Scarlett Santana

Last updated

Scarlett Santana
Birth nameJasmine Mercedes
Also known asJasmine Mercedes
Born (1988-05-31) May 31, 1988 (age 35)
Newark, New Jersey
Genres Hip Hop, Pop, Urban, Dance, Electronica, Contemporary R&B, Latin
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, spoken word poet, rapper, dancer, actress
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2004–present
LabelsIndependent
Website www.scarlettsantana.com

Scarlett Santana (born Jasmine Mercedes on May 31, 1988) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, spoken word poet, dancer, and actress of Puerto Rican descent. She made her musical debut with the worldwide smash pop group C+C Music Factory. Scarlett Santana has released two singles with the group. The first being "Live Your Life", credited as C+C Music Factory presents Scarlett Santana, which was released in early 2010 on a Bill Coleman Remixxer compilation album. [1] Scarlett Santana and C+C Music Factory then released a Top 10 Billboard smash, "Rain" to DJs in June 2011. "Rain" is currently supported by DJ Riddler, [2] David Guetta, Robbie Rivera, StoneBridge and Dave Seaman, and was the No. 1 Breakout on the Billboard Dance Chart in October 2011.Santana has also become an accomplished co-director for her music videos, such as in "Rain", "Rain (Remix)", and "Live Your Life".

Contents

Early life

Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey by a single mother of three, Scarlett Santana was first exposed to music at home and in kindergarten. Scarlett Santana remembers vividly a joyful day at home with her mother to whom Scarlett Santana credits for her influence in music, listening to all the classics from soft Ballads to Disco to Fania All Stars Salsa musicians to mention a few. Scarlett Santana also credits her Music teacher Ms. Ivy Wallace for helping her find her voice through music. Ms. Wallace saw something special in Scarlett Santana and thus helped to develop her singing, as well as plant the seed for what has grown to be a dynamic and compelling stage presence. By age 12, Scarlett Santana was writing her own songs and resolute in her desire to touch the world with her music. Several years later, now armed with self-penned tracks, she'd pound the pavement looking for studio time and securing gigs at Nuyorican Poet's Café for her spoken word ability and singing in New York and New Jersey's hottest club venues including Club New York, Avalon, China Club, Orchard Beach festival, and Tribeca where Scarlett Santana opened for an artist who would become instrumental in her career- legendary Freestyle singer George Lamond. He took Scarlett Santana under his wing and became her mentor. As of more recent, she has been honing her craft in acting under the mentorship of Hollywood actor Stu 'Large' Riley.

Music career

In her early adult years Scarlett Santana appeared on one of George Lamond’s albums, and being recognized for her talent, Scarlett Santana was soon commissioned to write a song for pop singer Radka, resulting in a song called "Hey Boy," a top 50 hit on the Billboard Dance Charts. Currently Scarlett Santana has George Lamond and Kulcha Don, an international Hip Hop/Reggae/Dance Hall artist featured on one of her songs "Live Your Life" the remix version, also produced by Robert Clivilles. Ever determined, Scarlett Santana continued to build her arsenal of music and spoken word poetry, anticipating the opportunity to share her words and experiences with audiences. As life would happen, George Lamond introduced Scarlett Santana to Robert Clivilles, an accomplished producer. Their collaboration resulted in Scarlett Santana's hit single, "Rain" – an inspirational song about the strong interpersonal relationships that hold you up through even the most trying times. Positivity is a common theme in Scarlett Santana's music as she hopes to inspire fans to believe that with perseverance, no goal is unattainable. And possessing such belief, Scarlett Santana crossed paths with Grammy nominated Producer & DJ Todd Terry during an NYC industry event in 2012 and thus resulted in their collaboration of "Attention". He is one of the artists and producers who helped to define New York's house music scene. ‘Todd the God’, they called him. Arguably he invented House music; certainly he defined it. Scarlett Santana is also collaborating with Duce Martinez, an accomplished Producer & DJ who has collaborated with the best in the industry and currently working on her next single.

Blessed with natural talent and unstoppable drive, Scarlett Santana was called upon to perform during the spring of 2012 at the Winter Music Conference (WMC). WMC is one of the most publicized annual music gatherings in the world, a pivotal platform for the advancement of the industry. Moving into the summer of 2012, she was asked to walk the Red Carpet during New York International Latino Film Festival to support Latino Films, where Scarlett Santana received media attention for her support in the Arts within the Latino community. Subsequently, she has been interviewed on Planeta Gente (NTN24) cable network channel for her contribution in music. And as of recent, Scarlett Santana was asked to perform at the famous renowned House of Blues in Atlantic City.

