A finalist on both NBC’s The Voice and Televisa’s La Voz México, Melissa Jiménez, artistically recognized as MJ Songstress, is a force to be reckoned with.
After releasing her first EP, See Me, with Playbook Entertainment in 2018, she graced the ears of her listeners once again when her latest single, “Dame La Noche”, dropped in November of last year. On May 5, the singer-songwriter premiered the music video for the song and it has since amassed over twenty-one thousand views on YouTube. The visual, which was shot in New York City days ahead of the city-wide shut down due to the pandemic, is a love letter to the freedom and bliss that nightlife delivers for the many who participate in it — and long for it as of present.
Touring with Wyclef Jean, Kumbia All Starz, Nile Rodgers, and CHIC all serve as impressive career-defining moments for the multi-instrumentalist, but the Latina songstress is finally taking center stage in her most recent endeavors, proving her wide range in musicality with all she releases. See Me featured 7 tracks that explored love in its entirety, her songs revealing the ins and outs of heartbreak and disappointment. On “Dame La Noche”, MJ sings, “Tonight I’m gonna make it happen / Everything I can imagine / It’s about to go down,” the spirited track manifesting all of the positive energy she now wishes to absorb and exude.
The Knockturnal checked in with MJ Songstress to discuss the impact of her experience on The Voice, her musical influences while growing up in a Greek-Mexican household, and the direction she believes her future projects will take.
The Knockturnal: Your first EP released with Playbook Entertainment in 2018. See Me featured 7 tracks that showcased your versatility and ability to blur margins between musical genres. Although collectively, the tracks emulate R&B strains — they incorporate pulsating dance beats which are genre-bending. Is the exploration and fusion of sound something listeners can anticipate in future projects?
MJ Songstress: Absolutely, I’m all about fusion and I’m inspired by all genres of music. Growing up, my father, Horacio Jiménez, raised me with a plethora of music. See Me’s sensual R&B-Soul vibe was where I was creatively at the time. It’s like having a blank canvas. I have a paintbrush in my hand, and I just start to paint what I’m going to create next.
The Knockturnal: The visual for your latest single, “Dame La Noche,” recently premiered. The song was released in November 2019, and you are rolling its music video out now. Can you explain the significance of the song lyrics, your music video plot, and how they work together?
MJ Songstress: When I first created this song with my producer and partner, Tyrice “TyJamz” Jones, we started with the English version “Give Me Tonight”, which will be released later this month. In Spanish, not everything is always so easily translated, so I wanted to make sure “Dame La Noche” still had the same storyline and essence. My father supported the translation and rewrite [of the Spanish version].
The first few lyrics say it all: “I wanna be Cinderella / Go to a club meet a fella / Chic dress on with my hair down!” I wanted to create a youthful, modern-day Cinderella story. A young woman ready to take on the night in a positive, fun, and carefree kind of way, leaving everything else behind. I previously toured with Nile Rodgers and Chic, so even playing with the word “chic” was inspired by my experiences. Singing “Good Times” to thousands of people left a huge impact on me, and as a result “Give Me Tonight/Dame La Noche” was born.
With the video, I wanted to show the audience my natural and goofy state at the very beginning, who I really am at home. [Wearing] glasses, hair up in a bun, acting silly, and being carefree. Typical Cinderella, stuck at home cleaning and wanting to go out. Simple as that. Which such a short amount of time to complete the video, my team and I were able to pull it off right before the city shut down due to COVID-19.
While I was in isolation, I came up with the concept to make the video appear as if I had dreamt the whole night out in my red dress when in reality, I was stuck at home the whole time. At the end of the video, you see the scene fade from me dancing to me looking outside and shutting my window. The scene fades to black with the message #AloneTogether appearing. Sending a message to my viewers that we are all in this [isolation] together.
The Knockturnal: How do you think opportunities like participating in The Voice and La Voz México, as well as, being mentored by the talented musicians Alejandro Sanz, and Usher have impacted your own artistic journey?
MJ Songstress: Prior to The Voice, I had worked in the industry with camps such as Ruff Ryders, Roc-A-Fella Records and artists such as Beanie Sigel, Wyclef Jean, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, and the Kumbia All Starz to name a few, so I had gotten a taste of what it was like to work in studios, touring with successful artists and musicians. I looked at The Voice as an opportunity and platform to continue showcasing my craft while growing as an artist. At the time, I was looking for something new, so when I received an invitation from both The Voice and La Voz México, I went for it. I look back at the experience and say, “I did that. I was Top 20.” I’m grateful for the experience.
Also, meeting Usher was super dope. He was one of my favorite artists growing up. I carry with me a quote that he said to me, “Luck favors the prepared!” Right before leaving the show, Usher jumped up on stage, shook my hand, looked me dead in the eye, and said, “When one door closes, another will open!” I felt he was trying to tell me something, and through his energy, I got it.
With La Voz México, I particularly agreed to participate because my grandmother, Rosita, had recently passed away, and this was my way of honoring her and connecting with my roots in Mexico! The whole journey was for my grandmother and, in turn, not only supported my healing and grieving, it strengthened and sharpened me as an artist and woman, and supported me in practicing my Spanish. I was under a lot of pressure with the Mexican audience, and I took on the challenge like the fighter that I am.
I worked countless days and nights during my time on the show. I had it a lot harder than everyone else, and I was not going to let anything get in my way. Being a finalist on team Alejandro Sanz is not too shabby for a girl coming all the way from New York who had to prove herself to the people of Mexico. I’m very proud of that. The motto that gets me by is “KEEP GOING!”
Photo: Courtesy The Brand Phoenix
The Knockturnal: You were featured on the single, “Sturdy Rock,” alongside the Brooklyn emcee 2milly. Are you interested in collaborating with other artists for your future projects? If so, what are some musical acts that you would potentially reach out to?
MJ Songstress: This song feature with 2 Milly happened so organically. It literally started with a casual conversation with a friend. “Hey, let’s work.” “Ok.” I go to the studio, lay some vocals down, and months later, I am told 2 Milly laid his verses and was releasing it as a single. [It was about being at the] right place at the right time.
I love hip-hop, and after being featured on Beanie Sigel’s “Feel It In The Air”, I’d love to have that experience again. If the vibe is right, I’m down to work with any artist. It’d be really dope to get on a Drake, Cardi B, or J Balvin record. A girl can dream, just saying.
The Knockturnal: Growing up engulfed in both Mexican and Greek cultures, you were surrounded by an assortment of musical genres and instrumentation. Who have been your greatest influences sonically? Also, how did those artists help shape you into the singer-songwriter you are today?
MJ Songstress: Although I’m a GreeXican girl, my entire upbringing was based on R&B, Funk, Soul, and Hip-Hop! My professors ranged from Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Céline Dion, Brandy, Usher, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Guy, Brian McKnight, Michael Jackson, and my idol Janet Jackson. They have all influenced me with their vocals, dynamic, songwriting, production, performance, and entertainment. My brain is like Spotify. I can go on and on about all the artists and music I’ve listened to and still listen to. My musical taste is extremely diverse, and that has been the secret ingredient of my artistry.
Watch the video for “Dame la Noche” below.
To stay updated with MJ Songstress, you can visit her website, follow her on Instagram, and subscribe to her YouTube channel.
