International musical powerhouse Kat Deluna is preparing for the release of her aptly titled sophomore album, Inside Out. After running into her during in New York, MANIAC caught up with her on how the opera talented Kat caught her big break in the music industry, her experiences on tour and her performance at Fashion Week. Despite the artist’s youth, she spoke in a manner that proved her wise beyond her 23 years. Her maturity and confidence aren’t surprising considering her start in the music industry and training at the New Jersey School of Performing Arts. The young starlet soon grew up in the public eye after her debut album, 9 Lives, was released in 2007 to become the top-selling single on iTunes Latino in 2007 and reached #1 in France.
“I’ve been singing my whole life, ever since I was three years old; that was my first performance ever. I was always driven to choirs and competitions in the community but I feel like I really got my start after high school. I met this guy named Tyrone Edmond who has a production company and together we started to work on a more professional level [to] actually create a demo and create Kat Deluna. After shopping the product around, I finally got a deal in late 2006 with Epic/Sony BMG.”
When Kat signed her first record deal, she was only 19. In 2007, she was awarded with Los Premios MTV Latinoaméricas “Best New Artist Award”, and also scored a Billboard Latin Music Award for “Best Club Play Track of the Year” (for “Whine Up”). She went on to received “The Best Urban Artist” and “The Best New Artist” Award at the Belgium TMF Awards in 2008.
Now four years later, Kat recognizes that her experience with the music industry and especially with touring, have had a profound impact on her personally and professionally. She became immediately notable as the first Dominican pop singer to cross over into the mainstream after her album went gold.
“I do feel a little bit older [and] savvier, [but] I’m not a girl, not yet a woman. I feel my music this time is more influenced by the experiences that I attained while traveling with my first album, 9 Lives, three and a half years ago, when it came out. I think I’ve grown as a person intellectually [and] musically. I don’t think it’s just about the age, it’s more about the time that I have spent doing this.”
Kat’s sophomore album is unique in that it offers fans two sides to her music. The album, which is already in limited release in Europe, was produced twice, with two different sounds.
“There’s a European version and an American version. The European version of the album is a little bit more energetic, more dance tracks. While I was touring in Europe, I noticed that people out there like to have a good time all the time. It’s all about a party, so I made sure that I [only] had one ballad. Now with the American version, it’s more in depth because it has more ballads. It [has] party tracks and is about experiences, but [it’s also] about me growing up as a woman.”
Although Kat’s album has yet to be released in the U.S., her first track off the record has already garnered critical acclaim.
“The first single is called, ‘Dancing Tonight’ and the video and single is hitting the waves soon. I actually found out last night that the dance version of the song debuted at the number one breakout for the Billboard Dance Charts, basically the most added song of the week.”
The artist attributes the success to the sense of openness present on her new album. Kat credits her experiences touring and growing up as an artist toher new found self-awareness.
“It’s so simple, it’s what it is. I feel like a lot of artists really fear their second album, because your second album can make or break you. Me, when you see me, that’s what you get. I am Kat Deluna, inside out, as a simple girl, here I am. I have nothing to hide. Even if you get to see the cover of the first single, make-up wise, I have hardly any make-up on. I just want to come as me, stripped, for my fans to see.”
Although the artist is an American born citizen, she still resonates with her Dominican heritage. Kat moved with her family to the Dominican Republic at a young age and spent many years there, before returning to the U.S. She spoke rather endearingly of her ethnicity and maintained that it is still very close to her heart.
“I was born in the Bronx, to Dominican parents. Basically the minute I was born, we went to live in the Dominican Republic. My first language was Spanish, so I consider myself a Latino American. Being Latina is always about a party and the hair and the dress. It’s more like a lifestyle; you like to be over the top. When you see a Spanish person, instead of shaking your hand, they greet you with a kiss. The Dominican Republic is a very happy country and we’re very influenced by African beats. I was a melting pot, being able to understand that culture, influences my music.”
According to Kat, her musical and personal styles are interchangeable. Her influences affect both her music and style of dress. The artist had the opportunity to perform and scout out some trends when she stopped by New York Fashion Week.
“My style is between European and American. I think both fashions are so different but at the same so elegant and beautiful. I’m definitely that girl next door goes glamour. Right now, I’m in love with the nautical look. I love stripes; I love high-waisted pants that make you look tall. As a girl you evolve and I feel like us women [are] always playing closet.”
“Fashion week is always a way to express yourself. It’s a way for you to try new trends that are probably not out. This fashion week was really interesting for me because not only was I able to visit and see designers and new trends, but I was also a part of the Style 360 event. I loved Tadashi, it was one of my favorites, but I love Jean Paul Gautier, Christian Dior and Betsey Johnson’s free spirit. When I’m out and traveling, I love to go to vintage stores. I like to find things that not necessarily have a name brand but have a style. I like things that can transcend from era to era.”
Much like Kat’s powerful bravado voice she is most definitely destined to be a classic.