Scarlett Santana is beyond a triple threat, she is set to take the music world by storm with an eclectic sound that draws from her Puerto Rican soulful roots and diverse taste developed in her youth through her mother and the music educators who touched her life. And in turn Scarlett Santana's music continues to touch so many others, including Ms. Dawn Diaz, founder of Milagros Day – "non-profit Organization that provides personal growth and professional development to Survivors of Domestic Violence". Ms. Dawn Diaz has selected Scarlett Santana's song, "Live Your Life" as Milagros Day Organization’ theme song due to its inspirational message and uplifting sound. As a result, Scarlett Santana along with La India, "La Princesa de la Salsa" or "The Salsa Princess" serve as ambassadors for Milagros Day because of their positive and inspirational messages they provide through their music. Scarlett was also asked to perform in Washington D.C, August 2012 to aid in the fund raising for St. Jude's Children's Hospital which she expresses ‘performing and supporting such a great cause is one of my biggest triumphs’ up to date.

Collaborations

Robert Clivilles from C+C Music Factory and Grammy Award winner, has written and produced for one of the biggest legendary superstars ‐ Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, New Kids on the Block, Busta Rhymes, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Luther Vandross, George Michael, Natalie Cole, Taylor Dayne, Anastasia, the Cover Girls, Seduction, and the list goes on.

George Lamond was the first Latino Freestyle solo artist to be fully recognized by the American music industry crossing over into markets like Adult Contemporary, R&B, Top 40, Dance and Salsa. He has had 7 international albums and has worked with some of the most respected people in the industry from Paul Simon and Marc Anthony to Johnny Rivera and Eddie Santiago.

Kulcha Don known worldwide for his verbal aesthetics in mainstream culture, blending of hip-hop, dancehall, reggaeton, and Caribbean roots music in turning heads and hips coast to coast. One of his hits "Drive You Crazy" featuring dancehall superstar Beenie Man. He also recorded with C+C Music Factory and worked with The Fugees on 1997's Original Wuckman.

Todd Terry, Grammy nominated producer defined New York house during the 80s. They called him "Todd The God." He produced milestone crossover remixes of the House era like "I'll House You" by the Jungle Brothers and "Missing" by Everything But The Girl by the mid 1990s. Todd has remixed songs for Annie Lennox, Bjork, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, and many more.

Discography

Singles

Related Research Articles

C+C Music Factory was an American musical group formed in 1989 by David Cole and Robert Clivillés. The group is best known for their five hit singles: "Gonna Make You Sweat ", "Here We Go ", "Things That Make You Go Hmmm...", "Just a Touch of Love", and "Keep It Comin'". The band stopped recording in 1996, following Cole's death. In 2010, C+C Music Factory reformed with Eric Kupper replacing Cole. Original member Freedom Williams acquired trademark rights to the name in 2003 and still tours under that moniker.

George Lamond, sometimes styled George LaMond, is an American freestyle music and salsa music singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emotions (Mariah Carey song)</span> 1991 single by Mariah Carey

"Emotions" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey for her second studio album of the same name (1991). It was written and produced by Carey, Robert Clivillés, and David Cole of C+C Music Factory and released as the album's lead single on August 13, 1991 by Columbia Records. The song's lyrics has its protagonist going through a variety of emotions from high to low, up to the point where she declares, "You got me feeling emotions." Musically, it is a gospel and R&B song heavily influenced by 1970s disco music and showcases Carey's upper range and extensive use of the whistle register. Jeff Preiss directed the song's music video.

Robert Manuel Clivillés is an American record producer, songwriter, arranger, and music video director most noted for his work with C+C Music Factory, a group he founded with musical partner David Cole. He is of Puerto Rican ancestry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Louie Vega</span> Musical artist

Luis Ferdinand Vega Jr., as known as "Little Louie" Vega, is an American DJ, record producer and remixer of Puerto Rican ancestry. He is one half of the Masters at Work musical production team.

Zelma Davis is a Liberian-born American singer-songwriter. She is primarily known for her number-one dance hits "Things That Make You Go Hmmm..." and "Just a Touch of Love" with C+C Music Factory. She has won four American Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and a Grammy Award nomination with the group.

Deborah Cooper is an American professional dancer, musician, singer, backup singer, award-winning composer and entertainer, with several number one and top charting dance music and house music hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martha Wash</span> American singer-songwriter, actress, and producer

Martha Elaine Wash is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and producer. Known for her distinctive and powerful voice, Wash first achieved fame as half of the Two Tons O' Fun, who sang backing vocals for the disco singer Sylvester including on his signature hit "You Make Me Feel ". After gaining their own record deal, they released three consecutive commercially successful songs which all peaked at number two in the dance charts. The duo was renamed The Weather Girls in 1982 after they released the top-selling single "It's Raining Men", which brought them to mainstream pop attention. The Weather Girls released five albums and were heavily featured on Sylvester's albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)</span> 1990 single by C+C Music Factory

"Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" is a song by American dance music group C+C Music Factory, released in late 1990 as the debut and lead single from their first album, Gonna Make You Sweat (1990). The song is sung by singer Martha Wash and rapper Freedom Williams. It charted internationally and achieved great success in the United States, Austria, Germany, and Sweden, where it reached number one on the charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melina Almodóvar</span> Puerto Rican salsa singer-songwriter, dancer, and entertainer

Melina Almodóvar, also known as La Muñeca de la Salsa and La Chica Del Bling, is a Puerto Rican salsa singer, songwriter, dancer, and entertainer. Known for her high-energy performances and salsa dancing skills, she combines old-school salsa moves with contemporary styles of dancing and singing. She is also credited with establishing the first successful salsa orchestra in the Southern United States, Orquesta Caliente.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let the Beat Hit 'Em</span> 1991 single by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam

"Let the Beat Hit 'Em" is a song by American urban contemporary band Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, released as the first single from their fourth and final studio album, Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen (1991). The song spent one week at number-one on the US R&B chart in the week of September 14, 1991, and also reached No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. On the US dance charts, it was the third and final number-one for the group. It also peaked at number-one on the Canadian RPM dance chart.

