BY SELINA McCALLUM
It was just a video of her singing, but it was all they needed to fly down to Curaçao to meet her. Paul Marshall, the Executive PA to the CEO of Pretty Boy Records, took a chance on a budding superstar, known as Blvckhaze.
“I was born and raised in Curaçao. I speak English, Dutch, and a little bit of Spanish. I grew up in a very musical household. My dad plays the drums, and my mom and sister sing as well. I was very much influenced by that,” said Blvckhaze.
Just talking to Blvckhaze over the phone for this interview, she sounded sweet, ambitious and down to earth.
“Growing up there was always a lot of jazz music and gospel music in the house. I grew up in a very Christian home. I listened to Hannah Montana and High School Musical, then as I grew older, I started to listen to Rihanna, Drake and Lil Wayne,” said Blvckhaze.
The name Blvckhaze comes from her two-sided personality. She can still like hazy weather, but also knows how to turn up and have a good time.
Her plan, however, was not always to go into the music industry. She was studying law in university before she started taking music seriously.
“I realized that my passion for music was much greater, so I dropped out of school and decided to do music full time,” said Blvckhaze.
The young musician is signed to the Pretty Boy Records label, a company that is based in the West Indies, aiming to raise awareness of talent coming out of the region.
Bajan entrepreneur Trevor Pretty launched his label, Pretty Boy Records, three years ago after becoming frustrated with record companies from the United States and Europe luring away home grown stars.
Pretty hopes to be the first pop label in the Caribbean to represent the Caribbean on an international platform with an international standard that includes integrity and quality.
When Marshall received the video link from a mutual friend of both his and Blvckhaze, he said, “Oh my God, that girl is a star.” The friend then said that the only way to meet her would be to visit Curaça.
“That’s what we did. We spent some time with her, to get to know her a bit. Then we made our decision and that was to sign her. From then to now, we have developed her into a superstar,” said Marshall. “Here is now for the world to see.”
Marshall is very excited to see her grow as an individual and as an artist.
“I just can’t wait for her to show the world what she as to offer, through her music,” said Marshall.
Pretty Boy Records is also working with a few artists right now to develop their brand and name. The company also offers workshops for artists on how to navigate the music industry.
The traits that the record label looks for in an artist are individuality, the tone and a unique sound. They look for an artist the world has never seen before, and that is how Blvckhaze stood out to them.
The musician has made music in Barbados and London. She has also attended the Brit Awards in London.
In the next five years, Blvckhaze hopes to have many number one hits on the Billboard, Grammy Awards, a fashion brand, and go on her first world tour.
“It’ll be inspiring to see that we came from Barbados, and we reached the whole world,” said Marshall.
Follow Blvckhaze on Instagram and Twitter at blvckhazeofficial and find her music on Youtube at blvckhaze.