Fans of singer Phyllisia Ross are waiting breathlessly for the release of her music video for “Only for You”. The singer-songwriter-composer has been posting teasing photos on her social media accounts, giving her followers and fans glimpses of scenes from the music video. The video, directed by Abdias Laguerre–who also directed the video for her song “Konsa”—is expected to be released before the end of the year.

The singer, clad in a lace black dress strikes a pose.

The singer puts on her shades at a marina. Ooh, isn’t that a suitcase next to her? Is she about to make an escape somewhere? Is she running away from someone? She looks like a female don in this photo.

Ooh, look at that ponytail! And who’s this guy next to her!

Ooh, she looks quite the femme fatale in this one. Wonder if she’ll be playing a bad girl in this music video…

Another great visual from the video.

Getting her face beat in-between takes for the video. Ooh, what lashes. And that updo is too slick.

She’s looking so pensive in this one. You just know she’s belting out a high note.

Ooh la la. Smoke effects.

Be sure to watch out for the “Only for you” music video, filmed in association with Stark Media. Meanwhile…

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT PHYLLISIA ROSS.

Phyllisia Ross conquers France and Switzerland, ya’ll. Late last year, singer-songwriter-composer Phyllisia Ross released her song “Only for You”, as well as its Abdias Laguerre-music video companion. She toured France last year, and returned this past week, making stops in several cities including Nanterre and Paris, before going to Switzerland.

Phyllisia poses inside the studios of RFI France, a major television station.The singer was interviewed by the host of “Couleurs Tropicales”, a television show that features musical guests. The show is broadcasted in several countries in Africa. The singer also performed on the show. [Photo Credit: Couleurs Tropicales]

The singer has some gorgeous vocals, and made it a point to have a stylish presence too. Her scalp-tight, gold-tinged braids were decorated with a Byzantine-era-like head crown.

For her last performance in France, she wore a white two-piece outfit with Flapper-era fringes.

While in France, she was interviewed on a show called Merci TantineTV on TeleSud, a network which also broadcasts in Africa and other continents with a considerable Diaspora population.

During one of her performances, the singer showed that not only is she skillful on the piano, and when it comes to songwriting, but that she’s also an exciting performer with a strong stage presence. Mid-performance, she turned her back to the audience and facing her musicians (members of a band called Melodeek), she did a classy twerk and busted moves for her fans, inspiring them into a mini-frenzy. In case anybody had memory lapses, she was there to remind them that she’s, well, the complete package. She’s that tifi with the husky voice that can easily slip from English, to Creole and French. She’s that tifi with the video model looks with the deft fingers that can make a keyboard cry all sorts of notes. Oh, and she’s that tifi who can pounce on the stage with the tread and energy of a hungry rapper, and finally she’s that tifi who can sing her gluteus maximus off, while crafting original songs and melodies.

The singer announced that she’s going to be performing with the groups 5Lan and Carimi on the 26th in Miami. She’ll also be one of the headliners at the Mimi’s Boutiq Fashion Show on the 28th of this month.

CLICK HERE to visit PHYLLISIA ROSS ON INSTAGRAM | PHYLLISIA ROSS ON TWITTER

After being groomed by her former record label SoBe Entertainment as a South Beach Beyonce, songwriter and singer Phyllisia Ross wiggled out of the constraints of the traditional record label box, and started promoting, marketing, and building herself. Any record that snatches Mizz Ross already has more than half of the work done. The artist has a solid fan community that follow her moves and look forward to her new song releases. Whether in Guadeloupe, Paris, Abidjan, Port-au-Prince, New York, Orlando, Montreal, or Miami, they come to see her showcase her brand of organic world soul. She’s a deft songwriter, and writes songs in multiple languages, so the winning record label won’t have to foot six figure production songwriting fees from external songwriting teams. And as far as the singer Phyllisia Ross herself? No more having to worry about everything herself…from video production to marketing, to touring…Let some record label worry about that!

So, let’s look at five record labels that would be a great musical abode for the singer.

1. Parkwood Entertainment
Overview: Parkwood Entertainment is Beyonce Knowles Carter’s record label. Thus far, Beyonce has been extremely selective about who gets in and who gets an invitation to join. On the roster are just three artists Chloe X Halle, Ingrid, and Sophie Beem.
What Phyllisia Would Bring To This Label Phyllisia would definitely deliver a multicultural aura to Parkwood. She’s released songs in Haitian Creole, English and French, and goodness knows having been born and raised in Miami, she probably picked up a little Spanish here and there. Like the incumbent Parkwood Entertainment artists, Phyllisia is multi-faceted, from acoustic sets to her impromptu jamming during her performances, like the one she pulled at Griot Fest in Palm Beach recently. Her presence at Parkwood Entertainment would also mean the use of her songwriter-skills for other artists on the Parkwood Entertainment label roster, and who knows, she could write or co-write songs with Beyonce herself.