Garage house is a dance music style that was developed alongside Chicago house music. The genre was popular in the 1980s in the United States and the 1990s in the United Kingdom, where it developed into UK garage and speed garage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Llores</span> 2007 single by Gloria Estefan featuring Carlos Santana, José Feliciano and Sheila E.

"No Llores" is a song recorded by Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan for her fourth Spanish-language and eleventh studio album, 90 Millas. It features additional work with popular Latin music performers such as guitarists Carlos Santana and José Feliciano, Sheila E. playing the timbales, and Arturo Sandoval on trumpet (uncredited). The song was written by Gloria Estefan and her husband, Emilio Estefan Jr. and Gaitanes, while production was credited to Estefan Jr. and Gaitanes. The single was released by SonyBMG on June 18, 2007 digitally worldwide as the lead single from 90 Millas.

David Byron Cole was an American songwriter and record producer. Cole was one half of the dance-music duo C+C Music Factory, which he founded with his musical partner Robert Clivillés.

2 Puerto Ricans, a Blackman and a Dominican was a short-lived house music group featuring David Morales and Robert Clivillés, David Cole (Black), and Chep Nuñez (Dominican). In 1987, they scored a hit in dance clubs with their debut song, "Do It Properly," the only release on Grooveline Records. The track was inspired by Cole and Bruce Forest's DJ sets at New York club Better Days, where they would mix Adonis' "No Way Back" with scratching, other songs, and samples. Cole, Clivillés, and Morales all performed at Better Days in the late 1980s. The single was released in the UK on the London Records label; it entered the UK singles chart on June 13, 1987, and reached a peak of number 47, remaining in the chart for four weeks. In 1988, Clivillés and Cole recorded a sequel called "So Many Ways " with the Brat Pack on Vendetta/A&M Records. "Do It Properly" was covered again by vocalist Deborah Cooper, who later worked with C+C Music Factory, in 1999, for The Collaboration.

Karen Bernod is an American-born R&B vocalist, songwriter and producer. She is best known for her unique vocal harmonies as a background singer for Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, C&C Music Factory and D'Angelo.

Robert Clivillés and David Cole (1962–1995), known collectively as Clivillés and Cole, were American record producers, songwriters, and remixers active from the late 1980s who achieved success in the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Deeper Love</span> 1991 single by Clivillés & Cole

"A Deeper Love" is a song written by American producers Robert Clivillés and David Cole, and performed by them as Clivillés & Cole featuring vocals by Deborah Cooper and Paul Pesco. The song was the duo's fifth number-one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. On other US charts, "A Deeper Love" peaked at number 83 on the soul singles chart and number 44 on the pop chart. Overseas, especially in Europe the single charted higher, going to number 15 in the UK and number eight on the Dutch Top 40.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martha Wash discography</span>

American singer and songwriter Martha Wash has released three studio albums, one compilation album, and 34 singles. She has a total of 12 number-one hits on Billboard's Dance chart to date. Her success has earned her the honorific title The Queen of Clubland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Kind of Love</span> 1992 single by Dina Carroll

"Special Kind of Love" is a song by British singer-songwriter Dina Carroll, released in September 1992 as the second single from her debut album, So Close (1993). The song was written and produced by American record producers, songwriters, and remixers Clivillés and Cole. Carroll was approached by them and invited to New York to become the first British artist to work with the producers. The song reached number 16 in the UK Singles Chart, number 26 in the Netherlands and number 60 in Germany. A music video was also produced to promote the single.

References

  1. "iTunes Music – Remixxer: Bill Coleman (Continuous Mix) [Bonus Track Version] by Bill Coleman". iTunes Store. June 1, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  2. "DJ Riddler". DJ Riddler. Retrieved October 12, 2011.

3. Discogs – http://www.discogs.com/search?q=scarlett+santana&type=all

4. THISis50 – http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/latest-scarlett-santana-c-amp-c-music-factory-rain

5. ThatsEnuff – http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/latest-scarlett-santana-c-amp-c-music-factory-rain

6. Latin Trends – http://www.latintrends.com/?p=13083

7. Southern Boricua VIP ACCESS – http://sbvipaccess.com/?submit=Search&s=scarlett+santana

8. Vevo – https://www.vevo.com/watch/scarlett-santana

9. Scarlett Santana Official Website – http://www.scarlettsantana.com