch and that will be coming out soon. A lot is coming, so stay tuned!
We’re looking forward to see what CymcoLé delivers in 2017. Be sure to follow her on Twitter, Instagram and check out her Soundcloud to stay up-to-date with her music.
