Cherisha Etnel

My name is Cherisha Etnel and I'm a 18 year old R&B singer who is trying to make it big, just like any other unknown artist out there. I started singing at the age of 13. I grew up listening to artists like Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey, Brandy, Mya, Usher, Michael and Janet Jackson, Toni Braxton and even Otis Redding. I know that Otis was way before my time, but for some reason I thought his music was very interesting and inspiring. And as a young girl I knew I wanted to do what these artists did and still do and that is making great music. It actually started with dancing. When I was 11 yours old my mama gave me up for jazz dance classes which I hated, because during jazz classes we were forced to be quiet and I was a very energetic child. So I started doing Hip Hop new style at one of the best dance schools in Rotterdam called HipHopHouse. I loved this side of the dancing world because it was more raw and edgy and we didn't had to be quiet all the time. Well accept for the times when I started singing during class. I was born and raised in the Netherlands, Rotterdam but my parents are originally from Suriname (South America). This is next to British and French Guinea. It's a very small country and just few people live there. I love the culture, especially the food. The people in Suriname don't have a lot of money but they are enjoying their life’s, work hard for everything they've got and always have a good spirit about life and that is just an amazing thing to see. My music teacher was so fascinated with the sound of my voice and suggested that I should take some piano and singing classes. I did that for two years and then I started doing musicals and performing on some talent shows. Every place where I got the opportunity to sing, I did. On parties for my friends, during class, on the streets, while I'm making my homework and when I'm at home by myself or with my parents. I can sing nonstop, sometimes it drives my mama crazy. As a child I was very eager to succeed and I still am. It has always been my dream to become an internationally known R&B singer and I know I've got what it takes. The only thing I need is a chance. The way that I would describe my music is an Old school v/s New school style with a very rare but still original sound. Some of my music is very danceable and up tempo because I love to dance and sing on stage. My mom sometimes calls me the female version of James Brown because I can get so excited when I'm performing, I'll just grunt or scream haha. But I love emotional soul songs aswell and I'm a big fan of blues and cry songs. For some reason I can relate more to sad songs and then Í'll put my heart in that song. I can write and produce myown music. But I always ask for help or an second opinion. When I'm not busy doing homework, I can be in the studio all day or I'll dance. Making music is so much fun and there are a lot of great people who are helping me and giving me a push in the right direction. I have been talking to a major record label already, so I'm very excited about that...Because I want to do this thing internationally I have to work extra hard, but I'll do whatever it takes and I'm willing to stay up all day or night to get that record perfect. I thank the Lord for giving me these opportunities in life and I'm very fortunate with the parents that I have who support me trough everything. Thanks for reading and God Bless, Ciao Cherisha