Today we’d like to introduce you to Cadence April.
Hi Cadence, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hey there, it’s Cadence! Born in April of 1994, I entered this realm as Christina Blanc. I was born in Brooklyn, NY, and moved down to sunshine Florida at the tender age of three years old. I’ve been living in the very same house since then, till’ now at 26 years hip (woot woot!). Crazy, right? I grew up a bit sheltered. I come from loving, strict Haitian parents who are Christians… (Baptists at that) so any island kid raised this way knows how it can be… yeaa, lol. From as young as I can remember, I participated in many church events.
From plays to receiving solo parts in the choir, my connection with music definitely began in my early days in church. I was also involved in choirs throughout school and theatre/musical theatre competitively. I always had a super creative mind and enjoyed expressing my artistry in these ways. What I did love the most, though, was creating my own songs. I began writing from around nine years young (I have piles of songs since then in a binder) and began writing my better songs near the end of middle school/early high school. My older brother is an artist who lives in NY who goes by “Impossible Odds,” but back when we were young, he’d listen to my work and cheer me on; enthused and encouraging me to pursue my creativity and music career. I dream very big. I always hoped and imagined one day that my music would be widely known and have a lasting presence in the music industry and that’s become my pursuit. I have fond memories of being the kid in the room around my brother’s producer/artist friends when they’d come over. I loved seeing their reactions to my expression. Other times, it was just my big bro and I. He’d have a beat playing and he’d rap and I’d free style some melodies and create hooks, and we’d just vibe. I remember just wanting to go record at the studio, but because he was older, and so were the people he was around, plus the hours he’d go record, simply wouldn’t be permissible for me to participate in often. It wasn’t until after high school that not only was I in studios much more, but I was introduced to the open mic scene in Orlando!
I began performing my original pieces at many open mics, (often over unfinished beats and all) at shows such as “Respect the Mic” from Orangeismedia, to a plethora of others, to eventually headlining amazing shows such as “Madsoul” to “The Link Up”; All shows thrown by passionate locals striving to bring creatives together. Whether it cost 10$ to get in or was free, whether I was working or had to pinch some coins to make it out to Orlando (which is an hour from my house), I hustled to be at as many shows as I could and signed up to preform and chose to face my fears time and time again and share my art. I’ve been having dope performing experiences (some, not so dope too lol) from 2016 until now and have had plenty of networking opportunities, and getting to know fellow artists, musicians, and all around creatives alike. Some of my favorite peak moments have been times like where I got to be on a discussion panel with “Phony Ppl” and a few other talented individuals across the U.S. to discuss many things concerning the arts and it’s importance in our difficult times through a live stream through “March for Our Lives.” Another would be having been on television internationally for the first time in Jamaica in October of 2020 on “The Release Jamaica!!” Locally, I’ve performed in over 100 shows since 2016 in Orlando and surrounding. Throughout all those shows, I’ve met so many dope and talented individuals in Orlando!
One of my favorite things over the years has been seeing others who started performing locally when I did and seeing each person blossom and grow in their own unique way. Another favorite part is having done some collaborations with some great artists. Speaking of collaborations, I performed at house parties and other local events and I actually became a part of different collectives over time. The first group I was in for a short time was a collective called Pleasant Pointe. It was actually at a show that they were throwing that I performed at where I met an amazing group named Lyrical Menacez. That was where I met my amazing partner in crime, Micah D’vinci, who is also an incredible artist, producer, and human, who helped me produce so much of my music. He blended so well with my sound and understood what I was looking for and needed. Together, we put out my first ever Album, “Finding Cadence in R&B” an EP “It’s all Love”, and a few singles and collaborative works. I am now in a collective name Trip Summit, made of eight super talented members.
My goal now is to gain my independence in my life, have my own space and identity, and step into my highest self with confidence. Pursuing music isn’t easy!! This has been a lifelong dream of mine, and yet with years put in, it still can feel like a start! It takes time, perseverance, and resilience. I’ve done different entrepreneurial businesses, and have had wins and many fails. From not meeting the expectations of what my parents thought I would do with my life (and being reminded of that often), not being where I wanted to be yet, to dealing with depression for years, to not always getting the support I thought I would, (Especially from those that matter and are closest sometimes), and then balancing life’s ups and downs and relationships can make the music and performance industry feel like an overwhelming pursuit. But one thing I know is, legends always have a story, and always have to overcome difficult obstacles, over and over again, and never give up. I’m sure my fellow artists can relate— but we can’t stop and we won’t stop. I intend to make myself known and live out the purpose God has for me.
