Q&A: Parisalexa Releases Her Debut Album “2 Real”
Today, Parisalexa shares her debut full-length project, 2 Real. Traversing the ups and downs of romance, celebrating her self-worth, body-image, her ethnicity, and more, the 21-year-old's debut shines with springy '90s era R&B bops, soulful ballads, and mid-'00s hip-hop inspired jams. “This project,” says Paris, “is an invitation to the listener, whoever they are, to be themselves and to celebrate themselves." In a city historically most recognized for its grunge and rock acts, Parisalexa stands at the fore of Seattle’s rapidly growing and diversifying hip hop and R&B scene. The legend in the making displays versatility throughout her sound, which ranges from an airy effortless vibe that radiates intimacy then transitions to a gritty cocky persona as shown on “Bently Truck.”
2 Real feels like a breath of fresh air; the project glistens with mid-2000s realness that can be compared to a modern-day Aaliyah. The ever astounding Parisalexa has shown tremendous growth within her artistry, every track oozes with a new sense of confidence as she takes controls of the world she’s created in her 10 track debut. We’ve had the opportunity to delve deeper into her world and chat about her growth from Bloom to now.
Photo: Walter Brady
Do you mind introducing yourself?
Hey I’m Parisalexa :)
Congratulations on releasing your debut album! It must feel amazing. How do you feel about this project now that it is out?
It honestly is just one big exhale for me. Elan Wright (my producer) and I have been working on this specific project for about two and a half years. So having the relief that these songs are finally going to get their chance to be heard is such a good feeling! Obviously no one could have predicted a pandemic would happen right now but the show must go on. And this is the perfect time to really sit with an album, when all you have is time on your hands haha. I hope people really enjoy it like we did making it!
What was the most difficult part about creating your album? Has being in quarantine presented any new challenges toward the release process?
I always have so many different ideas in my head at once (ADD) so landing on just one concept for the project was harder than expected. But as I stopped trying to force it, the answer kind of came to me naturally. Unfortunately, quarantine has put a few bumps in the road as far as touring the album, press, etc. But like I said earlier, the show must go on. Glad I have music to drop right now.
Photo: Walter Brady
It feels like your sound has shifted slightly since you’ve released Bloom. What inspired you to transition from a laidback lo-fi influenced sound to a more trap-inspired project?
I think I’m not the same girl I was when I wrote bloom and I want people to hear that. I feel like on songs like 4 playin I dance around with a similar sound to the soulfulness of bloom but the trap influence is definitely leftover from FLEXA that I just wanted to reinterpret. A lot of the song topics on 2 Real are also edgier like FLEXA than they are sweet like Bloom, I wanted the 808s to reflect the grit.
Who are you listening to right now?
I’m listening to a ton of UK R&B right now. Cutting Ties by Tiana Blake is the ultimate replay song at the moment! And TianaMajor9.