Zimbabwe-born, Canada-based artist Charmaine introduced herself to the world with her debut track Bold at the end of 2020, and it immediately got our attention. Speaking about the track, she says,“I want people to feel like they can do anything, be anything, they don’t have to pretend to be something they’re not. I want them to step into their own power."
She's just released her new project, HOOD AVANT-GARDE, a five-track EP that includes the recently-released WOO!. To get you up to speed on all things Charmaine, we've taken a look at her origin story, and what makes her music so catchy.
Who is she?
Born in Zimbabwe, Charmaine and her family immigrated to North America to look for a better life. They spent time in the US, before finally settling in Toronto. It was a tough upbringing, but one that's helped her develop the skills to thrive in the music industry.
Charmaine started making music when she was seventeen, after growing up in Nashville. Speaking to HipHopCanada, she says she was influenced by artists like "Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz, Dem Franchize Boyz and Lil Scrappy."
What does her music sound like?
Charmaine is combining hard-hitting bars with hypnotising vocals. WOO! shows off Charmaine's pen game, while BOLD is a showcase of Charmaine's badass attitude. It's hard not to get swept up in her confidence. Her new project, HOOD AVANT-GARDE combines hip-hop, grime and R&B, and it brings together old-school hip-hop bars with new-school swagger.
What is her music about?
Charmaine is making music to empower her listener. WOO! is a track about women claiming back their sexual power. Speaking about WOO!, Charmaine says, “I had an amazing time making this record and I want the world to feel how I felt in that moment. Free, eager, happy and ready to turn it up! This pandemic has removed the opportunity to be able to go out and have a fun night. Hopefully, this record will fill a bit of that void!”