This A-Profiler we bring you Gi. Formerly of the San Francisco Bay Area trio Premiere (later renamed to Honey Luv), Gi brings forth a mosaic of R&B, Soul, Jazz, Hip Hop with her debut solo album, "Sunrise." With over 10 years of experience in the music industry, Gi take some time out to share with us how Premiere got started, what it has been like going solo, and what she enjoys doing when she has spare time.

Your site URL:
www.gimusic.net/

What is your ethnic background?
Filipino and damn proud of it!

Some of us were first introduced to you as the youngest member of the R&B group Premiere. How did Premiere form and what are your fondest memories of those early days?
Alisha is my sister and Leslye is my sister-in-law's little sister! We grew up together since I was in diapers. We grew up performing at family parties and decided to form a group when I was 11. We then were discovered by Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster (executive producers of EnVogue) on a tape when I was 13. They signed us without hesitation and then Premiere was able to travel nationally performing and appearing on several shows such as BET and Soul Train (which we all grew up watching). Everything just happened so fast!! But that's how we basically started in the mainstream.

I'm sure you get this question all the time but during your Premiere days the group was famous for the music video for "Somethin' About You" which followed in the "Mission: Impossible" theme. What was making that video like?
Making a music video was such an awesome experience, very unforgetable. It was a 3 day shoot filmed at our recording studio at that time (FM Studio) and at Denzil's house. Alisha got really sick during her scene in the white room b/c that room was incredibly hot and small. She had to take several breaks so the director (Len Wiseman) would use me and Leslye's hands in some shots. I can go on and on about how fun making this video was but all in all... it was definitely memorable.

10 years later, you've gone solo. What has that been like?
Yeah...it's random and crazy! I actually never planned to do a solo project. After us three had met with so many labels who were very "iffy" about signing a Filipino group, Alisha had found a business career, Leslye had settled down and got married, and we all concentrated on school. I didn't feel complete. Something was missing from my life. I used to cry to my fiance and express that without doing music, my soul was incomplete. He introduced me to his producer cousin (Rey Resurreccion) and we'd hang out and vibe out to his beats. I started writing hooks, then hooks became verses, then these verses became an entire album. It's been real different without Lish and Les helping to make decisions or perform with but they're completely supportive of this whole project! I'm at the peak of my happiness these days...got my fiance, my family, my soul sisters supporting me, a new home and I got my music to complete me.

Your latest album, "Sunrise," is looking to further expand your music style. What can we expect from this album?
Being totally independent, I was able to write the entire album (with the exception of "How you did it"- G. Owns and "The Getaway"- Rey Resurreccion). Unlike the pop R&B stuff Premiere released, it's more soul and R&B with a hip-hop twist. Now that I'm older, I don't sound too much like a mouse anymore :) I tried to provide variety in style for the many listeners out there.

Who are some of your musical inspirations and role models?
Too many to name but some are Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, India Arie, Musiq Soulchild, Brian McKnight, Etta James. A big role model not relative to music would be my dad, Max. He has worked so hard from the time he was 17 and first came to the US. He always found a way to create happiness in his family and created success from the clothes on his back. He's an amazing person who never fails to care for and make his children happy.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I honestly don't know, but I know I'll be involved in music somehow whether it be writing, performing, or working for a label. I didn't release this album for the money or the desire for fame. I just wanted to show the people that were already fans that I truly do enjoy sharing my music with them, and hopefully create new fans to relate to. It's amazing how music bonds people from all lights of life together.

What interests other than music do you enjoy when you have spare time?
I love eating!! I love sleeping, writing songs, relaxing with my fiance, hangin with my dogs, and spending time with my family. I'm very family-oriented...they're what made me me.

And finally, what words of inspiration do you have for those other struggling music artists out there?
Please please please. Don't settle for a life you feel is incomplete. We only live once and we might as well do what we love and create that happiness through ourselves. There will be plenty of "no's" and "maybe next time's" but if you know you were born to do it, it was your destiny and no one or nothing can stop you.

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This issue of A-Profiler is brought to you by Nelson Wong. Special thanks to Gi.

Images courtesy of Gi.
Copyright retained by original copyright holder.