Karina Pasian may not be a familiar name just yet but her voice will command attention from anyone around her. The New York native made a splash in the music world after winning Star Search in 2003.
Her name quickly became buzzing around the industry and had three major labels in a bidding war — Bad Boy Records, Interscope Records and Def Jam.
While it was a humbling experience, Pasian ultimately signed with Def Jam in 2006 and began working on her debut album, First Love. In 2008, the classically trained pianist released her debut single “16 @ War.” She followed-up later that year with First Love, which eventually scored her a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album.
Not too long after her First Love’s release, Pasian returned to the studio to work on her second album. Unfortunately, plans to release the album fell through. Pasian released a few one-off singles and even an EP since then. However, for the most part, she’s remained out of the spotlight.
The 22-year-old singer is now ready to make a major comeback. Last month, she announced her new EP, Parallel World, is set to release this fall.
Rated R&B caught up with Pasian to discuss her shelved second album, what sparked her hiatus, her inspiration for Parallel World, life as an independent artist and much more.
Where have you been after all these years?
I have been just trying to figure out who I am as an artist and who I am as a person. I’ve been working on my new sound, writing for other people and just living life.
Your debut album “First Love” is phenomenal. You were singing about a lot of real-life topics at such a young age. Where did all of that come from?
I definitely think I witnessed it growing up. I saw my friends and people in my neighborhood going through stuff. I was aware of things but I was also sheltered from it, which I’m grateful for. I loved all the songs. I think it’s a great album — but it was kind of, you know, given to me and I also feel like it was a process and time for me to learn and see the process of writing. I was working with a lot of great people who helped shape the writer I am today and all the things I know now. I think I did have those beliefs with “Slow Motion.” I was very in touch with everything I was singing about but there came a time where I started questioning it. After a while, it just felt like it was thrown on me and made this image I should be.
I remember seeing footage of you in the studio working on your second album. How come it was never released?
Yeah, I did start the process to record my second album. I think it also was just a blur. It all happened so fast because right after the release of my album, [my A&R] Shakir Stewart passed away. I didn’t really get much time to cope with that. It was kind of just overlooked and not really dealt with. [My label was] trying to find a new A&R for me but then it just died down. I recorded a whole bunch of songs for that album and nothing was happening. It just wasn’t the same after he was gone.
What has your experience been like transitioning from a major label to being independent?
It’s so different. It’s a great feeling when you know everything that’s going on, and you’re a part of the process. I feel like an adult [laughs]. It feels great to be in control of what you love to do. I’m not just there to sing, I’m a part of everything that goes into that.
In your announcement video to your fans, you said you found your voice. How did you find it?
I think just really getting in touch with myself, listening to that inner gut voice — that intuition. I took a break from the music to get in touch with it again. I didn’t think I was living life. I became stagnant — almost wanted to give up and wasn’t feeling inspired. Taking a break from it really helped rebuild the passion.
https://youtu.be/prMgcRK163w
Tell us about your new EP “Parallel World.” What inspired that project? What’s the theme?
It was just a combination of dealing with everything that was happening to me. All of the songs on there are literally songs I wrote in my notes on my iPhone and journal. They’re songs that I never thought of releasing to the world. But, I was like, “You know what? I want to connect with my fans on that level.” I really want to open up with my thoughts and my feelings and what I’ve been going through. I deserve to let people in on that.
What type of sound are you going for on this EP?
You can definitely expect a ballad because I love ballads [laughs]. That’s my thing. It’s like a chill listen. It’s nothing heavy-handed. I think this project is more about just getting stuff out and connecting with the fans. It’s not about putting on radio and let’s push it. It’s more of a passion project that I just want to connect with people on and have them connect with me on a different level.
When can we expect the first single for the EP?
I’m not sure if it’s going to be singles. It’s going to be a nice surprise with it, so I don’t want to give it away. Just know that there’s going to be something dope with it.
Do you feel any pressure to recreate the success you had in the past by being nominated for a Grammy and such?
That definitely has crossed my mind. As an artist in general, there’s always that pressure to outdo your last project. I was definitely nervous with that — especially with these songs being so intimate and personal. I get nervous thinking about it [laughs].
Not many people know this but you’re in a relationship with actor Tyler James Williams. Have you considered dipping into acting?
Yeah! And it was even way before I got with him. When I was in the fourth grade, I did Macbeth and I was Lady Macbeth. Ever since then, I wanted to do acting but I was steered to the music side. There are some insecurities with that because I’m not really the most outgoing person. When I [moved to LA], I took some classes for a year or two and I really fell in love with it. So, I definitely want to do that at some point.
What makes you happy?
Food [laughs] and friends. For real, put a plate of food in front of me, and I’m happy — especially breakfast food. I love watching movies that are funny. I love the TV show “Friends” even though I’ve ran into so many people who don’t think it’s funny. I just think it’s really funny. It makes me smile and warms my heart, so I really like that show [laughs]. I love playing games like Charades and Taboo. Also, music, of course. There’s this band that my boyfriend put me on to it called Dirty Loops. They did this cover of “Wake Me Up.” I wanted to cry. They’re just so insane.
Pasian will release video covers bi-weekly to hold over fans until she’s ready to drop Parallel World. She recently stunned her supporters with a very epic cover of “Bitch Better Have My Money” by Rihanna. Stay tuned for more!
Connect with Karina Pasian on Twitter/Instagram: @KarinaPasian.