home
Camille Kaye, the enviable quadruple threat, possesses a velvet vocal instrument enhanced by training she received at the Wolmer’s Dance Troupe and Xaymaca Dance Company in Kingston, Jamaica, as well as Florida International University where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with Honors.
Camille Kaye, career started in choreography where she won numerous competitions. Her career in dance boasts a diversity and range beyond others her age performing all over the globe to audiences as diverse as her experience. Across the Atlantic to the East for an international dance conference (DaCi) in Holland and all over the West at countless events in Jamaica, as well as in her current base Miami, FL.
She has worked with renowned choreographers Tanisha Scott and Kameica Reid, been featured in numerous music videos and danced for Brick and Lace, To-Isis, Onaje, Carlene Davis, Bling Dawg and Alaine. Camille’s enviable writing talent, with a sense of maturity and depth beyond her years become evident through her lyrical content complemented by her musical choices including working with several of Jamaica’s and Florida's young and fast rising producers
She has worked with renowned choreographers Tanisha Scott and Kameica Reid, been featured in numerous music videos and danced for Brick and Lace, To-Isis, Onaje, Carlene Davis, Bling Dawg and Alaine. Camille’s enviable writing talent, with a sense of maturity and depth beyond her years become evident through her lyrical content complemented by her musical choices including working with several of Jamaica’s and Florida's young and fast rising producers
Growing up this talented young lady was always center stage entertaining family and friends with her energy-infused movement. Little did they know there was a great singer being hidden deep beneath the confident dancer too shy to reveal her vocal talent. Behind closed doors Camille would sing along with her favorite artists such as Lauryn Hill and Mariah Carey, with the dreams of one day filling their shoes.
Camille singing talent was noticed after one night she found the courage to sing for a friend who immediately introduced her to Dancehall producer Supahype of 007 Music. Having song writing or recording experience she wrote and performed her song, leaving the crowded studio in awe. From that point on she continued working with Supahype along with other local producers until leaving for Florida to attend Florida International University in 2007
While attending FIU, Camille made contact with Dancehall producer Nynex of Calibur where she recorded her first releases, “Ring Di Alarm”. Even though college was her main priority Camille was determined to balance her love of music with her intense workload as she changed her major from Aviation to Journalism to Music and finally, to Dance.
While juggling school and career she met Duane “Midilord” Summers, a producer/engineer and former production manager and engineer for Dancehall/Reggae superstars Sean Paul and Shaggy. Midilord produced her second single “Not Like This” and is now closely working with Camille to further build her career.
As a singer/songwriter she has already performed at major concerts such as Atlanta Jerk fest and Miami-Broward Carnival. Camille has her sights set on international stardom, inspired by the successes of acts like Sean Paul, Rihanna and Beyonce. She is eager for an opportunity to do collaborations with or to create choreography for the likes of Usher, Keri Hilson, Missy Elliot and Bruno Mars, Reggae superstars Damian and Stephen Marley and Reggae/Dancehall phenomena Tanya Stephens and Assassin, among others.
Camille was recently nominated "Best Female Artist 2011" for work on her debut mixtape "Bad Nuh...!" at The Official Mixtape Awards. The Official Mixtape Awards is the first initiative to actively recognize, promote, and celebrate Mixtapes and its contributors. The Official Mixtape Awards is based in the UK and mainly recognizes mixtapes in the UK. Camille Kaye is the only Jamaican artist not based in the UK to get this prestigious nomination.
CEM Q&A with Camille Kaye
Tell us about Camille Kaye
I am an upcoming artiste born in Kingston, Jamaica, living in Miami with a love for both cultures. Started out focusing on art and dance because I was too shy to sing in public until one night that changed!
What’s your style or genre of music?
The style of music that I, along with MidiLord, have been developing for myself is rooted in a fusion of R&B with Dancehall. That style comes about mostly in the way my songs are written, as they complement a larger variety of actual genres....from Hip-Hop to Dancehall to Pop to Dance/House.
Who has been the main influences on your sound/style and why?
Being a product of both Jamaican and American culture I've been influenced by talent and greatness from both worlds, mainly Tanya Stephens, Damian Marley, Lauryn Hill and Mariah Carey.
When did you realize that you wanted to sing professionally?
I've always felt like that's what I was supposed to do. I just kept it hidden from most people because I didn't think that it would be possible for me to pursue it with the kind of success I imagined for myself. The moment I let the world in on it was around late 2006.
You recently released a mix tape, what is it about?
The Bad Nuh...! Mix tape is a project that we wanted to do to give people something different to listen to. It's a focus on the Jamaican side of Camille Kaye as it a compiles remakes of old school Reggae and Dancehall records with my R&B/Dancehall style of writing put together as if it were a live DJ mix. The riddims were done to give listeners the music they know and love but with a different melody and flow...freshness!
Why did you choose to a mix tape rather than an album?
The decision to do a mixtape really came from a hustle to put a more complete musical project out there from me, since I had already released a few singles on the internet. It's also an introduction of me as an artiste to the world on wicked vibe!
Why did you choose to a mix tape rather than an album?
The decision to do a mixtape really came from a hustle to put a more complete musical project out there from me, since I had already released a few singles on the internet. It's also an introduction of me as an artiste to the world on wicked vibe!
