Hailing from the Mexican Caribbean, Immasoul is an artist pushing the envelope in more than just musical ways. The artist has been building a steady discography of sultry and groovy music that’s diverse yet full of R&B traditions, hitting a stride this year with six new singles as well as her first shows in the U.S. She’s also part of the Afro-Caribbean community in a country where representation is not as visible as in other places. We caught up with the artist to talk about her place in the current musical landscape, the implications of not releasing an album, and navigating her identity in public.
Sofar: How did you get started in music?
Immasoul: I have been restless about music since I was little. I started studying music when I was 15 and then attended college to get my Bachelors in vocal execution in contemporary popular music and a specialty in jazz scat-singing for six years. I didn’t finish, though; music school drained my energies because I was more focused on acing exams than on creating art. Having an open musical consciousness has allowed me to work in different genres and communicate more clearly with other musicians. It also taught me how to improvise. I think it helped me have a more mature vision for the project and to know how to tackle each challenge in my career.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
I think the biggest challenge is for your music to be represented as close as how you imagine it to sound. To be truthful, I never put out anything that I don’t think represents me 100%. I like to think not every artist does that and that gives me an edge. The industry is very demanding and you have to be prepared.
What is the Immasoul sound? What are some of your inspirations?
My influences are the stuff I listen to. I love soul, R&B, and afrobeat. I listen to other stuff but I’m a huge fan of those genres. I don’t think you can dream up your music out of thin air. I think that one way or another we’re influenced by the music we listen to. At least that’s my case. I like having control over the music I put out but I also love inviting people to work with them, to have other creative minds involved as long as they respect my dreams.
You have very strong feelings about collaborators. In your opinion, what qualities does a good collaboration need to have?
Whenever I collaborate with someone, we connect on a deep level. I have a few tracks I’ve been working on with Mickey Cosio and that’s been incredible. Leo X is another songwriter and producer that has contributed greatly to my work; and also Rox Mills who has produced many of my tracks as well. I think we make a good team. We get to the point where we read each other’s minds.
Do you think your music has changed a lot over the years?
I think there has been an evolution. [When] I listen to the first few songs I did and what I’m doing now and now I feel more confident in what I’m doing and achieving with my music. I think I’m making good music and we’re not stuck just trying to make a hit. I think what we’re doing is more sincere, poetic, and musically-rich.
Immasoul, photo by David BarajasAn integral part to your music is your heritage. How does being Afro-Latine play a part of your artistic expression?
It’s something I constantly speak about openly because I think it’s very relevant. Afro-Latinidad is something I feel very passionate about and it’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough. It’s something that we don’t talk about in Mexico; it wasn’t until 2020 when the state of Quintana Roo recognized Afro-descendants. There’s a lot of misunderstanding around the topic. I see that it’s something that my mom has struggled with a lot because she was taught a very Eurocentric mindset. Now we’re living in a world where being different and being part of other cultures is celebrated and I think that’s really beautiful.
Do you have plans for the future? Is an album on the horizon for Immasoul?
I think about it as a musician but also as a business-woman. I think it’s worth considering all that implies making an album; I’d love to make one but you need money and some achievements under your belt to get it to as many ears as possible. There’s so many artists at the moment—and that’s amazing—but it’s hard to get noticed, so you have to plan everything and execute those plans in a smart way so it gets to the right people. I want to grow my audience. I’d obviously love to win a Grammy, that would be great! I don’t think there’s a limit to what this project can achieve because there’s nothing like it out there.
Words by Marcos Hassan
Photo credit: Immasoul, photo by David Barajas