2. Sony Music Entertainment France
Overview: Sony Music Entertainment and its European partner label Sony Music Entertainment France are as big as record labels come. The label has retained its prestige, power and reputation, even as pundits point out at the decline of the traditional record label.
What Phyllisia Would Bring To This Label Youthfulness, for one thing! Many of Sony Music France’s artists are classic and long-established artists. Phyllisia/Mizz Ross’s joining would mean young blood. Right now, Sony Music France have very few artists under 30—singer Sindy, Black M, being among the few. Phyllisia doesn’t necessarily have to be brought under the France leg—she could come under the mainstream Sony Music Entertainment banner, and release a French album under the France branch. Most of the artists under Sony Music Entertainment/France are doing straight, mainstream pop music (whether in English or French). The fact that Phyllisia is a multicultural woman would make her appealing to the wide, increasingly multicultural communities in France, Switzerland, North, West, and East Africa, Russia, and other multicultural markets all over Europe, Africa, and Asia, and of course the Caribbean.

3. RocNation
Overview: Roc Nation has a reputation as a “street” label, even though lots of “soft core” artists are on its roster. There’s an Emily Sande, Justine Skye, Claudia Liette, Dorothy, Alicia Rose, and so on, but there’s no Phyllisia Ross.
What Phyllisia Would Bring To This Label A staunch Caribbean and Creole flavor. Also, RocNation has a growing Latin label, demonstrating that it’s trying to test the international market and be more than a U.S. label. Just six artists have been added to Roc Nation Latin, and only two females at that. When record labels create Latin divisions, the next step is usually an International division. Phyllisia has the ability to be the breakout artist that can help RocNation penetrate markets outside of the USA. Phyllisia would in good company alongside Dominican-American star Romeo Santos. They could even do a Creole-Spanish duet together!

4. Universal Music
Overview: Drake, Selena Gomez, Kanye West and many others call Universal Music home. In addition to its mainstream division, Universal Music is also the home of artists like Kalash, Kaaris, Booba, black artists who are marketed by the France division. Universal could go two routes with Phyllisia…either put her alongside its mainstream acts, or better yet, build her up into the quintessential diva alongside the aforementioned male artists.
What Phyllisia Would Bring To This Label Her talent, her multiracial appeal, and her unique sound. Right now, Universal Music France doesn’t have an artist like Phyllisia Ross on its roster. By “an artist like Phyllisia Ross”, I mean that they don’t have a black woman, who they could push on the international market, and who has demonstrated multilingual singing skills, and can hold her own in the studio.

5. OVO Sound
Overview: Okay, so it’s basically all Canadian artists on this label founded by one Aubrey “Drake” Graham. Just because it’s all-Canadian right now doesn’t mean that it should remain this way. And thus far, the label is all male with the artist roster consisting of Drake himself, PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, Roy Wood, OB O’Brien, and DVSN.
What Phyllisia Would Bring To This Label Female presence! Imagine OVO Sound doesn’t have a First Lady, and not just anybody should become First Lady to this label. This is where Phyllisia Ross comes in, bringing her lady charm, and most of all her golden voice and stage presence!

Phyllisia Ross has shown that she’s very strategic when it comes to her career. Let’s see which of these labels will be the first to sign a deal with her.

And what are your thoughts? Of these labels, which would you like to see her signed to?

CLICK HERE to read past articles about Phyllisia Ross!

Video Credit: Ayiti Biyografi

So, there you have it folks, 5 record labels that should sign Phyllisia Ross, like now. This has been another episode of Kreyolicious Music, brought to you by your fave chick Kreyolicious. Until next time!

Video: Phyllisia Ross Di Mwen

Have yous seen Phyllisia Ross’ new music video for her song Di Mwen? Well, in case you haven’t, you can do so below. Wearing her curly locks, the Haitian-American singer-songwriter-pianist preaches a message of self-love. The music video features appearances by singer Mickael, as well as a legion of other women.

Miss Ross sings about the sisterhood, but she’s also singing about the importance of having a solid support system.

Wearing a series of form-fitting outfit, and a spider sheath dress that seems to have been inspired by the singer Cher or 1920s silent film star Alla Nazimova, Ross sings passionately about self-acceptance and the need to belong.

Ross has experimented so much over the course of her young career. From being molded by record companies as a South Beach Beyonce, to her finding her true self: a world music artist whose style and vocals know no boundaries. She has some great vocals, and her stage presence is undeniable, getting her tours and performances in New York and Miami, and garnering her plenty of demand in places like Mauritius, to La Reunion, France and Canada.

The fact that she feels as comfortable singing in French and Creole, in addition to her native language English, is earning her fans all over the world. “Konsa”, one of her previously released music videos, has more than 4 million views on her Youtube channel alone. The artist has a great deal of physical appeal, but it’s apparent that while she flaunts it, she’s not depending on it.

I think that with time, we’re going to see her expand professionally. Does Mickael’s appearance in the video hint at a future collaboration? Miss Ross can write and produce for other artists too perhaps? She’s already shown time after time that she’s a very astute songwriter.

CLICK HERE to purchase the song on iTunes.

And now without further ado, watch Phyllisia Ross Di Mwen video.

Singer-songwriter and philanthropist Phyllisia Ross has got “the voice”—that’s incontestable. But let’s face it: she’s got style too—plenty of it. She’s gone from wearing her shoulder-length mane in a permed style to chopping it all off and becoming a naturalista. Let us, ahem, let us, look at the 5 times (though there are plenty of others) when Mz. Phylli-Phyl Ross looked kreyolicious and totally killed the fashion game.

1. That time when she went island.

She mixed some soft earth tones with starch white. A sweeping skirt, glass-heeled sandals, and a top tied at the waist…She took that Caribbean affranchis outfit and gave it a modern twist.

2. That time she got all silver and glittery.

Take a look at those earrings! They practically transformed the outfit. So kreyolicious.

3. That time when she wore that faux wrap dress.

And she accessorized it with a piano—her instrument of choice. Her hair is hidden under golden-brown cornrows.

4. That time she became the face of the Byzantine era.

A sparkling diadem that could have been purchased from a traveling merchant during the days of Emperor Constantine toppled with a slip dress from a Nineties sleepover…Humongous, well-defined eyes and lashes…A neck piece that gives her plenty of collar glory. Kreyolicious, no?

5. That time when she was a fanm djanm.
Her head wrap brought to mind African heritage, and the strength of women. What testimony in one outfit!

There you have it folks…the 5 Times Phyllisia Ross looked Kreyolicious and Totally Killed the Fashion Game.

CLICK HERE to visit Phyllisia Ross’ website.

CLICK HERE to read more about Phyllisia Ross.

CLICK HERE to read other entries in this series.

It was supposed to have been like any other talent show. The lights were on, the audience was ready, and a little girl took the microphone and sung a rendition of “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”, off The Lion King movie and musical soundtrack. Members of the audience who had thought that the only thing big about this young talent was the hair on her head, were blown away by her equally big voice. So no, it wasn’t like any other talent show. The little girl on the mic was a born star by the name Phyllisia Ross.

Ross is far from a little girl now. But the voice that stunned the talent show audience that pivotal night is as big as ever. With her instrument, Ross gives off echoes of divas like Angela Bofill and Phyllis Hyman.

But she isn’t only interested in showcasing her voice. In the video for her song “Money Clap”, the well-endowed Ms. Ross rumps around in body-hugging little get-ups with her entourage of girls, doing, well, the money clap. The song has an anti-pushover message for women who are getting used by men for their stash. Not much is made of her voice on that track—as if she’s just another singing-dancing starlet with sex appeal.

When she belts out a song like “L’union Fait la Force”, her Creole-language composition, she sounds so soulful and so sincere, it might be a wonder to some as to whether the girl in the “Money Clap” video and the one sitting solemnly at her piano singing lyrics like “Priye, di Bondye pa kite Ayiti peri konsa” (Pray, tell God not to let Haiti die off that way) are one and the same. But that’s versatility for you.

And then there are the covers. Sade ranks among one of her best choices. Her version of “By Your Side”, featuring C.J. Hilton from the Sade classic album Lover’s Rock is spine-tingling, while renditions of “Love Love is King” and “Cherish the Day” are exceptionally memorable. Surely, those would have gotten a shy, approving smile from Helen Folasade herself. Ms. Ross directed the music video for the song herself.

Oh, and then there’s her cover of D’Angelo’s “How Does It Feel”, where at one point, it seems like the power of her voice will induce her to go into a seizure. Indeed, the singer is most impressive in instances where it’s just her and her piano, and that voice. The truth is she’s at her best when she’s not belittling her artistry.

Phyllisia Ross is on her way, folks. Only God can stop her.

How’d you start playing piano?

At the age of 3, after going to a neighbor’s house with my parents, they noticed that the piano really excited me. They decided to give me a chance—once-a-month lessons. I absolutely loved it, diligently practicing and enjoying classical piano studies. The rest is history. The piano is an extension of me. It brings me so much peace to play. I don’t know what I would do without it.

When you’re an artistic person, sometimes it’s really hard to put your education first above your creative urges. Yet, you managed to graduate from the University of Miami. Was it challenging to draw that balance between pursuing your career and pursuing your education?