As a dark skinned, Haitian American artist with a big heart, an active mind, and plenty on my soul, I have a lot to say! Music is more, it’s power. It’s inspiration. It’s a tool to navigate through personal bliss or despair and a Segway to help others as well. My experience matters and my art and representation matters and I intend to create and release my truths and imagination in a world that needs connection, love, expression and creativity. I am grateful Jesus kept me here, so I know He’s not finished with me, and I can’t wait to share more art with the world, the lost, the healing, and the in between! I can’t wait to reach beyond my wildest dreams and see the visions come into fruition. To one who may be reading this; Diamonds are formed under pressure, and I’d say we’re looking pretty darn good. Cheers to my diamonds in the rough and all my supporters and listeners. May the future keep being filled with hope, light and music!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh most definitely not! I’ve had conflicts with belief in myself at times. Picking the wrong people to surround myself and craft with. I’ve struggled with the ‘patience’ and ‘persevering’ part about this career. Internally, I’d be trying to deal with the mental and emotional stress I’d feel from depression (really any life events or conflicts) that would take its toll, and I’d have to put on a smile and perform through it anyways. My parents often argued or shamed me for performing at club venues due to their beliefs (and other things as well), and I’d constantly get told to go to school and try something ‘stable.’ A lot of reminders of my failures would also be spoken about from my parents and/or others. It’s often frustrating. Finding a studio with the quality, reliability, and professionalism I needed was pretty difficult. Not properly having the funds to take my craft and life to the next level. But anything worth having is worth fighting for they say! I believe as long as I’m aware and taking steps to change those things, I will do great!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a singer, songwriter, a recording artist, and performer. I also have other talents such as doing hair (I am a certified cosmetologist), and a health and fitness advocate. As far as creating and writing songs, I love that aspect of music. I love me some great production, but I strongly believe the words and melody are what holds it all together and makes or breaks a song. Both components are incredibly important, and I have a great ear for that attention to detail of what is working. I do back round vocals for artists at times as well and offer features as well. I also have been hair braiding since I was very young, and was a freelance hairstylist since about middle school and forward. Hair is something I will admit I like to do when I feel like it more so , though even when I don’t, seeing my client’s eyes light up and them be so joyful and thankful for how I managed to help them feel more beautiful is so rewarding.
I have always done my own hair as well, I will say I’ve been super creative and bold with my hairstyles and was ahead of my time when I would style my hair back in the day long before social media and before natural hair was popular or accepted lol. Lastly, health and fitness is an area that I have my own goals and struggles, but I know it’s so vital to attaining longevity here on this Earth as well as in my career and in all the things I’ll need to live a full, limitless life! I am mentored by a health and wellness coach who is training me to not only get well in my health and wellness journey, but to help others and inspire them to do the same. 🙂 I am most proud of my freedom of expression in all three crafts and the my desire to always give my best and exceed expectations of my own and those around me. What sets me apart is I’m an alien, a unicorn, whatever you want to call it, I’m different and unique and I thrive off of showcasing my quirkiness blended with some style and grace.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Oh I absolutely have. I learned of course that time is of the essence! We should never take time for granted, or those that we love. Although this lesson isn’t new to me, like many others I saw how drastically things can change and be affected within a year’s time, and it was quite the eye opener. It’s crazy too because I had a lot of horrible dreams prior to 2020 and some of them I saw happen in 2020. I know God lifted a veil, and many eyes were opened to the truths, both wicked and good on this Earth. I learned to self reflect and face a lot of demons head on. To go to the dark and scary places within even more than I ever have and take the time to work on them and heal them. Although I’m still on the journey of healing, I’m very grateful for my awareness of self and those around me. My traumas and behaviors are being worked through and it gives me hope for a healthier future, and growth always makes me glad. It showed ne how much I have to stop trying to control everything! There’s simply things that are out of my control and are going to be, and that’s okay. Covid reminded me to not try to be God. To know that He is so intentional in everything, even when it doesn’t make sense and it hurts. It taught me to really go after my purpose. He chose to wake me up each day, and though 10,000 have fallen to my right, and left, He’s kept me. I see that there is a mission to being here, and every breath is a gift. (Reference to Psalm 91:7-16).
Pricing:
- I offer Back round vocals and the hook at $80 per track! For more info about costs and packages, please reach me at: Cadenceapril@gmail.com
- I offer online health and fitness tools and programs as well as nutritional supplements beginning at $99! For additional info, please message me at: christy.hair.fit@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Email: Cadenceapril@gmail.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/cadenceapril_
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cadenceapril_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cadenceapril1
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cadenceapril?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbZwxxEBnQgsWXmyr5PDe6g
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/cadenceapril
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3pvIW46mZXMFajQqwU3rwa?si=TZd2FFnHQ7K-c9FY4F4h0g
Image Credits
Micah D’vinci, Melena King, Constant Brousseau, Destiny Ramos, Jose Buku, Mynameisrayray, Ola’s entertainment Photographer
