Music Star Lisa Velez, Lisa Lisa On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry
An Interview With Eden Gold
Surround yourself with people you can trust — I wish I would have listened to my friends and family more during my younger years instead of thinking I knew it all.
As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Lisa Velez aka Lisa Lisa.
One of the greatest Latin Hip Hop/Freestyle/Pop Divas to come out of the 1980’s music scene is the legendary Lisa Velez also known as Lisa Lisa of the 80’s supergroup Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam. Produced by Full Force, Lisa Lisa’s breakout hits such as “I wonder If I Take You Home”, “Can You Feel The Beat” and “All Cried Out” helped to launch the underground genre of “Freestyle Music” into mainstream.
She is the FIRST Puerto Rican / Latino artist to cross over to the Pop and R&B charts. Both albums shot straight up the charts to platinum status several times over with most of the album’s singles going gold at the same time. Just as the 90’s rolled in Lisa Lisa’s hit ‘Let the beat hit ‘em”, produced by C&C Music Factory produced took off to the top of the dance charts. Lisa is also known for her acting career as the mother on Nickelodeon’s TV series, Taina and made appearances on NBC’s Law and Order SVU.
Some of her biggest hits have been re-mixed by Allure & 112, Nina Sky, and The Black Eyed Peas.
Lisa Lisa set the music bar high and paved the way for an entire generation of Latino American artists to follow in her footsteps such as Selena, J-Lo, Fat Joe, Big Pun, Cardi B and many more. She is definitely a pioneer and a trendsetter of an entire generation.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I was born in 1967 in Hell’s Kitchen in New York City as the youngest of ten to a religious mother, who supported our family by babysitting, and an absentee father. I’m proud to be of Puerto Rican descent. I learned to speak Spanish at home and English in school. My hair flipped over one eye and my unique style caught fire in the urban community. Soon after I hit the airwaves, young girls everywhere were dressing and singing like me.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did your journey begin?
I love the feeling that I got when I first saw my mom hear me sing in the church choir. I was about five or six years old and I sang “Ave Maria” and I saw her reaction and I loved it. Music was always heard in my house and everything we did involved some music and that’s what I knew I wanted to do. I pursued it by sneaking out of the house and into clubs; because I was so young. Thinking about it now; being young and determined at that age could have put me in a slight dangerous situation but thankfully that’s where I got discovered.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
The most interesting story that happened to me since I began my career is realizing during my tour I was going to perform at Radio City Music Hall; in my own backyard. I would walk past Radio City Music Hall almost everyday on my commute. To know that it was a stop on my tour, was surreal. Every day, on my way home I begged the bus driver to stop in front so I could see the scrolling lights with my name on it and soaked it all in. I kissed the ground once I saw my name on the marquee. Every time I see it, it’s like the first time and I thank God every time.
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
The funniest mistake I ever made was my hairstyle. Back then, we didn’t have the money for hair and makeup; so I used to style my own hair and one day I shaved my head and cut one side shorter than the other. While trying to fix it I got a bald spot so I had to cover it somehow by layering the longer side over my mistake. My mistake then became a trend and is my best mistake to date. I decided one great mistake was enough and I have not cut my own hair since then.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
My mom! She was the one who told me to pursue my music dreams and was the first one who believed in me. She consistently reminded me I am capable of doing it and that she would always be there; no matter what. I’m also grateful for my girl, Toni Menage, because from the first day that I hired her to be with me she always believed and guided me in this business. She has always been that friend who has my back and always keeps it real. I think it’s important to have people around you who aren’t “yes people”. Toni makes sure to keep me on the correct path and not to lose myself.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I have multiple projects that I am working on now. I released my first single in 15 years in Spanish and English. A salsa version of my hit, “All Cried Out”. It took the perfect timing and I was ready now. I’m currently writing a book. It will be a memoir about my life story. I’m also working on a documentary showing my tour life on the road.
In 2025, my team and I are planning major things for the 40th anniversary of “I Wonder If I take You Home”. 40 YEARS is a lot to unpack, so hope I do it justice!
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
Art is a universal language and I think everyone should be represented in all aspects of creativity. People should be able to see themselves in every art form; because we are all artists in one form or another. Diversity in every community is necessary because we acquire growth when we absorb each other’s cultures and aides with our own personal education.
As a successful music star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated? How do you overcome obstacles in your career?
I continue to love what I do and being on stage entertaining the audience is my passion. Everything else to me is just a stepping stone to get there. Obstacles have never stopped me from getting to where I want to be and do what I love. The music and my fans are my army. Music gets me through the great and bad times.
One obstacle I had to face was being the first Latina woman to break through the barrier of pop and r&b. I was the only female in a male dominated group. I was so young, which was an obstacle in itself and it was a struggle to be taken seriously as a young woman. I made it through it for 40 years and I managed to sustain my grace and integrity in this business.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1 . Get a Lawyer — Coming into the business young and not knowing how to read a contract would have been extremely helpful.
2 . Surround yourself with people you can trust — I wish I would have listened to my friends and family more during my younger years instead of thinking I knew it all.
3 . Don’t let anyone silence your voice — A lot of times I needed and wanted to speak up on things, but I was silenced most of the time and my opinions weren’t respected.
4 . Trust yourself and your talent — I was always told I was a diamond in the rough and made to think I wasn’t good enough. As I grew up in the eyes of the public and business I was told to respect my craft and take it as far as I can. I had to teach myself to know I am worthy of my successes.
5 . It won’t be easy — I worked hard and continue to work hard. There’s a misconception that this life and success will last forever. That’s far from the truth. I consistently work hard on my craft and myself to continue my career to date.
Can you share some insights into your creative process? How do you approach songwriting? How do you approach musical collaborations?
For me, creative process is about a feeling. It’s a conversation I have with myself about what story I want to tell. With music collaborations it has to be done right. Music collaborations is a science creating the correct formula to produce great work.
Your music has resonated with so many fans worldwide. What do you believe sets your music apart?
Lyrics, bars, rhymes, ballads and so on. The most important part of music is to have it be relatable. A heartbreak, a loss, excitement, sadness — basically anything that people can feel themselves in.
My music resonates with people and real life. My struggles, have also been someone else’s struggles and that is a beautiful thing about being able to share with strangers. The feeling that, “you are not alone”.
I also believe my music was the voice of a generation that spoke to the experiences that young girls were having at that time. It made them understand heart break, it made them value their virtue at the time…”You know if you gonna take me home or you gonna love me.” That hit hard.
How do you connect with your audience?
Energy. It’s all about energy especially when I’m on the stage and they react to every song, every lyric, every sound. It means we are connecting. We see and hear each other.
With your busy schedule and demanding performances, how do you prioritize self-care and maintain a balance between your personal life and career in the music industry?
I am a true believer that if you want something done it can get done even with personal living. My kids understand my life and yes I do miss them all the time especially on the road, but I love what I do and make sure to give equal amount of time and attention to both my kids and music. When I’m home I’m mommy, a sister, a cousin, a friend. And when I’m on the road I drink lots of water (laughing).
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
Music. For me music signifies peace. It’s a universal language that resonates with the world. So if I could do anything, I would use my music to bring peace to the world; to bring more love and understanding to the world.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
I would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with President Obama. Oh I would ask a lot of questions especially wanting to understand how he felt the moment he became the inspiration for many. Being the first black man in the highest offie of America must be heavy load to take on; in which I think he did a great job. How did he feel and what was going through his mind and what he thinks currently. I have so many questions!
How can our readers continue to follow your work online?
One can follow along through my social media pages
IG: @lisalisall77
Website: www.thereallisalisa.com
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Thank you!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold.
