Before you even know what she sounds like, Devyn Rose catches your attention. Firstly, her clothes. They are best described as New Bohemian, very hip and dope—a little bit vintage, a bit flashy Nineties, and a slight dash of contemporary. She also borrows from other centuries—heavy eyelashes that could have been worn by Hatsheput or a maiden from an Egyptian dynasty, and a string of earth-tone chains that could have adorned the neck of someone from the Grecian era—say…Penelope of Ithaca.

And then there’s the way her skin glows. Maybe it’s because her powerful pipes make her shake down to her pores. But, nah; the glow is probably from the fact that she’s a vegan. Yes, Kreyolicious ones, Devyn Rose does not indulge in unhealthy eats. Sure her outfits are pure coolness, but after hearing her, you’ll probably agree that her voice is the best thing about her. The natural hair-sporting singer has been singing since she was a little girl. She loves to get down on the dance floor, and occasionally dabbles with the drums as well.

Born in New York to Haitian parents, Devyn has always breathed music. Now, she’s exhaling all sorts of musical goodies. Her song “Falling 4 U” has peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Hot Singles chart. The track brings to mind the classic album From the Bottom Up by Brownstone. Yeah, her pipes are that powerful. “Cupid is my witness/I’m falling in love like it’s nobody’s business,” she sings over a drum-heavy beats honeyed with some luscious R&B. In the video for the song “Falling 4 U”, she cuddles up to her love interest, and as the song comes on and she mouths some of the verses, you’ll think back to the time you first fell too.

Her voice can adopt a Jacksonian range on a song like “Heartbeat”, and she can get it down to a Eartha Kittish snarl, like she does on the bridge to “Falling 4 U”. On the Kaze the Producer-produced “Trouble”, she curses out a boyfriend who doesn’t have fidelity on his list of personal virtues.

Kreyolicious: Devyn Rose…so what sort of rose are you…a fragile rose…a steel rose, or a deadly rose?

I would definitely describe myself as a steel rose. My journey has been great—and whether I face any ups or downs–I embrace it all. Regardless of anything, I remain strong and focused.

Kreyolicious: Your song “Falling 4 U”…It’s hard not get pulled in by this track.

Thank you.

Kreyolicious: What exactly inspired it?

I never knew what falling in love with someone felt like until I experienced it. It was a great feeling and so I decided to write about it as I knew so many people could relate to it.

Kreyolicious: Your music is very ear-catching. What does your creative process consists of?

Thank you. I love creating spontaneous music. For example, I could just be chilling in the lab vibing out with my producer and a dope melody or idea pops up and I lay it down on the spot. That is when I am most creative—although writing when I am going through something—good or bad—helps me too.

Kreyolicious: Do you style yourself?

No. I have an amazing stylist who keeps me on point and his name is Rajé Styles…we work hand in hand. He knows what I like and keeps me looking hella dope!

Kreyolicious: How do you stay connected to Haitian culture?

I am so happy to represent my people and to help wherever I can whether it is through music, supporting a cause, etc. Every time my team gets a request from a Haitian organization, I get so excited. It’s another opportunity to help and to work together. We are like one huge family!

Kreyolicious: Coolness…What do you think of the current direction of the music industry?

It is definitely changing and I do like where it is going in terms of being indie…we no longer have to sign with a label to get where we have to get..all we gotta do is work hard and believe.

Kreyolicious: I feel you…An artist—no matter how original—has been influenced by other artists…whether it’s conscious or not. Who has influenced you?

Yes, definitely. Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony, Whitney Houston and Aaliyah have influenced my sound!

Kreyolicious: “With every album you have to reinvent yourself”, is a quote that’s been attributed to Jay-Z. What should we expect from your first full-length album?

It took me a very long time to find my sound, look, style—my entire image. “Falling 4 U” was the first record I recorded. Once I found my sound—it was like the debut—me showing the world who Devyn Rose is. Because I am multi-genre, you can expect all kinds of music from hip-hop to pop, alternative, zouk, etc. I am really excited and proud of this project and can’t wait for everyone to hear it!

