Che’nelle Overwhelming Road To Stardom

MyStarHill > Celebrities, Malaysian, Music > Che’nelle Overwhelming Road To Stardom

Author: teropong | September 28, 2007 - 2:38 pm

If life were a roller-coaster, then Sabah-born hip-hop/R&B singer Che’nelle must be having one helluva ride.

Since releasing her debut album Things Happen for a Reason (under New York-based recording label Virgin Records) last month, the talented 24-year-old is now reaping the fruits of her labour.

“I’m overwhelmed by the latest happenings in my life. It feels surreal, as I don’t know many Malaysians who have managed to sign a recording deal with Virgin Records,” said Che’nelle, during a phone interview from Tokyo recently.

She was flown in to the Land of the Rising Sun for a series of promos. The busy schedule of a pop star has just begun for Che’nelle.

“Anyone can reach for the stars. Since young, I have wanted to become a singer. I worked hard towards my goal and have managed to carve a name in the international entertainment circuit,” added Che’nelle, who is of Chinese and Indian-Dutch parentage.

Che’nelle, whose real name is Cheryline Lim, was born in Kota Kinabalu but emigrated to Perth, Australia, when she was 10.

Her father Chiang Lim is a civil engineer based in China while her mother Edith Estrop and younger brother Jonathan reside Down Under. She currently lives in New Jersey, the United States.

The willowy beauty developed a passion for singing when she was about four. Che’nelle’s father owned a karaoke lounge in Putatan, Sabah, where she honed her vocal skills.

Che’nelle majored in music at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts. After completing her studies, she worked on her self-produced demo (done in her bedroom studio) and uploaded her recordings on her Myspace page (myspace.com/chenelleworld).

In 2005, American music veteran Charles Dixon heard her songs and was taken up by her distinctive voice.

“When I first saw her page, I was sceptical because her picture was amazing. So I asked to hear some demos and she sent me six tracks.

After I played them, I immediately started planning a flight to Australia,” he said in a press release.

Che’nelle’s 15-track album features various genres, including pop, ballads, R&B and reggae. Music producers involved in the album include James Poyser, Sean Garrett and newcomer Marcus Bell.

The songs, she said, are a reflection of her personality, cultural background and experience living in three countries – Malaysia, Australia and the United States.

“Things Happen for a Reason is a summary of my life. I was born in Kota Kinabalu and brought up in Perth and now live in New Jersey.

The album’s lyrics mirror my background, exposure to different cultures, and introduction to various music genres,” said Che’nelle, who wrote or co-wrote all her songs except Hurry Up and Lookin’.

The spunky vocalist, who is a fan of India Arie, shares the same management team as popular American producer-rapper, Kanye West.

Among her accolades are being the opening act on West’s Australian tour in March last year, and having her song Teach Me How to Dance featured in the movie Take the Lead.

Last month, the singer’s first single I Fell in Love with the Deejay hit local airways. The catchy club-beat track secured the top spot in Hitz.fm Malaysian English Top 10 and Cats FM Top 20.

Her singles are also being serviced to some of the country’s top R&B club nights, with Che’nelle sharing the sort of acceptance afforded to the likes of R&B superstars Rihanna and Beyoncé.

According to her label here (EMI Malaysia), there are plans to get her for a promo tour in Kuala Lumpur, but her homecoming will have to wait as she has to concentrate on the US pop scene first.

With so much publicity over her songs and gorgeous looks, one wonders how she keeps herself rooted.

“Despite having clinched a record contract with Virgin, I have never forgotten my roots. I am Asian and will never change my style.

Plus, I always have my parents and friends who keep me grounded.

“If I go overboard, my parents would hantam (trash) me,” she concluded with a giggle.

With her talent, good looks and positive attitude, this girl is set to fly high.

# Che’nelle’s Things Happen for a Reason is available through EMI Malaysia.

source : thestar

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