It was extremely challenging, but unbelievably gratifying for me. Both dreams were just as important—pursuing music and a degree—so I knew I had to go after them both with the same intensity, purpose, and focus. I am always trying to push myself and always think I could have worked harder.

Were you part of your school’s chorus?

Absolutely. I went to arts school for seven years—Bak Middle School of the Arts and Dreyfoos School for Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida—being a member of multiple choruses. That is where I have gotten most of my technique and vocal experience. I am so thankful that I could learn from so many amazing musicians over the years.

As a native of Florida, born of a Jewish father and a Haitian mother, did you sometimes feel that you had to choose between the two identities?

Never. I have such a diverse, loving family. Both sides love the other, culture, food, customs. I have such a more liberated and free viewpoint of differences that exist in the world because of my family.

There’s been so many developments in the music industry, in terms of technology and marketing.

Yes. It has never been easier for artists of all popularities, location, expertise to get out there because of technology. As the artist you can have way more control and connectivity to your fans because of technology. I hope that through my posts, pictures, etc, my fans can really get to know me. The real Phyllisia. Not the image that anyone might want me to portray.

Who are your influences? It would seem to some observers that you are influenced by the likes of Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, and Beyonce?

I am influenced by so many different things. I just try to draw inspiration from anything that moves me. Can range from an experience, moment in life, artists, great work or piece, and so on.

Navigate us through your creative process. Do melodies come to you first, or do the lyrics?

It totally depends. I write many random thoughts down, record a small line of a melody that might pop into my head and come back to it. I might sit down and write and compose an entire song in one sitting.

Would you say that real life plays a huge part in the creation of a lot of your songs?

Real life is the number one factor in the creation of my songs. Every song I’ve ever written relates to a real life situation, experience or feeling.

You write your own songs. And you play the piano, the keyboards, in addition to the guitar. Do you think it’s vital for an artist to take part in every step of the creative process? Sometimes it seems like those who are just handed songs to sing into a microphone fare just as well or sometimes even better than those who are multifaceted?

As an artist, I want to be a part of as much as I can in my “package.” I play, write, sing, but I also am involved in the editing of music and music videos, marketing online, social media regulation, business, legalities, etc. If it’s a part of the Phyllisia career evolution, I am ready and willing to put in any work I need to to get the job done. This is my career. Why wouldn’t I want to be a part of every memory or moment? As much of the process that I can be a part of-creatively, business wise, etc—I will most definitely be.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?

This past [September]! Had such an amazing time. Lux Media and Marketing took me down there to work with some great writers and producers, Powersurge, MikaBen and we got in some studio time. I love experiencing Haiti—music, food, everything! It is so a part of me.

Let’s talk a little bit about image. How important do you think it is to the eventual success of a female artist? There seems to be different rules for males and females.

The double standards of men and women sometimes trouble me, with this one being at the top of the list. I don’t think that we should be judged on our looks in order to be considered the “musical chosen ones” as women. But, I definitely believe that no matter what social or political restrictions exist in the music industry—or any industry for that matter—only become career-ending or limiting if we allow them to be. No matter what your image, man or woman, if you provide people with great, honest music, it will be appreciated. I do not believe in feeding into other people’s limitations—image or whatever else. If you are big, small, “ugly”, “pretty”, whatever you are, if you love music and have something to contribute to music then just do it!

What advice do you have for up-and-coming female artists in that respect, and regarding other aspects of the music industry?

There will be many challenges that you would not anticipate. Disrespect, mental manipulation, discouragement, image issues, maintaining professional relationships with people who want “more”, the list goes on and on and on. I know men have their own issues to deal with in this business, but I want to stress to any woman in this industry that our plights are our own. Really. I salute any woman in this industry who is successful. Some go about it in better ways then others, but all of us have definitely experienced things that people will never know. Only the strong survive. If this is what you believe is meant for you, resist all these challenges and keep your eyes on the prize. I will not let anyone take my chance away from me. I will hold my head up through any situation—uncomfortable, scary, difficult, embarrassing, disheartening- with as much confidence and courage as I can.

That song “L’Union Fait la Force” that you recorded for the earthquake that took place in Haiti in the early 2010s—how did the concept for the song originate?

I wrote this song as I watched the news and broadcasts about the earthquake days after. It was totally organic. I hope that “L’union Fait La Force” is a song that is uplifting and touching. This song is so personal to me. Every note and word is from the heart.

What are you working on next?

I am currently independent and working on a few projects. I am releasing a mix tape of Sade classics remixed. I have some new music in the zouk/konpa market that will be coming out soon and some other international sounds. Just trying to dabble in it all. Definitely keep up with me on all my social sites to see what I have coming up!

[All photos are courtesy of the subject]

Visit the Phyllisia Ross website HERE. Connect with her on FACEBOOK, TWITTER and INSTAGRAM. View her videos on Youtube.