Who will perform at iHeart’s Jingle Ball Village, get mentored by Grammy Winners and Win $10,000? You decide!
Roni Marsalis
About Roni Marsalis
Roni Marsalis also known as The HipHopAngel, is a solo Hip-Hop and RnB artist. Her style is raw, poetic, and majestic. She speaks to the empowerment of women globally, acknowledges their relationship struggles, and uplifts children affected by them.
Performances & Content from Roni Marsalis
If I Could Fly
Your Eyes
Dorm Room
Fool In Love
oni Marsalis | The Peppermint Club
Learn More About Roni Marsalis
What makes you the Next Music Star?
I'm the next best thing to oxygen. There is an abundant amount of noise pollution within the music industry and it is refreshing when a Roni Marsalis song comes on. I have commercial appeal and my message isn't shallow. I am not the average hip-hop artist and when I perform it is authentic. I dance, recite poetry, rap, sing, and play the piano. I am the blueprint for the younger generations who don't want to be consumed by materialism and hyper-sexual language in music. My musicianship is based on real emotion and diverse creative expression. In my humble opinion, I think A Music Star should challenge the status quo and positively impact peoples emotion's. A Music Star's music should be able to be appreciated and played in front of young children and elders and I have that.
What do you love about music and performing?
Performing saved my life and has allowed me to connect deeply with myself and people who appreciate music. I love the joy of being on stage and sharing it with others. I remember when I performed my song "If I Could Fly" at SXSW and no one knew me. Before my song was over the audience knew my hook word for word and sang with me. That is one of the best feelings in the world to me because it is a reminder that I am seen, heard, and not alone. It is confirmation that my art isn't simply a means to an end, but a journey to empowerment and love. I have been performing on stage since I was a child and it is really all I know. I love everything about making music and performing. I think my favorite part of the process is creating the visual concepts for videos and live performances. The most fun part for me is writing the records because I get a chance to understand what music wants me to say. Then I can sit back and admire what music & I created together. I love our bond.
Who are your biggest music inspirations and dream collaborators?
I admire many musicians and over the years the list continues to grow and change over time. However the musicians that have had the biggest impact on my artistry today are Michael Jackson, Floetry, Mariah Carey, Etta James, and Alicia Keys. I love Michael Jackson's authenticity, cinematic music videos, and his performance power. Floetry's music saved me from teenage depression and I always want my music to have the same impact. They are also the duality of Poetry & Singing which is the musical style that is most natural to me. Mariah Carey is simply a majestic, timeless, and a legendary songwriter/composer. Etta James's voice is bold and robust like mine. Lastly, Alicia Keys is a multi-talented solo musician like myself. Her music and brand has always inspired me. I am also really into French R&B artist Tayc and Lisandro Cuxi and I would love to collaborate with them, as well as Jhene Aiko, Beyonce, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Wale
What would you do with the $10,000 Grand Prize?
I am currently in the process of expanding my production studio so I can continue to create to my fullest capacity. I would spend my $10,000 on equipment, software and operational expenses. I would first pay my electric, internet, and phone bills for the year. These bills are fundamental for creating, and sharing what I create. Then I would buy perpetual licenses for Pro Tools and Davinci Resolve Studio. Lastly, I would buy a Maschine MK3 beat machine, 2 Dell desktop monitors, and my custom PC with at least 4TB worth of space. I have learned over the years that storage is vital and goes quickly when creating music and videos. Prices listed below include sales tax. Operational Costs: Phone $55*12=$660.00 Internet $48*12=$576.00 Electricity $130*12=$1,560.00 Software Upgrades: Avid Pro Tools Studio $1,547.00 Davinci Resolve Studio $295 Equipment Upgrades: Maschine MK3 $558.21 Dell Ultra Sharp 27 inch $421.09 Dell Ultra Sharp 32 inch Thunderbolt $929.87 Custom PC $3,452.83
Participation supports Musicians On Call, a 501(c)(3) charity, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments.