Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Tenelle

R&B singer-songwriter Tenelle has been through a lot in her life—both personally and professionally. But through the trials and tribulations, she’s come out on the other side with a stronger sense of who she is as an artist and woman. This summer, she drops her highly anticipated EP This is X, which finds Tenelle at the top of her game. Pop Culturalist caught up with her to learn more about the release.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Tenelle: I discovered my passion for music at an early age. I started doing vocal lessons when I was twelve. I started to see what my voice did to people emotionally. I would see people smile. I knew I had something—I just didn’t know what it was. Right out of high school when I was seventeen, I started traveling, and that’s when I really started to dive into music.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Tenelle: The biggest influence for me is my family. My dad is one of my biggest inspirations. Growing up in a Samoan and African American household, there was a lot of musical influences.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Tenelle: It definitely has to be my first real show with like thirty thousand people in Hawaii at the Aloha Tower. That was the biggest accomplishment for me because it was the first time that I got those kind of butterflies, especially when I saw my dad in the crowd. I always know I’m doing great on stage when he puts his hands in the air.

PC: Having been a part of this industry for a couple of years now, what’s one thing that you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Tenelle: That’s a great question. I would say live in the moment. Don’t be so consumed about what’s next and what the next hit is. It’ll just bring anxiety.

Living in the moment, you can appreciate things more. I always said I would have appreciated things a little more back in the day. I’m older now and more seasoned as an artist and musician.

PC: You’re new EP, This is X, is coming out soon. Tell us about it.
Tenelle: This is X is a seven-song EP. I always did reggae and R&B. My last album was called For The Lovers. For The Lovers was an awesome album, but I was masking the pain that I was in. This is X is just me and who I am in this time and moment. I know that I’m the best vocally, performance-wise, and in my writing. This is X is transparently me. I also released a documentary that will give listeners insight into my life.

PC: Is there particularly a moment that sparked this vulnerability?
Tenelle: Definitely being independent now. That’s definitely a weight that’s been lifted. I’m happy now. I wasn’t always happy in my music journey, but I’m very thankful for being shelved and being put on the back burner in certain teams of mine because it made me realize who I am and why I’m here. I can do it on my own with the success of having a team that loves me and is here for me. My team now consists of all my best friends, cousins, and family members. We work hard and we love each other.

PC: If you had to pick one song off This is X that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
Tenelle: That’s so hard. Right now, I would say it’s a single feature my sister called “No Can.” It’s my first single with my sister ever! She’s a rapper. “No Can” is definitely me. It’s about letting go of the “would’ve, could’ve, should’ve” in my life and accepting them and moving forward.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Tenelle: Maybe the Whispers or Natalie Cole?

PC: First album you bought?
Tenelle: P!nk’s first album.

PC: First concert you attended?
Tenelle: It was a *NSYNC concert, and P!nk and Sisqo opened.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Tenelle: I’m going to be honest. I’m going to say my album, For The Lovers. I was going through a lot during that time in my life. I was going through a lot family-wise, relationship-wise, and music-wise. Like I said earlier, I was masking my reality because of everything that I was going through in my head and heart. It pulled me out of a space that I don’t ever want to be in again. It feels great to be open and talk about it now—the reality of depression and you allowing people in your mind. You have to protect your mind and heart.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Tenelle: I want to sell out the big room at the House of Blues.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Tenelle: Good food and good company.

To keep up with Tenelle, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify.