An Interview With The Songstress, RASONDRA ANGELLE On Her Recently Released Album, “The After Glow” and More!

Rashondra Angelle hails from Long Beach, CA. She calls it a culturally diverse city which plays a major role on her musical style. She grew up listening to a variety of music from gangsta rap to jazz.

Thus throughout her own music career she does not shy away from experimenting with diverse sounds and styles of music to express her soul.  As with any great artist, this songstress has collaborated with many industry professionals such as underground hip hop legends Planet Asia and Tri-State and notable hip hop producer Daeone. In addition, Ms. Angelle has opened for alternative soul and independent soul artists Res and Sy Smith.

Learn more about Ms. Angelle and what she’s been up to the past few years in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today!

Thank you so much for taking the time out to interview me. I truly appreciate it!

So, what’s a typical day look like for you lately?

Hmm…a typical day for me is a bit busy. I teach in the day, get in a workout, and work on music or writing in the late afternoon or evening. If I have a show coming up, then I would usually rehearse in the evening time. Right now I’m gearing up to shoot a video for my single “Temptation”, so that will take up most of my time in the coming weeks.

Growing up, did you always want to be an artist?

Yes, ever since I was 9 years old!  I have always wanted to sing and perform! I used to record myself singing after school in elementary.  I would also record the Soul Train Music Awards and watch my favorite performances over and over again! (Laughter)

Congrats on recently releasing your debut album, “The After Glow”! What does that feel like?

Thanks for the love! I am grateful to see and listen to my vision come to fruition.  It feels really good to have finished the album.  Recording it was a labor of love indeed!

Can you describe the process of putting together this collection?

The process was stress free. I just really moved with the Spirit of creativity and inspiration.  Sometimes, I would have something already written and call up S.O.U.L-O to set up a session, or sometimes he would play a track for me and we would write on the spot.  It just depended on the vibe.  But I knew going into it that I wanted it to be a combination of Spoken-Word and R&B.

Can you describe this album’s unique sound?

Hmm…I would describe the sound as a sensual yet eclectic infusion of R&B, Spoken-Word and Hip-Hop. It also has a bit of a House vibe to it as well…

How is the sound on this record different or similar to your previously released mixtape, “Glow”? 

The After Glow is different from Glow the Mixtape because it is all original production. Also, the content on The After Glow is more sexy and seductive yet still uplifting. Glow the Mixtape was more Neo-Soul/Hip-Hop Soul and the songs were more empowering and conscious.

What was it like performing at the world famous Apollo Theatre?

Oh wow, performing at the Apollo Theatre was a dream come true!!!  When I was a kid, I seriously dreamt about performing on that stage. So to work the crowd and feel the energy of the people was magical for me.

What artists have continued to inspire you?

Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Janet Jackson off the top of my head.  I’m really feeling Kendrick Lamar right now. Umm…and The Internet is pretty dope and Kehlani is my new favorite!

Who would you love to work with in the future?

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Salam Remi, Dwele, Bryan Michael Cox and Mos Def.

Where can people see you perform next?

I just recently had show in LA at Zanzibar. I don’t have anything coming up this month, but please check out my site www.rashondraangellemusic.com to see where I will be performing next!

What’s the music scene like in Long Beach where you currently live? 

Long Beach is such an artsy and creative place. The city is constantly producing new music and art.

Has it been a good influence on your singing career?

Indeed, it has…Long Beach is such a diverse city that I was exposed to so many types of cultures and sounds that it helped shape my ear and love for all types of  music and art.

What do you hope is the message of your music?

I hope that my message in my music is always  positive, up lifting and loving. Is there anything you hope fans take away from your songs? I hope to inspire light, love and creativity to all of the people to listen to my music.

Would you like to share anything else about your music or yourself with our readers?

I would like for your readers to know that I create my music for a place of love and I hope that they can feel it! Lastly, I would like to encourage your readers to take a listen to my new album “The After Glow” on my website…and if you like my current single “Temptation”, please go to iTunes and download it!