Arlene 2001 Interview

I have here before me the legendary Freestyle Latin Singer, Arlene, who will give us an insight on her path as a successfull Freestyle/Gospel Artist!! Ok Arlene, First off, Where were u born and raised?
I was born in bronx, NY and that is exactly where I was raised. I am a bronx girl….(laughter in the room)

At what age did you realize you wanted to be a singer & how did you get involved in singing? Since I was a tiny little girl and since as far as a I can remember, I have been brought around music through my dad. Music in my house was like 24 hours a day. Other children might have done games or other curricular activities but for me it was music. I have had this passion since I was a little girl and it was told to me by father that it was something that I would pick up lyrically. My father would take me to concerts and new it was something for a fact that I wanted to do.

How did you get involved in Leather & Lace?
Well, When I use to work at the T.S.S. Apartment Stores, I used to be called Leather & Lace because I wore alot of Leather & Lace..(laughing). So, at that time, alot of DJs at that time were turning into producers who then were turning into managers…well, I remember one day..someone told me to go to this club that was holding an audition and this other DJ came in and heard my audition and lured me away from the DJ of the club and promised my a deal with a record label. So, We exchanged numbers. Suddenly, Midnight Sun, who by the way put out “Tender Heart,” became interested in bringing me in the studio to do a song. I wasn’t a very good song writer at that time, so I brought in a friend of mine to help me out. Basically, we literally sat at my staircase and told him my feelings of my ender heart. So, he wrote the song about me and my life. So, we took this song to this label and actually did backgrounds and the lead at which piont there was no Leather & Lace..no 3 girls. It was just me. So, I went in and did my part and had another girl come in and do the harmonies. The manager then asked if I was interested in doing a group and thought It would be best to have 3 than 2. Thats how it happened!! I named the group Leather & Lace. The solo concept became a group concept.

How was the business side of it back then?
Now that I am more mature I can say that I have no resentment, Definitely!! To all of us, it was all very new. I am not justifying anybody’s wrong doing, but alot of that was going on. For instance, take “Tender Heart”, there wasn’t a place for this music. Your talking 1984, I was only 18 when I was signed and 19 when the record came out and got released around my 20th birthday. There was this new sound called Latin Hip-Hop. Many producers, labels, managers got caught up in the hype and started acting the fool and ripped off some artists thinking we as artists had but one job to do, sing and had no other talents, which did not allow us to at times to share our creative ideas. They would hold us back and try to control us!

You are world reknown as a Latin Freestyle artist with hits like, Tender Heart”, “We Can Work It Out” and “Why You Wanna Hurt Me”. What is your favorite and why?
This is the run down, “Tender heart”, “Let Your Body Go,” “Rock Me Take Me” all before the 4th record, “When We Can Work It.” Leather & Lace had 3 albums underground for 2 whole years digging left and right every weekend in Florida for 11 days. We recieved and still do play in Florida at which time NYC had no!! It wasn’t until the 4th album, “We Can Work It Out,” when I went solo on the same label is that when all of a sudden the radio began to pay attention and the doors flew open. Not to boast but we, Leather & Lace, Lisa Lisa, Expose, but I can’t call that Freestyle. People like Brenda K. Starr way back then, and Nayobe had paved the way before other freestyle artists….. We paved the way for the Cover Girls and then came the rest of them. But alot of people don’t know that and the artists of the ’88 era almost got lost. Many get confused about me even now they think the Leather & Lace and Arlene are to different singers. But to answer your question..(laughing)..My favorite is “Tender Heart.” My favorite performing is “We Can Work It Out.”

Looking back, what is your best memory as a Latin Freestyle singer? Is there something that stands out ??
Peforming, “We Can Work It Out” was the most memorable because it was the first time ever BLS played a Freestyle record. It became a top 10 and that was, “We Can Work It Out.” BLS started playing me in NYC which back then was a prodominatley African-American listening station. It resulted in me receiving a special achievement award from a Billboard presenter. I didn’t even know I was going to receive this award. The next day, KTU which was Hot 103 back then began playing me. Hot 103 was not the first station to play Freestyle…it was BLS that played my songs. “We Can Work It Out” and this song was my most memorable in the sense that it gave me the radio airplay which led me to perform all week long, sometimes even four in one night .

