In 2020, it’s almost strange to hear an energetic and enthusiastic voice on the other end of the phone.
But that’s exactly what you get when you talk to New Orleans-based singer, and recent contender on NBC’s The Voice, Casmè on the phone. Part of that energy and enthusiasm is what made Voice Judge John Legend immediately recruit the singer to his team on the hit competition series. On Monday, October 26, a national audience watched the 10th Ward native declare proudly, “My name is Casmè, I’m 39 and I’m from New Orleans, Louisiana!” She knocked out judges Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, and Gwen Stefani by singing Aretha Franklin’s “Baby I Love You” and she’s been winning judges and the audiences over on the show ever since.
To hear a woman in music boldly state her age on national television certainly made a statement. But the recently turned 40 year old woman is not shy about her age one bit, not even in an industry that is especially hard on women as they get older.
“I was told 15 years ago I was too old—starting at age 23 and 24! The industry looks for 17 and 18 year old fresh faces with new vibes. But I knew for a fact that I had what it took to make a huge impact musically in this world,” she says with confidence. And confidence is another part of the charm that is Casmè. The singer is adamant about staying positive and singing for people.
“I’m not a perfect singer. I’m a people singer. I sing for people. I sing and connect with people. And I don’t sing bashing people. I always sing about positives—even when I end a relationship and sing about it, I end the song about it on a positive. I’ve always written my songs with a solution in the bridges and on the hook. Every day we have an opportunity to use our gift to heal.”
The music industry veteran who has lived in both Nashville and Atlanta before returning to New Orleans four and a half years ago went through heaps of rejection before finding her place in her hometown music scene.
“I’ve had deals on the table because that went sour because I wasn’t willing to change my message. As a black woman, people wanted me in crop tops with my stomach out, wearing bootie shorts because that was what was poppin: sensuality. But I mentor young girls and tell them to love themselves. They can be sexy but keep it classy. And people didn’t want to deal with me because I wasn’t going to change.” (The singer also is editor-in-chief and publisher of Daughter of the King magazine and a full time mentor to young girls in her organization of the same name.)
Returning back to New Orleans, Casmè had to get her foot back in the musical door and explains it wasn’t easy after being gone for so long. “ I had been playing music in Atlanta and Nashville, doing concerts in both cities but when I came back nobody knew me here, especially after Katrina my people were displaced. It was like starting from Ground Zero. I would apply for festivals and get no responses. I said to myself, ‘You are the Queen of Turning Nothing into Something. So I tried putting together concerts with artists I liked, started events like Sisters Rockin NOLA series and started meeting underground indie artists here. That created a vibe.”
She went on to have music nights at her venue, Cafe Agape once a week with fellow artists doing tribute nights to chanteuses like Mary J. Blige and Erykah Badu.
When asked how she keeps it all together, she cites organization and to-do list but is quick to express gratitude for her husband. “They say behind every great man is a great woman…well that works in the reverse, too.” (Her husband is Gary and has shown Casmè that real love does exist, allowing to her to go after her dreams without being a “block.” “He’s a blessing!” she exclaims.) Her entrepreneurial skills and vision boards kept her working throughout all of her trials and tribulations in the music business.
“I feel like there are so many ways artists can make money that they are not aware of. I do jingles for people! As an artist you should have a website, it’s a hub for everything you do. It’s very organized. If you look for my books, you go under my author tab. I feel artists should focus on ways to make more studio recordings, reference work, singing at weddings,. I’ve done a lot of free events but I make so much money on my merchandise. Every artist needs a website and merchandise,” she says.
Part of her merchandise is promoting her motto DREAMING ALIVE & LIVE YOUR DREAM. “Do not give up! If God doesn’t take you out of here and there is still breath in your body and you are still walking and talking, live your dream. My saying is ‘Dreaming Alive’ because you are dreaming alive right now.”
While she remains level headed yet passionate, there is no doubt Casmè’s international star is rising. She talks about the experience she has gained working with John Legend and performing on The Voice, despite being sent home in last week’s Knockout Round against Tamara Jade of D.C.
“I am definitely a better artist because of this experience. I feel he [John Legend] was truly genuine. I feel we will do something else in the future. He congratulated me in a DM for doing so well on social media. ‘Keep shining and keep building your audience,’ he said. That alone for me was like let’s go! He also said I’m amazing and thanked me for brightening their lives. Team Legend forever! It gave me more fuel. I’ve always been an ambitious person. But Gwen Stefani saying my heart is coming through and hearing those judges on that stage compare me to Diana Ross—that will live in my heart forever.”
To learn more about Casmè and to shop her Live Your Dream collection of apparel and accessories, visit her website here.