An album is always more polished, a little more mainstream-ready and a formal presentation of my music wasn't necessary yet so we decided to give listeners a free download mixtape for them to get to know me a little bit as an artiste first before releasing a pay-to-listen album.
How does it feel to be nominated for the "Best Female Artist 2011" for your work on your debut mix tape Bad Nuh...!?
It's really a GREAT feeling. Bad Nuh...! wasn't created with the mind frame or goals of being nominated for any awards. At least not me; I wasn't writing any of the songs thinking..."A goin win something wid dis one!". Like I mentioned before it was a project we released to get me and my music out there to any and everyone who would listen. So the fact that the any and everyone have gone all the way to the UK, being recognised even on the other side of the world is a great thing! It's a blessing to know that people appreciate it because we had fun making it!
How does it feel to be nominated for the "Best Female Artist 2011" for your work on your debut mix tape Bad Nuh...!?
It's really a GREAT feeling. Bad Nuh...! wasn't created with the mind frame or goals of being nominated for any awards. At least not me; I wasn't writing any of the songs thinking..."A goin win something wid dis one!". Like I mentioned before it was a project we released to get me and my music out there to any and everyone who would listen. So the fact that the any and everyone have gone all the way to the UK, being recognised even on the other side of the world is a great thing! It's a blessing to know that people appreciate it because we had fun making it!
What is “Bad Nuh...!" about?
Bad Nuh...! is a Jamaican slang equivalent to the American "bad as hell" or "bad as..." whatever. The "bad nuh..." is usually followed by another word and by word I mean expletive. Lol. It expresses appreciation for whatever the person is referring to. So someone would say, "those shoes bad nuh $*!#..." or "dat girl look bad nuh r@$$..." or "da Camille Kaye mixtape BAD NUH *;#*@+?!??*$*..."
Bad Nuh...! is a Jamaican slang equivalent to the American "bad as hell" or "bad as..." whatever. The "bad nuh..." is usually followed by another word and by word I mean expletive. Lol. It expresses appreciation for whatever the person is referring to. So someone would say, "those shoes bad nuh $*!#..." or "dat girl look bad nuh r@$$..." or "da Camille Kaye mixtape BAD NUH *;#*@+?!??*$*..."
Name an artist with whom you would like to collaborate with, in the future?
Ludacris. :)
What would be your dream place to perform?
I want to sell out Madison Square Garden’s weeks in advance....
Ludacris. :)
What would be your dream place to perform?
I want to sell out Madison Square Garden’s weeks in advance....
You are a choreographer, dancer, songwriter, and singer, do you have any hidden talent?
I can fly a plane.....not legally, but I could get you off the ground and into the air. Landing...not so much. Lolol. I'm also a little artsy. I always try to make things, draw, and paint, visually coordinate!
Of all the talents, which do you enjoy most?
Flying the plane. I'm kidding. I enjoy them all in different ways so it's kinda hard to pick any one in particular as the top favourite thing to do.
How do you approach composing a song and where do the ideas come from?
Usually the inspiration comes from the music I'm writing for. It would give me a certain feeling as to what someone listening to the music would probably feel, like love/heartbreak or party/fun or angry/resentment. Then the melody would come from freestyling or ad-libbing on it. Then if I like something I did I remember it and keep working til the song is done. Vocal details usually come once I'm in the booth and recording.
What is your ultimate goal in this industry?
I don't have an ultimate goal honestly. Ultimate kind of implies a stopping point, a limit, a top of the barrel. I just imagine great things happening and also imagine that there will be levels I couldn't have even dreamed of that will come. I don't think there's any limit to what my team and I can achieve as long as we keep working.
What are you working on now?
Currently we are a few tracks into another mixtape as well as a lot more music for an EP to follow that mixtape. We're also working on more video content and I've been working on some choreographic projects as well. We stay working!
Any plans to release an album soon?
Soon is a strong word. Lol. Yes, as soon as the music is all done. After the next mixtape which will come soon.
You have worked with renowned choreographers Tanisha Scott and Kameica Reid, what was that like?
Well Tanisha I worked with only once on the set of a Brick & Lace video. Very good energy and a good eye. I've been a follower of her work though since she did Sean Paul's "Gimmie Da Light". Kameica I worked with more than a few times while I was still dancing in Jamaica. She introduced me to the inside world of Dancehall music videos, which was an awesome experience. I learned a lot from her as a choreographer and a professional. She knew what she wanted her work to look like and made sure it came out that way. Both absolutely talented ladies who have done amazing work and who show females that there is more to the video dancing world than being a video "model".
Is there any artiste that you would like to work with to choreograph his/her music video?
Beyonce's tracks are so much FIRE that they ALWAYS inspire me to do choreography. But I also have my eye on a few others. Usually though the desire for me to choreograph comes from the music. If the music has that vibe or emotion it will come auto regardless of who the artiste is.
Do you have any messages to your fans?
To the people that have supported my music so far I love you! I appreciate it to the bottom of my soul and I hope that you guys will continue to follow and push the Camille Kaye movement. To all who are just getting introduced to me as an artiste check out www.camillekaye.com so you can subscribe to my YouTube, like my Facebook page and join the group and follow me on twitter @camillemuzik. I promise you won't regret it!
To everyone stay tuned for more to come from Camille Kaye....
Home
