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Shuffled! is a weekly column appearing every Thursday here on BPRLive. Each week, we welcome a person from the APA community to share some thoughts about the music they listen to. Check out the Shuffled! archive for past articles.

Today’s Shuffler: Camile Velasco

Camile Velasco is a renown recording artist who was born in the Philippines in the Makati district of Manila. At age 2, she moved to the Hawaiian Islands with her family. Her father, a U.S. Naval Seaman, enabled her to travel the world at an early age. However, Hawaii would prove to become her home, influencing her lifestyle and her music.

Throughout her life, Camile spent her time developing her skills as a performer and in the recording studio. She quickly became a local celebrity on her home island of Maui. In 2003, with the encouragement of her family and friends, Camile auditioned for the third season of American Idol. As she advanced further and further in the competition, America was awestruck by her exceptional voice and charismatic personality. Camile finished in the Top Ten out of 80,000 participating contestants and performed live for over 25 million viewers on FOX. Shortly after the completion of the competition in 2004, Camile went on tour with her fellow contestants on a sold out National Tour.

She has interviewed, featured, and performed in many places including People Magazine, MTV, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, NASCAR, NFL Pro Bowl. She also signed an exclusive contract with Universal/Motown which enabled her to work with notable artists such as Apl (Black Eyed Peas), Pras (Fugees), and Jeru the Damaja.

Currently, Camile is living in Los Angeles and working on a debut solo album that will be released on Up Above Records and includes collaborations with Grammy Award winning producers.

Every week, Camile posts a new video on www.youtube.com/user/camileTV.

But today she’s posted in the shuffle…

“Players Holiday”
T.N.D.Y featuring Too Short & Mac Mall
This song is cool because its a kick-back track. Its that track you play at a sunday bbq with all the folks. It reminds me to take a second every once in a while to just chill and remember that life is a beautiful thing. That, sometimes we can get too caught up in everything that’s going on around us, and it becomes easy to forget about the simple things in life that mean the most. When this song comes up on my shuffle, I go outside, look at the sky and am thankful for being alive!!

“Bebot”
Apl of the Black Eyed Peas
I like this song cause it reps where I was born….the Philippines!! Apl talks about his struggle and how he made his way from the Philippines to the US. Not to mention, its a fun song too. It has a lot of positive pride for both the people and the country.

“Sock It 2 Me”
Missy Elliot
This song reminds me of the 90’s and I love the 90’s!!! As much as people seem to be really into the 80’s right now…(which is my second favorite decade and a whole other conversation)…. I have been on this super 90’s kick because music just had that flavor… that hip, funky attitude that was still street, still…. free. And even though this was released towards the end of the decade, it still had that vibe. Not to mention, I am also a big Miss fan. Her early material is simply untouchable.

“Night Nurse”
Gregory Isaacs
I love this song sooooo much….it reminds me of Hawai’i….(that’s where I’m from)….it reminds me of high school and partys and bon fires and people bumping reggae out their trucks all across the countryside….those were the days!!

“Tell Me”
Slum Village
This song is really special to me. Actually, this whole album is really special to me. When I was about 14, I got a hold of this album, Fantastic vol.2. To me, this song has that classic “underground” hip hop sound. Its that hip hop song that makes you love hip hop.

“Little Red Corvette”
Prince
This is one of the first songs I remember as a kid. For some reason, even though I had no idea what he was talking about, I loved this song. …haha….but yes….I looooove Prince….and this is just one of his many amazing songs.

Last 5 posts by shuffled

• Shuffled! North Star of the BROWNSTAR Revolution - December 10th, 2009
• Shuffled! Pen Khek Chear - November 25th, 2009
• Shuffled! Maanav Thakore - November 19th, 2009
• Shuffled! Jerry Ma - August 13th, 2009
• Shuffled! Tanzila Ahmed - August 6th, 2009

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