Introducing Singer-Songwriter, Ginette Claudette

Music runs through Ginette Claudette’s DNA. Named after her mother, a well-known singer in the Dominican Republic, Ginette gravitated towards music. Born and raised in NYC, she attended a performing arts high school and showcased her talent anywhere she could, including the Apollo Theater.

After losing her father at a young age and her sister to an illness as a teenager, Ginette put her all into her passion. She caught the attention of several labels with her soulful YouTube covers and eventually signed her first record deal with Universal Motown in 2010. 

Following her major label experience, Ginette independently released projects with partner/producer August Rigo on his Imprint Summer Child Records. She has also been sharing her writing talents with some of today’s buzzing talent like H.E.R., Normani, Destiny Rogers, and KPop acts such as EXO, Tiffany Young, Taeyeon, and more. 

 

Christina: What is your SwagHer? What makes Ginette, Ginette?

Ginette: I think the thing that’s always made me, me is my heart and my ability to lead with it in everything that I do. I don’t know how much swag there is in that, but I can really appreciate that part of myself at this stage in my life. 

Christina: First, let me say, I love your single, “Lookin’ Up Ya Ex” from your new E.P. What inspired this song? 

Ginette: Thank you! I mean, there’s the obvious inspiration behind it. That thing we all do but never want to admit to, but honestly, it’s about so much more than that. Being a woman comes with a lot. I can admit when I have a moment of insecurity, but it’s the confidence for me in this song. It’s really about realizing the gem you are and reminding both your man and yourself in a playful way. 

Christina: You grew up around singers and music, but did you always want to sing? Did you ever want to do something else? 

Ginette: All I’ve ever known has been music. I’ve been laser-focused since before I could even remember. There’s never been anything else.

Christina: Your new E.P. Inside just came out last month. Please tell our readers a little bit about it. What can they expect from your E.P.?

Ginette: I’m so happy to be releasing music again after having my baby girl last year. It took a lot for me to get back to feeling like myself again, so this project is special for me because it got me there. I made an introspective project while I was stuck inside, but what made it truly what it is wasn’t being stuck inside, but being alone with my thoughts and having to look deep inside myself for the inspiration. It’s a lot of feels jammed into several 3-minute songs. 

Christina: You’re a mommy. On your Instagram, I saw that your little girl just made one year old, so happy birthday to little Ruby! How do you balance being a performer, mom, and wife? Do you practice any form of self-care?

Ginette: Thank you! Ruby just turned one, and I’m still so emotional. I’m constantly in awe of her. She is the single best thing in my life. It’s unreal. It’s a lot of work being a new mom and a wife, but I feel so blessed to have my bubble outside of music. It’s something that I needed for so long but never knew I did. Music was always the main thing in my life. I put so much of me into it, and with all the ups and downs that come with being an up and coming artist, you can imagine how much I needed something like my little family to come home to. They truly are my foundation, but I definitely get my self-care on too. Mama needs that! Skincare is my secret vice. I love shopping for it and trying out different products, haha. Something as simple as a face mask and a movie can really uplift me on a hectic day. 

Christina: What has been your greatest accomplishment as a singer/songwriter?

Ginette: My greatest accomplishment as a singer-songwriter? Hmmm, to be honest, I don’t think I have a greatest accomplishment yet. I’m still in the thick of it, but I recently had a billboard in Times Square for a collaboration I did with Venezuelan producer WOST for a Pepsi Football commercial. That was super cool! Especially being a girl born and raised in N.Y.C.!

Christina: What motivates you?

Ginette: What motivates me now is my daughter. She is my why for everything that I do, but I’ve always been a motivated person, and I think that comes from my mother. A widow, she raised four kids by herself; two of them were sick. One of them passed. Her strength has always been a major motivating factor for me, especially now that I’m a mom myself. 

Christina: What is the biggest challenge you have faced in the entertainment industry?

Ginette: The biggest challenge I’ve faced in the music industry has probably been uncertainty. Giving 100% of yourself to something that you truly have no control over is never easy, but I’ve always believed in myself, and I’ve always picked myself back up and dusted myself off.

Christina: You have worked with some pretty big names in the entertainment world. You’ve written for Normani, H.E.R, Exo, and more. How were those experiences for you? 

Ginette: I’ve gotten to share studio time with countless amazing creatives, and I’ll never take that for granted. It’s the best part of the job. I got to work with H.E.R. early on. She’s been a longtime friend of mine and such a sweet, genuine, and very necessary talent in today’s music. We wrote a record together called “Your Way” that she dropped on Aaliyah’s birthday and have written a lot together over the years, but it’s been a while. I miss her, and I hope we can get back in soon! Normani is another incredible talent that I’ve been able to share studio time with. We recently linked up again to write earlier this year in Toronto just before the pandemic hit. It’s always so much fun writing with her, and I just think she’s bomb, so I hope some of the records we wrote come out. I’m always rooting for her! K-Pop has been such a random but fun experience for me. I love Korea & my writing trips out there are always so much fun because I get to step outside of my usual self and really play in lyric and melody. I got to both sing backgrounds and co-wrote for E.X.O., and that was awesome! I’ve also written for Taeyeon, Tiffany Young, and more amazing K-Pop artists. I hope I can go back soon! I miss authentic Korean food too! 

Christina: For all of the women of color that look up to you and the little girls who want to be like you one day. What advice or words of encouragement would you give?

Ginette: I want anybody out there to know that no matter what label society tries to put on you and no matter what circumstance you may be facing right now, NO dream is too big, and you are SO worthy, so keep on fighting the good fight. 

Christina: What can the world expect next from Ginette Claudette?

Ginette: You can expect me to keep fighting the good fight too. I intend to continue my journey, continue releasing music, and all things related! New music is right around the corner. Actually, it may be out by the time you read this, haha! There’s a lot I have in me to give, so I’m going to keep giving it! 

Christina: Do you have any upcoming projects or events you would like our audience to know about?

Ginette: My acoustic E.P. is about to drop, or maybe out now, not sure lol. I’ve always wanted to put an acoustic project together, and “Inside” allowed me the creativity to reimagine the songs and do it. I even put a fan favorite off of my last album “On To Something” on there as well.

Christina: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Ginette: I’m always working on new music, so just stay tuned and keep up with me on all my socials! 

 

Connect with Ginette:

Website: www.ginetteclaudette.com

Instagram:@ginetteclaudette

Facebook: iamgclaudette

Spotify: Ginette Claudette