THE POP FIX Pick: Melanie Fiona
Every Friday, THEPOPFIX hand scoops the hottest dudes and flyest chicks of the moment. From far and wide, high and low, THEPOPFIX finds celebutants, musicians, actors, philanthropists, to normal Angelenos in the region who you as readers need to know to be “in-the-know!” So check us out every Friday, and see who’s poppin! Who knows, maybe even you or someone you know may land on our pages! Know someone who should be included in THEPOPFIX Pick? Email us at THEPOPFIX@gmail.com
The Temptress- Melanie Fiona
Melanie Fiona poses for the camera. Photo: Celeste Perez, THE POP FIX/Copyright 2009
When we first met Melanie Fiona at Akon’s pre-Grammy party last week, we saw an instant star-in-the making. Aside from the bright yellow she wore, she immediately stood out; her long, coiling curls bouncing playfully as she walked, her almond-shaped eyes smiling for the cameras, that raspy voice of hers escaping from her husky vocal chords, all bundled together with her confident swagger, had all the paparazzi clicking away at their cameras and buzzing about who this new girl in town was.
Miss Fiona interviews with THE POP FIX. Photo: Celeste Perez, THE POP FIX/Copyright 2009
Melanie Fiona interviews with THE POP FIX's very own, Erin Darling. Photo: Celeste Perez, THE POP FIX/Copyright 2009
And we were wondering too. Wondering so hard that we just needed to look into her.
It wasn’t until we heard Ms. Fiona later, that we fell in love with her husky, jagged-edged voice. Not since Lauryn Hill have we been introduced to such pure, unadulterated R&B. Soaked with a light sugary dash of pop, and a spoonful of pure soul that’s as rich as maple syrup, her first single, “Give It To Me Right,” is one that will debunk any notion that modern R&B is dead.
And speaking of maple syrup, the girl is from Canada—inner-city Toronto to be more exact–and joins the legions of international singers that made waves in 2008.
Melanie Fiona with hitmaker, Brian Cox. Photo: Celeste Perez, THE POP FIX/Copyright 2009
But that was last year, and 2009 seems to be all Fiona’s with her debut album, “The Bridge,” set to debut in the Spring under SRC/Motown Records.
When we spoke to Fiona last week, she told us that her sound was different, and to expect something new.
On “Give It To Me Right,” she delivers. The song is direct and demanding, spoken from a woman who knows what she wants and seems to get it when she wants it. And by “it,” we’re not going to shy away from insinuation.
The girl wants sex.
She tells her lover, “give it to me right, or don’t give it to me at all,” and tells him, “I don’t want it all the time, but when I do, I better be satisfied.” The song glides beautifully over a sampling of The Zombies’ “Time of the Season,” and completely recreates the song into something incredibly fresh and new.
Fiona, whose background is Guyanese Canadian, was introduced to her current manager in her teens who helped develop her songwriting skills. The two then met various producers and big named songwriters, some for Leona Lewis, Amy Winehouse, Natasha Bedingfield, and began developing Fiona more as an original talent. Throughout the years, Fiona honed her performing skills while traveling alongside big-time artists like Lupe Fiasco, Keyshia Coles, Music Soul Child, and others and perfected her sound by working on others’ albums (like Rihanna’s “A Girl Like Me.”)
Wherever she’s been, or whoever’s she’s worked with is impressive and all, but at the end of the day, the girl can sell her own record. If the stellar performance on “Give It To Me Right” is any indication of her forthcoming career, it’s obvious that she’s a superstar in her own right.
Wanna read past weeks’ THE POP FIX Pick? Click here for Feb. 6, and here for Jan. 30.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...
she’s just delicious and silky smoove
yarzz
her sound is just new and refreshing!
Love that song, and she’s a cutie!
I’ve been a musician for 35 years. It is disgusting that “artists” like this can’t even come up with their own original music, but instead have to rip off true musicians who did the heavy lifting. The sickening thing is that so many sheeple think this is real music. No doubt, Ms. Fiona considers herself an artist. What a joke.
There has always been pop music, but this is completely manufactured bullshit like so much of the crap that fills the airwaves today. In stark contrast to Ms. Fiona and her ilk are the Beatles, to cite one example. Yes, The Beatles were poppy in the beginning, but there is a huge difference between them and the myriad hip-hop and R & B cretins of today (country music is also manufactured garbage but at least the backing bands can play well. As far as modern rock goes, rock bands normally possess real musicians; however, with a few notable exceptions there has been nothing innovative in the rock genre in over a decade).
The Beatles wrote their own music, played their own music and contributed to the musical lexicon in ways that would take many pages to delineate. Also, not only do they have staying power almost a half a century after the fact, but every musician that I’ve known throughout the years, regardless of genre, has the greatest respect for them. No musician that I know has any regard for the mindless cookie cutter garbage that has inundated the airwaves for far too long.
I can’t believe how our culture has degenerated. The Zombies should sue (if theyr’e still alive) - I sure as hell would. I guess taking music lessons, learning to play an instrument and learning to write your own music is simply too much trouble for some people. Why waste your time when you can act immorally and rip off true musicians.
Leave your response!
THE POPFIX VIDEOS
THE POP FIX at Bastille Day LA
THEPOPFIX.com Exclusive
Categories
Polls
Recent Comments
Blogroll
recent posts
Most Commented
Most Viewed