VISIT DEVYN ROSE’S WEBSITE| DEVYN ROSE’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL | BUY HER MUSIC ON iTunes

Don’t forget to take a peek at Devyn Rose’s video for “Falling 4 U” below…

JM Lominy is the author of the thriller/mystery novel The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale , published through his very own publishing company Five Sons Publishing. Lominy was born in Port-au-Prince and at age seven he immigrated to the USA, along with his sister to join his mother in Brooklyn.

Upon his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in the Gulf War. Following an honorable discharge at the age of 22, Lominy enrolled at The City of New York and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.

The father of five is based in Marietta, Georgia where he lives with his wife and their three youngest sons.

Lominy says he’s been writing for the past twelve years. “I am a writer with a lot of passion, determination,” he says, “and the desire to touch generations of readers with an emphasis on the Haitian experience.”

He gave Kreyolicious.com a behind-the-scenes look at how his pulse-pumping debut novel came about.

Was writing a book always a dream of yours?

Writing was not always a dream, most of my life I enjoyed many things in passing. I became an avid reader while in the Marine Corps. At that time, the Commandant of the Marine Corps required every Marine to read a list of books based on their rank. These books were mostly fiction with a military theme. I enjoyed those books so much I have not stopped reading [ever since].

My passion for writing began in college with poetry that few people have seen or read. It was not until 2001, when I visited Haiti for the funeral of my maternal Uncle did I start to write with a purpose. The vivid environment of Port-au-Prince and Pétion-Ville unleashed story ideas I have always had but never saw as potential book material.

Granted, you could have chosen to have the setting of your novel in contemporary times, or any other decades in Haiti’s history. Why the late 1950s?

I chose the late 1950s as the setting of The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale because it was a unique time in Haitian history. The late 1950s was the first time the exile of a president resulted in three short presidency and two military juntas, all between the periods of December 1956 to October 1957, which lead to a dictatorship and a violent period in Haitian history. The only other time you had such turmoil was post-Jean-Claude Duvalier in 1986.

How did you go about doing the research for The Deadly Rose?

My research for The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale began in 2001, after my visit to Haiti. The research was originally for another book I planned to write, but soon felt I was not skilled enough for such a complex and important book, so I put it on the shelf.

When the idea for The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale came to me, about five years ago, I used the research from the initial book. The research consisted of books written about that period, Haitian music provided me with vision about the period, a map of Port-au-Prince helped with the reality factor, and I consulted friends and relatives. I also used the Internet as a source for detailed topics I could not find elsewhere.

Were there tools and resources that you found especially helpful in publishing your book?

There are multitudes of websites and blogs dedicated to publishing, publiteriat.com is one of my favorites. Books like APE How to Publish a Book by Kawasaki and Welch is a must own. Other author’s websites may list information on publishing. In addition, I attended author conferences on publishing. These sources will cover publishing, printing, and marketing.

Most published authors will say that writing a book and completing a book is one of the most satisfying things they’ve ever done. Once you finished the first draft of The Deadly Rose, what came next?

The feeling I got from completing The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale was like catching my first fish; a total joy. Once I completed the first draft I started the editing process and sent copies to several friends for further editing before sending it to my editors.

Do you have plans to write more books?

I am working on the sequel to The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale and I am halfway to completion. I plan to write one book a year, if time allows, two. So far, I have 10 books I plan to write, all interrelated. I am constantly researching, which brings on more book ideas.

There are a great number of aspiring authors out there. What words of wisdom do you wish to throw on them based on your own journey as an author?

My advice for any author who desires to be accomplished; define your own goals, successes, and who you are or who you want to become. Write a wonderful book. Don’t take any short cuts and hire professional editors, book designers, and learn or hire marketing professionals. Reading is fundamental to writing, so read and write often. If you don’t enjoy the writing and publishing process, it will show.

You can preview the first chapter of The Deadly Rose by clicking HERE. Check out the book on Amazon!

Connect with the author on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and CLICK HERE to visit his website.