Recording Artist, First Love

They don’t make music stars like Karina Pasian anymore. At 17, the Washington Heights-born prodigy and Quincy Jones protégé is armed with a billion dollar smile and an uncanny vocal range.

The girl who grew up in a predominantly Spanish neighborhood and was the first Dominican to perform at the White House, Karina, was introduced to American soul music by her father.” Ever since I was three he’s been playing Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald — all this kind of music that he grew up listening to,” she says. “I guess I would say I was naturally brought into it and it’s basically what inspires me.”

Karina is currently inspiring millions of listeners with her exceptional Def Jam debut, First Love. With tracks like the lead single “16 @ War,” and “Can’t Find the Words” showcasing her singing and piano-playing talents, the music industry is already abuzz about the little girl from the Big City.

Funny thing is it’s the flavor of her hometown that has Karina ready to tackle the industry head-on. “In the city everybody’s just about something — they’re always moving,” she says. “Basically, I’m always about something and I’m always moving.”

Regardless of what her future holds Karina says she takes heed of the advice passed down to her by Jones in almost everything she does. “[Quincy] taught me to stay humble and stay close to my family because my family’s always with me everywhere I go, and they have the best interest in me,” she says. –gavin philip godfrey

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