Rap-Up.com || R&B Songbird Cherlise Takes Flight

The baddest R&B chicks are known to roll with an entourage or at least a bodyguard or two, but Cherlise does it a little differently. The 23-year-old singer gets her support from her nine brothers and sisters—”All from the same parents!”—she playfully adds. Hailing from just outside Miami, Cherlise knows about the party life but credits her family for keeping her grounded, even after being signed to Rico Love’s Division1/Universal Republic imprint and having Fat Joe (“He’s the biggest teddy bear”) as her mentor.

“What’s great about having all the siblings is that I have a whole basketball team looking out for me,” Cherlise tells Rap-Up.com. “The support I get has taught me how to love unconditionally.”

All the love seems to be pouring into the studio though, as the tenacious songstress admits that the hustle is romance in itself, making it hard for her to pursue relationships. “I’m not really in a place to get involved right now,” she admits. “I’m realistic with myself and I don’t have the energy and time. I love really hard and fall really hard. Guys have a hard time committing when they haven’t realized their dream when they’re not where they want to be. I’m like a guy in that way. When I get there, only then can I invest.”

While she waits on that payout, Cherlise is drawing in devotion from an audience that has gotten a taste of her style. “The general tone and mood of my debut album is going to be straight with no chaser,” says the confident chanteuse.

There are soulful ballads on the album that will familiarize the masses with her tone and range, as well as more upbeat joints clearly influenced by her favorites—Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Michael Jackson.

Her debut single, “Love U Right” featuring Lil Wayne, is a huge and humbling deal for the newcomer. While stunned at what an incredible opportunity it was to work with the rap icon so early in her career, recording the track made her feel secure in her company. “It just reminds me that the people I’m surrounded by have faith in me.”

–Rajul Punjabi

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18 Comments

Nahjee
September 26th, 2011 at 6:25 am
Well she won’t get most read stories of the week lol never seen this girl before in my life She will probley get like 4 more comments and that’s it…. NEXT

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Lisa Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 6:42 am
@Nahjee, she has got to start somewhere.

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Dez
September 26th, 2011 at 6:58 am
She graduated from Florida A&M University…..so Ill Support!

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Replay
September 26th, 2011 at 7:10 am
She has talent, stop hating u dicks

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bknyhustle
September 26th, 2011 at 7:49 am
lmao @”lil tunechi aka watch yo female artist”

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Nick
September 26th, 2011 at 8:07 am
I wish we were still in the days where new R&B artists actually had a shot at getting a Top 10 on the Hot 100. Now all radios want to play is gay people music like electro-pop and GaGa and Britney. Tired of it.

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Songstress Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 10:50 am
@Nick, “Gay people music” don’t know what that is….let’s try dance or pop music. Don’t be rude ! = )

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Ryan
September 26th, 2011 at 9:27 am
dope. i love the single.

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SayWord
September 26th, 2011 at 10:13 am
She’s so freshfaced and family oriented! This single’s okay, but she can sing for real.

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Treyy
September 26th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Cherlise is about to big things in 2012. I CANT WAIT!!!

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Phoenix_Wright
September 26th, 2011 at 10:40 am
this lyric video is dry compared to a lot of others I have seen

I like the song though, been playing it for a few weeks now

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Melsothoro
September 26th, 2011 at 10:49 am
I been following her 4 a minute, the single is DOPE! I fuk’s wit her..

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3ammadness
September 26th, 2011 at 10:54 am
Nice track. Nice look. Wish her all the best & much success. FAMU all day:)

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jojo
September 26th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
she’s the next Keri Hilson!

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Rush Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
@jojo, that’s big! congrats Cherlise! #TTLO

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chris
September 26th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Sounds like this was written for Beyonce and she turned it down so….they gave to her! lol

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mykeb757
September 26th, 2011 at 11:05 pm
This lyrical content and her flow sound dated

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Um.Well.Sure.
September 28th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Something about the song reminds me of K.Michelle and when she starts singing in the softer tone I hear Dondria. Honestly, it’s never good to be compared to someone so soon in your career so hopefully the next single will give her a signature sound.

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