Passion and creativity can overcome any obstacle. Just ask singer/song-writer Malene Younglao, who’s musical background far exceeds the range your typical aspiring artist may develop. From classically trained vocalist to Jazz aficionado during her years at Howard University, Malene went on to create a Philadelphia-based Rock/Reggae band called Younglao. In each phase, she has owned her style with sincerity, most recently captured in her new single “Miss America.”

The Brooklyn by-way-of Trinidad and Tobago artist recently spoke with DXnext about her upcoming debut album Stereotype, what it means to be “Miss America” and what the future holds for her career. One thing’s for sure; Malene Younglao will find a way to succeed.

Influences: Gwen Stefani, Annie Lennox, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Slick Rick.

Ever-Evolving Sound: “I am a mix of Pop, alternative and urban music. I studied Jazz in college and I went on to front an Indie Rock band that was well liked. Now, my music has evolved to the point where it is now.”

Dissecting “Miss America”: “‘Miss America’ was inspired by the feeling that New York takes on when the summers over. It was the height of the summer, it was hot and it was wonderful out here. When I was in the studio I started thinking about what it feels like around this time of year. And I wanted to be able to sonically embody what that was. The feeling that New York takes on in the fall when everyone starts to go inside and everything is moving so freely. That’s why the record is a little darker than the music that we’re about to put out.”

“I also wanted to do a record that was indicative of a part of me. I was raised in Brooklyn, so that was like my homage to being urban. Also, I was trying to show the new alpha female. Putting a spin on it, the new ‘Miss America’ is super swagged out, about her business, super sexy, free and can navigate all kinds of different lifestyles…It celebrates the women that are living and working and taking care of their families, that are climbing the corporate ladder. Your kind of everyday go-getter woman who is a super woman in their own right.”

On The Debut Album: “The album’s called Stereotype. We’ve recorded maybe 20 records so far for it, and we have a strong five that we’re definitely gonna go with, ‘Miss America’ included. We started when I got back from Hong Kong which was around May. I sat down with [producer] Dre Knight, we did some records, and this other girl from Atlanta named SeanTre and I did some records. Now I’m doing records with Chris Cinemaxx at Rockland Ready [studio], and we’re also in talks to do some records with Salaam Remi in the future. So I’m just trying to get the best of it, I’m a perfectionist.”

“We probably do a record or two a night, but when I say perfectionist I mean I want everything to resonate with me exactly the way I want it. ‘Cause we have great records that I love, that I’m confident about that I think can really impact music and the world as it stands. But I’m looking for something that really moves me and moves the team.

The Next Step: “We’re gonna put out another buzz record, it’s called ‘I’m A Winner’ and that’s gonna drop in maybe another two months. It’s anthem-like; it’s like the brighter side of ‘Miss America.’ This is the one record that I listen to everyday when I wake up in the morning. It’s a happy record, and it motivates me. ‘Cause you know, we’re all creators, so when you’re creative you work harder than everyone else. So whether you’re a writer or a visual artist or a producer, you need something that keeps you moving in your reality, which is your dream. Your dream is your source of living. This record is made for that; to keep you motivated.”

Stability In An Unstable Industry?: “I’m not really worried about of that. Everybody has their path, everyone has their thing. You know, if my next door neighbor comes out with a record and all he’s talking about is peaches or whatever it is, it’s gonna resonate with someone, especially with the world being so small and everyone having access to each other. I mean you can have full blown relationships with someone across the planet just because you have Skype, you have all these different technologies that bring us closer. That’s one thing, there’s access. People have access to me at any point and time as long as I make myself available, which I have. The second part is, if you’re doing what you do, and you’re living your truth as an artist, then people will gravitate to that especially if you’ve mastered your craft. And there’s no one I don’t think that can do me better than me. So as long as on the business side you have the right team, which is your vehicle to get to where you need to be just so people can hear your voice, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be successful.”

Finding A Label Home: “By the second quarter of next year, once we’ve executed our plan which we’re putting into motion now to put us in the place of where we need to be, I would like for us to be in a place where the likelihood of being on schedule to be released is real with a label that has reach and that believes in a project. So whether it’s a small label, distributed through a major, or directly through a major, it would all depend on how excited they are about the project and putting me out. That will determine where we go.”

An Alpha-Female’s Life Initiative: “My goal overall in music is to impact pop culture, and even more so when I die I would have made my mark on the world being legendary in whatever way to have a positive effect on the culture. And that’s not only in my musical career but just in life. To get more specific, to put out records and just work, to make a living doing what I love to do with what my function is on this planet, which is to sing and write. And using that as a means by which to do the latter, which is to leave my mark.”