Karma

Jessica Filomeno was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived for some time in Puerto Rico. At the age of 5 she came back to the Big Apple where cultural diversity and free expression is a way of life. From a young age she found herself fascinated by music and poetry and decided to start poetry journals at the age of 10. It was that very tool that formed her into the composer she is today. In Junior High School, she “battled” against all the “boys” who were supposedly better than “girls” in the rap genre. “Battling” was a competition involving two or more rappers where flow, style, chorus, and delivery were judged by a group of peers. She proved that females can have just as much courage, attitude, power, and passion as male rappers. Rapping came naturally to her. It was through the battling experience that she wrote her first rap song at the age of 12.She also loved singing and felt that she could make her songs more melodic. At this point she embraced all the music from her cultural experience in Puerto Rico and NY such as, Salsa, Ballads, Ranchera, Flamenco, Country, Rock, Hip-Hop, R&B, & Reggae, and incorporated them into her choruses. She began writing songs in all these genres as well, not just rap and created her own melodies.She won many poetry contests and received awards for her creative writing. In high school she was editor of the high school year book. In college, she was a sport’s writer for the college paper and a member of the gospel choir. She studied journalism, jazz and music theory and was always eager to learn more about music and writing.Today, she is known as “Karma” has written an innumerable amount of songs in Spanish, English, and Spanglish that talk about themes reflective of her experiences as a Latin, brown skin woman in a male dominant genre of music where she speaks and addresses experiences that often come along with our culture. She carries with her, all the exciting venues she’s performed at and her promise for a bright and successful future.Her interpretation of the human heart and spirit entail a body of work that is limitless in it’s content’s, ranging themes of sensuality, politics in the music world, spiritual awareness and self expression that communicate a stand against segregation, chauvinism, dominant gender related topics and racism. She chose the name “Karma” to express the law that states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.In August of 2007, she wrote a song with Julio “Voltio” called ‘Watch Your Step’. The song is set to be released for his upcoming album. “Voltio’s” known for hits like “Julito Marana” and “El Mellao”. Karma felt that this experience was “amazing because she was able to work side by side in the studio with an artist that I consider a street poet, with an amazing flow and creativity, yet he couldn’t stop complimenting me! Working with a humble colleague in this rap genre gives me hope in the world,” she said. In February of 2007, White Lion Records held a showcase of their most recent and strongest artists at a theatre in The Museum of Art of Puerto Rico. Amongst these artists was Karma who lured and captivated the audience with her lyrics, hip-hop flow, catchy choruses, and free-spirited dance moves. Invited guests included White Lion’s most acclaimed achievements in Hip-Hop and Reggaeton such as, Tego Calderon, Julio “Voltio”, and Residente Calle 13. Industry leaders from EMI Publishing, Warner Bros, and ASCAP also attended and were impressed with Karma’s concept and delivery.“I believe ‘soul music’ is found in any genre that is truly felt, believed, and expressed from the artist’s soul,” Karma explains as she speaks about Country music being a moving expression to her.Karma’s Law- Ur energy is one with the universe. What you think and do affects us all, especially you. Karma’s Motto- You can change the world with just one song.I am an free spirited, alternative, Hip-Hop artist, fusing Poetry, Bomba, Salsa, Rock, Jazz, Funk, Blues, Reggae. My songs are English, Spanish, and some are in Spanglish!! In truth my songs are a reflection of my personality, my experiences, and the music that is inside of me as a Puertorriquena, Hispana, and Nuyorquina. My goal is to change the world with at least one song. I write about love, romance, pain, heartache, sensuality, the urban culture, politics, spirituality, and unity as a people.I am aggressive and passionate. I perform with a live band- Electric Guitar, Congas, Drums, Bass, and Keyboard and sometimes horns.