On March 17 at The Opera House, Charmaine, a Toronto-based rapper and hip hop artist, calmly strutted on stage wearing a floor-length, crimson fur coat. Her matching red lashes and lip colour were caught by the lights and could be seen from metres back in the crowd. An intensifying blend of electric guitar and drums performed by the players on stage added the perfect amount of drama to the moment. A low rumble was heard through the crowd. Charmaine was about to throwdown.
This show was in honour of The Opera House’s 32nd anniversary, featuring three other iconic Toronto-based artists alongside Charmaine: Tika, Exmiranda and Omega Mighty.
Throwdown, Charmaine did. The live instrumentation was backed by a third musician on keyboard, adding electronic flares through the set. Charmaine sent a fiery energy through the crowd, punctuating each word she delivered with clarity and a vocal tone of power, strength and confidence. The rapper performed a versatile mix of her iconic hits like “Logic,” and her newly released single, “Friends with Benefits” with covers such as Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You,” shapeshifting her vocals through resounding rhythmic raps to smooth and emotive ballads.
The rapper first emerged in the Toronto music scene with the release of her debut single “Bold” (2021), a pulsing track that earned the star her first Juno nomination for the upcoming 2022 show. Since her initial release, Charmaine has put out a debut EP, Hood Avant-Garde (2021). This electrifying body of work has skyrocketed Charmaine to emerging stardom in the North American music sphere.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Charmaine after her set at The Opera House. We discussed what it has been like progressing forward in her musical career. Here’s what she had to say:
Tonight was your first show of 2022. What does being on stage and performing mean to you?
It means everything. That’s when I get to see and feel how people respond to my music. It’s one thing to know that people are listening to it, but to see the real life reaction… I love it. I love it so much. It gives me so much adrenaline.
With all this time being at home throughout the pandemic, is it a shock finally being on stage?
No, it’s not a shock actually. I’ve been waiting to get back on stage. I sit at home and run through my sets all the time, even when I don’t have shows, and pretend I’m up there. It’s like now, finally, I get to do it. I am just so excited to continue.
What was the process like creating your new single “Friends with Benefits”? What’s the story behind it?
When I got to the studio that day, it was supposed to be a completely different type of track. But, we decided to do something that was a little bit different from what I’ve been putting out. I wanted to showcase how important it is to have amazing friends. Friends that you can call on, who you know are going to be there for you, who you can trust with everything, you know? I shout out my two best friends in the song and they really inspired that track. Until I met them, I never really understood what it meant to have friends that felt like sisters. That’s a different feel. That’s a different kind of friend. I just wanted to celebrate that and put that out into the world.
Congratulations on your Juno nomination for Best Rap Single of the Year! What are your thoughts on your single “Bold” being nominated?
It’s mind-blowing! I was watching the announcement when they did it. I saw my name and I went crazy. But at that moment, my son was in his class because he’s homeschooled and I didn’t want his teacher to think I was crazy. So, I opened the front door and stepped outside and just… *CUE SQUEALING SOUNDS*. Then I went back in the house and just… *CUE TRYING TO CONTROL YOUR BREATHING SOUNDS*.
But, it’s amazing. I’m so mind blown.
What has it been like having your son at home while you’ve been working on new music?
Honestly, it’s a lot of work juggling being an artist and a mom, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s my life. Even in the moments where it’s a little bit tougher, I’m just like it’s okay, it will get better. There will be better days and I’ll figure it out. I can do this, and I absolutely love being a mom. It’s my favourite thing in the world.
What’s your son’s name?
Santana.
I actually named him after Juelz Santana because I used to have a big crush on him growing up.
Omg, is that new information?
Exclusive!
Exclusive to Her Campus Ryerson. You heard it here first.
With all this success coming your way, what has it been like being a black woman in the rap and hip hop genre?
It’s been great but it’s also been very challenging at times. It comes with the territory. I knew I wouldn’t have it easy. I try my best to not allow whatever circumstances that are surrounding me to affect me and just find a way to navigate through them. You’re always going to run into those moments where you feel like you have to defend yourself or you’re challenged, or somebody doesn’t feel like you’re worthy and deserving of your position. You have to understand that sometimes people just don’t know what they’re talking about. It could easily get to you but I’ve learned how to tune that out.
You have this radiant confidence. How have you been able to build that confidence for yourself?
When I first met my A&R in 2018 when I sang at that talent show, I worked with her for two years and then I gave up on music for four years because I wasn’t confident in how I looked and I didn’t think I fit the part. I didn’t think I was what society deemed a star.
I was going on really crazy crash diets and trying to lose so much weight. I ended up passing out at school. It was at that point where I was just like, I need to take a step back and figure out myself, learn to love myself, go through life a little bit more. If [music] is something I’m supposed to do, it will come back to me.
I took that break, and in that time, I really had to train and teach myself that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with me. You’re beautiful. You’re talented. Anyone that doesn’t agree… mind your business. They can go. You will attract people who will love you. Those are the people that matter. Once I understood that, it became really easy for me to just be this confident, vibrant person. It just kind of happened all of a sudden. Sometimes I ask myself, when did I get like this? I don’t remember but it was definitely around that time and it was definitely not easy.
It is no secret that you serve looks. How do you think your fashion communicates your identity as an artist?
My fashion, no matter what it is, definitely reflects my personality. I’m very colourful. I love life. I love having fun, making people laugh, and feeling good. I like to express that in what I wear. You’ll see that everything I wear, there’s something really bright. Whether it’s my hair, my eyelashes, my jacket, something is just really colourful. That also helps me show people who I am.
You don’t know who I am? Look at the fit, come on!
And the nails, obviously.
Obviously!
Please, take us through your nails for tonight.
These are actually press-ons that my nail tech made me almost a year ago now. She randomly moved to Alberta and now she’s not here to do my nails! I was just like okay, how dare you leave me?
But, I still have a bunch of press on nails that she made for me. I decided on these because they have the little red strawberry that matched the red jacket, they have some little melted chocolate on it. It’s like a little treat. And, they’re super duper long. I love long […] nails.
It is time to jump on the Charmaine train. Here is a starter pack collection of some of Charmaine’s dynamic songs. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself closing your eyes and scrunching up your face in an unapologetic angst through each track. Grab onto something and let go!
- BOLD
- FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS
- LOGIC (Lucky Charm Freestyle)
- BBM (Bad B** Mentality)
- DOUBLE DUTCH
- WE DON’T CARE (feat. Haviah Mighty)