The Artists Who Inspire Me to Create: Kina Cosper, Maria Lumiere, and Cha Cha
My Favorite Singers and Their Impact
As an emerging R&B artist, my music isn’t just a reflection of my own life—it’s influenced by the legends and underappreciated voices in the genre who have paved the way. Kina Cosper, Maria Lumiere, and Cha Cha are more than just my favorite artists; they’re the ones who fuel my creative fire. Their artistry pushes me to go deeper, to not only share my truth but to take risks in the process. Here's how each of them has shaped my approach to making music.
Kina Cosper: Raw Emotion and Empowerment
What I love about Kina Cosper is her ability to transform personal struggles into universal anthems. Her solo work, especially songs like "Girl from the Gutter," doesn’t just tell a story—it makes you feel every high and low. That raw vulnerability has taught me that music is most powerful when it’s real. Kina’s fearlessness inspires me to write lyrics that aren’t just catchy but meaningful, peeling back the layers of my own experiences so my audience can see themselves in my songs.
Her work encourages me to stay authentic in my own music, especially in the way I approach topics like self-love, resilience, and overcoming adversity. The emotional depth of her tracks speaks volumes. It’s not just about singing—Kina infuses her songs with real-life experiences that feel universal. Her vulnerability invites others to embrace their own, and I want to channel that same authenticity in my work.
Albums:
Kina Cosper- KINA (self-titled)
Maria Lumiere: The Art of Subtlety and Sophistication
Maria Lumiere is an artist who embodies the beauty of understated elegance. Her sound is smooth, sophisticated, and timeless. While she might not have had mainstream commercial success, her style, particularly in songs like “My Soul,” shows a lesson in minimalism. Her voice is clear and deliberate, often leaving space in the music to let the lyrics and emotion breathe. There's a quiet power in her delivery, something that has inspired me to slow down and focus on the essence of what I'm trying to say rather than the flashiness of a production.
Lumiere’s ability to make simple arrangements sound so rich and complex has influenced my approach to songwriting. There’s a sense of calm and introspection in her tracks that I want to bring into my own music, reminding myself that the most beautiful moments often come from the smallest details. Whether it’s a sparse arrangement or a perfectly placed note, Maria Lumiere has shown me that sometimes less truly is more.
Albums:
Maria Lumiere -MY SOUL
Maria Lumiere- OH SO FULL OF PROMISE
Cha Cha: Boldness and Innovation
Cha Cha’s 1999 album Dear Diary may not have achieved massive commercial success, but it has influenced me in ways I didn’t expect. Cha Cha was ahead of her time—blending R&B with hip-hop and pushing boundaries in a way that felt fresh and fearless. Her ability to mix genres, paired with her unapologetic confidence, is something I find incredibly inspiring. Her approach to music has encouraged me to experiment more freely and find my own sound, even if it means stepping outside the traditional confines of R&B.
What I admire most about Cha Cha is her fearless spirit. There’s an energy in her music that challenges the status quo, and it’s this kind of boldness that pushes me to be braver with my own work. I’ve learned not to be afraid to break the rules and fuse different elements together—whether that’s blending soulful ballads with upbeat tempos or adding unexpected textures to a track. If Cha Cha could do it, why can’t I?
Albums:
Cha Cha - DEAR DIARY