Kaitlyn Velez isn’t your typical Gen-Z songbird – she embodies the style of a New York City “It Girl.” Her aesthetic as an artist is a blend of pastel and vaporwave visuals, and her music is bubblegum pop with some R&B influences. The young singer and songwriter tells Jejune about what inspires her to create, her single “FOMO”, her Hispanic background - raices - as artistic fuel and how she gives back through the intersection of music and activism.

Where are you based?
I’m based in New York. I’m from Long Island.

How did you get interested in music?
I’ve had a love for music for as long as I can remember! My family is very musical, so I grew up being immersed in it which is something I’m incredibly grateful for!

What influences do you incorporate into your music style and aesthetic?
I would say I fit into the bubble gum pop world. I love bright colors and happy vibes and that’s what I try to incorporate in my songs.

How do you embed your passion for storytelling into your music?
A lot of my songs are inspired by my own experiences as well as those around me. It happens naturally I think! I like my songs to have some sort of my form and narrative arc, like when telling a story — it takes the listener on an adventure with you which is something I love.

Your new single, FOMO, is out. Could you talk about the creative process? What inspired you to write this song?
I had to write FOMO for an assignment I had in my songwriting class. I really wanted to write about something personal and I wanted to be and be honest as well as make it relatable to listeners.

Can you tell us a little bit about what FOMO is and why you think people experience it?
FOMO is the fear of missing out. I think right now more than ever, everyone is feeling this. A lot has changed and it’s so normal to feel like you are missing out on what life used to be.

Jejune loved how you celebrated the Hispanic Heritage month by featuring your friends and family. What inspired you to take this initiative?
It was so important for me to do this simply because representation matters so much. Hispanic Heritage Month is not talked about and or given the attention that it deserves and although my platform is small, that doesn’t matter! It’s all about making a difference and I wanted to help bring awareness to the month in whatever way I could.

You’re Puerto Rican and Dominican. How has your identity shaped you and your music?
Our culture has so many genres of beautiful music! My dad plays in a salsa band from time to time and we were always exposed to the beautiful genre that is salsa! The music is so rich and lively and it definitely speaks for who we are as a people.

As far as my identity, I have become more increasingly proud to be a Latina as I get older. We are so resilient and strong and capable. I grew up wishing that I could blend in with the majority (which was white people). I now embrace my differences and am so proud to be who I am! It took some time but I love the skin I’m in.

How important is representation in the music industry? Did representation - or lack of - impact your growth?
Representation is so important. Growing up, I didn’t see people who looked like me all that much and it really took a hit on my confidence. It’s discouraging to see the lack of diversity in entertainment spaces and that’s something I really want to change. I want to inspire Hispanic girls and other POC that we can and are able to occupy the spaces we want. I want to empower other people to do what I want to do and encourage them!

For your first ever single, i miss you, you raised over 700 dollars for the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI). Can you tell us a little bit about EJI and what prompted you to help this cause?
When I was releasing my first single “i miss you”, George Floyd had just passed away due to police brutality. In light of everything that was happening, I didn’t want to take away from the movement because that’s where our attention needed to be. I thought that donating to the EJI would be a great way to keep that attention on the movement as well as get my followers involved by commenting on the cloud emoji’s on the release picture. It was awesome to see that we were able to donate all of that money and that it inspired other people in my life as well as some of my followers to do the same.

What do you think artists do to raise awareness towards social justice issues through their platform?
Educate your platform in any way you can and don’t be silent! We have the power to leave an impression on people as well as be the people to bring their attention to important issues such as social justice.

How are you staying positive during shelter in place?
Staying positive and keeping myself occupied is how I’ve managed to keep busy.

What is your motto in life?
My parents have always told me that God is in control and that’s something I truly believe. I know that he has an awesome plan for my life and I trust that he in control. It gives me a lot of comfort knowing that he has my back and is in control of all situations. I don’t need to worry because he has it under control.

To learn more about Kaitlyn Velez, please follow her via the below platforms:
Instagram: kaitlynvelez
Youtube: kaitlynvelez
Twitter: @kaitlynvelez_

Photography by Austin Howard Studio

Kaitlyn Velez Sings In Style