Interviews
& Profiles
" Onnie "
by: Vic -Ten
"One Love"
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Many times people seem to forget what drives a person to succeed in the Music Business. Things become cloudy and a lost of focus begins to emerge when greed and power tries to overcome. One artist I have found that possess the key element to success is "Onnie". With his determination and complete dedication to his music, star status seems only a step away. |
FM.C: Freestyle Music.Com
FM.C: Onnie tell me a little history about yourself ?
Onnie: Well, I've been singing since I was about four years old. I was always interested about singing in school. Basically I recorded my first demo when I was fifteen. And my first single came out in 1993.
FM.C: This question is for your fans. What sign are you ?
Onnie: Aries
FM.C: Ok, now that they know tell me about your first song, what is it about and who produced it ?
Onnie: The first song was written by Ryan Paltrow and myself. It was produced by Paul Hoyle, Gerald Godbout and myself.
| FM.C: What made you want to sing ? Onnie: Well, I guess it had to do with my family. My dad was an opera singer when he was around my age. It is just this, something that I really enjoy doing. I have kept recordings of myself singing from the age of five. FM.C: How old are you now ? Onnie: I am twenty three. |
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FM.C: On the topic of your new album to be released, what are the songs about and what made you write these songs ?
Onnie: Okay, let me see. To begin, the album is called "One Love". I have written all the lyrics, except for one of the tracks which I remade. This song is a ballad that was originally in Spanish, but I translated the lyrics into English. In addition, one of the songs where written by Jerry, my producer.
FM.C: Okay, but what are these songs about ?
Onnie: Lots of times I write about personal experiences. I try to put myself where other people can relate to. Or lots of times is just, you know a situation that I come up with for a song. Sometimes a person can relate to this even though it was not a personal experience.
FM.C: I have heard that you also produce other artist. What are some artists you work with on Detour Records ?
Onnie: The artist are Virginia, Tear, Zahara, Individually 1, just to name a few.
FM.C: How do you compare yourself to other artist in Miami, from past generations ?
Onnie: Well, one thing I have to say which I truly believe, is that Freestyle in the 80's is something that is untouchable. Lots of other Freestyle songs which have been release in the 90's, have a completely different style that contain the same sound. I would like to say I try to produce music as close as possible to the original ways that Freestyle was in the 80's. Influences like George Lamond and so on, and all the people that made Freestyle big. The 90's are very different, as far as I'm concern.
FM.C: What advice would you give to the new artist of tomorrow ?
Onnie: If you really love music and enjoy what you do, don't let anyone get in your way. Don't let anyone stop you, or put things in your head. Try to go all the way and one day you will make it.
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FM.C: Who are your favorite artists or which ones
inspired you to sing ? Onnie: WOW !, That is so hard to answer, because I like so many different styles of music. But as far as for dance music stands, "Jaya". She sang the song "If You Leave Me Now". She has been an influence to me, besides Johnny O, Stevie B. and everyone else in the common Freestyle world. Jaya, I think she is the one I appreciate the most when it comes to her vocals. |
FM.C: What would you love to achieve as an artist ?
Onnie: What I would really love to achieve is the completion of my album, after that we will see.
FM.C: In conclusion, what would you like to say to the Freestyle/Dance Community ?
Onnie: Basically we got to work together as much as possible, and keep it going on. Don't let it die what so ever.
FM.C: I would like to thank Onnie for his time and continued success in the Freestyle Community. Good luck to the release of his new album. "One Love" which will be available in October 1998. The album is produced by Gerald J. Godbout III and Onnie. For more information check out the Detour Record website located at: www.detourrecords.com .