Pop Sensation Chani Christie

Category: Featured artist

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Chantel "Chani" Christie is a best-selling author, award winning recording artist, producer, model, actress, and United States Youth Ambassador for HIV/AIDS Awareness, As well as The YMCA Youth Spokesperson. Hot on the heels of her bestselling debut book 'I Want to Live: A Teenagers Guide to Finding Self Love', Chani will release her second book 'A Girl Has to Look Good! A beauty, fashion, and lifestyle Guide' in early 2010, and this teen sensation is just getting started!

With the 2009 Martin Luther King, Jr. Excellence in Hip Hop award and the Winner of the LA music Awards' 2009 Pop Artist of the year award already under her belt, Chani has no plans of slowing down. With her debut album entitled 'My Dream', (Jean Rah Fya records) 2008' selling out twice already, she has also garnered much attention and recognition in the music industry. And her song 'Do Your Dance' from her debut album was selected for the coveted soundtrack Soriety forever on ABC as well as being a featured artist on the song 'Don't Be Shy' by the hot teen singing group Small Change, and was selected for the movie soundtrack Another Cinderella Story.

Lyrics & Lipstick is Chani's sophomore release in which she dedicates to her idol Aaliyah. Featuring a track list of sultry R&B songs coupled with upbeat girl anthems like "Gimme Love" featuring Lil Mama, Lyrics & Lipstick is relate able to girls no matter
what age. In addition to promoting her 2nd album "Lyrics & Lipsticks", Chani is also filming a new reality show "The Real Teens of Hollywood".

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Contact: Twitter | Website

Chani "Gimme Love" featuring Lil Mama

Urban Steez: Tell everybody your name and what area you represent?

My name is Chantel Christie, but I go by "Chani". I represent Seattle. That's my hometown and it holds a very special place in my heart but I've had the privilege of traveling all over the country so I've left a little piece of myself in every state. I love Dallas and I love Toronto. I enjoyed Utah, too - It was so chill.

Urban Steez: How long have you been doing music and what made you get into music?

Chani: I've been a connoisseur of music all of my life. I've been professionally singing since I was 14 after being signed to Jean Rah Fya Records which is an independent label.

Urban Steez: How would you describe your style and why? And what do you feel you can bring to the table as an artist?

Chani: My style is sultry r&b coupled with girly pop anthems. I have so many different musical influences - they all play a part in the things that I record and put out.

Urban Steez: Nice, you have a voice on you. What do you feel has been your greatest experience thus far as a music artist and why?

Chani: Winning the LA Music Awards Pop Artist of the Year award or the Martin Luther King Excellence in Hip Hop Award.. Those were two moments in my career that I will never forget. To be acknowledge by my peers and music industry execs that I look up to - it meant so much.

Urban Steez: Wow, good stuff!! What do you feel is the biggest challenge you face being an artist?

Chani: My last name. When people find out I'm Doug Christie's daughter they automatically try and dismiss my talent a lot of times. They assume as though my last name is what got me in the door when in fact I've been perfecting my craft for years. It's challenging, but I've never back down from a challenge. I continue to prove myself.

Urban Steez: Well your music speaks for itself. Besides that's got to be a motivational tool in your journey to the top. Who would you want to collaborate with in the music industry and why?

Chani: There are a lot of artist and industry producers that I look up to like Quincy Jones and Alicia Keys and there are a lot of underground artists like Frank Ocean that I'd love to work with. I'm open to collaborate with anyone. Music should be fun - it should have meaning and it should make you feel good. Doesn't matter who the artist or producer is. If it makes you feel good, if it makes you smile, if it makes you sing along, if it makes you think - that's all that matters.

Urban Steez: Yea Frank Ocean is definitely on the rise, I think that would be a dope collaboration. So how do you feel you rank against top music talents today? And why?

Chani: I don't consider this a competition for me. I do this because it's what I love. It's never been a footrace - it's always been about achieving my dreams and sharing my talents with the world - be it one person or one billion people. Competing takes the fun out of it.

Urban Steez: Well said. What are you working on now and when can fans expect to hear more from you?

Chani: Right now, I'm promoting my album "Lyrics & Lipstick". I just shot a music video for my second single "Down" and it'll be out next month. It's super sexy and different from all my other videos and I can't wait to share it.

Urban Steez: Can’t wait to see your video, be sure to send it our way. Give readers one tip about pursuing their dreams?

Chani: Don't give up too easily. It's easy to get discouraged when you feel as though your career or your dream isn't moving along as fast as you would like.. Keep the faith. Faith is everything.

Urban Steez: Yessir! So what do you want to accomplish as an overall artist?

Chani: I want to inspire people. I do music because I was inspired by the people that came before me. Music, to me, was life. I couldn't wait to crack open a new CD and listen to every song on the album, read the credits, the thank you's. I think that's what may be missing in some of today's music. When you can put in an album and not skip to your favorite track - that's timeless, classic, beautiful music.

Urban Steez: Chani, you are the best! I remember my first "Jodeci" CD, good times!! Who and what are your influences?

Chani: I say this constantly, I've always been influenced and inspired by Aaliyah. She created a lane of her own. She was able to grab the young and old audience by remaining true to herself. She didn't have to be too young, but she didn't have to sell that sexy look either. She was able to remain classy and that's why she will always be timeless in my eyes. Her music still to this day can compete with what's on the radio and be #1.

Urban Steez: Aaliyah, is one in a million. Being inspired by Aaliyah is a definite good look! What do you think of the R&B/ music world right now?

Chani: I think people like Frank Ocean and Jhene Aiko are bringing life back to it. All R&B songs don't have to be about Sex - they can be meaningful and still beautiful. I think they're both putting a different spin on R&B.. giving it an airy sound. I'm excited with the direction R&B is going. Especially with powerhouses like Jennifer Hudson and Monica. It's feel good music.

Urban Steez: The digital era has been a beautiful thing for music these past few years. What music do you have playing in your sound system right now?

Chani: Miguel, Miguel, Miguel! Some Adele, a little Katy Perry. Tank stays in rotation. Loving Rick Ross right now - he's all over my Gym Playlist. Him and Tyga.

Urban Steez: That's a nice little rotation you got going on, you know your music. Who is your celebrity crush?

Chani: Ah.. Tank, Paul Walker, Shia Leabouf, Romeo.. The list is outrageous (laughs) So many gorgeous men in this world! but one I don't share with too many people: Justin Bieber. He's younger than me but his swag is on point and he's a little cutie.

Urban Steez: Lol and the list goes on. How can business heads and fans contact you in the future (myspace, email, number, etc.)?