Armen Named July “Best Vocalist Of The Month" With His Song, "Find A Way”
By Dale Kawashima
Armen
Armen, a talented R&B/hip-hop/reggae singer & writer based in Los Angeles, CA, has won the July SingerUniverse “Best Vocalist Of The Month” Competition, for his performance of his song, “Find A Way.” This song is featured on his new 14-song album New Style, New Sound, which he will release independently later this month (July). “Find A Way” will also be included on a new compilation CD for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“Find A Way” is a contemporary, R&B/pop midtempo cut, which is worthy of radio airplay on several formats. This song provides a terrific showcase for Armen’s soulful, expressive vocal performance, and his vocals display added power as the song builds to a climax. “Find A Way” was recorded at Rusk Sound Studios in Los Angeles, and it was skillfully produced by newcomer Psyrex.
Armen (whose last name is Balyan) was born in Armenia, where he lived until he moved to the U.S. at the age of 10. “My whole family was full of musicians – my father was in a rock group which was popular throughout Armenia and Russia,” Armen recalled. Armen himself started singing when he was just three, and when he was four he sang in front of an audience of 500 people. He has also learned to play piano.
Armen and his family then moved first to Brooklyn, NY, before settling in Los Angeles when he was 11. He began singing in school and church choirs, and he entered and won a local talent competition. Then in high school, he joined a R&B band called First Class, which performed original and cover songs.
Armen
Following high school, Armen recorded a 4-song EP (in 2001) and a full album called Drop It (in 2002), both which were produced by Fred Mirza. He then released another EP in 2006, which contained the uptempo party song “Throw Your Hands Up,” which received radio airplay and club play in several European countries.
Now in mid-2008, Armen has written & recorded his next album, New Style, New Sound, which will be released later this month (July). Armen collaborated with several, top urban producers for this project, including Beat Merch (who has worked with Mary J. Blige and Akon), Illmind (Black Eyed Peas, G Unit), OP Beats (Method Man, Young Jeezy), and DJ Altay (a top producer in Turkey).
In addition, Armen has a couple of other recent accomplishments. Earlier this year, he was asked to be the featured vocalist of the new DJ Khaled mixtape with Lil’Wayne and Young Jeezy, and since then, he has been a part of other mixtapes with such artists as Kanye West, Jay-Z and 50 Cent. Armen has also been performing live shows regularly in L.A., at such venues as the Kodak Theatre and Wilshire Ebell Theatre.
Top Five Vocalists Of The Month
"Best Vocalist Of The Month" Winner
More Best Vocalists Of The Month
| |
|
Malea McGuinness |
|
| |
|
Dave McDowell |
|
| |
|
Kim Monroe
|
|
| |
|
Linnette Harrigan |
|
To enter the next "Best Vocalist Of The Month" Contest (the deadline is the last day of each month), please Click Here
