It’s been a long time since I can remember when music use to be the basis of all my creativity. From trying to put together an all girls pop group to writing screen plays and scripts through the emotion of lyrics by the time I was was 17. By the time I was 15, I had already written over 11 songs based off the 90s UK pop music I loved; and somehow, I had imagined my friends and I on a world tour. I didn’t know if they could sing nor hum a tune to ba ba black sheep, but in my mind we were destined to become stars. Soon that creative channel passed and I moved onto my next creative hobby where I’d tell the tall tales of my creative journey as a child.

Earlier this week, I was invited to a private music video screening through an acquaintance showcasing the presence of a new artist by the name of Chlo Subia and the premiere of her new video Wrong Side of Love . I didn’t know how to perceive the initial invite considering I wasn’t familiar with the artist nor her popularity gain, but being that I have quite a few friends persistently looking for their next break in the music biz, I wanted to scope out the scene in genuine support.

TV Personality, Journalist and Singer Ruba Wilson

The event was being held at the posh London hotel hosted by Ruba Wilson off the Sunset strip. I arrived close to the time the invite had stated which was at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon and thankfully parking was not a problem. Being that I’ve attended many parties and events on both rooftops including their luxurious suites, I was curious as to how the set up for a screening would take place. As soon as I walked through the lobby, I noticed a table with black and white polaroids that were neatly arranged giving a behind the scenes preview of her music video. I was then lead into a small room where guest gathered and mingled over an open bar and trays of hors d’oeuvres were being served.

Oh you know my excitement piqued when I saw the trays of food.
Mini bite sized cheese burgers, mushroom truffle pastry bites and chicken skewers with peanut sauce. By the end of the event, I had six pastries and took an entire glass of skewers. 

Although the room was small, the set up was intimate and quaint allowing a step and repeat with enough space to await the young artists arrival. The room was filled with a mixed crowd of young and hip teenagers as well as mature yet youthful adults who were all there in support of Chlo and her new video before being released on social media for a worldly view. As the room quickly filled up with press; family, friends and fans alike, we were asked to make way as she entered the room.

A tall vibrant young woman walked in and an energy of excitement filled up the small space. While making her way to the step and repeat, guest followed behind her in order to have their photos and videos taken using the hashtags #wsol #ChloSubia in order to spread the word live. My attention had been taken away when I noticed another gorgeous woman in red with a high bun that look like she had just spent a day on Rodeo Dr. I made it a point to tell her that her swank elegance was stealing the show to which she laughed, but little did I know that she was the mother of Chlo who was mingling just as much with the other guest. In fact, her entire family were there in support of her and her music career, as most families should be, but there was a sense of regalness and unity that translated through the confidence of Chlo who appeared to know what she was doing.

Shortly after, we were asked to make our way into the next room which happened to be the screening room. Out of all the times I’ve been here, I never knew that they even had a theater that could hold an entire audience. I wanted to make sure that I got a good seat, so I quickly walked through the hallway and into the room where chairs were propped up on the stage for a Q&A. People were slowly walking in filling up the seats which thankfully, I was able to find one that was close enough to the screen.

 Q&A with Chlo Subia and Ruba Wilson

Our young fabulous host Ruba Wilson walked in with personality for days to introduce Chlo and get a few questions answered explaining the content of her new video and the pursuit to a successful music career. Introducing her, Chlo, who had changed into another outfit, walked into the room with an attention grabbing ensemble that looked like she had just came back from a sold out world tour. Wearing a semi sheer white long sleeve blouse with a red belted corset, high- waist black shorts and knee high black boots, she was far from any type of rookie business one might find with a new young artist. It wasn’t too much, but it also showed that she was here to slay. It shouldn’t have been any surprise that her flawless mother was also her stylist and setting the bar for her daughter to become the next big thing.

Polaroid shots from behind the scenes of Chlo Subias work

Coming from a musical background of church and theater, Chlos ambition to pursue her goal in becoming an original artist and not a remake of those who’ve come before her, Chlo made it very apparent that she wanted to embody her own being that doesn’t follow behind others now and before her time. I was truly amazed by the maturity level and grace of this young woman from how she sat in her seat to the questions she answered with such eloquence and certainty. She possessed a sense of confidence that is credible of respect not only from her peers, but also those who are watching her every move throughout her journey. Mind you, she’s only sixteen!

Consider me a realist at this point. In this day and age and with the reality of this business, It’s not always going to be everyone’s limelight or center stage. If you look at the reality of broken pop groups and solo artist whose lifeline lasted shorter than it took for them to gain a morsel of celebrity, that tends to be the true nature of the game while pursuing a lasting career in the entertainment industry.

