News Argus, December 2001
-STUDENT
features
Singer Lina captures the heart of WSSU
By Mignon Turner
Special to the Argus
Welcome to the 1920s; you
have just been transported to a
small speakeasy in New Orleans,
where bootleggers and swing
dancers enjoy the jazz played on
stage by Louis Armstrong and
other talented musicians.
A young lady joins the stage
waiting her turn at the mic, a
large flower adorns her hair and
bangles dangle from her wrist.
If by now you haven't figured
out who we're referring to, you
soon will.
Lina evoked a combination of
Prohibitions Era along with jazz,
opera, contemporary hip-hop
and R&B.
A native of Texas, this rising
star and Atlantic Recording
Artist was honored Winston-
Salem State University on a tour
of colleges in October.
She appeared to sign auto
graphs and promote her new CD
entitled Stranger on Earth. It is
her refreshing style which is wel
coming this new comer to the
hip-hop generation.
She encompasses the rhythm
and blues from the past and
intertwines them with other
musical genres.
Lina said that she learned
early in the business to differe-
natated herself from other artist.
This has resonated into a style
that allows her to show less skin
and more talent.
She added that it was difficult
for her to begin her songwriting
career because so many individ
uals within the industry wanted
her to conform her appearance to
fit with other R&B artists.
"What is seldom seen becomes
rare," she said.
Born into a musically inclined
family, Lina's mother is also a
singer while her father plays the
guitar.
At an early age Lina learned
to appreciate all forms of music.
Unlike most little girls, Lina's
free time consisted of singing for
all types of school and church
functions as well as listeneing to
her mother's prized record col
lection from the '30s, '40s and
'50s.
"Billie Holiday was my first
love, there was just something
about her approach to a song,
and the blues she brought to
everything her touched," she
said.
Today the influences Lina
receives from the African-
American artists of the past are
present in the lyrics and songs
on her soulful CD.
She said that her CD is a state
ment that pays tribute to the
black artists in the past who did
not receive the appropriate finan
cial compensation or widespread
recognition they deserved.
"I'm proud of our African-
American history, our many gifts,
passions,m and our ability to sur
vive in the face of so many obsta
cles. With this album. I'm trying
to make my own contribution to
what is a truly remarkable artistic
heritage. I want to give some
thing back with my music."
However, the road to success
was not ways easy for Lina. She
admits to all of the many chal
lenges she faced in trying to get
discovered.
But with perseverance and
dedication Lina continued to pur
sue her goals.
Her fist taste of success came
in 1998 when the Los Angeles-
based Tyrese recorded her Ain't
Nothin' but a Jones for his platni-
um debut album.
She continued to cut a serious
of demo tapes all whole working
from nint to five until she met
Travis (T-House) a producer who
assisted her steps with her song-
writing career.
To date Lina's greatest accom
plishments have been; as the
opening act for the Joan Osborne
Tour in the fall of 2000, the open
ing act for the Craig David Tour
in the UK in the winter of 2000,
releasing Stranger on Earth in the
UK in January of this year.
She performed My Funny
Valentine with jazz legend Herbie
Hancock at the MIDEM
Conventions in Cannes, Frances
Lina said: "Every show was
successful, and every crowd
welcoming, from the younger
Craig David to Curu's hip-hop
crowd to Joan Osborne's rock
crowd."
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