Known professionally as C’Marie, Carly Marie Masten is a trio talent as a singer, dancer and choreographer. Dancing since the age of two, she’s won multiple competitions and national championships. Her incredible dancing has led to her work in choreography with Dave Scott, among others, and has been in numerous music videos, and television shows like “Ellen” and “X Factor.”
When she moved to LA, she decided to focus her career on singing, and joined girl group Code 5, who then bcame known as Paperdolzz. She has since become solo artist and has worked with Myles Parrish, ChuckieG, and David Kidd, to name only a few. With her solo work, she has a track featuring popular artist, Ty Dolla $ign.
She has a new album coming out that she recorded with A1 in just four days, and her new single and music for “Be Nice,” is featured on it. The music video was filmed in Seattle and the song is about finding someone that’s nice to you so you can give that back.
C’Marie spoke with us about her early days of dancing, choreographing, “Be Nice” and it’s music video, and more. Check out what all C’Marie has been up to and what else is in store.
You started dancing at the age of ! Amazing! What’s your earliest memory of dancing, and what did you enjoy about it so much?
My earliest memory of dancing is when I was at dance competitions and my mom couldn’t find me half the time cause I was wondering off when I should’ve been on stage. I enjoyed the thrill of being on stage and being able to perform.
You’ve worked with numerous choreographers, each with a different approach to dance. Which one has had the most profound impact on on you as a dancer and an artist?
There have been a lot of choreographers that have impacted my life. Coming from the Pulse I think every choreographer has impacted me in different ways. Including Chris Judd, Dave Scott, Wade Robison and Gil Duldulao…
You’ve been singing since the age of 12, and decided when you moved to LA, you decided to focus on music. Can you share with us what that transitioning was like?
Transitioning from dancing to singing was very different, but I always felt like dancing wasn’t what I was meant to do and as soon as I moved to LA and made singing a priority I knew it was what I was passionate about.
You’ve also been a performing artist with the girl group Code 5 who then became Paperdolzz, and now you’re a solo artist. How did being in a group and going solo influence you creatively?
Being in a girl group was a great learning experience for me because it taught me a lot about the industry I was getting into. Helped in my creativity by giving me inspiration to write.
You created your new album with A1 in just four days; was that intentional or just how it came to be?
Creating the album in just four days was out of pure excitement for how the project was turning out. I mean we were going till 5:00 AM, so as you can imagine we were so hyped up about it.
For the new music video for your single “Be Nice,” you filmed it in Seattle; what was that experience like?
Filming my music video”Be Nice” in Seattle was such a fun day! Waking up at 5:00 for make up and being able to go explore Seattle while filming a music video.
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and who has been your favorite so far?
My first concert was Celine Dion, but my favorite concert was Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Tyga all in one (laughs). So much talent in there each individual ways.
What was your first album CD and/or vinyl?
Man, my first CD had to be Rihanna’s Rehab album or Kidz Bop
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Five albums and artists I can’t live without are: “Unapologetic” by Rihanna, Jhene Aiko, “Views by Drake,” Chris Brown and Rihanna.
Who are your top five female musicians who have influenced you the most?
Rihanna, H.E.R., Ciara, Alicia Keys, and Lady GaGa
