1. A R I K A
AUTHENTIC
N
K A N E :
soul
ew singer to the scene Arika Kane grew up in Northeastern Connecticut. As a
child, she was exposed to music at a very young age. Her family was close-knit and
some of her earliest memories are of traveling with her parent’s as they played different gigs, which is why
music has been an intrinsic part of her life for as long as she can remember. Arika says, “I was raised with the
belief that I could follow my dreams and growing passion of singing, to see just how far it could take me.”
When she came of age, she decided to do just The first single, “BCUZ I LUV U,” began climbing
that. “I worked a lot of jobs, and saved up all the charts and ranking on Urban/Rhythmic
the money I could to buy a car because I wanted almost immediately after receiving airplay. As
to travel to New York, and go out to sing in the an independent label, breaking into the next
nightclubs, comedy shows, showcases, and just levels of the industry can be a challenge, and for
find as many outlets as I could to perform, write, BSE it has been radio that has helped make all the
record, and meet people.” Her strategy paid off. difference in launching Arika’s music career and
listener awareness. Arika recalls, “The station
About a year and a half ago, in July 2008, Arika called us saying, ‘People are calling every day.
was working with a producer who knew Louis They want to know where you are performing
Humphrey, CEO of BSE Recordings, and and where they can buy the single!’ ”
contacted him. Arika shares, “I was having a
really bad day and got this phone call. It was my With the album “Arika Kane” now available at
producer. He said, ‘I’ve got somebody you need FYE, iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon, and a number
to meet, get over here right away.’ So I went and of other outlets, the label is currently in the
met Louis. He took me seriously, we negotiated process of putting together a promotional tour.
a contract, and that’s how this path I’m on
now officially started.” She describes her music as universal and doesn’t
want to limit herself to one specific sound,
Since that point, she has performed because when going back to the roots of her
with some of the undisputed best in own upbringing, she was exposed to so many
the business, “I have had really great different genres. Arika says, “I feel as the years
opportunities. I’ve been able to go by, music is just connecting like crazy. You
perform with Frankie Beverly and have Gospel doing Hip-Hop now, and Hip-Hop
Maze, Charlie Wilson, Babyface, doing Gospel, and so many other combinations.
and others which has been I myself pull a bit from everywhere, but bottom
wonderful.” line, anything soulful and passionate is what I
love, and that is the kind of music I perform.”
In the midst of gaining this
unparalled experience, Arika Looking forward to her career in the industry,
has also been working on her Arika’s ultimate goals perhaps say the most
own album, recently released about her authentic soul. After achieving
on BSE. The self-titled success, she hopes to achieve something even
project, “Arika Kane,” greater, “I have a lot of dreams and wishes, but
is “a good introduction try to keep things in as much perspective as
of who I really am to the possible. My parents raised me to work hard for
world,” she says. what I get, to be happy, and love what I do in life.
Later on down the road, I would really like to be
in the position to not only impact people through
my music, but be able to give back in other ways.
It’s really not about me. I just want to help make
a positive change in whatever way I can, the
greatest way I can.” With that type of outlook,
maybe we should all take a real listen to what
else Arika Kane has to say.
» By Samantha Dixon
32 FREQUENCYNEWS.COM APR/MAY 2010
