By Ericka Alston BuckSpecial to The AFRO
Baltimore continues to present the world voices that echo louder than town streets that raised them. The most recent to step into that lineage is Gabby Samone, the 23-year-old powerhouse vocalist who captured America’s consideration as a finalist and fan favourite on “American Idol” season 23. Together with her dynamic mix of gospel, R&B, pop and soul, she’s now stepping boldly into her personal lane with authentic music, a headlining tour, and main performances on the horizon.
Discovering confidence on the ‘Idol’ stage
Samone seems again at “Idol” not simply as a contest, however as a private journey of transformation.
“The second that stands out to me essentially the most was simply seeing my progress in actual time,” she mentioned. “I might really feel myself getting extra assured in my look, in who I’m as an individual, in who I’m on stage and what I do on stage. I used to be simply getting a lot extra comfy with that side. That was actually one of the best factor about the entire expertise, seeing my progress and in addition making buddies and like-minded friends.”
That progress, she explains, lit a fireplace inside her.
“I’ve been targeted on simply grinding as a lot as I can. I’m nonetheless younger, in order that’s all I’ve to do proper now — grind. I’ve been engaged on a undertaking that I plan on dropping this fall, specializing in my music, creating my picture, and honing in on who I’m as an artist,” Samone mentioned.
A full-circle duet with Jennifer Holliday
One of many defining moments of Samone’s run got here throughout the finale, when she carried out the long-lasting “Dreamgirls” anthem “I Am Altering” with the legendary Jennifer Holliday.
“That was really insane. We see her, we hear about her, however to see her in particular person and to talk to her in particular person was surreal,” the singer recalled. “That entire expertise taught me quite a bit about professionalism and having to accommodate different artists. She’s been within the business longer than me, and he or she has numerous expertise. We needed to work along with her association. She got here in along with her personal association, she modified the important thing, and I needed to drop down. I sing within the sky, so once we met for the primary time, the important thing was simply decrease than what I anticipated. However she held my hand by means of the entire expertise. She was actually wonderful, and it was simply enjoyable to do one thing fully completely different and out of my consolation zone along with her.”
Authentic music on the horizon
With “Idol” behind her, Samone is making clear that her artistry is not going to be confined to cowl songs. She’s getting ready to launch her first authentic undertaking this fall, one that may mirror her experiences and her edge.
“Individuals anticipate ‘American Idol,’ however that is fully completely different,” Samone declared. “That is who I’m as an artist. That is who I’m, interval. It’s somewhat bit edgy, somewhat bit in your face. My music that’s popping out is about numerous issues that I’ve gone by means of as a 23-year-old — relationships, struggling, household, all of that. It’s somewhat R&B, hip-hop, pop vibes. It’s going to be fully completely different, however I’m excited. My supporters love me, and I really feel like they’re gonna rock with it.”
On tour and on stage
This fall, Gabby is taking her abilities on the highway with a four-city headlining tour, “Gabby Samone: Reside at Metropolis Vineyard,” with stops in Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York and Boston. She can even open for Grammy-nominated R&B legend Eric Benét.
“I at all times go into my exhibits simply attempting to please my viewers. I contact on my covers that I did on ‘American Idol,’ I carry a few of that into it, and I additionally carry some enjoyable excessive vibes. I’m doing Beyoncé’s ‘Deja Vu,’ for instance, to get them hype, get them dancing and shifting.”
She continued, “Put up-’American Idol,’ I actually need to present individuals who I’m as an artist, so I’m bringing in my authentic music, performing some newer R&B songs, and I mesh that with the ‘90s, the period that I really like a lot. I simply give them a vibe.”
Her schedule is already filling rapidly: She was in Virginia on Oct. 1, she makes a hometown return to Baltimore’s Heart Stage on Oct. 25, and heads to Ohio on Nov. 13.
Eyes on the long run
Wanting forward, Gabby envisions the subsequent 12 months as a whirlwind of creativity and progress.
“I hope it’s simply as busy as I’m proper now, and extra,” she mentioned. “I actually hope to fulfill a few of the targets I’ve been dreaming about. I need to do films, I need to drop music, I can’t wait to drop my music — music movies, visuals, all of that. I simply need to be on the market. I would like individuals to lastly expertise Gabby Samone, the artist.”
For these keen to maintain up, she encourages followers to affix her world.
“Keep up to date on my web site, GabbySamone.com. Put your electronic mail in. Keep up to date on my Instagram, subscribe to my channel. I put numerous behind-the-scenes on my Gabbyverse channel — that’s what I name it, the Gabbyverse. Simply keep up to date, keep tuned for all the things that’s to come back.”
FOLLOW GABBY SAMONE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @gabbysamonemusicTikTok: @gabbysamonemusicYouTube: @gabbysamoneWebsite: https://www.gabbysamone.com/