I read on your biography that you went through a painful process through your years in the recording industry. Would you like to share a little with us on that?
yes I can share a little bit of it. Because it is alittle of we talked about being cheated in the industry. I was young and got caught up with people controlling my life. It was a battle in trying to find yourself. So, for the years of Leather & Lace, I had to learn how to share in the sense of when we went away. It wasn’t the issue of the selfish thing but more that I was a loner and everything was done in a group level. I later found out this was a good lesson to learn. What was painful was that by 1989, by the way had another record out that most people don’t know called, “Who Will It Be,” anyway by the time ’89 came, I was pretty disgusted with the music business. I had gone through changes in managment. I was cheated out of my money and felt very betrayed. I no longer was enjoying singing and thought it was sad I felt this way because of this. It was very painful!!

Is that why you kinda left freestyle to persue Gospel music?
Well that was one of the things. But also, after 1989, There was Cutting Records. In 1990, I was doing “Why You Wanna Hurt Me.” In 1991, I did “Read Between The Lines.” By that time, there was a problem going on with Freestyle. They didn’t know what to do with Freestyle anymore. See, the market was so saturated with people who could not sing and producers who could produce!! The people who could sing and the producers who could produce, because there is a hand full that can in Freestyle and really believe they are the older ones like the Lissette’s, Johnny’s , Noel’s, Judy’s… those were the good babies. What happened is that the music was so saturated that people became bored and companies didn’t know what to do. There was the sound of Techno that was evolving and tried to put a little of techno with freestyle. So , by 1991, I came to my wits end. They didn’t know what to do with me as an artist and was not happy at all!! All of that led me to a place to try to discover myself. When you were in a high like was at a young age with the success I had and the money tha I HAD, I got to the point where I felt very empty. After 1991, I felt like I went down hill in the sense that I identified myself with those things of success as an artist. Though I had an education and had skills, I felt like a failure. So what happened was that for a little bit of time, I stopped singing between 1991 to 1993. Then one day, somebody called me to do background for Charlie Babie Rosario n Chicago and asked me to do this. That was when I got a record deal in Chicago. I did a demo entiled “Band of Gold.” I had a long way to go until I found myself with surrendering my life and talents to Christ (laughing)!! So, I had a record deal in Chicago and was was scheduled do R&B. I was to receive a good amount of money for the album and had a steady job too!! Previous to my move to Chicago, I had meet another girl, Maria Ventura, who had started going to Bible studies and Church. Well, at first, I didn’t want to hear anything about what I called RELIGION. I soon realized that it wasn’t about religion but about a RELATIONSHIP with the Lord. While in Chicago, I began to read the word of the Lord and things began to change inside of me. During my stay in Chicago, I began to question if I wanted to stay with this label and eventually I left. Thank God, I did because the Label ended up being involved in a major lawsuit. I learned how to humble myself. I was stripped of the things that I was use to, but through it all God provided waht I needed to get by. During that time, I wrote “I Lost The Sparkle In My Eyes.” Anyway, to make a long story short, I gave in to what the Lord wanted. It was a slow process. Also, there was alot stripping me away from myself in Chicago before I came Back to NYC and surrendered. I accepted God into my heart which was the best thing I ever did .

What is the name of your church?
Cross Roads Tabernacle

You were in a Drama called, “Run, Baby Run”…tell us what led you in that direction?
This was a trip!! Here I am at my church for about 3 years and have been frustrated because I wanted to sing again!! My Pastor had been told he would start writing dramas which were to serve as a vehicile to bring others closer to the love of Christ. These dramas were about real people. Well, Nicky Cruz was a gang leader back in the 50’s and approached my Pastors to do an adapation of the Book, “Run, Baby Run.” They wanted to do a whole production with live music…almost to the capacity of Broadway. So, I signed up to do a bit part. I was called for a major role as Nicky Cruz’s girlfriend and was now called to do acting. I had gone from being a singer to now an actor. Basically, that is how I go into “Run, Baby Run” in 1997. Then, In 1998, I did a play called, “Roof Top,” where I was honored to be asked to sing my song, “I Lost The Sparkle In My Eye.” Then, In 1999, I was called back to do a major broadway tour for “Run, Baby Run.” But now, I was called to sing and act, dance and rap.

In 2000, It seemed that you briefly returned to the Freestyle scene by teaming up with Freddy Lopez and his crew to record a new duet single, titled, “Amiga,” with Chrissy I-eece. Tell us how was that?
Actually, It was released in 2000 but was done 2 years before. What happened was that one day I was watching TV and tuned into the Freddy Lopez Show and recognized by old friend Chrissy who I lost touch with over the years. I said to myself, “Hold up, I want to be on that show.” So, I prayed about it and told the Lord that If you really want me on this show you are going to have to do something….by now coincidence..I bump into Chrissy I-eece in the Bronx. To make a long story short, I didn’t even have to ask anything and said that they wanted me on the show. I then made many appearances with my Christian Gospel Freestyle songs. I was the only doing that. I started getting calls left and right…all hours of the night from fans telling me they were happy for me with my new music. Then all of the sudden, Freddy had a song for me that he wanted me to do but I said no. So, I prayed about it and left it alone for a year and told God that if that song was for me, it would be there. When I came back, it was still there. So, I told Freddy if I could do some rewrite and he had no problem with it and ended up being 3rd writer in that song. Chrissy by the way goes to my church. To this day, we have not performed this song together. I hope to one day do so!! So, it has been a wonderful journey how everything ended up. I Thank Freddy Lopez for his support and Sal Abitello.

