YEAR OF FIRSTS
So here we are – last day of the year and I guess it’s time to reflect a little. It’s crazy to think how fast this year went by! I’ve been lucky to do so much already, in what I call my “First Year” – and to think that I get to have a whole year to do it all over again, only bigger and better :)
REAL HIP HOP
I’ve been lucky enough to get involved with the Edmonton-based hip-hop group Politic Live. Politic Live is a hip-hop group that fuses their West Indian roots with past and modern day hip-hop influences. They have given me the opportunity to be an honorary member, as I like to call myself, and sing on some of their songs and because of them (and with them) I’ve been able to open up for Def Jam recording artist, GhostfaceKillah, Ice H2O/EMI recording artist, Raekwon and for Def Jam recording artist, Rick Ross. Each show was definitely an experience in and of itself and have inspired me to create more!
“GOLDEN TICKET” TOUR
In the last email I mentioned that this year has been a year of firsts - which it has. Although I’ve toured before, this year I hit the road for 6 weeks across Canada – on a solo acoustic tour! Spending hours alone in your car definitely gives you time to think and appreciate where you are and where you’re going. I’m thankful for everyone I met along the way and for everyone who spared a room/bed/meal, and for everyone who came out to a show!
HIGHLIGHTS
Some of my major highlights of this year include:
1. My single “Circling Numbers” was in the Top 30 of the Canadian Christian Radio Charts (CCRC) for 10 weeks and hit a high of #6!
2. Winning a GMA Award for R&B Single of the Year – “Circling Numbers” – AND being nominated for Best New Artist and Female Vocalist of the Year!!
3. Being nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award for “A Different Kind of Fire” in the Urban Recording category – and being able to showcase this year in Whitehorse, Yukon!
4. Receiving my first TV licensing synch for my song “Summer” on the hit-show “Degrassi” on MUCH MUSIC.
5. Being able to do what I love!!!
I’ve truly been blessed to be able to do the thing I love – AND to have all of your support as I do it. Thanks to everyone who bought a CD, came to a show, watched a YouTube video, followed me on Twitter (@themanuela), told someone about me. THANKS!
THE YEAR OF 2012
To say that I am excited about this next year is an UNDERSTATEMENT! To start off, I get to record more music! I will be recording my next album in May with One More Mile Productions here in Edmonton. Don’t worry – you’ll definitely hear more about this when the time comes :) With any record comes touring, and I’m extremely excited to get out on the road again – here and abroad ;) Look out for details, as I’ll be hitting the pavement hard this coming year.
So as we all prep to ring in the New Year – I hope you are with the ones you love the most.
Let 2012 be the year you chase your dreams and go after the thing that you want most!
Sincerely,
