Becoming a student of music at the age of two, Britni Elise is on the path to becoming the next Pop and R&B star. At eight she performed in the Christian play “The Lord will Make A Way” at the Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2001, she put her first trio together First Choice and in 2004 Chosen Fate. Britni wrote and produced songs on both groups CD.

In 2007 Britni Elise began her pursuit as a solo artist. Her first single, “Satisfied” co-written with Charles Farrar (Vyrus) has gained thousands of airplay and in July 2009 she will release her first solo album. Britni Elise talks to In Chi City (Chicago) about musical influences, her style and her future goals.

ICC: How did you start singing?

Britni Elise: My father, although he cannot sing at all, he is one of the main people that got me started singing. I’ve been singing since I was two. He had me singing these scales, playing the piano, and singing these songs all while I was two and three years old. He has me on tape singing along to these old records. That’s how I got started singing.

ICC: Who are your musical influences and dream collaborations for the future?

Britni Elise: My musical influences are definitely Prince. Prince, Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson. We have the same birthday! Celine Dion and Shania Twain. It is a very very wide variety.

Collaborations I would say Prince and I would love to collaborate with Beyonce and Michael Jackson.

ICC: Many artists have a style, a flavor. What would you say is your style?

Britni Elise: Deep down I am a rocker. I have always been into fast music. As well as Pop and a R&B sound. If I had to compare it to someone I would say FeFe Dobson. I am very very edgy.

I’ve been like this since I was little but I couldn’t always dress the way I wanted to. You have to grow up accordingly.

ICC: You have an extensive background in Gospel and now you are moving into the direction of Pop/ R&B. What led you to that decision?

Britni Elise: I will always go back to my roots, gospel. I feel like my heart was in a place of Pop and R&B. It’s a little freer, you can do a little more in regards to music and the things you can say.

ICC: Where would you like to be in the next year?

Britni Elise: Hopefully I can get this Beyonce and Jay-Z tour that is coming up. Hopefully I can be the opening act for them. I would like to prepare myself for even more success. I am not doing this for the fame or the money, its being able to write and sing from my heart. I really feel like I would go insane if I could not write down my emotions. There are certain ways people get it off. Some people don’t say anything and kinda explode and some people box and some people write and that is what I do. In the next year I want people to hear my story. I want to be as widely known as Michael Jackson.

ICC: When can we expect your album? Do you have a title?

Britni Elise: The release date is in July 2009. I don’t have a name just yet. One idea for the name is ‘My Diary’.

ICC: I know you’re from Ohio but when you come to Chicago, what do you love?

Britni Elise: The clubs! The people! The radio stations! What is there not to love about Chicago? The only thing I have to say about Chicago, which is not bad because Cleveland has the same issue, is the weather. Chicago is amazing. I had an amazing time at the Sprite Green event. Chicago parties so hard and the people are so friendly and the different ethnicities and races party together!

ICC: At the end of the day, who is Britni Elise?

Britni Elise: I am a shy and humble girl that is living my dream. It is so funny, I am so shy but when I am on stage it is a totally different me. I like to be alone at times, and at the end of the day I am a quiet dorky girl.

Listen to her single, “Satisfied” at britnielise.net