(PR) There's a new brand of music sweeping both the airwaves and dance-floors worldwide - a style known as "hip-pop," which as its title states, is a merger of the booty-shaking beats of hip-hop, and the melodic hooks of pop music. And one of the most promising new artists from this genre is undoubtedly Jersey "Gurl" Candi Lynn."My music has a hint of Fergie, a hint of Britney, and a hint of Pink," explains Candi, raised at the Jersey Shore in Manahawkin, NJ. [hint: name drop pop stars to attract their fans?] "Fergie because of the rap element; Britney because of the sexy, fun, naughty element; Pink because of the rock element and the snarl and the raspiness that I sometimes have in my voice when I sing. I love Pink. She just says what she wants to say, and I love that about her. But I'm not trying to emulate any of them. I do my own thing, and I'm not trying to be anyone but myself."
Candi's newly released debut album, ILLMissBehavin, is creating serious buzz, and with good reason -- in addition to penning some irresistibly catchy tunes, Candi offers a much-needed "girl-teen empowerment" spin on a genre in need of a positive female role model. In addition to her aforementioned musical influences, another important figure in Candi's life has been her mother and manager, successful Atlantic City nightclub owner Carrie Ariemma.
"We had a hard life when I was growing up," recalls Candi, now 21. "My mom was in an abusive relationship, which she got out of - and we were living in battered women's shelters at one point. But we kept the faith and got through that. My mom is one of the strongest people I know. For her to be able to pull through the things she has and accomplish the things she's accomplished took a lot of strength. My mom has been such an inspiration to me. She made me the artist I am today."
And the proof is certainly in the grooves of ILLMissBehavin, which is chock-full of potential chart-toppers, in the Fergie-Britney-Pink mold. The album balances such unashamedly party-hearty songs as "Luv Ya Body," "Naughty," "Jump on the Train," and especially, the lead single, "Hey Gurl" (for which a naughty-but-nice school girl video was filmed - boasting a cameo by rapper Mr. Cheeks, of Lost Boyz fame). But unlike some other artists on the scene, Candi refuses to be limited to a single lyrical style, as evidenced by such "music-with-a-message" tunes as "Find Your Place," "Look to the Sky," and "No More War."
With the music industry in flux and it becoming increasingly hard for up-and-coming pop artists to gain a foothold toward a breakthrough, it appears as Candi has found an effective way to build a sizable fanbase: Teenage girls love to shop, and what better way to introduce Candi and her music to customers at Mandee clothing stores. Candi's first Mandee performance will take place Saturday, Oct. 17th in her hometown of Manahawkin, NJ, with future national dates being planned as well. Candi will be outfitted by Mandee while meeting fans and signing CD's as KISS FM/Atlantic City, which is playing her twice daily, broadcasts live.
In the meantime, ILLMissBehavin is gaining some serious attention at radio and video outlets throughout the country, including spins from Boston to Baltimore, and video views nationwide on Evision/Billboard DJ, Power Play Music Tv, Music Mix U.S.A, The A&R Channel, and the popular University of Missouri program, Videology, among many others. And once ILLMissBehavin hits the club circuit, it's bound to explode!
Few pop artists have the potential to appeal to such a wide range of music-goers. And after hearing ILLMissBehavin and experiencing the upcoming performances, you'll truly understand what separates Candi Lynn from the rest of the pack.
