We recently connected with Brina and have shared our conversation below.

Brina, appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

Music is an evolving industry. Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen the music industry change completely. The demand for the amount of content you have to put out is at an all-time high. Not only is recording costly, but you also have to factor in videos, styling, choreography, and any props you may need. The good part is that as artists, we now have more control in marketing ourselves through social media. On the other hand, this access does not omit the cost it takes to produce the product in the first place, which in this case is the music. When I put out my EP “Bonjou,” I completely underestimated how much time and money is required when releasing a body of work. This process completely shifted my mindset. I have a new understanding of what putting out a body of work consists of, from the release parties, the marketing, and the shows. I can say as for putting out my next EP, I will not make the same mistake of underestimating everything that goes into it.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Brina, and I’m a Haitian-American kompa/pop artist. I have always enjoyed music since I was a little girl. From playing piano to singing, music has always been my passion. What makes me unique is that I’ve stayed true to who I am, which translates to my music. My music is a blend of kompa and pop. Kompa is a genre of music native to Haiti and is the genre of music Haiti is most known for. I add a pop feel to it by singing primarily in English in addition to the unique production of my records. My sound blends both genres while giving listeners a feel for who I am. My EP “Bonjou” is what I am most proud of because it’s a true representation of my sound. It’s harder and more vulnerable than you’d think to put a piece of your heart out there. I take so much pride in the fact that I stayed true to who I am and was able to push past that. People who know me know that I’m big on authenticity when it comes to everything. I always encourage others to stand on who they are and what they believe in, regardless of what they think people may say.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I’ve had to unlearn is that I’m only worthy if I’m producing at a certain capacity. I feel like, as black women, we’re fed from a young age that there’s this finish line we need to get to in order to feel as if we are worthy of XYZ. I am not an EP, I am not my degrees, and I am not my looks. I’m not anything but the result of what Jesus died on the cross for. This is something I’ve had to and still have to drill into my head daily.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I was born and raised in Broward County, Florida. Growing up, I was always surrounded by a lot of diversity. It was not until I got a little older that I noticed the world didn’t view Haitians, or even Haitian-Americans for that matter, the way in which I viewed us growing up. We are beautiful people and have such a rich culture. More of that needs to be shown. My music gives the best of both worlds. It shows who I am as an individual first and foremost, but it also shows my culture. We need more proper representation, and I always say, what better place to start than yourself?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Brina.Official?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=6c2a2bb6-72eb-43e3-bdfa-62b64fd2a411
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsbrinababy?igsh=ZHNvZG9ia3l2dzE2&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nJ0Ny6TgTo&authuser=0