Biography
Multifaceted, distinctive, unrestricted, profound…these are just a few words to describe New Orleans artist SOL. Yet no matter how eloquent the adjective, they just don’t do justice to the unfathomable genius this rising star possesses. At the ripe age of 21 SOL has accomplished more than many of us will in our life time. At a rapid pace, She’s already captivating the eyes, ears, hearts, and interest of people on an international level.
Born Pamela Galeano to Honduran immigrant parents; her early years were rough and infused with personal and family struggles. It was from those early years of strife and isolation that motived young Pamela to find an outlet to cope with what was happening around her. She found an escape through art in the beginning years and then In 6th grade she found another outlet in the form of writing; yet, it wasn’t until her freshmen year of high school that the depth of her gift with words would come into fruition. This is the year Pamela broke out of her shell, this is the year Pamela chose to just BE, this is the year Pamela became SOL…
Soon after enrolling in a spoken word elective at her high school, SOL began performing her poetry at school events. To her surprise she quickly developed a following and became known around school as “The Poet”. Her irrefutable talent was quickly noticed by Keishia Caldwell and Asia Rainey; of who soon became SOL’s mentors. They, as well as, SOL’s peers urged her to slam for the New Orleans Youth Slam (NOYS) poetry team. SOL agreed and was soon after awarded the honor of competing in HBO’s special Brave New Voices International Poetry Competition first in 2009 in Chicago and again in 2010 in Los Angeles.
Soon after SOL would evolve once again, but this time she would trade stanzas in acapella for lyrics over beats. She began making YouTube videos of her music and they quickly went viral. She was commended by fans for the raw truth of her lyrics and her amazing ability to channel the emotions of others and give a voice to the voiceless; something SOL knew far too well. SOL quickly became a well-known and respected lyricist in New Orleans and this notoriety awarded her the opportunity to showcase her skills live on the stages of The Hookah, Essence Fest, Ashe Cultural Center, Black Star Cafe, Red Star Cafe, Cafe Instabul, Therapy Wine Lounge, 2 cent Listen Fest, Fox 8 news, and many more. She also became active with several outreach projects such as: the 2 Cent ambassador program, 2 cent’s New Renaissance Collective, and RE:EDUCATION OF HIP HOP program (a program that allows artists in New Orleans, New York, Germany, and LA, to collaborate on many projects via webcam.)
Even today SOL continues to evolve and expand her artistry, now possessing such titles as: graphic designer, artist, entrepreneur, and fashion designer of her own abstract couture clothing line (Artist Of Culture Apparel); there seems to be NOTHING this young woman can’t do. And in spite of her unmatchable talent and success SOL remains humble because she never allows herself to forget where she came from. Her mission is to encourage those silently suffering, as she once did, find their voice through her music and to create change through creation. It would seem the moniker chosen by young Pamela Galeano so many years ago now possess an eerily prophetic allocation. “SOL” being the Spanish translation for sun is the perfect analogy of how a child who grew up in darkness is now bringing light to others through her art.
Sol’s debut LP is deemed the unadulterated proclamation of this young artist’s entrance into hearts and headphones of many. “Oye Mi Canto” is scheduled for a summer release. Stay tuned because the best is most def yet to come…
Written & Edited by: Princess-India Powell
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