Are you married or have children?
No, I am not married and do not have children. Do you plan to have any more releases with E.L.I. Records or anything with Freestyle?
I am happy right now that I am not signed with anybody and that there are no strings attached it is for that reason I like the idea of the compilation. Even the songs I did on the CMN House Of Faith Gospel/Freestyle CD, I have 100% publishing rights! I made a deal to where I can sell my own merchandise with no interference of anykind. I like that deal because if ever I wish to redo those songs for anybody, I do not have to fight with any label about it. I did however re-did after ninteen years, “Tender Heart” and “We Can Work It Out” for a compilation for Fever Records. I am not sure what the name of the compilation is but is due to come out later this year. In fact, Noel and Johnny O came in and re-did some of their music over as well. (laughing) I am not sure how it will sound because all I did was re-do my vocals and have not yet heard the music part. I assume it will be a House Version but still Freestyle in Melody! So basically, I sang what I know…(laughing)

How was it to be around those guys again?
Johnny O was always a sweetheart and still is!! We still keep in tocuh with each other after ten years. He now lives in Florida and is a minister as well. In fact, He called me to do a show down in Florida with him for New Years. But at the end, I got a call that the show cancelled!! I use to be a girl that would give my all on stage but once I got off…I would be to myself and just go home and sleep. It is until now that most of us, like Nayobe and my good friend Carlos Berrios can now really enjoy each other and hang out to have a good time.

What are your favorite freestyle artists/songs?
I love all Freestyle I can say…especially Old School!! As far production is my very best friend, Carlos Berrios, not because he is my friend but he is unique and created a unique sound that now seems to be taken by everyone. As far as a singer, it would be Nayobe. I would always love Lisette Melendez’s style of singing. I am 100% Oldschool!!

What is your definition of freestyle?
You know I had wrote one for a paper I did but now can’t find it..(laughing) but… It is a combination of a Latin sound with a danceable beat and that is very melodic.

Do you have an email address or website where your fans can reach you?
My direct email is AFaith01@aol.com or I have set one up also on www.freestyledivas.com and that is Arlene@freestyledivas.com

Do you have and advice for new and upcoming freestyle artists trying to make in the biz?
Would you encourage them to stick with their love of freestyle, or get into a more ‘stable’ genre first? Freestyle is not dead because the fans have kept it alive. But feel if new artists try to do freestyle, it will be a bit harder to make it than the ones who have already paved the way like TKA, NOEL, etc…. I feel it is more acceptable for people like them to come out with something freestyle, be heard, and be liked as appose to someone who is new trying to do something old. I really feel it will not work. But do think a little Freestyle influence mixed with a little house might work….but really feel that it will never be the way it was before. So I would advise..of course…do what your heart desires..but be realistic. You have to do your homework and see what is really going to be played!! You don’t what anything temporary. Sometimes, you have do something that is happening…get successful..and then do what your heart desires. You have to compromise and continue to work for your goal!! Make sure..you have another career, above all!! We can all be good at more than one thing!!

What do you see in store for the future of freestytle?
It will continue forever. Ask me why, because I received an email from a 19 year old from Germany telling me that he loves my music. If someone at his age knows my music….that shows that freestyle is strong in the next generation.

What are you future plans? Are you working on any new material?
I am starting on Wednesday school. I am still writing and still love to sing. I want to take my time and know when the time is right, I will record again. There is one spanish pop song that I am hoping to record which I wrote entiled, “Te Quito Mi Corazon.” Actually, I just sent out all my songs to a company that my friend told me about. So, I am waiting now and just know that no matter what, I am where I am suppose to be.

Well, Thank you Arlene for this wonderful interview…Is there a message or anything you would like to tell your fans?
One thing….Do not make Music your God but let God make you your music!!

Thank You Arlene

Freestylemania would like to thank Arlene for taking her time out of her busy schedule in conducting this telephone interview. Just for the record, after the interview, we shared a nice long conversation in general and have to say…she is the most down to earth..nicest lady..I spoken to in a long time. Give here a buzz through email…peace!!