Artist on the Rise: Sabrina Claudio

Miami-born R&B soul singer Sabrina Claudio released her first EP March of last year titled, Confidently Lost which peaked at 18 on the U.S. Billboard Heatseekers chart, and seven months later released her first mixtape, About Time, which peaked at number 12 on the U.S. R&B Billboard chart. Claudio's single, "Belong To You," peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Twitter Emerging Chart, signaling a promising beginning for the twenty-one-year-old musician. Claudio sings with a tone that seems beyond her years and dives into themes of, liberation, sensuality, and romance in her music. Claudio grabs the listener's attention with her breathy, sweet vocals along with a sensual, soulful melody. Apart from being a singer, Claudio writes all of her songs.

Claudio, who is of half Cuban and half Puerto-Rican descent, grew up in Miami, Florida but later moved to Los Angeles to start her music career. Claudio gained popularity by singing covers on Youtube when she was just fourteen. Claudio released several singles including, "Runnin Thru Lovers," "Orion's Belt," and "Confidently Lost" independently on Soundcloud in 2016. Claudio's 7-track EP Confidently Lost was wide released in March 2017 via. SC Entertainment.

Much of Claudio's music consists of provocative lyrics that set up a scene of sensuality and romance. One of Claudio's sensual songs, 'Stand Still' from her mixtape, About Time, details a romance, in which Claudio describes her hunger for true love and lust and stands as one of the most powerful, striking songs on the mixtape. Claudio's single "Unravel Me," released May of last year from her mixtape goes into details about wanting to run away from a relationship after it has run its course.

Although most of Claudio's songs consist of her and a love interest in a romantic and/or sexual encounter, there is not a single song that gives the listener any indication that she is dependent or in need of anyone to complete her. Her soulful single, "Confidently Lost" which was released from her EP of the same name, seems to represent Claudio's journey as an artist and as a young woman.

During a Beats 1 interview with Ebro Darden in 2017, Claudio admitted her songs are actually based on the personal stories her friends told her at one time or another. She explained that she had only been in two relationships in her entire life and had never really been in love. She went on to explain that most of her friends are in their thirties or older and have experienced more than she had, which explains her mature lyrics. Watch the full interview below.

Claudio's single, "All to you," which was released in April from her upcoming album, details a sexual encounter with a lover, and carries a catchy melody with powerful vocals. During a Beats 1 interview with Ebro earlier this year, Claudio admitted that she cannot escape the sensual aspect of her music, confessing, "I don't feel right if I don't do it, I can't get away from that." Claudio credits Usher, Lauryn Hill, and Frank Ocean as some of her musical influences.

Claudio is redefining what it is to be a sensual, soulful artist in the industry and is not letting anything or anyone stand in her way. It is unclear when Claudio’s new album will officially be released, but based on Claudio's accomplishments it is apparent that great things are on the horizon. Claudio is currently on tour performing at various music festivals across the country. Claudio is an artist who cannot be put into a box, restricted, or underestimated. While still on the road to being discovered, the sultry singer is most certainly a force to be reckoned with.