Polaroid shots from behind the scenes of Chlo Subias work

In most cases, people are looking for something better than the last comparing one artist to another and even the legends that came before them. To be an artist now a days, it takes a lot more than a dream. It ultimately takes work, time and patience with the will in seeking longevity so as to not fade out like many artist who gave up when the tough just got tougher. Having confidence can also be misinterpreted as a form of arrogance which many of times gets the best of an individual where you soon find them as the captain of their own sinking ship. I don’t get impressed easily because I’ve seen it all and understand the struggle, but there’s always and without a doubt that one person whose essence speaks stardom while keeping me engaged.

Before we previewed her video, we were shown a clip of a choreographed dance routine by a Houston based dance studio @SoRealDanceStudio. I can’t. Maybe I’m getting older, but today’s talent is just unreal. Granted, talent has always been around even since the time of Shirley Temple, but this generation is on a level that I don’t recall when I was a teen, or maybe I was just closer in age to the artist in my day where it didn’t seem like such a huge deal. As Chlos video played, I already knew I was a fan.

Polaroid shots from behind the scenes of Chlo Subias work

The shot of the video was in black and white while filmed in Downtown Los Angeles that gave it that edge factor. The beat and song in itself is something you would naturally hear on KiisFM or iHeartRadio. With her having attended so many music award shows, it’s a wonder she’s not on the radio beyond a SoundCloud. She’s far from the bubble gum pop you might find with young artist such as herself which begs to question why she isn’t soaring as she should be. While she prefers not to be compared, I can’t help but to see more potential in her than I do with those whose confidence level precedes the true nature of them staying stagnant in their music careers jumping from one studio to another, but never really exceeding past that point. Her song was catchy, it was hot and it was on point. Just so I wouldn’t carry a bias opinion of just this one video, I wanted to see if she had something to follow and that’s when I realized that she was on her way up and hopefully for a long time coming. It’s the rest of the world that just needs to catch up.

After the premiere of her video and in order to show her audience that she’s the real deal, she gave us a raw performance of her song with her back up dancers. Now I wouldn’t be who I am if I weren’t to say that with the consistent support of her family and team, her vocals could definitely reach the levels of some of our most iconic stars of our time; and no shade no tea, but she’s already got a few of our music royalties beat to the punch. While we have artist that are mainly known more for their performances rather than their nasally voices, Chlo has already advanced with having the right vocals as well as knowing how to perform in front of an audience. Though she’s on that right path, there’s always room for growth.

Q&A with Choreographer Kiira Harper, Manager Joey Harris, Chlo Subia and Host Ruba Wilson

After her performance, we were given another Q&A this time with her lovely and talented choreographer Kiira Harper who had been brought on just five months prior and her manager and A&R Joey Harris. I could already tell that this was the dream team for a newly developing singer who was making her mark while making a powerful yet subconscious statement that it takes strength in numbers to build the future of a legacy.

Fellow singer and song writer Jena Rose and Chlo Subia

Shortly after, we made our way back into the main room where Chlo was able to thoroughly interact with press, fans and other talent without being pressed for any sort of time where we were also treated with heart shaped sugar cookies representing her song all baked by her mother who seems to be a jack of all trades. I took two of course and they were delicious. I had the chance to personally speak to Kiira who further explained her strong role in Chlos career. I had brought up the fact that after admiring the trust level between Chlos relationship with her team and family, especially her mother, my observations realized that they all weren’t anything like the stereotype of a stage family that either seems overly possessive in the career of the individual or trying to seek the attention for themselves.

Power Family

They held a level of dignity and class while also seeming to allow Chlo to grow within her own skin as an artist. Kiiras bond was that of an extension to a family bond, an image consultant being able to guide Chlo in the right direction of having a proper image as a young woman and making the right choices from her professional perspective.

Left to Right: Hair stylist Troy Turner, Choreographer Kiira Harper, Back up Dancers, Chlo Subia, Manager Joey Harris

She spoke very highly of Chlo and her family which showed that she would go above and beyond than just teaching a few dance steps and calling it a day. I truly admired all that I observed and most importantly I respected them all.

So what’s next for this young starlet?

well she’ll be on a rode tour within the next week with High School Nation @highschoolnation which is the modern day and artistically more advanced version of a mall tour. Within five years from now, she hopes to put out a full length album and make an ep release. If she continues on this route, she won’t just be walking the red carpets at the music shows, she’ll actually be one of the performers of those shows and more. If you don’t know who Chlo is by now, get with the program. It’s always a surreal feeling to actually watch the growth of an artist starting out and seeing the progression of their journey.

She is a rare inspiration and my Wow Wednesday!

xox